| Author |
Message |
Adam Chytra
TryHard
NSW
Turbo, manual V8
Posts: 137
Reg: 07-2005
|
Never again will I go to wakefield park. I had been looking forward to driving my car on the track for the entire time it had been off the road, and remembering the fun I had at my previous track days, my first choice was naturally wakefield as I knew the track, and there is only one wall - and you'd have to be a monkey to hit that.
"No drifting" was the call from the (we'll call it track official) as I headed out. 'DO NOT GET YOUR CAR SIDEWAYS AT ALL' is what should be advertised on their website, brochures whatever. A bit too much throttle, and a bit of wheelspin out of a corner. Red flagged on my first lap on the track. Thanks.
On this same lap (my first) I passed two cars who had spun off in the dirt. Pulled off the track? I think not.
Let this one go. Then on the next session, drove out of a slide that was (unintentionally) initiated by turning in to a corner at about 120k's. Red flag AGAIN.
And then it happened again. Spoke to the 'manager', as I really had the sh!ts by now.
This is what he told me, and I QUOTE:
"Drifting is a hoon sport"
me: "I wasn't 'drifting', I was driving out of a slide. I've had to slow to pass people that have spun FIVE times on this session alone. I have spun twice the ENTIRE day. SO it's OK to lose control of your vehicle, drag dirt and rock across the track as long as you don't think it's drifting?"
"But they didn't intentionally lose control coming into a corner. We can hear you deliberately applying the throttle in a slide.
me: "So it's ok to lose control going too fast into a corner, but applying throttle to NOT lose control is not? Mate, if i was attempting to drift, you'd know - a clutch kick before the corner, and maybe some handbrake"
"What IF you lose control and somebody hits you?"
me: "What if I hit someone else that has spun? Just like on the last session where I had to slow five times to pass someone who HAD lost it? Besides which, when I am trying to go quick, I make sure there's nobody within 500m of me, and I DO use my mirrors"
"But they didn't mean to spin"
Do you ever feel more stupid having spoken to someone? Like the dumbness is contagious?
So go to wakefield if you like to brake and turn as violently as you wish and fly off the track. BUT FOR GOD'S SAKE: Don't accelerate out of a corner, cause if you break traction - THAT'S DRIFTING AND ITS A HOON SPORT!
PS: Was thinking - If safety was a priority, shouldn't my car have been subject to some form of scrutineering? Or doesn't anyone know what they're looking at? |
James Harris
Goo Roo
QLD
XTR T-66 Turbo
Posts: 1790
Reg: 07-2005
|
what a joke. |
Leon Wright
DieHard
WA
V8 UZZ31
Posts: 948
Reg: 08-2006
|
It's on a bloody race track! Isn't the whole point of track days to give people somewhere to do things not allowed on public roads, in a controlled safe environment... sounds like a wanker. |
Ben Socratous
Goo Roo
SA
I am the fibreglass/kevlar/carbonfibre king!
Posts: 1775
Reg: 07-2005
|
I vote we all go there for a track day and link the entire track 
What a tool! You did well, I've had a few confrontations with 'contagious stupidius' and I came oh so close to snapping their necks in all circumstances. I've been stabbed in the leg with a screw driver a few years back, and that didn't hurt as much as dealing with those type of twats! |
Scott Gates
DieHard
SA
TT
Posts: 912
Reg: 03-2007
|
Yeah that's what a track day is for. To have fun and enjoy your car, legally...
So yeah that sucks that the bloke was such an idiot. |
Miles Baker
Goo Roo
Vic
66 Mustang GT Convertible, 55 Chevy Bel Air, 69 Firebird 455
Posts: 1333
Reg: 08-2005
|
Yes but tracks have rules just like the road. They can't let people do whatever they want. One of the rules is you have to be in control of your car. When you break that rule, the dude tries to figure out if you did it intentionally. Intentionally losing control is far worse than accidentally. If he got that wrong, well that's a shame. But.. dude you're in your 20s driving a Soarer. What's he gonna assume when you power slide? |
Adam Chytra
TryHard
NSW
Turbo, manual V8
Posts: 139
Reg: 07-2005
|
Miles Baker wrote on Monday, August 18, 2008 - 07:05 pm:Intentionally losing control is far worse than accidentally.
At what stage did I say ANYONE intentionally lost control of their car. Mate, if you feel like adding your input, read the full post first. Driving on a recetrack is about finding your limits, which is why I took my car to such a place to give it hell - and I couldn't.
Miles Baker wrote on Monday, August 18, 2008 - 07:05 pm:One of the rules is you have to be in control of your car. When you break that rule, the dude tries to figure out if you did it intentionally.
WTF are you talking about? I got pulled in FOR NOT EVEN SPINNING!!!!!! ON THE SAME SESSION THAT I AVOIDED FIVE OTHER CARS THAT HAD SPUN!!!!!!!! |
Adam Chytra
TryHard
NSW
Turbo, manual V8
Posts: 140
Reg: 07-2005
|
And none of the officials had any teeth  . |
Adam Chytra
TryHard
NSW
Turbo, manual V8
Posts: 141
Reg: 07-2005
|
Miles Baker wrote on Monday, August 18, 2008 - 07:05 pm:But.. dude you're in your 20s driving a Soarer. What's he gonna assume when you power slide?
That he's wasted his life? |
Daniel Clarke
Goo Roo
NSW
TT 2.5L 6 cylinder
Posts: 3859
Reg: 03-2006
|
UNfortunately Miles is right... Track days have rules, and thats that. Look at it from hsi point of view... Dude slides out, well it happens... Guys is pedalling his 380rwkw soarer round the racetrack... Seems like a driftmachine.
Unfortunately mate, sometimes things dont go your way 
Did you go on street rubber or slicks? Cause theres no way you could contain that thing on street rubber,lol... |
Simon Triantafillou
Goo Roo
NSW
Soarer Turbo
Posts: 1323
Reg: 07-2005
|
Weird... last time a mate of mine went there solely to drift... and plenty of it he did. Never got any warnings. He goes there all the time to practice betweeen events. I guess you just picked the wrong day. |
Peter Nitschke
Junk Filterer
South Australia
UZZ30 UZZ31
Posts: 9834
Reg: 11-2004
|
I got chatted for "drifting" at Mallala one time, but a friendly chat with the guy to explain we were all just driving hard and the heavy arsed Soarer with an open diff would cock the inside leg and wee rubber onto the track occasionally, and he chuckled and left us alone. |
Matthew Sharpe
Goo Roo
North Island
JZZ31
Posts: 3684
Reg: 10-2005
|
A controlled slide is a valid technique totally different to "Drifting"... And it needs to be practiced. I totally agree, the official needs to get his head out of his arse. |
Miles Baker
Goo Roo
Vic
66 Mustang GT Convertible, 55 Chevy Bel Air, 69 Firebird 455
Posts: 1335
Reg: 08-2005
|
Calm down. I read your full post, you didn't read mine. At what stage did *I* say you intentionally lost control?
Look at it from his perspective. He has to say who is being intentionally dangerous. The other drivers were obviously dangerous, but it was his judgment that it was accidental. What I am saying is "any person" who pulls cunning stunts intentionally on a track is seen as far more dangerous. It was his opinion that you were that person. Your appearance as a 20 something in a hotted up Soarer probably contributed to that, added to your power slides (from your very first lap). And it also appears you are a bit of a hot head, and you didn't learn the first time he put you off. 50-50 I'd have put you off the track. You could have just learned from the warning and not powered out of slides..
They have to be all over that stuff these days because every kid wants to be a drift superstar now. It's far more dangerous (read, likely to result in the track being sued) than a standard track experience. Tracks are just trying to protect themselves from the kids who've played whatever the latest drift game is on xbox. They're insured for the expected use of the track. That includes some guy trying to drive around normally and spinning into a wall. It does not include people intentionally losing control. So they are very tight on that and you got classified as doing it. Not very surprising given the car and the behaviour. |
Callum Finch
Goo Roo
WA
Soarer TT & Corolla
Posts: 4151
Reg: 09-2005
|
I think Miles hit the nail on the head.
Learn from your experience and apply it for next time. |
Adam Chytra
TryHard
NSW
Turbo, manual V8
Posts: 144
Reg: 07-2005
|
This is getting off track. I kept getting flagged for "drifting", not dangerous or reckless driving or "cunning stunts". I'll post the video, and if anyone could call this drifting, I'll eat my own head.
Wakefield Park website:
"Wakefield Park also offers Speed off the Street Days, where road-registered street cars and bikes can run on the circuit for a small fee. Drivers/Riders can learn how their vehicle can really perform, in order to better understand how to control their vehicle on the road."
My point is this - I didn't get to see how the car could really perform, to better control my vehicle. That is their stated expected use of the track. It is a street car with street tyres, street (sloppy) suspension and 395kw atw - it's going to get loose. I am not an aspiring race or drift driver, I took the car out to see what it felt like, to see what the temps got up to and to see what points of suspension and brakes needed addressing. But most of all to have FUN. I didn't.
I drive sedately on the street, making sure I don't get sideways or spin the tyres. So if I have to do the same on a RACETRACK, what's the point of going? |
Daniel Clarke
Goo Roo
NSW
TT 2.5L 6 cylinder
Posts: 3863
Reg: 03-2006
|
I would suggest getting some decent rubber mate... Not all street cars have nearly 550hp @ the wheels mate...
Think of this... They probably have seen soarers over the years having no issues going round the track. Then you come along turning the tyres like crazy, Yes due to your power, we know that... BUT not to them!
Anyways, Get some good rubber mate Kinda like having all that power and going drag racing.... WHy spend Thousands upon thousands of $$$ on mods and not spend $700-$800 on some decent rubber that makes it worth your while Although slicks might cost you more.. You will however have alot more fun and be able to harness more of your cars potential mate.
( I know your cranky about it, But we are Just trying to help you out ). |
David Vaughan
Goo Roo
ACT
V8 Ltd manual
Posts: 3892
Reg: 07-2005
|
You don't get it, do you Adam.
You keep objecting to comments people have not made. You are responding to what the voices in your head say happened, not to what people comment here.
I can understand that because it is a natural emotional reaction but the post with maximum votes tells it like it is.
It was Daniel who told us in this thread the power of your car, not you. No selectivity in your opening rant, then? |
David Vaughan
Goo Roo
ACT
V8 Ltd manual
Posts: 3893
Reg: 07-2005
|
Not directly related to my previous post, a question occurs to me. You say and repeat that you avoided five spinning cars. How many spun when you were not there? |
Andrew McKellar
Tinkerer
NSW
JZZ30
Posts: 56
Reg: 06-2008
|
Adam Chytra wrote on Tuesday, August 19, 2008 - 07:36 pm:So if I have to do the same on a RACETRACK, what's the point of going?
Best not go then Adam, if it upsets you so much. |
Adam Chytra
TryHard
NSW
Turbo, manual V8
Posts: 145
Reg: 07-2005
|
I spoke to one guy in a mx5 setup for circuit with slicks etc.. He'd had five by lunch. I spoke to the guy driving an evo in track spec, and Johnno in the swift gti. Nobody but the 'track official' had a problem. You weren't there, they were, I was and so was the official (sometimes). The rant was about not being allowed to get a car sideways under power. AND also a little pissed that nowhere on their website or on their breifing forms does it say "no drifting". This is told after you pay your money and drive onto the track. At no stage does anyone say "no powerslides".
I have my opinion, you have yours. I've done what I thought to be the right thing by taking it off the streets into a controlled situation.
I told a story. If you don't like my attitude, too bad - I had the sh!ts with one person there and that's why I had the rant. I had a crap day, I'm not going to have another one getting into a forum argument on the ins and outs of unwritten etiquette of driving on a racetrack. You have my opinion. |
Daniel Clarke
Goo Roo
NSW
TT 2.5L 6 cylinder
Posts: 3866
Reg: 03-2006
|
Fair enough, but racing around a Race TRack does not condone drifting, thats a different sport all together, Maybe you should take it to a drift day if thats what your more keen on?
Or better still, Find out if that same guy is rostered on next time you wanna go> |
Luke Nieuwhof
Goo Roo
WA
Soarer TT
Posts: 2780
Reg: 07-2005
|
Err geez being a bit hard on Adam here aren't we? If you're pushing the limits on a track you are going to into understeer or oversteer, the latter of which can result in a powerslide which bears a vague resemblance to drifting.
I would just put in a complaint explaining your situation and how you were upset about the way you were treated. |
Adam Chytra
TryHard
NSW
Turbo, manual V8
Posts: 146
Reg: 07-2005
|
Sounds like I might have to 
I get the distinct impression that at some stage a group of guys went down, tried to drift in front of other track users, spun off, sprayed crap all over the track, clouded the tyres after spinning etc, generally making a menace of themselves and making life unbearable for everyone else trying to get some times in.
Now I just think that considering the marshall was cleaning around the pit garages most of the time, he's only listening for the loud pedal and howl of wheelspin combined.
Obviously common sense prevails. Be courteous to other drivers and don't ruin their day by being stupid. Nobody wants to drive over dirt and rocks on the track every corner, obviously. |
Adam Chytra
TryHard
NSW
Turbo, manual V8
Posts: 147
Reg: 07-2005
|
And thank you Luke! |
Miles Baker
Goo Roo
Vic
66 Mustang GT Convertible, 55 Chevy Bel Air, 69 Firebird 455
Posts: 1337
Reg: 08-2005
|
What a lot of people (not directed at Adam) need to understand as well, is that race tracks are not playgrounds. They are not there to do your own thing off the street. They are not a public facility. Race tracks have far higher licensing requirements and regulations than roads, and relatively much larger punishments for breaking these rules. Get into any even mild amateur racing and you will quickly discover everything is very tightly regulated and reviewed. It is not a place to "let your hair down" or anything of that sort. You have absolutely no "right" to anything.
The rules of most track days mandate that if you lose control for any reason, you are subject to being removed from the track. That includes anything they see fit to pick you up on, and any hint that it even MIGHT have been on purpose will vastly increase the odds of that. Remember, you are in a vehicle that probably does not meet any sort of race standards and you probably don't have a racing license? You are their guest and if they feel for even a second that you are a risk to the facility or to the safety of others, you will be removed. It's very bloody difficult to offer track facilities to the public in these litigious times, so play by their rules, keep your mouth shut except to say yes sir and no sir. Or, don't learn anything and get thrown off of all the tracks around. Your choice. Remember who these guys are and what they probably think of your car before you even get on the track. |
Rob Rojo
DieHard
NSW
Soarer TT
Posts: 806
Reg: 12-2007
|
Next time Just hire the whole track out for yourself as a drift Exhibition, I would pay to see a 550hp Turbo V8 soarer going around the Track on Street tyres.
Don't worry Adam sometimes officials interpret the rules very differently and as you said it was not intentional, if you go back again and have the same situation with a different official they might not say anything at all, just don't do it in the first lap.
I got banned from A go Kart track for driving to fast in a 2 seater!  |
Ryan McDonough
TryHard
NSW
STOCK JZZ30 TT
Posts: 499
Reg: 07-2005
|
Having been to Wakefield a few times now, and basically having the same thing happen to myself as Adam, you just have to calm down a bit, and listen to what they have to say. Did you at any point explain to them that you are on street rubber, and how much power you do make, and how you are having a bit of trouble controlling it?
I know I did. I told them them that I was still getting used to the car, stock suspension, open diff, and that I was trying to drive to my limits so to improve. The comments I got from the marshals were just to take it easy when there were any other cars around, and then they let me know through the day how I was going.
They are very over bearing, but if they only piss one person off (ie yourself) and everyone else has a good and safe day, they have kinda done there job. |
Brendan McGannon
TryHard
s.a
JZZ30 'drift supreme' and JZS147
Posts: 158
Reg: 05-2006
|
as anyone would know that has driven on the track before-suddenly closing throttle when the back end gets a bit loose is the quickest way to end up off the track,much like giving to much throttle in the same circumstance.because of the explosion of popularity with drift you can almost bet money on the fact that as soon as u get a side order of jiggy when entering or exiting a corner you will be accused of drifting and possibly booted off,its not fair but not much is these days |
James Cahir
Tinkerer
ACT
Soarer TT
Posts: 53
Reg: 04-2008
|
The irony! |
Daniel Clarke
Goo Roo
NSW
TT 2.5L 6 cylinder
Posts: 3874
Reg: 03-2006
|
Yes but the " Drift Competitions " are that and that only! |
Brian Timms
Goo Roo
New South Wales
TT Soarer Goodness.
Posts: 1452
Reg: 12-2006
|
The officials are stuck-up's and think they are hot-•••••
When they do drifting, they DO DRIFTING, but to call it a 'hoon sport' openly would be shooting one of their main incomes right in the arse.
IF it happens next time, tel him to take his head out of his arse and think about the fact 'it's not dangerous, your maintaining and holding control while others have lost complete control and gone flying off, bringing dirt, debris and other crap onto the track risking everyone elses ride, and who is paying for the track time...
I dont go to wakefield, because every 'controlled slide' is seen as a drift and you get pinged, anything that's turbocharged and larger than a 4-banger is watched for being a 'hoon vehicle'.
FFS, they dont even check the cars before going on the track, they just let them on, you could have an un-bolted LGP take floating in the boot from the BBQ last week that you forgot about, who cares, let him on. They are uneducated hicks that run the track.
B. |
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