Audi Club Drivers School 12/7-9.
24 Hours of Daytona Course - 3.6 miles.
31 degrees of banking can not truly be appreciated until you stand on the apron and look up the track towards the outside wall. We took a track walk on Thursday afternoon and I about sh*t my pants when I saw how steep it is. Seeing it on TV does not convey it at all.
I about sh*t my pants a second time when I found out I was running as “advanced solo”… meaning I would not have an instructor. At most new tracks that would be fine but not one with banking… 31 degrees on banking. Of course I’ve never driven on a banked track therefore I wanted some instruction before I went out solo. Thankfully we were told to hook up with some pro drivers for some lead-follow or ride-along laps. I was lucky enough to get some laps with Chip Herr (Speed Touring Car Series). He took my car (after fixing it in pit lane… another story for another time) out for three laps. I then went out solo for my first 30 minute session. It really only took 2-3 laps to get a feel for the banking. After that it was a pure blast!
Speaking of Chip Herr, his is a very cool guy and I was lucky enough to be on the track while he was driving the Carrera GT… at 190 in the tri-oval/front stretch. Needless to say he passed me a couple times during that session.
LOL. Sure! You should take it to Daytona next year. There were plenty of Corvettes, a couple Camaros, and a few Mustangs at the event. It’s open to everyone as long as you are an Audi Club member… $44 a year.
I wussed out around 150 down the front stretch. The car had more in it but I didn’t. 125 in the banking. The infield was fun but grip wasn’t great because they told use to run an additional 3-4psi (cold) to compensate for the stress of the banking. Therefore, pressure would build to 40+ psi and grip would suffer in the 9 turn infield course.
That part right there is almost more impressive than driving the track itself! I mean its not everyday that the instructor you have in your car is known for being top 5 in grid for Speed Touring car (6th overall for the year). Definitely cool. I heard Pocono runs trackdays on their track also, but I still imagine Daytona kicks the shit outta that track any day of the week. Nice video too!
Chip is a very cool guy. He was willing to help everyone. I bet he drove over 25 cars during the 3 days. We ended up hanging out with him a bit each day/night.
Man, that is awesome Eric! Congrats. I bet the next time you watch the 24hrs of Daytona it’ll be that much cooler now that you’ve driven it. It really does make a difference watching a race on a course you’ve gotten to drive.
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…looked like a blast !