Christa ran fast and smoothly passing every car in her run group and lapping a few of them.
Christa moved up a group in her last session and she was second fastest in that group passing every car but one who passed her on the straight. Not bad for a first track day!
Project FR-S ran perfectly all day. This car handles and brakes as good as many dedicated race or time attack cars. The engine is low-powered but has a nice wide powerband. With all the cooling we added, the car can go all day without overheating. The Falken 660 tires had great grip and good life, at the end of the day they hardly wore any more than they had at our previous outing at Buttonwillow even with Christa’s sliding antics in her first session.
Starting Grid emphasizes safety and fun and does not track lap times to prevent people from getting competitive and not focusing on fun. Their events are very safe and well-controlled with no intimidation. Everyone is friendly from the girls in registration to the instructors. If you have learned to race from traditional old school groups, you know their world is full of grumps and you get yelled at a lot. Starting Grid is not like this at all! If you are looking for a good time, are a beginner, or both, we highly recommend Starting Grid to you. Christa will be back for their next event on 3/25/2022!
5 comments
What an amazing experience for her!
I can’t get my own 9yo to stop spazzing out with even a Powerwheels 6/12V plastic car! I don’t see karting in his future. LOL
Some kids are scared of speed and noise. Don’t force them, it’s supposed to be family fun. I didn’t encourage my daughter, a friend gave her a free kart and it was game on for her from there.
“In our area, the popular track day organizations have largely stopped consistently supporting beginner groups. This is probably because the intermediate and advanced groups are really popular and there are often not many beginners. ”
Do you also think there could be a lack of instructors?
I’ve read a few anecdotes of instructors that quit because the amount of horsepower available to beginners turns them off.
I don’t know but as an ex NASA instructor, that would scare the crap out of me!
“Hi, I’m a doctor who’s done nothing but study and work my whole life while driving a beige Corolla. I finally got an attending gig and bought a 911 Turbo, can you show me how to drive it fast?”
…and oh the irony of buying a car too fast to enjoy on the street and too fast to drive on the track.