HST at Hallett on 5/26

Ok gang I'm signed up to attend the high speed touring event at Hallett on 5/26. Since I've never tracked my car, or even been to Hallett for that matter, I'm a little unsure of what to expect. I know that my brakes will be an issue so I'm in the process of upgrading the front and rear pads to Hawk HP Plus and the fluid to Motul RBF 600 (thanks David L.). And from what I understand I will need to run a higher tire pressure on the track than on the street but I'm not sure what would be optimal. I normally run 35 psi on my 255/40/19s. Any thoughts? Additionally, I would welcome any helpful tips or general suggestions on how to make the most out of this track day experience.

Oh and if you're free that day you should sign up and join me! I think it would be fun to have a few other BMMC members out there.

I'll look into it. Sounds like a good thing to do. As far as the tire pressure goes, I was not so concerned with that as the brake fluid. Braking becomes somewhat important.

If you really want to get the most out of this experience, the all day school is the best thing, but since that's probably not an option, see if you can get a DVD from Connie before you go. It will tell you how to attack the apexes, where and how to brake, entry and exit of curves, flag meaning etc. That will take you a long way. Also once you get there, take advantage of the instructor ride along. It helps. When you first get started, you will start to question WTF was I thinking, but after a while when you get to know the track a little better, it starts to get fun.

Blair is very correct. Braking is half if not 3/4 of the game. You're brakes especially with the upgrades should just be fine. You have the brembos which was a very good call to get! Call George. He's an instructor out there now. Text me if you need his number.

The first time I did it, I was scared shitless that I'd f up my car. After 2 turns the competitiveness kicked in and it was on. I like it much more than drag racing. It's just a lot further away and it's more expensive.

Cool. Yeah Connie mentioned she was sending me a DVD. I definitely plan on having one of the instructors ride along with me. Ha I am fully prepared to be totally stressed out for the better part of the day but I'm hoping it will turn into fun.

Thanks for the advice. I'll try and give George a shout before I go.

would you all recommend going to an open track day for someone like me and my wife that have never been on a road course. i've done autocross once, but that's just one car on the track. my understanding is the open track there are a number of cars on at a time.

There may be 20 cars on the track, but only 4 places to pass, and that is done rather courteously. Even so, you will question your sanity for about a half day before it really becomes fun...

this isn't at hallet. i'm in CO, but just figured we have to start somewhere. i'm just not interested in risking our nice cars.

Depends on who is running it. We have a sheriff track (they use it for training and rent out on the weekend) down here that holds those types of event. Mainly sponsored by a club. It's basically time trial or time attack events.

Like Blair said, passing at Hallett is pretty courteous. Most of the people on the track don't want to wreck anymore than you do. Now.. that goes for 99% of the drivers, but there are always the one "Captain America" that has to prove something and ends up taking out other cars in the process.

Wrecks are pretty rare though.

The worst that usually happens is that you leave the pavement and soil your seats....

^ hahaha i was planning on some of the gt500 mud flaps anyway. my pants can be washed, but rocks/dirt on the rear bumper is more expensive hahaha

I'll be bringing a clean set of undies for the ride home...

Roadhouse, if your tires are in good shape, expect some good wear. If they are in decent to poor shape, you'd better go ahead and have a new set ready to slap on afterwards...... and like what others said, your fluid and pad change is good. I would go one step further if you plan on doing more twisty track events and get some stainless lines. As far as pads, be careful with those HP Plus pads for normal street driving. They are best for track type temps......

I'm currently doing my stainless line swap, rotor swap, and pad swap to Hawk ceramics.....I've used the HPS pads on my old Mach, and wasn't too impressed with them....I thought the HP Plus pads were an all around too aggressive pads for street and the occasional track events I will do.......

I'm also swapping to Motul RBF600....

Unfortunately I will not be running by this weekend... I'm questioning if I be ready for the Shelby meet

Royal Purple and Motul rule! I need my fluid swapped as well. Racing brake fluid is only good for a year.

Blair (and others), I have purchased a pneumatic evac system for pulling fluids. Capacity of 2.3 G. It can pull/bleed basically any system. I would be willing to let anyone come over and use, or loan out if needed. It does need an air compressor to use (the bigger the better as once you hook up your air line, it continually lets air drain from the compressor tank)....

I survived the day at Hallett! Overall the whole track day experience ranks extremely high on the list of coolest things I've ever done. The staff at Hallett were all very friendly and helpful and definitely made the day less stressful for beginners like myself. I didn't think five 15 minute track sessions would be very much but wow was I wrong. I was so worn out, mentally and physically, after the fourth session that I didn't drive the fifth, as was the case for several of the other drivers.

There were a total of 40 cars there for HST, 20 in group A (experienced) and 20 in group B (novice). The first session was pretty low-key as everyone was trying the learn the track and the right lines. I actually saw my fastest lap times in the second session (which is also the only time I was carrying a passenger, my dad). I had an instructor drive my car for some of the third session to help me with the lines and then finished that session and the fourth in a more controlled fashion, working on the correct lines.

My fastest lap time was 1:40 and I was averaging around 1:42-1:45 throughout the day. Definitely room for improvement! I also had one off-track incident where I spun coming around turn 10, but I kept it off the wall and only took a hit to my ego and pride haha. I came into the corner too hot and didn't all my braking and clutch work taken care of before I turned in and I learned my lesson. This is probably one of the reasons my times were a little slower the rest of the day too. You can see the spin in the video below.

Overall a great day at the track. Lot's of awesome cars being driven the way they were meant to be driven. I was very impressed with my car. It pulled hard all day and my brakes never showed any sign of failure, although I could start to smell them about 70% into each session. I will definitely be returning again soon

On the grid ready to go. I was drooling over the boss all day, great color combo.


Let's do this.


The boss ls was nice and driver was quick. And right behind him in the viper acr is my friend Austin, his car is a beast!

Awesome Logan!

great pics and vids bro. A+

This is friggin awesome Logan! Decent lines! I guarantee you know your car better an thus are a better driver because on this!

Nice job and nice vid.

Very cool! Congrats!

Thanks homies

Hallet is one of funnest things I have done in my car. Definitely need toget out there more with it.

03.sonicblue wrote:Hallet is one of funnest things I have done in my car. Definitely need toget out there more with it.

Are you planning on running during the Shelby meet?

The next two HSTs are June 30th and July 28th. I'm hoping to make it out for one of them...

Good pics and video, Logan. Looks like you had a blast!

Roadhouse wrote:

03.sonicblue wrote:Hallet is one of funnest things I have done in my car. Definitely need toget out there more with it.

Are you planning on running during the Shelby meet?

The next two HSTs are June 30th and July 28th. I'm hoping to make it out for one of them...

Shelby is a little too crowded for my liking. Would rather try to do it closer to the fall when its not so hot out.

Ditto.


We also also have the Sheriffs track that we're going to look into.

Club day at Hallett???