Please note I am updating this post as we get clarifications on any questions from posts below.
There is a twice-annual drivers education (DE) event put on by "the Dark Side"
www.darksidede.com <click the center logo gif to get to details> on May 2nd and 3rd, 2009 at Roebling Road Raceway near Savannah, Georgia. This group also is focused on charity, not profit which is a nice change (this time it's the Boys & Girls Club of Hilton Head Island who are showing up for a Family Parade).
My wife drives her E36 M3 track car at these events and I come down to take pictures and be her pit crew / designated windshield washer. We've done the last four Dark Side DEs and I asked the organizers if it was OK to invite the Lexus folks to their party and got the OK!
The Dark Side used to be the DE organizers for a local PCA (Porsche) group but split off last year. All marques are now welcome at their event - just make sure your car is in good, safe working order (no leaks). The event follows the general PCA rules and you can take your car out with OEM safety equipment. You'll need a helmet, which I believe they rent at the track (PM me if you want me to confirm) and you'll need to have your car tech inspected before you come at pretty much any shop or mechanic does it free or max $25 (form
here).
If you've never done a DE Roebling is a nice track to learn on... relatively new pavement with a good combination of straights and challenging turns. Lots of run off if you miss a turn without concrete walls to stop you. You will be assigned an instructor to coach you. If you aren't certain you want to do it, they offer a "Taste of the Track" which will show you what its all about. One other thing they've done this time is offer insurance for the DE if your own insurance doesn't cover driving events (some do, some don't, most are evasive about answering).
If you are already a solo qualified driver you can also sign up to do a three day event on the 1st/2nd/3rd, with the 1st just an open lapping day / test & tune. You get a LOT of track time on the 1st - very much worth it if you have the appropriate DE background already. It's an extra $150.
The cost for Darkside non-members for 2 days is $250 before April 14. I also believe that this will get you a membership to any future Darksidede events.
I'd love to see some Lexus guys join us at this event. It's a nice group with beer & BBQ after driving time shuts down on Saturday at the track.
The site linked at the top has all the info on the event (schedules, recommended hotels, forms, track map, etc) so I won't recreate it all here. For registration you'll need to fill out the form linked
here and mail in your check. If you've been to a Darkside event previously you can use the the
http://www.clubregistration.net site.
I'm including some FAQ from the fall post of this event that may be helpful below:
What's the Roebling Road track like?
Not the best quality upload, but
here is a video of my wife at the last Darkside DE in her M3 doing one lap on the track.
The track graphic and gauge stuff at the bottom is from her data acquisition system (w/ gps) - she's still adding more sensors and getting it set up right so they're a little wonky. You can see the speed at the bottom right, she hits about 130 mph in the front straight.
I'm worried I'll crash my Lexus, any suggestions?
It's always a concern and a risk in a high performance driving event. Your instructor will help keep things safe and under control and most all "off road" excursions I've seen end up just with a lot of dust and flying grass. If you are concerned about the potential for damage, I'd recommend getting drivers education-specific insurance which has been arranged for this event at
this link. Your own insurance MIGHT cover this since it isn't a race or timed event and is an educational event... but for a minimial price I'd just get the DE insurance if you're worried.
Can I bring family? Kids?
Yes, spectators are welcome to come and watch. Kids are fine too, but need to be watched even with fencing around the track and corner works... lots of fast cars and hot brakes around. There is a minor fee for track access for the weekend ($5 or $10, can't recall which) per person including drivers... this is collected by the track, not Darkside.
What should I pack?
I'll post my checklist that we use later.
Can I use my certified motorcycle helmet?
For the Dark Side and many other Driver Ed providers have claimed M helmets (which stands for multi-purpose) as NOT acceptable. The biggest point has to do with fire protection, but there is a lot more to it. Here is what MVP out of California writes about it and kept it simple:
What Are the Differences Between the SA, M and K Standards?
The SA standard was designed for competitive auto racing while M standard was for motorcycling. The K standard was released to accommodate helmets used in karting.* There are three major differences between them:
- The SA standard requires flammability test while the M and K standards do not.
- The SA and K standards allow for a narrower visual field than M standard (Some SA and K certified helmets may not be street legal).
- The SA and K standards include a rollbar multi impact test while M standard does not
I don't have a helmet, do you know if there is a place I can rent or buy one onsite?
Discovery Parts (the onsite parts vendor for this event at Roebling) sells is $145 and I'd guess that you may not want the cheapest one once you have it on your head.
In case you don't have a helmet and don't have a local spot to rent one, a little googling found that OG Racing rents both open and full face helmets for a 10 day period at $25 and $35, respectively. I'd recommend the full face helmet for the improved safety. OG is near Summit Point in VA so it shouldn't take too long for shipping. I used it last fall and worked great.
Link for helmet rental -->
http://ogracing.blogspot.com/2008/08...t-rentals.html
Can I get pictures of me on the track?
I'll ususally take a gang of pictures during these events (use a 400mm lens with our DSLR) so you'll also get a bunch of free quality on-track pictures. There usually is a pro photographer offering prints as well.
What else is there in the track?
Once you're inside the track you're there until between run groups (the parking area is in the middle of the track). It's great access to all vantages of the track, but limits your options on going to get food/drink or parts unless you plan. There IS a decent little snack shop with hot food onsite that will be open.
Not sure if they will have rebuilt the tower that blew down in last year's hurricane, but it was a cool place to hang out over the track and watch / take pictures. Another thing (not guaranteed to be open, but they've had it open the last four times we've been at Roebling).... in the tech inspection area there is a set of drive-on corner balance scales so you can get a printout of your car's precise weight. Pretty interesting to know.
Here's a map of the track so you can get an idea of what it looks like
Where should we stay (hotel)?
We typically stay at a hotel in Pooler GA. The new 'host' hotel for this event is the Hawthorn Suites (4 Stephen S Green Drive (I-95 Exit 104) Savannah, GA 31408 US Phone: 912-966-0020). Krista and the other folks usually shop around for rates but at $79 including breakfast and internet this sounds pretty cheap. I'll update this FAQ once we check them out and make our reservations in case folks want to stay at the same hotel.
If you're inclined and want a budget alternative or have an RV, I believe Roebling also has a camping option with showers and electric/water hookup.
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If you have other questions please post up and let me know. Jackie who organizes this event also will likely chime in to correct any info I got wrong or need to add
Roebling Road Drivers Education TRACK EVENT May 2 & 3, 2009 near Savannah GA
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