Of the four tracks on the schedule currently, I think Circuit Of The Americas (COTA) in Austin is the best. I just missed going to their last Laguna Seca event in 2022, that's a bucket list track for me. We did Road Atlanta in 2023, it was amazing to see in person after so much simulated driving there, to experience the drop after the bridge, wow. Was going to do their fall Sonoma session this year and road trip there, but they cancelled it. I think this is the first year for Indianapolis, it took the place of Road America on their schedule? But it seems like the main thing they're going for is geographic distribution, one track north / south / east / west.

We did the Masterclass last year @ COTA, totally different experience than the regular class. The afternoon consisted entirely of in the car, hot laps, out of the car, analysis of your telemetry and driving characteristics, back in the car, repeat. It was tons of seat time without feeling rushed, and tons of access to the instructors. With that said, we're dropping back down to the regular class this year mainly due to cost. Glad we did the Masterclass but once was enough for us.

 

I was there on Saturday too but my group was one of the first ones in the afternoon session. We finished off with autocross and then drift so plenty of time for trans temp to build up on the LCs after our road course session. Sorry! :-)

 

They have ~16 LCs, and 4 groups of 3-4 will be part of each track session. The instructions will space out the departure from pit lane, usually about 30s or so behind the previous group.

So a slow driver will impact only their smaller group they are part of, not the entire group of ~14-16. The instructor will only go as fast around the track as the slowest or least skilled driver is comfortable with. For example, if you have a group of 3 and the lead car behind the instructor is driving fast, staying 2 car lengths back, following the proper line etc., but the 3rd car in the group is lagging behind, the instructor will slow down to keep the pack tight. If all 3-4 drivers are keeping a tight formation and following the proper line, the instructor will push faster around the track. They are also watching for your line and when you brake and initiate turn ins. If you are driving fast but undisciplined in your line, the instructor is going to slow it down.

Haha all good! We didn't run into any trouble with the cars, they are truly built for the abuse! I commend you guys for taking your time in those last 2 sessions, they said we got an extra lap out of it while they waited for everyone to come around for the instructor driven ride along lap.

 

They broke up all drivers into various large groups initially. You were assigned to a color based group in the morning. I assume this was based on the experience level question on the registration form. Then for the road course, they further divide you into groups of 3 or 4. So if you happen to get someone slow on your specific subgroup, then yes, you'll all go slow. Our instructor was having us go slow initially so that we would build up a bit of a gap and go as fast as possible.

 

June 8th at COTA. I am so looking forward to the day. Funny part is I going to drive my Land Cruiser to track as opposed to wife's IS500. Been a few years since I was last on track. Use to go yearly when we lived in Phoenix.