track day question

[hiero]

I am no expert....period...but here in Austin there's:

www.elitetrackdays.com

They run down at Harris Hill Raceway located near San Marcos/Kyle right off IH 35...I went to the track orientation Ducati Owners Group thing and had a blast.....instructors are great, the track is fun and is brand new....

There's a July date coming up........

cool, I'm trying to stay local for at least my first, just for convenience's sake, but will definitely branch out when I get less nervous about the whole thing, or can afford more 

[Gone Ape]

David, the EliteTrackDays events appear to be more expensive than most....but the instructors are very cool and one hangs out with us @ Mings.....the tracks' pretty fun and as of last weekend the new "Clubhouse" is fully functional according to Moira (who runs the trackdays)

The main draw for us here is that it's really close......

[hiero]

David, the EliteTrackDays events appear to be more expensive than most....but the instructors are very cool and one hangs out with us @ Mings.....the tracks' pretty fun and as of last weekend the new "Clubhouse" is fully functional according to Moira (who runs the trackdays)

The main draw for us here is that it's really close......

very cool, let's see how the first goes, then I can look at taking a long weekend for another!

[Duc L'Smart]

the tracks' pretty fun

Please elaborate on "fun"! How's the run-off? How are the facilities? How technical is it, etc...?

[Gone Ape]

Well, lemme see here...the track is tight (i.e no really long straights)...I think it's best described as being inside a bowl......it's got some cool elevation change and the surface is wide and spankin' new...and probably best of all, they run the bikes opposite direction of the cars (counter clockwise) --which takes full advantage of a righteous uphill --180 Left then equally righteous down hill..........the run off is what I would call "substantial"...not a sand/gravel arrangement but  natural "vegitation"  NO TREES, ARMCO, or fence posts anywhere near the track....and the few trees on the property are newly planted..

Talked last night (Mings) with Moira (Pres. EliteTrack Days) and Roger Castillo (instructor) about the new facilities building and it's up and running with a commanding hill top view of nearly the entire track....translation, should be great for the spectators.....

Track "Membership Fees" can be sidestepped by simply signing up for trackdays....after all, it's all about the benjamins these days....

Pits are primitive.... nothing more than a paved asphalt parking lot at this time, (with a downhill slope to it  ) and they are fussy about fuel spills in the pits, etc....by now I'm sure it's sealed....... but I'm not sure which direction the track will go in relation to garages.....talk, but nothing finalized....bring yer own shade, I guess.....gas is within 10 minutes of the track....the track is less than 5 miles off IH 35 on the Kyle/San Marcos border area.......think Outlet Malls and you're pretty close....

Check the website here:            http://www.harrishillroad.com/             and it's clearly not up to date.....

One last thing:  FWIW:  RipTearShred rode Cresson and H2R and has stated that H2R's surface is nowhere near as abrasive on tires as Cresson.....

[Red5]

Has anyone done Eagles Canyon yet?

Scott?  Anyone? 
Should I be asking this on the DFW forum?

Talked last night (Mings) with Moira (Pres. EliteTrack Days) and Roger Castillo (instructor) about the new facilities building and it's up and running with a commanding hill top view of nearly the entire track....translation, should be great for the spectators.....

Pits are primitive.... nothing more than a paved asphalt parking lot at this time, (with a downhill slope to it  ) and they are fussy about fuel spills in the pits, etc....by now I'm sure it's sealed....... but I'm not sure which direction the track will go in relation to garages.....talk, but nothing finalized....bring yer own shade, I guess.....gas is within 10 minutes of the track....the track is less than 5 miles off IH 35 on the Kyle/San Marcos border area.......think Outlet Malls and you're pretty close....

By "facilities", do you mean actual bathrooms with running water, not porta-potties?
Any ETA on when covered paddock or electrical outlets will be installed?

Also, does Moira plan on scheduling any weekend dates?
The three dates  listed on their website are weekday events only.

Of course I could email her myself, but it seems you've got the inside scoop, Paul.

[bryant8]

I know a few of the DFW guy have done ECR. 

[Duc L'Smart]

Well, lemme see here...the track is tight (i.e no really long straights)...I think it's best described as being inside a bowl......it's got some cool elevation change and the surface is wide and spankin' new...and probably best of all, they run the bikes opposite direction of the cars (counter clockwise) --which takes full advantage of a righteous uphill --180 Left then equally righteous down hill..........the run off is what I would call "substantial"...not a sand/gravel arrangement but  natural "vegitation"  NO TREES, ARMCO, or fence posts anywhere near the track....and the few trees on the property are newly planted..

Talked last night (Mings) with Moira (Pres. EliteTrack Days) and Roger Castillo (instructor) about the new facilities building and it's up and running with a commanding hill top view of nearly the entire track....translation, should be great for the spectators.....

Track "Membership Fees" can be sidestepped by simply signing up for trackdays....after all, it's all about the benjamins these days....

Pits are primitive.... nothing more than a paved asphalt parking lot at this time, (with a downhill slope to it  ) and they are fussy about fuel spills in the pits, etc....by now I'm sure it's sealed....... but I'm not sure which direction the track will go in relation to garages.....talk, but nothing finalized....bring yer own shade, I guess.....gas is within 10 minutes of the track....the track is less than 5 miles off IH 35 on the Kyle/San Marcos border area.......think Outlet Malls and you're pretty close....

Check the website here:            http://www.harrishillroad.com/             and it's clearly not up to date.....

One last thing:  FWIW:  RipTearShred rode Cresson and H2R and has stated that H2R's surface is nowhere near as abrasive on tires as Cresson.....

Thanks for the info! I'd def like to give it a whirl Maybe when it's a wee bit cooler?!?

And yes, MSR Cresson does seem to be a little rough on the tires... It's a great track, but I think at some point it's going to need re-surfacing.

[Duc L'Smart]

By "facilities", do you mean actual bathrooms with running water, not porta-potties?
Any ETA on when covered paddock or electrical outlets will be installed?

Yeah, it's the little things that can make a difference... No indoor plumbing? No electrical??

[Duc L'Smart]

Has anyone done Eagles Canyon yet?

There's not a short answer to ECR.
Track- love the course, longer straights, nice elevation changes... Some of the surfaces are VERY BAD.
Runoff- Very Scary. Big chunky rocks, clay, hay bales, culverts
Facilities- Very rough. Indoor plumbing, but small, and basic. Doesn't compare to Cresson
Parking- large, remote. No shade, no electric.

A lot of potential, a long way to go.
I ran ECR on the PS, would love to return on the 1098

[Gone Ape]

Frank, I wish I had something hilarious to post here...get you back for the Mountain Dew STILL on my keyboard!!

Word is running water, flush toilets  and A/C in the "Clubhouse" which is a stand alone building about 50 yards uphill from the hot pits....not sure about electrical as the last time I was down there it didn't exist...that's what genreators are for....uh, right?  God bless Honda for their generating ability...

Moira's "available" trackdays are wedged in between the car days which of course, dominate at this time....it is MY opinion and My opinion only that the track owner's really hadn't thought that bikes would be a factor here...this aggressive approach to get us in there comes from Moira (and others) biding for influence.... to recap the the disclaimer, this opinion is mine, comes from the empty vast dumptser encrusted desert which is my brain...closed course, professional idiot, don't try this at home...

Scott, you've asked enough questions, just get down here and try it out!!!