Looking for feedback on Open Lapping Days at Cayuga (TMP)

[cgellatly]

Hello All:
I'm looking for any feedback, positive and negative, on the Wednesday night open lappings days at Cayuga (TMP).
Much appreciated.
Craig G.

[Yorgi]

It's a great deal that's for sure. Not very well organized though, pretty much the wild west so not a great environment for first time trackers. Most people are well behaved though and I have never seen it very crowded. I would recommend it for some cheap track time after work for experienced drivers. If you are new bring an experienced friend.

For a few bux more you can hit the drag strip for a run or two after the lapping ends (sundown). Just be careful not to grow a mullet if you hit the strip. ;)

[babyvantage]

It's so hit and miss - last few times I've gone, it's been to many yahoo's on the track.

[jaym3smg]

The 'marshals' are useless with no consideration of safety, so wild west is an excellent description. TMP can't run a track day, period. I still go to them because they usually are fairly empty and I know that the people out there driving may be pretty clueless so I expect / anticipate poor passing rules, etc. I wouldn't recommend it if you aren't experienced, but if you are it's a great way to get a lot of track time for not much money. Just be prepared that others out there might be fairly wreckless.

You get what you pay for. TMP days are cheap, so...

-J

[STALKER]

A friend of mine runs a great event a Mosport DDT once a month in the summer with qualified instructors. Usually small run groups and lots of track time.

Mosport DDT is not a bad track to learn on since its more technical and not very high speed.

I was at TMP 2 weeks ago, and three cars broke down out on track(also spilled coolant over half of the track), ppl stopped in the middle of the track....

Its also somewhat hard on tires and brakes.

[carboy88]

I'd agree with everyone here. Good for some cheap track time, generally not too crowded, but if you're a n00b then better go somewhere else to get comfortable first. I was there a few weeks ago with my newbie co-worker, and he got booted off the course for driving too slowly and was told to get some lessons... so he sat with me for the rest of the evening (until he got nauseous LOL). There was another organized event there at the same time (some exotics) and I'm guessing those drivers got nervous with their Lambos and Maseratis etc. And they were hardly the track beasts themselves, just putting their cars around.

Expect no track marshalls or any flagging of any kind, just a dude at the pit entrance with a cigarette dangling in his mouth. No driver's meeting, passing rules, etc... Some guys stay on their line, some go off, some won't signal or point-by.

Having said that, every now and then you come across a good bunch of guys who know the rules and know what they are doing, and for those times it's well worth it. These days you can run all the way till 9pm until it gets dark. That's 4 hours for 60 bucks (pre-registered)!

[cgellatly]

To all - Thanks for the feedback - its much appreciated. I'm going to head out next Wed August 10th and hope there are some decent, respectful participants.
Cheers,
Craig

[Yorgi]

I'm going to the Cayuga drag strip tomorrow with a bunch of friends. If anyone will be going send me a PM. I might go early and do some laps on the track too.

[STALKER]

Mosport GP event.
August 29th and 30th. I will be at this event myself.

They will have a novice group with good instructors. I ran with this group at Watkins Glen last week. Well organized.