Why isn't infineon popular with the big track meets?
03-07-2012 | 03:05 PM
#22
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,760
Likes: 2
From: Nor Cal (Humboldt, Ca)
I'll go against the grain here.
I LOVE Infineon for HPDE, especially in an S2000 and particularly during an HPDE event with NASA. IMO, this is a great course to learn how to drive on a track. Infineon is a very technical course (among the most technical in the U.S. according to NASA instructors) and as such you will spend lots of time learning how to navigate through twisties at reasonable and enjoyable speeds. The straights aren't long enough for a beginning driver in an S2000 to get above 95mph so again, totally reasonable.
Is the track narrow? Sure. As Vu said, it's a professional track first. Do beginners crash at Infineon? Absolutely, although I've only seen drivers in AWD vehicles wreck in HPDE1/2 at Infineon so take that for what it is. That being said, unless you are in HPDE 3 or 4, ALL of your passing is limited to the straights and the straights alone so the 'two wide miata passing' example is IMO irrelevant. You won't see that during a NASA HPDE 1/2 event. And if you do, someone is getting thrown out without a refund.
Seriously, if you combine a structured learning environment (like NASA's HPDE program) with a technical course like Infineon, you will learn much more about track driving and the capabilities of your car at a much more palatable pace when compared to a less formal NCRC or other test and tune track day.
I've done three track days (maybe four?) at Infineon already and would certainly do it again. Infineon is truly a fun course!
I LOVE Infineon for HPDE, especially in an S2000 and particularly during an HPDE event with NASA. IMO, this is a great course to learn how to drive on a track. Infineon is a very technical course (among the most technical in the U.S. according to NASA instructors) and as such you will spend lots of time learning how to navigate through twisties at reasonable and enjoyable speeds. The straights aren't long enough for a beginning driver in an S2000 to get above 95mph so again, totally reasonable.
Is the track narrow? Sure. As Vu said, it's a professional track first. Do beginners crash at Infineon? Absolutely, although I've only seen drivers in AWD vehicles wreck in HPDE1/2 at Infineon so take that for what it is. That being said, unless you are in HPDE 3 or 4, ALL of your passing is limited to the straights and the straights alone so the 'two wide miata passing' example is IMO irrelevant. You won't see that during a NASA HPDE 1/2 event. And if you do, someone is getting thrown out without a refund.
Seriously, if you combine a structured learning environment (like NASA's HPDE program) with a technical course like Infineon, you will learn much more about track driving and the capabilities of your car at a much more palatable pace when compared to a less formal NCRC or other test and tune track day.
I've done three track days (maybe four?) at Infineon already and would certainly do it again. Infineon is truly a fun course!
I've done many track days and raced at Sears on motorcycles and they've done nothing but improve the track and its safety over the last 10 years. I believe they run a longer configuration for cars going into turn 11 and that wall may be a concern but you aren't able to get up to serious speed before arriving there.
I'd do a track day there and wouldn't think twice about it... it can't be any scarier in a car than it is on a bike.
It is one of the most demanding and technical race tracks you'll ever put rubber down on. One of the old timers I used to race with told me that if you can go fast at Sears you can go fast anywhere... its that technical. Elevation changes, the Carousel has multiple lines going in, Turn 7 is an exercise in getting the apex wrong, and when you get it right someone comes along does it totally different and better than what you did. No time to rest any where. Straights are elongated turns and getting a turn wrong messes up your line or speed for half the track before you can get it back right. Fantastic place to visit, and that's coming from a guy that hated Sears from jumpstreet but learned to appreciate its challenges over a number of years.
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