This is topic ThunderHill Park in forum Road Racing, Auto X & Drifting at Northern California Ford Owners  .


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Posted by mudanoman (Member # 209) on :
 
Hey,
I was wondering if anyone has driven their stang on the ThunderHill track. I am going to take a performance driving school there in the coming week. Just want to get some insight before I head up there. BTW, their site URL is http://www.thunderhill.com for those in CA who may be interested.

Laters,
Mudano

------------------
[IMG]http://mudanoman.freewebspace.com/mudanobanner.jpg[/IMG]
Performance Mods
- Two Chamber Flowmasters
- Flowtech Race Ready Cutouts (use on track only)
- Modified MAC Cold Air Induction (cut 90' bend and reposition MAF)
- MAC ProChamber (MIL Eliminators)
- TriAX Short Throw Shifter
- Dual Gauge Pod w/ A/F Mix. and Vacuum Pressure

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- Repositioned Rear Spoiler (MW)
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- Carbon Fiber license plate cover
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Audio
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- MACH 460 system driven from Amp preouts from deck.


Contact
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- E-mail: mudanoman@hotmail.com
 

Posted by Greenandsilver (Member # 1371) on :
 
I was looking into that racing school as well, and was going to cruise up this weekend to watch and check it out, but I turned up to have to work. Hopefully next month I'd like to try it!
 
Posted by Roush #92 (Member # 1241) on :
 
I have and here's a few recommendations:

- Go to http://www.norcal-saac.org/ and find the Newsletter section. In there are track layouts and a very good description of the track. It's unlikely they will use the full track for that class but the info is very good.

- Fill up the car in the morning. My MPG for the day was half what I usually get. Gas is available at the track but it is expensive. Super octane is also available.

- Do not set the parking brake after a run, It might warp the rotors. Shut the car off and leave it in gear.

- There's no advantage to being first in line at arrival but you don't want to be late either.

- Helmet rental is available for $25 at the registration booth, first building on the left when entering.

- If you get a helpful instructor who provides some good advice, try to seek him out again. Some guys knew how to teach and I learned most from them.

It's a fun day and you'll learn a lot. Enjoy it.
 
Posted by Roush #92 (Member # 1241) on :
 
Sorry - make that the Open Track section of SAAC.
 
Posted by 94sssnake (Member # 1237) on :
 
I've been there. It is a fun track and you will learn a lot about your car. Roush #92 has some good points and info.
 
Posted by TRY2PAZ (Member # 97) on :
 
Its a sweet ass track. I've been there once, and plan on going again. You will ove it. Just lis\ten to what expiernced poeple have to say.
Oh yeah, don't get black flagged.
 
Posted by Greenandsilver (Member # 1371) on :
 
Anybody going up on July 27th? I'm probably going to go up to watch the school and check it out.
 
Posted by WingnuT (Member # 430) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by TRY2PAZ:

Oh yeah, don't get black flagged.
[Big Grin] [Big Grin] [Big Grin] [Big Grin] [Big Grin] [Big Grin]

Hahahah!!! No Sheet!!

The track is great for beginners and experienced drivers as well. Just take your time and don't try to drive too fast too soon. Most guys think they will go faster if they floor it in every straight-away. Smooth and controlled will be faster than jerky and spaztic.

[ July 08, 2002, 04:27 PM: Message edited by: WingnuT ]
 
Posted by Cobra 427 (Member # 755) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by WingnuT:
...Just take your time and don't try to drive too fast too soon. Most guys think they will go faster if they floor it in every straight-away. Smooth and controlled will be faster than jerky and spaztic...
The first and third sentence of advice makes sense, however, in reality, I don't know anyone who doesn't "floor it" in every straight-away. The only time I lift in a straight-away is at the beginning of the braking zone (or when pointing a faster driver by). Other than that, flooring it in the straight-away is a bit safer [Big Grin] than flooring it in the corners [Big Grin]

Have Fun,
Randy R...
 
Posted by Bullitt208 (Member # 441) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by WingnuT:
quote:
Originally posted by TRY2PAZ:

Oh yeah, don't get black flagged.
[Big Grin] [Big Grin] [Big Grin] [Big Grin] [Big Grin] [Big Grin]

Hahahah!!! No Sheet!!

The track is great for beginners and experienced drivers as well. Just take your time and don't try to drive too fast too soon. Most guys think they will go faster if they floor it in every straight-away. Smooth and controlled will be faster than jerky and spaztic.
Do I count a total of three Black Flags between these two posters? [Big Grin]
 
Posted by Darren99Cobra (Member # 1083) on :
 
My motto for any track day is ...Drive Smooth, Drive Fast, Drive Home. Have fun but don't let the little head think for the big head. Otherwise you'll be going home on the back of a flatbed tow truck.

Couple of other recommendations:

- check your lug nuts before you run. Keep them at 90 ft-lbs.

- Check your brake fluid if you're running the stock stuff as it might have boiled.

- Keep monitoring tire pressure especially if it's really hot.

- Drink lots of fluids.

- Don't get too confident at the end of the day. That's when people think they're really fast and they get tired and stack their ride.

Have fun.
 
Posted by Drift-GT (Member # 762) on :
 
Hey speaking of Thunder Hill I just got back from it today [Smile] It is a fun track but I would say one of the hardest tracks to test how stable your car is. It is open wasteland of asphalt, so the track gets hot like hot as hell. So a couple of things to look out for make sure your cooling system is up to the challenge, check all your suspension, and exhaust bolts, and check your breaks. This track has been known to kill cars due to the heat. Just a warning. Also have fun out there and if you get to tense loosen up and have fun "You got to go slow to be fast"
 
Posted by bobh (Member # 1495) on :
 
THill is definitely best in the Spring or Fall.
Summertime is real tough on the driver and the car.
I'm going again Sept 21st with Green Flag. Hopefully, it'll stay below 90 degs. [Smile]
 
Posted by mavs99 (Member # 1696) on :
 
Thunderhill was my first track (ever)!!!!

Once you get a taste of open-track you will never go back to drag-racing. Yeehaaa.

Thunderhill is very fast. I have a few vids on my web site:

www.mavarner.com/cobra

-

See ya!

MAV
Think open-track, not straight line....
 




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