I was back at Texas World Speedway (TWS) this past Saturday for a track day event with Performance Driving School (PDS), which is the on-site event organizer. This was my second time at TWS, but first time running counterclockwise and first time with the PDS. Unfortunately, it was ridiculously hot at 102F and 83% humidity. I was lucky enough to score a garage, so at least the car and I were in the shade. It was still far too hot to be out there, and I paid the consequences. It was tough enough learning a new direction, but the heat, new tires (Bridgestone RE-11s), and my first time in blue combined to really make for slow lap times. I was really babying it around the track, purposefully starting at the back of the grid, yet still getting passed. Enough driver excuses right?
The guys at PDS were very friendly, on par with what I’ve seen from The Driver’s Edge. It was a smaller group out there (probably due to the heat) so we had plenty of track and long run times. I didn’t see any trains forming and everyone was very courteous on track with point-by’s. My instructor, Kevin, was also very good. Taking his time with my piss-poor driving and explaining the proper line in detail. There was a decent collection of cars in the paddock, everything from a Radical to a V6 Charger.
As I mentioned it was HOT! I brought a cooler and was drinking what seemed like a lot of water (perhaps too much), and began to feel pretty ill during the second session. I cooled off in the driver’s lounge for a while and went out did my last two sessions. The brakes faded (pedal fade) immensely during the beginning of the fourth session, so I backed off further. I had bled them the night prior with ATE Super Blue, so I was surprised to see them not last for more than three sessions. I have some Motul (intended for the E36) that I may have to put in the car. But the heat took its worse toll on me. Even after cutting a couple sessions short and drinking tons of water, I was feeling pretty miserable. So much so that on the drive home (2 hours) I started getting clammy and pale, my hands tingling. I’ve had this happen before, years ago during Army training, so I pulled off to a restaurant to get more water, something to eat, and sit in the AC for an hour or so.
Rather than risk the same thing happening on Sunday (not to mention I would still need to get the brakes situated) I decided not to go back Sunday. Too bad, as I was really looking to get more comfortable with the track.
Videos from the event:
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