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Zone 10KS, NE, IA, ND, SD, MN, MO, WI, Manitoba, (some IL)
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Well, since it's in northern Oklahoma I guess technically it's in Zone 5, but Hallet Motor Racing Circuit is not too far for those who live in KS, western MO, etc.
One weekend a month during the non-winter season they have their High Speed Touring series, which is basically an open track week-end. You usually get 5 20 min. sessions for $95 (there is a $35 annual "license" fee as well) on Sat/Sun. They are a bit more informal than PCA DE events, and are open to all kinds of cars (nothing like having an Ariel Atom come out of nowhere to run up your tailpipe ). They have a DE class for newcomers, and having an instructor ride with you is optional (but I'd recommend it at least one session, since it's a fairly technical track).
The main drawback is there aren't any motels in the immediate vicinity, so you have to stay on the outskirts of Stillwater or Tulsa which are 30 min away, unless you are camping, in which case you can stay right at the track. They run the track both clockwise and counter-clockwise, so it's almost like driving 2 different tracks.
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I have only run at Mid America and have really enjoyed it. Throughout the warm months the run open track days on Fridays. It is about $80 for a half day (less for members). On the Fridays I have been, there are rarely more than three cars on the track at a time. Often I have been the only car on the track.
Not the best if you want to meet some fellow racers, but excellent if you want seat time on the track.
All the corners are slightly banked, no off camber stuff. I hit ~120 on the main straight. There is one decreasing radius turn, followed by some sweepers then some tight stuff before crossing the grandstands then on short tight section before hitting the main straight again.
While there is a concession stand and of course a few gas pumps flowing some high dollar high octane stuff, the track is surrounded by miles of corn fields. It is right beside the I-29 which makes it easy to get to/from.
I have only run at Mid America and have really enjoyed it. Throughout the warm months the run open track days on Fridays. It is about $80 for a half day (less for members).
Is that for what they call "Fast Fridays" on their website? It looks like there are are a lot of other fees associated: Membership $200, Gate Fee $90-110, 1st time DE fee $150 - maybe I'm misinterpreting what they have on the website - do you have to pay all those other fees as well? What do they require for tech inspection?
The DE class is only if your experience level warrants it. Granted we could all learn something, but I opted out as my experience at other tracks made me feel comfortable running there.
Membership is not required to run on Fast Fridays. It does get you $20 off on the half day rate. I typically ran in the afternoon session (1-7pm). Membership also gets you admission for 4 to any one event they sponsor. Note that most of the races there are run my other organizations who rent the track and control their own admission costs.
I hadn't heard of the gate fee. I only paid $80+tax for the half day. If there are karts present, there will be times no cars are allowed. Only once once there a kart and the forced break is a good time to check tires, brakes, gas, water, oil, lug nuts, etc. Oh yeah, don't forget to check food, and drink.
Tech inspection is up to you. There is a questionnaire you fill out when you pay. It includes somethings many people don't have (fire ext, roll cage) but I just mark them N/A.
I've driven at 3 of your 4 tracks listed, and they rank as follows for me:
1) Mid America Motorplex
2) Motorsport Park Hastings
3) Heartland Park Topeka
The reason for my ranking is that I have the most amount of track time at MAM, followed by MPH and HPT. I drove HPT for the first time in September for one day only. I'll definitely go back though next year, as I'm still trying to find the line around that place. It's definitely the most difficult track of the 3 for me to drive. In my opinion MAM is a very high speed track and extremely rewarding when you find the line. I'm sure most tracks can be described as such though, it's just that I've found it most consistently at MAM.
My favorite track of all time though is Barber, in Birmingham. It's an absolute roller coaster!
First of all, I'm not Bob Woodhouse. My name is Mitch Schneringer, and I've driven my 911 Turbo and Boxster S on these tracks. I am the sales manager at our Porsche store, located in Omaha.
Is there much elevation change in the tracks at MAM or Hastings, compared to say, HPT?
As a novice I found it pretty intimidating to try and stay on the throttle over Alpha Zero going into turn 1 at HPT - feels like you could go airborne.
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2006 CS Tip (Daily Driver & Part-time Track Toy)
2005 Ford Expedition (to haul the CS)
2006 Lexus RX400h (wifey's)
Gone, but not forgotten: 2002 WRX, 2004 MINI
I like Putnam Park in western Indiana much better that Gateway International Raceway which is just across the river from St. Louis, where I live. Putnam is a true road coarse as opposed to the part oval, part road course in the infield of Gateway. Moreover, as those of you who have driven Putnam know, the track is surrounded by grass so you can push yourself a little more, knowing that a spin-out onto the grass will be a lot more forgiving that a concrete wall or even a tire wall. As I have moved onto track tires, I have found by experience that the margin between fast and losing it tightens up considerably and you can safely be a little more aggressive at Putnam.
Mitch, sorry about the mistaken identity. How would you compare the 911 to the Boxster going around MAM other than the obvious horsepower difference?
KS-CS, MAM clearly shows its heritage as a former corn field. If it weren't for the very light banking in the turns the difference between the highest and lowest parts of the track would be less than 6". That is probably a slight exaggeration, but it is strikingly flat and treeless. From the grandstands you can watch the entire track.
1) HPT - most technical of the group, hardest to learn and "get right" consistently. They have a Weds night open track night once or twice a month that can get you on the track cheaply. DE's are run by Porsche, BMW, Audi and others usually around $300 a weekend. Track has been greatly upgraded in last 2-1/2 years.
2) Hallet - Not a great track, but not bad and as was mentioned earlier you can run it both ways. Not a lot of conveniences though.
3) MAM - If you like flat this is your track. Nothing "wrong" with MAM per se, I just found it kind of "boring" after awhile.
4) Hastings - I haven't driven this yet so the jury is out, I could move this up to #2 if it turns out to be a good track.
5) Gateway - Never cared much for this track, could have been the conditions, could have been the way the event was run, hard to say, just came away not really wanting to go back for any reason.
6) KCI Private track - This thing isn't even built yet, not sure it ever will be so I'm ranking it dead last.
BTW if you aren't getting light (or airborne) over Alpha Zero you aren't driving fast enough!
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K-Man S To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
6) KCI Private track - This thing isn't even built yet, not sure it ever will be so I'm ranking it dead last.
So you think I should save that $80K burning a hole in my pocket?
(Actually, if I lived closer to KC, I might seriously be considering it, since they supposedly guarantee an 80% payback if you sell your membership)
Quote:
Originally Posted by K-Man S
BTW if you aren't getting light (or airborne) over Alpha Zero you aren't driving fast enough!
Okay, I'll try harder next time!
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2006 CS Tip (Daily Driver & Part-time Track Toy)
2005 Ford Expedition (to haul the CS)
2006 Lexus RX400h (wifey's)
Gone, but not forgotten: 2002 WRX, 2004 MINI
Until 
). They have a DE class for newcomers, and having an instructor ride with you is optional (but I'd recommend it at least one session, since it's a fairly technical track).
