First time to VIR

evanescent03 · 07-08-2021, 12:05 AM

Hey guys.. i've done a handful of track days but first time to VIR. What a fun track! Don't mind the banter in the video, i normally have a mic on the bumper to censor my snarky comments out lol.

Event was with Chin ... before you accuse me of sandbagging in the novice group, I went out with an instructor on day 2 for what i THOUGHT was a check-ride (we went out in the intermediate/blue group)... about 15min into the session he told me to drop him off and finish the session without him which seemed to say "you passed." (I was probably in the top 25% of the group.) Oddly, when I went to get my blue wristband, one of the guys in charge(?) told me the instructor i went out with wasn't a "check off" instructor and i'd have to go again. i expressed my confusion and let them know i didn't feel like spending another session with one of their instructors, but i clearly shouldn't be in the Novice group. the instructor I had gone out with got scolded by the other staff member, then came up to me and said "oh, yeah that was just a coaching session to get you ready for the check off ride, it's how Chin does it". i just laughed realizing it was a bunch of nonsense and finished the weekend in the novice group. Didn't have anyone to play lead/follow with but it was nice to give my left arm a break after my recent trip to COTA (IMSA prep-day). I won't let a couple bad apples ruin my view of Chin but they definitely lost some points with this poor management. They should've been able to advance me just by watching a session from the wall. I'm obviously not a hotshoe but novice group was inappropriate for me. With the massive amount of experience the staff has, i'm surprised they didn't recognize that and do the right thing. /rant.

enjoy the video and feel free to tell me where i need to go faster on my next trip... new favorite track.

https://youtu.be/VhYPateV0D4

Silent_H_ · 07-08-2021, 09:09 AM

Awesome!

Beescuz · 07-08-2021, 09:29 AM

Nice job. Was at VIR a couple weeks ago with Chin. I have ran several tracks with Chin and never have had an issue. Next time ask for Justin or Will with Chin they have always have been very helpful.

kropscamaro16 · 07-08-2021, 11:07 AM

so where are you located and how was cota vs vir ?

you gotta get some gloves btw! they help alot on track especially in hot or humid weather

Paulman · 07-08-2021, 05:17 PM

It's perfectly fine to sign up in a lower experience group at a new track. You must have had an instructor in Novice group, so the right way for Chin to handle it would have been to allow that same instructor to go out with you in Intermediate group at bare minimum and then solo you if they felt it was OK.

I agree - "check instructors" for moving up is getting ridiculous. Maybe next time bring your "resume" of experience showing a history of higher run groups that you've run with.

I didn't watch your whole video, but I think you did very well for a first time at VIR. If anything maybe try a couple of turns with a later apex like Turn 3. You picked a great favorite track!

Stephen12ZL1 · 07-08-2021, 09:42 PM

you did well but are hesitant during transitions due to lack of track knowledge. Your car control is great and your lap times will plummet with more experience at VIR. In the scariest turn 10, you were a boss which baffles me but shows great promise for everywhere you left time on the table.

weemus · 07-08-2021, 10:13 PM

Great for your first time at VIR! If you watch some video there is some improvement in the uphill Esses. It takes some time getting used to them as they are are a timing and commitment exercise but very excellent for your first outing!
I was thrown into Novice as well last year at Road Atlanta due to never running with Chin or that track. That how it goes some times. I got my check ride and my instructor (Viper owner) kept asking me if my car was a ZL1?! I finally caught up with my check ride instructor but he pulled into the pits :(
Fun runs at the end of the day set Chin apart amongst other things.

5.M0NSTER · 07-08-2021, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weemus

Great for your first time at VIR! If you watch some video there is some improvement in the uphill Esses. It takes some time getting used to them as they are are a timing and commitment exercise but very excellent for your first outing!
I was thrown into Novice as well last year at Road Atlanta due to never running with Chin or that track. That how it goes some times. I got my check ride and my instructor (Viper owner) kept asking me if my car was a ZL1?! I finally caught up with my check ride instructor but he pulled into the pits :(
Fun runs at the end of the day set Chin apart amongst other things.

Glad you have fun, and I guess sometimes you have to take it on the Chin!

Checkmate1 · 07-09-2021, 09:24 PM

Seat time = Lap Time.

Just keep making time to hit road courses every chance you get.

NickyRacerBoy · 07-12-2021, 04:31 PM

I am in love with VIR!!!
Been there once and cannot stop thinking about going back!!!!

I also was with CHIN and they put me in on level above beginner!!
See instructor in the car?

N Camarolina · 07-12-2021, 09:37 PM

I always love watching your track vids. The sound is amazing. What kind of laps were you turning at VIR?

07-08-2021, 12:05 AM	#1
evanescent03 Drives: '19 SS 1LE/'19 Rubicon/'20 AT4 Join Date: May 2015 Location: USA Posts: 505	First time to VIR Hey guys.. i've done a handful of track days but first time to VIR. What a fun track! Don't mind the banter in the video, i normally have a mic on the bumper to censor my snarky comments out lol. Event was with Chin ... before you accuse me of sandbagging in the novice group, I went out with an instructor on day 2 for what i THOUGHT was a check-ride (we went out in the intermediate/blue group)... about 15min into the session he told me to drop him off and finish the session without him which seemed to say "you passed." (I was probably in the top 25% of the group.) Oddly, when I went to get my blue wristband, one of the guys in charge(?) told me the instructor i went out with wasn't a "check off" instructor and i'd have to go again. i expressed my confusion and let them know i didn't feel like spending another session with one of their instructors, but i clearly shouldn't be in the Novice group. the instructor I had gone out with got scolded by the other staff member, then came up to me and said "oh, yeah that was just a coaching session to get you ready for the check off ride, it's how Chin does it". i just laughed realizing it was a bunch of nonsense and finished the weekend in the novice group. Didn't have anyone to play lead/follow with but it was nice to give my left arm a break after my recent trip to COTA (IMSA prep-day). I won't let a couple bad apples ruin my view of Chin but they definitely lost some points with this poor management. They should've been able to advance me just by watching a session from the wall. I'm obviously not a hotshoe but novice group was inappropriate for me. With the massive amount of experience the staff has, i'm surprised they didn't recognize that and do the right thing. /rant. enjoy the video and feel free to tell me where i need to go faster on my next trip... new favorite track. https://youtu.be/VhYPateV0D4 Attached Images __________________

07-08-2021, 11:07 AM	#4
kropscamaro16 Drives: 2016 1ss camaro Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: 909 Posts: 9,817	so where are you located and how was cota vs vir ? you gotta get some gloves btw! they help alot on track especially in hot or humid weather __________________ 16 1SS NIGHTFALL GRAY METALLIC WITH NPP #BECAUSERACECAR #SAVETHEMANUALS

07-08-2021, 09:42 PM	#6
Stephen12ZL1 Drives: '21 ZLE A10 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Mechanicsville, VA Posts: 6,808	you did well but are hesitant during transitions due to lack of track knowledge. Your car control is great and your lap times will plummet with more experience at VIR. In the scariest turn 10, you were a boss which baffles me but shows great promise for everywhere you left time on the table. __________________ '21 ZLE A10 Wild Cherry PDR 2:00.78 VIR Full 10.68@131.69 1.68 60' '17 ZL1 A10 Mosaic Black PDR/Nav 2:03.08 VIR Full 11.003@129.2 1.75 (sold) '15 Z/28 #325 Black a/c & stereo. 2:10.1 VIR Full (sold) '12 ZL1 A6 Black 10.52@131 1.55 60' 2:13 VIR Full (sold)

07-09-2021, 09:24 PM	#9
Checkmate1 Drives: Garnet Red / ZL1 1LE Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Bel Air, MD Posts: 492	Seat time = Lap Time. Just keep making time to hit road courses every chance you get. __________________ #SAVETHEMANUALS

07-08-2021, 09:09 AM	#2
Silent_H_ Drives: '21 V6 1LE Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: NE Posts: 263	Awesome!

07-08-2021, 09:29 AM	#3
Beescuz Drives: 2021 ZL1 1LE Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Fredericksburg, Virginia Posts: 409 View My Garage	Nice job. Was at VIR a couple weeks ago with Chin. I have ran several tracks with Chin and never have had an issue. Next time ask for Justin or Will with Chin they have always have been very helpful.

07-08-2021, 05:17 PM	#5
Paulman Drives: Slow Corolla Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Southern Virginia Posts: 93	It's perfectly fine to sign up in a lower experience group at a new track. You must have had an instructor in Novice group, so the right way for Chin to handle it would have been to allow that same instructor to go out with you in Intermediate group at bare minimum and then solo you if they felt it was OK. I agree - "check instructors" for moving up is getting ridiculous. Maybe next time bring your "resume" of experience showing a history of higher run groups that you've run with. I didn't watch your whole video, but I think you did very well for a first time at VIR. If anything maybe try a couple of turns with a later apex like Turn 3. You picked a great favorite track!

07-08-2021, 10:13 PM	#7
weemus Drives: 2017 1SS 1LE Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 167 View My Garage	Great for your first time at VIR! If you watch some video there is some improvement in the uphill Esses. It takes some time getting used to them as they are are a timing and commitment exercise but very excellent for your first outing! I was thrown into Novice as well last year at Road Atlanta due to never running with Chin or that track. That how it goes some times. I got my check ride and my instructor (Viper owner) kept asking me if my car was a ZL1?! I finally caught up with my check ride instructor but he pulled into the pits :( Fun runs at the end of the day set Chin apart amongst other things.

07-12-2021, 09:37 PM	#11
N Camarolina Drives: 2021 2SS 1LE Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 805	I always love watching your track vids. The sound is amazing. What kind of laps were you turning at VIR?

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