Highway Racing Common Gestures

[afman916]

Had a new one today on the way to a work function - on the highway, Mustang (pretty sure GT?) merged onto the highway and got behind me, pretty close. Car in front of us changed lanes and I floored it to give him a taste and he took the bait and kept up (albeit quite a few car lengths behind me). We messed around for a few more minutes and he went by me and gave a smile and wave. So I caught up, got beside him, and looked over to see if he wanted to run. He held up what looked like six or seven fingers (all five on one hand and one or two on the other) and I had no idea what that meant. So I rolled down my window and asked if he wanted to run and he kind of sheepishly shook his head, said something I couldn't quite hear, and held up the same number of fingers.

I've been around the block a little bit with highway runs, know the usual (three honks/1-2-3 to go, flashers/brake tap/turn signal afterwards, etc.) but have never run across a hand gesture like that. Am I just missing something? Maybe he was signaling he was a V6 and scared haha? But he kept up pretty well if that had been the case...

Wasn't sure if anyone could clue me in, in the event I'm just getting old and ignorant

[chetrickerman]

That sounds like he was wanting to do a 60 roll

[afman916]

Originally Posted by chetrickerman

That sounds like he was wanting to do a 60 roll

Yeah you know that could have been, but his body language/mannerisms more signaled "hey man I'd love to run but I can't".

Didn't know if there was a universal sign for "wife on board no can do" or similar

[Maynard]

Take it to the track.

[afman916]

Originally Posted by Maynard

Take it to the track.

Fair criticism - I was slightly eager to see what she can do stock.

[Joachim]

If it was in Germany, I would've interpreted it like "I already have six penalty points in the Register, sorry!"

[afman916]

Originally Posted by Joachim

If it was in Germany, I would've interpreted it like "I already have six penalty points in the Register, sorry!"

Oh, man - I never even thought of that! That might have been it honestly…

[Maynard]

Originally Posted by afman916

Fair criticism - I was slightly eager to see what she can do stock.

That's the best way to start at your first HPDE. Most clubs can even loan you a helmet so you aren't out that cost if you don't like it (just like the crack dealer loans you a pipe). I'd go with one of the local BMW CCA events, definitely one with an in-car instructor. One HPDE and you'll realize how silly that 'what she can do' thing is when it is on the street.

https://www.bmwcca.org/chapter/finder

[afman916]

Originally Posted by Maynard

That's the best way to start at your first HPDE. Most clubs can even loan you a helmet so you aren't out that cost if you don't like it (just like the crack dealer loans you a pipe). I'd go with one of the local BMW CCA events, definitely one with an in-car instructor. One HPDE and you'll realize how silly that 'what she can do' thing is when it is on the street.

https://www.bmwcca.org/chapter/finder

Yeah, I've looked into HPDE events before and it's really something I'd like to do - I just haven't made the time yet. But the driver mod is definitely a mod I see a lot of value in. I'll see what's local to me over the summer...

I'm also concerned it's going to really sink it's teeth into me and then I'll go broke with mods

[CTinline-six]

+1 to HPDE or track day, autocross, etc.

Street racing just has too many liabilities even if you are on an open section of road in the desert. It was a Mustang, what if he spun out and hit you when he floored it?

I drive my car like I stole it, but there are way too many cops, cameras, deer, and other things on public roads to worry about making street racing not worth it.

[erickonphoenix]

Track events are much more fun that the street. Also, on the street you never know for sure what's around the corner.

One of my coworkers wasted his Cadillac CTSV last summer taking a hot corner behind our office. It was a dry day but they were running sprinklers for a garden that drained across the corner. When he entered the turn hot he hit that draining water and spun out hitting a high curb on the other side. Ouch $$$

[afman916]

Originally Posted by CTinline-six

It was a Mustang, what if he spun out and hit you when he floored it?

loooooooooooooooool I was so close to becoming a statistic

[CTPJ]

afman916 Plus, you're only about an hour from one of the best tracks in America - VIR (www.virnow.com). They host numerous HPDE events a month including BMWCCA Events. There are a number of events that provide an opprotunity for first timers or those that just want to get a taste of what it's like to get on track. Much more fun and safer than street racing.

[afman916]

Originally Posted by CTPJ

afman916 Plus, you're only about an hour from one of the best tracks in America - VIR (www.virnow.com). They host numerous HPDE events a month including BMWCCA Events. There are a number of events that provide an opprotunity for first timers or those that just want to get a taste of what it's like to get on track. Much more fun and safer than street racing.

I saw that when I was checking out the link posted a few replies up. Didn't know VIR was that highly-regarded. I have a sabbatical from work coming up here later this summer, and there's an event in mid-September that I'm thinking of attending.

To be frank, I'm a little self-conscious that I'm going to get out there and be like a granny on four wheels. But everyone has to start somewhere!

[FC4]

As someone who's done trackdays for 20+ years with street cars and eventually moved on to cup cars...the "take it to the track" sentiment makes zero sense. How is being a knob on a highway and going to an HPDE comparable in any way? That's silly.

OP, he was likely signaling to go from a 60 or 70 MPH roll.

[afman916]

Originally Posted by FC4

As someone who's done trackdays for 20+ years with street cars and eventually moved on to cup cars...the "take it to the track" sentiment makes zero sense. How is being a knob on a highway and going to an HPDE comparable in any way? That's silly.

OP, he was likely signaling to go from a 60 or 70 MPH roll.

Yeah, I definitely don't want to be a knob, so can appreciate the suggestion to find a closed environment to wring her out.

I thought he was signaling for a specific speed too, but his body language and slight shake of the head said otherwise. Wondering if he really might have been saying "hey man I'm loaded up with points" like the other suggestion

[FC4]

Originally Posted by afman916

Yeah, I definitely don't want to be a knob, so can appreciate the suggestion to find a closed environment to wring her out.

Wasn't really an insult. We've all done it. It's just a matter of assessing the risk and acting accordingly. As long as only those involved are at risk, have at it.

Ironically enough, closed environments such as tracks don't provide as much of an opportunity to "wring her out" as you might think. Even a fast car with a fast driver will barely see 130 MPH on most tracks. On the street in a fast car, 130 is kinda nothing.

[bvrider1]

If I car got behind me really close I would be upset. I guess driving like a Dbag is the accepted thing these days.

[CTPJ]

Originally Posted by afman916

I saw that when I was checking out the link posted a few replies up. Didn't know VIR was that highly-regarded. I have a sabbatical from work coming up here later this summer, and there's an event in mid-September that I'm thinking of attending.

To be frank, I'm a little self-conscious that I'm going to get out there and be like a granny on four wheels. But everyone has to start somewhere!

There's no reason to be self-conscious, everyone there was once a newbie. As a former instructor for NASA, PCA, and BMWCCA; a pro-driver in IMSA; and someone who who used to run part of the operations at VIR, I can assure you that what you will learn about driving and car control during your first event will amaze you.

What event are you looking at attending? As long as it's a well organized HPDE event (not an open track day), you will be placed in a beginner group with many others who are first-timers. You will be given classroom instruction in the morning, followed by a lead/follow session at moderate speeds. Subsequent sessions will have passing only in designated areas with "point-by's" for each car. Most organizers will have an instructor assigned to you who will ride with you during the sessions. If an instructor is optional, make sure you opt to have one. Most importantly go with an open mind with the intent to listen and learn... and have fun!

[Nuckle]

I have always been told that if you crash it at the track insurance won't cover. Is that true or is it policy dependent?

[vreihen16]

Originally Posted by Nuckle

I have always been told that if you crash it at the track insurance won't cover. Is that true or is it policy dependent?

I know someone who filed and collected a claim about 15 years ago for almost $90K after an on-track oopsie. He had to do some serious explaining to his insurance company, but they ultimately paid. The reason was because the word "competition" in their policy restrictions excluded events where there are no timers or trophies. Don't know if they fixed the language or if other insurance companies have the same wording/interpretation, but that interpretation would say that accidents at HPDE and driving school events are not excluded from coverage.

If in doubt, Hagarty sells track day insurance among their many other racing policies:

https://www.hagerty.com/insurance/track-day-insurance

I haven't seen an email in a few months now, but BMW corporate used to send me flyers all the time for performance driving events at Monticello Motor Club. Paying to arrive-and-drive (read: beat the living snot out of) one of their vehicles is a great idea for a novice/rookie.
As someone who has written more competition incident reports for event insurance carriers than I'd like to remember, I can also say that BMW's offer is a bargain compared to the risk and abuse of your street-driven car.

Every time that I strapped my helmet on before I was forced into medical retirement from all motorsports, I had to make peace with the idea that I could be making payments on a balled-up car until the loan matured if something went wrong.....

[CTPJ]

I would not count on your Personal Auto Policy covering an accident on track. If you are interested in getting PD/Liability coverage while at the track, there are a number of companies that provide both daily and annual policies. Do your research, as some are better at claims handling than others.