ST Octane Academy 2020

[Ghotiman]

Impressions after almost a week to think on it.

They use both Focuses and Fiestas. The Focus does have more readily available torque but is a larger car. The Fiesta seemed to be better on this track. From what I've seen of the Utah track, they have a larger track so the Focus may have been better there.

You get sent out on the infield track in groups that follow the instructors who are using a GT350. They split the groups up in Focuses and Fiestas. After a few laps, you get sent out with an instructor in your car. Then sent out to go on your own. I had some trouble getting through a mental block to drive faster and have fun.

The instructors then take you out in a Fiesta and you find out how to really drive the car. Pick your safe word first.

After lunch, you head over to Z-Max dragway and then get split into three groups to practice the figure eight, 90 degree stop and the 180 turn. When everyone has been rotated around, you then get to practice with the instructor on the Urban-X course (autocross). A few more laps by yourself then you get timed for competition.

A few suggestions I thought of afterward.
1. Mark your helmet somehow because it is easy to get them mixed up. You can use your own helmet if you have the HANS attachments on it.
2. Listen to the instructors. They have a lot of experience between them.
3. Use the bathroom when you can. It sucks to need to go when you are on the track.
4. Don't be afraid to go fast. Unless you really screw up, you can't break the cars.
5. and lastly, HAVE FUN!!!

Map of track - infield : https://www.fordperformanceracingschool.com/the-racetrack/

 

[flbchbm]

I forgot to mention, if anybody arrives early Wednesday, I am going back to the GoPro Kart track. It is a blast. Catch me if you can. Wait, I weigh more, you will.... Military get a discount, $15 vice $20 /race http://www.gopromotorplex.com/

 

[1eecom]

Just finished the Academy this Monday. I’m sure I met or saw forum members, just didn’t get that specific of discussions. I was there with my son as my guest, I really had a blast. Description above from Ghotiman is pretty good.
if you bring a guest they can’t ride with you in the track portion. They will get a hot lap with the pro. In the Urban-X your guest can ride with you when no instructor is with you. I’ll blame my 2nd place finish to the extra weight of my son, but it was cause I pushed too hard around the barrels and plowed the front end out and lost a lot of time. I left wanting to go find a track and some auto cross events.
Overall the 18 drivers had a broad spectrum of skill. The instructors are encouraging and you will get a few tips but don’t expect enough time compared to a driving school. I was just getting in a grove when our track times would end. I was also unable to get a full hot lap due to running up on slower traffic. I was able to slow down for half a lap and let them get ahead but it ended on that lap. Again, longing for more!
Everyone was great to talk with. The reception dinner was pretty good. hot meals. The lunch was sandwiches and chips and salad. They provide plenty of water and sodas, you’ll just have to time your bathroom breaks. Weather could make for a long day but I would say we got lucky.

 

[StigST]

I’m heading to OA in the morning! I’ll keep ya’ll posted. Shake n’ bake!


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[SteveS]

Just came from the welcome dinner and reception. Dinner was nice, we kept our social distances, and got the introduction. Met StigST and had a chat and also saw a black FiestaST with the license plate MTNGOT or something like that driving off afterwards. Forum member I think?
Here are a couple of pictures

 

[LastMK7]

Just came from the welcome dinner and reception. Dinner was nice, we kept our social distances, and got the introduction. Met StigST and had a chat and also saw a black FiestaST with the license plate MTNGOT or something like that driving off afterwards. Forum member I think?

Yep, thats me (MTNGOAT). In town for STOA as well.

 

[TyphoonFiST]

Yep, thats me (MTNGOAT). In town for STOA as well.

View attachment 28717

Didn't invite me....I'm pissed!

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[LastMK7]

Didn't invite me....I'm pissed!

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Dude, it took me like 10 months of "waiting list" to get a spot, lol

I got lucky in December when they emailed me about open classes again.

 

[TyphoonFiST]

Dude, it took me like 10 months of "waiting list" to get a spot, lol

I got lucky in December when they emailed me about open classes again.

You can bring a guest*

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[LastMK7]

You can bring a guest*

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I was clearly keeping health and safety in mind, we have to keep Minnesota strain of the Beer Virus out of the Carolinas.

 

[TyphoonFiST]

I was clearly keeping health and safety in mind, we have to keep Minnesota strain of the Beer Virus out of the Carolinas.

I'm immortal.... the quickening will come for your soul!

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[SteveS]

Time to put together a story of how the day of instruction and track time went. The morning starts with issuance of driving suits and helmets, then a time of chalk talk about driving lines, braking points, turn-in and apex points, braking, acceleration, and traction.


Then it's over to the track where they take you on a van ride to show you the track and the braking points, turn-in points and apexes.




After they show you how to put on the Hans device and helmet and four point harness, you divide up to get in the cars. Since it was raining we didn't get the time in the car with an instructor or lapping by ourselves. Instead it was four long sessions of lead-follow, two in the Fiestas and then two in the Focuses.





The drivers are all of varying speeds, and our group of three quickly caught up to the other group of four while I was right behind the Mustang.


When you're not driving you are taken trackside to watch the others.


Not sure why my wife took only blurry pictures of me....


By the third track session we were getting into Focus







The banking is always looming over you. It's really high.


Following right in the instructor's tracks and staying close is important during lead-follow.


I got the camera from my wife here and got some shots of the students. Feel free to download pictures of yourself if you see it here. I probably have more if you can help me identify yourself.



Guests enjoying their instructor drives.

Garage full of fun. Other than rollcages, handbrakes, four point harnesses, and on the Focuses a Ford Performance exhaust, the cars are stock, running on Michelin Pilot Sports.



I'll put up another boatload of pictures in another post for the Urban-X.

 

[DustBuster]

quickly caught up to the other group of four

I didn't realize I was holding you guys up.
I think the course used was the "Infield Road Course" and apparently some iRacing video game has this course.


I never really got turns 6-8 right at all.

 

[SteveS]

They told us during the van drive to enter 6 middle of the track, and that's the line they led us with the Mustangs. But when I went on the instructor ride, he double apexed 6-7 (in NASCAR they sometimes call that "diamonding" the turn) with the second apex very late on 7. I pointed that out and he said, "Yeah, that's kind of how I do it". It was what I wanted to do all along. Then you pick up more speed and trail brake into 8, which helps you tuck in to get a straighter exit from 8.

 

[DEss]

View attachment 28797
Garage full of fun. Other than rollcages, handbrakes, four point harnesses, and on the Focuses a Ford Performance exhaust, the cars are stock, running on Michelin Pilot Sports.

Looked like a great time. The HANS wasn't used for STOA when I went to Miller a couple years back. Must be new or a requirement from CMS. Did you happen to see what size Pilot Sports were being used? I didn't think they were made in the stock size.


DEss

 

[SteveS]

I didn't look at the tire size, but they look stock size. They were the all season tire. Pilot Sport A/S 3+. Given the rain, maybe the all season was a good thing. They gripped very well.

The Hans may be a CMS rule because when we did the Urban-X it was at Z-Max Dragway's parking lot/paddock and we didn't have to have them there.

 

[flbchbm]

Looked like a great time. The HANS wasn't used for STOA when I went to Miller a couple years back. Must be new or a requirement from CMS. Did you happen to see what size Pilot Sports were being used? I didn't think they were made in the stock size.
DEss

For reference, my 2019 came w/Pilot Sport A/S 3's in 205/40-17

 

[StigST]

Applied my Octane Academy ST badges today. They look sweet... Now I’m official

It was great meeting all my follow ST Owners. I wish we could do it all over again...

BTW. I practiced a few Ebrake slides yesterday. I’m glad to have that trick ready to drop for the local boys. Watch THIS...


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[Ghotiman]

For reference, my 2019 came w/Pilot Sport A/S 3's in 205/40-17

I am amazed how well the Fiestas can go on the track as stock. When you ride with the instructor around the track, you really see what it can do. A lot of people on this forum update their Fiesta for track.

I am reminded of the scene in "The Blues Brothers" where they go to the music store and they complain about the instruments. Ray Charles then shows them that there is nothing wrong with them.

View: https://youtu.be/qdbrIrFxas0

 

[flbchbm]

I am amazed how well the Fiestas can go on the track as stock. When you ride with the instructor around the track, you really see what it can do. A lot of people on this forum update their Fiesta for track.
I am reminded of the scene in "The Blues Brothers" where they go to the music store and they complain about the instruments. Ray Charles then shows them that there is nothing wrong with them.

Most of the time, regardless of device, it is the USER, not the device..... racket, fishing rod, bat, car, gun, camera, guitar, drums, microphone, computer/cell/tablet, etc.