Insurance question re: "racing"

[G.R.]

Ok I've got lots of $$ wrapped up in my car. My insurance coverage specifically states No coverage in any racing venue--
My agent said this means no auto-x, drag racing or open track or any sanctioned or non-sanctioned race.

What do you guys do? Just blow it off and go anyway and hope you don't bang it up? and accept the inevitable if you do?

I couldn't afford to do a Major repair--would love to open track it once in awhile but would hate to really tear up the car in a crash.

[klayfish]

GR,
That's pretty much the long and short of it. Jut beware that if you're racing, you're on your own. But I can tell you autox and open track events are safe as long as you use your head. Autox is really hard to actually "crash". The worst you'll probably do is spin out and hit a cone (or two). Open track events are much faster, but if you stay within your limits, you'll be fine. Passing is only allowed in certain areas, and only with a "point by" from the driver being passed. That way, the driver being passed is aware of the car coming around him, and the one doing the passing knows where the other car wants him to go.

Steve

[a427sc]

In Cranky's case, he is so rich, he has 27 cars that all look the same (bad) and run the same(worse). He just runs it till the tires go away, or the engine breaks, then cans it for another.

There has been an ongoing case in the Northeast involving a car owned by fellow who works in the insurance industry. He raced it seriously for years compeitively, crashing it big time at an open track driving school. His carrier fought it, and even now, 3 (?) years later I don't beleive it's settled. In any case the car is not back to running yet.

I guess this means we all just blow it off, and hope for the best. But crashing/insurance is an extremely remote possibility in you running your car at a drivers school for several reasons. First, if your a beginner, you will be under close observation by the instructor, in a very controlled environment designed to teach you to drive, not to qualify for F1. You have the ability to run at speeds you are comfortable with, with-in your "safety zone". You will be on track with others who are also learning, and will also be on the leading edge of the learning curve. Since everybody out there with you is going in the same direction, and actually concentrating on what their doing, it's a lot safer than a 40mph trip to the store. Nobody fighting with their "ex" on the cell phone, catchin a buzz, looking for that lost cd, dripping coffee in their lap etc.

Where do you want to learn how to drive your car in an emergency situation? In a controlled, safe environment where you can work up to it, or as the a-hole pulls out of the driveway in front of you?

If the track time bug gets to you, and it will, you can then start to look for a safer, more cost effective "race car", like a used Mustang, or a Spec Miata, or any other cheap alternative.

But, GET OUT THERE.

McFEZ

[RACER X #99]

McFez is almost correct, while I am very wealthy I don't own 27 Cobras. He thinks I own a lot of Cobras because the car I bring to the track is always running. So it must seem to sombody who is always fixing their broken car that the other guy (me) must have a bunch of cars that all look the same because they never seem to breakdown. (It's a sb thing) He wouldn't understand.

Back to the question. Insurance? What insurance?When driving on the track you must drive with your head and not with your testosterone. I leave that stuff to the burnout kings.

At the Second Strike Open track event at VIR this past Spring, more than 90 Replica Cobras all running very hard all having a good time all came back in one piece.

Cranky

[John McMahon]

GR,

I think you're pretty much on your own.

At one time a few years ago, Parish DID offer On Track coverage for Driving Schools or Educational Driving Sessions ONLY!!!! No competitive race events. Some coverage still exists for racers UP TO THE POINT THE CAR GETS ON THE TRACK.

I do know someone that actually had their car repaired and covered by Parish after an off track excursion.

But since the insurance indistry seems to be clamping down on Cobra covergae, this options was dropped 2 or 3 years ago and it is becoming increasingly more diffcult to get Cobra coverage wit a ticket or an accident or just flippin of the man.

[klayfish]

Cranky,
What's your secret to being wealthy? I've noticed since I've had this Cobra that I suffer from empty wallet syndrome. Always looking for a buck or two to upgrade the car. Perhaps it's because I work for an auto insurance company. I'm in the wrong line of work. Could you hire me to be your pit crew? I know where the spark plugs are! And I can change a tire.

Steve

[RACER X #99]

Steve,
The secret to wealth is making everybody beleive that you are a track expert when in reality never actually taking you car on the track. Youv'e never seen me on the track, right Steve? This saves all kinds of money=wealth.
Also by posing as a driving instructor=free track time that I don't use.
My car has plenty of track time but I never go on the track, way too dangerous. I pull out of the pits and then stop and hand to car over to my standin driver. Meanwhile I am looking for the track kitchen to give them some cooking advise=free food.

Steve, all kinds of ways to save money and that equals wealth.

In that respect I am wealthy.

Cranky

[klayfish]

Cranky,
I saw you on the track! You were standing right in the middle of it trying to hitch a freakin' ride. Can I suggest standing on the side of the road and hiking up your shorts a little?

Cooking advice? Would that involve giving them the number for Pizza Hut? Actually, I'm quite a cook myself. Maybe at our next event, I'll bring my sweet and sour wings (which can be made into hot wings). Nothing better than sticky finger when you go back onto the track.

But it still doesn't save me money. Gotta pay off those freaking student loans. My wife went to Syracuse, we'll be paying for it until we have kids and THEY are in college.

Steve

[a427sc]

Good one X, I'll remember that for another time!!!

FEZ

[G.R.]

Thanks for the info--guess I'm gonna have to bite down my fear and just go for it. I'm not stupid enough to run balls out, h*** as it is rarely get out of fourth, I'm in my mid fifties and I know my reaction times, sight perception etc. isn't like it was in my twenties

But I would like to run the car in a safe environment just to see how well or not we both perform. I do want to attend a school, as does my wife, to become more comfortable with this car.

[CobraDan]

http://www.wisenberg.com/mtrsprts.htm

There are insurance companies that will insure you on the track one event at a time. I posted this before just run a search.
Dan

[Kputz]

It depends a lot on the track. The Glen for example is a very forgiving track...assuming you stay on it. If you don't there are few places you can slide far without comming in contact with blue/green paint. Did a Driving Ambitions a number of years ago and watched a Vette go by on the hook shaped in a "V" after an off track foray resulting in backing into the armco. My instructor at the time said it's not unheard of for a wrecker to come get a streeter and take it several miles away near some similar guard rails and gently roll it down the hill. The guy then goes back to the motel and swears "it was there when I went to bed last night". It might work...then again it might get you a 3 - 5.

[Jamo]

Look at it this way--having no insurance means you'll be more careful out there...

[CobraDan]

http://home1.gte.net/gulfway/
We have almost anything for you guys here in Florida. Buy insurance.
Dan