Question about Qualcomm track

[sgeorge]

I'm just gearing up to get into the sport. I've been doing a lot of reading. I'm curious, is the Qualcomm course confusing since it is layed out with cones? Every photo I look at makes me think I could easily miss a turn Or is it different when your drving it..

[Peter B]

It will look like a sea of cones at first. Take your first couple of laps at a moderate pace. Keep your eyes up, don't look at each cone coming up to you and you'll see the flow of the track. It's very wide and you'll only need a few laps to get it down.

[Bill Cox]

At first, the temporary tracks at Qualcomm look like a sea of orange cones. However, there are a few tips to help your first experience satisfying.
1-Download the track layouts from the SDKA web page. Print a copy to keep in your log notebook. Study the layouts!
2-Walk the track once the layout is completed; track map in hand.
3-You'll notice that on the inside of corners we laydown the cones so that you see the black base; makes it easy to see the corners.
4-Go slow the first lap of practice; increasing speed as you learn the layout; it doesn't take many laps. Remember - you're focused on the cones in the corners. Those that define the straights begin to blend, in your peripheral vision, into an orange line.
5-Don't hit the cones. They tend to bend spindle bolts, spindles and tie rods, if hit squarely at speed.

You'll find that the layouts we've designed for Qualcomm are very driveable; with a nice flow; fast with some technical sessions.

The surface doesn't give back a lot of grip; although it does get better through the day. You'll need to "dial in" as much mechanical grip as you can find.

Lastly, to go fast you'll have to master the skill of driving right at the edge of breaking loose because of the surface at Qualcomm.
And if you blow a corner and run "off course", there is a lot of open pavement to collect yourself, turn around and safely re-enter the track. There are some plastic barriers; located for protection and to discourage passing by running off course.

Once you get the "feel" of racing at Qualcomm, I believe you'll enjoy the experience...and you can't beat the weather there!

[sgeorge]

Thanks for the details. Sound like the layout is well thought out. I'll be there for the next event (no Kart yet though). I'm sure this will open my eyes and extend my list of newbie questions

Thanks Fellas!
Steve

[ferrari62]

Steve:
I was reading your E:mail about the track at Qualcomm .It is a fun layout very fast. I have been racing in the HPV4 CLASS last year just for fun. You had posted that you are just getting started in karting.I am selling my KART WITH A HPV4 AND TRAILER .TURN KEY ready to go racing. If you are interested call me I have pictures of the kart and trailer with every thing you will need to get started.Most of the club members have seen it race there before the kart is red with Ferrari emblems on it #62.It is very clean and maintained. [phone].

[sgeorge]

Ferrari62: Sent you a private message.
THX