Hi FAST - I'm an old motorcycle racer, emerging from a 30 year period of hibernation! After registering for the Jan 14th event, I got to thinking; I wonder if there's a place around Tampa where I could practice before the race?
I drive by Tampa downs and see they have a very large (inviting) looking skidpad. Is there anywhere else?
Practice area?
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John Macgowan
- Embryo
- Drives: 2005 Mazda 3 "Sapphire"
- Joined: December 2016
- Posts: 3
- First Name: John
- Last Name: Macgowan
- Favorite Car: 2005 Mazda 3 "Sapphire"
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Dave --
- Notorious
- Drives: Isuzu Pick-Up
- Joined: January 2007
- Posts: 848
- First Name: Dave
- Last Name: --
- Favorite Car: Isuzu Pick-Up
Practice area?
There's no need to practice. Just come to the event and get some seat time there. Sliding around a private parking lot (or a public area) is a good way to talk to cops if you are into that sort of thing though.
-Dave
I drive really slow cars... really slowly.
I drive really slow cars... really slowly.
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Steve --
- Forum Admin
- Drives: whatever I can get my hands on
- Location:
- St. Pete
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- Location: St. Pete
Practice area?
Good answer.
Should you choose such practice activities anyway, and should you end up interacting with authorities, please do not mention FAST. We want no guilt by association.
Thanks. See ya on the 14th!
Should you choose such practice activities anyway, and should you end up interacting with authorities, please do not mention FAST. We want no guilt by association.
Thanks. See ya on the 14th!

Steven Frank
Class M3 Miata
Proud disciple of the "Push Harder, Suck Less" School of Autocross
______________
I'll get to it. Eventually...
Class M3 Miata
Proud disciple of the "Push Harder, Suck Less" School of Autocross
______________
I'll get to it. Eventually...
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Loren Williams
- Forum Admin
- Drives: A Mirage
- Location:
- Safety Harbor
- Joined: December 2006
- Posts: 13044
- First Name: Loren
- Last Name: Williams
- Favorite Car: A Mirage
- Location: Safety Harbor
Practice area?
Yeah, don't over-think it. You'll be fine. I've never seen a motorcycle racer who didn't immediately excel at autocross. The same set of skills that keep you from killing yourself racing a motorcycle are the skills that get you around an autocross course quickly. It will all come back to you.
As for unsanctioned practice, any place that has security will at a minimum chase you out, and at worst call the cops on you. Best not to play anyplace that you don't specifically have permission to.
As for unsanctioned practice, any place that has security will at a minimum chase you out, and at worst call the cops on you. Best not to play anyplace that you don't specifically have permission to.
Loren Williams - Loren @ Invisiblesun.org
The "Push Harder, Suck Less" philosophy explained:
Push Harder - Drive as close to the limit of your tires as possible.
Suck Less - Drive something resembling a proper racing line.
The "Push Harder, Suck Less" philosophy explained:
Push Harder - Drive as close to the limit of your tires as possible.
Suck Less - Drive something resembling a proper racing line.
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John Macgowan
- Embryo
- Drives: 2005 Mazda 3 "Sapphire"
- Joined: December 2016
- Posts: 3
- First Name: John
- Last Name: Macgowan
- Favorite Car: 2005 Mazda 3 "Sapphire"
Practice area?
Should have been more clear - I was hopeful that within this large group, there would be someone who had a place to practice. No worries, I'm looking forward to meeting many of you on the 14th.
Also - are there any Chump drivers in this group? I've wanted to get connected to an existing or new team at some point.
Also - are there any Chump drivers in this group? I've wanted to get connected to an existing or new team at some point.
-
Loren Williams
- Forum Admin
- Drives: A Mirage
- Location:
- Safety Harbor
- Joined: December 2006
- Posts: 13044
- First Name: Loren
- Last Name: Williams
- Favorite Car: A Mirage
- Location: Safety Harbor
Re: Practice area?
Autocross sites are hard to come by. Fortunately, in this area, autocross events are very easy to find almost every weekend.
We do have some casual Chump racers. I used to be one until I ran out of budget!
We do have some casual Chump racers. I used to be one until I ran out of budget!
Loren Williams - Loren @ Invisiblesun.org
The "Push Harder, Suck Less" philosophy explained:
Push Harder - Drive as close to the limit of your tires as possible.
Suck Less - Drive something resembling a proper racing line.
The "Push Harder, Suck Less" philosophy explained:
Push Harder - Drive as close to the limit of your tires as possible.
Suck Less - Drive something resembling a proper racing line.
-
Dave --
- Notorious
- Drives: Isuzu Pick-Up
- Joined: January 2007
- Posts: 848
- First Name: Dave
- Last Name: --
- Favorite Car: Isuzu Pick-Up
Practice area?
We are finishing getting our car back up and ready again for this year. Due to work, we likely won't do a Chump race until June thoughJohnmac wrote:Should have been more clear - I was hopeful that within this large group, there would be someone who had a place to practice. No worries, I'm looking forward to meeting many of you on the 14th.
Also - are there any Chump drivers in this group? I've wanted to get connected to an existing or new team at some point.

-Dave
I drive really slow cars... really slowly.
I drive really slow cars... really slowly.
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Rob Ledwell
- Known
- Drives: Scion FR-S
- Location:
- Seminole
- Joined: August 2012
- Posts: 69
- First Name: Rob
- Last Name: Ledwell
- Favorite Car: Scion FR-S
- Location: Seminole
Practice area?
I find sim racing to be good practice. A used G27 and an iRacing membership is what I use.
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