[Redeye_eh]

Hi Guys/Gals.... I want to take my car to the local track close by (Sparta) but how does this work for insurance. I have not checked yet but I am sure my insurance company is going to frown on spending the summer ripping down the racetrack!!

Do I buy "a la carte" insurance or do you guys really take the chance and go without?

 

[GSC]

I usually buy the hp racing insurance from Hagerty even when having my scat pack.

 

[Slidd]

That HPDE from Hagerty right? Not drag strip.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[GSC]

That HPDE from Hagerty right? Not drag strip.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

Yes

 

[qwk93ta]

Your auto policy has an exclusion for racing. Lockton insurance has a similar product as Hagerty.

 

[Redeye_eh]

I am up in Canada.... but I see what you are saying.... I will explore "extra" insurance policies that will protect me when I am at the track...... should be interesting!!

 

[Germansheperd]

Hi Guys/Gals.... I want to take my car to the local track close by (Sparta) but how does this work for insurance. I have not checked yet but I am sure my insurance company is going to frown on spending the summer ripping down the racetrack!!

Do I buy "a la carte" insurance or do you guys really take the chance and go without?

You crash, you loose as simple as that. Your in Canada call Lloyd’s of London.

 

[Xylander]

You can buy expensive racing insurance from companies like those listed above. I've never taken any insurance out on any of the cars I own for track work though. Those policies are so expensive that it's arguably cheaper to just bang up the car and fix it out of pocket unless you're talking about a total loss. Most tracks are wide and they don't have concrete barriers 18" off the apron, so the chances of absolutely destroying the car is minimal, provided you're driving correctly and not just maniacally ripping around the course like a hammer-footed freak.

I damaged my Hellcat last month (about $350 in damage). Broke my front splitter on a descending road surface that rose to meet the occasion as it were. If I had taken insurance out for the event, I believe it would have been $3,100. This course in particular was a marked off public mountain road course. I hit a section at 80mph that, in hindsight, I should have been closer to 35mph. Car was handling fine, but the road had an 18 degree decline amidst a corkscrew turn with a sharp dip at the base of the turn. Car took the turn wonderfully, but that dip caused the front end to strike the road head on as the road began a sharp incline. Shattered the front splitter.

 

[Redeye_eh]

You can buy expensive racing insurance from companies like those listed above. I've never taken any insurance out on any of the cars I own for track work though. Those policies are so expensive that it's arguably cheaper to just bang up the car and fix it out of pocket unless you're talking about a total loss. Most tracks are wide and they don't have concrete barriers 18" off the apron, so the chances of absolutely destroying the car is minimal, provided you're driving correctly and not just maniacally ripping around the course like a hammer-footed freak.

I damaged my Hellcat last month (about $350 in damage). Broke my front splitter on a descending road surface that rose to meet the occasion as it were. If I had taken insurance out for the event, I believe it would have been $3,100. This course in particular was a marked off public mountain road course. I hit a section at 80mph that, in hindsight, I should have been closer to 35mph. Car was handling fine, but the road had an 18 degree decline amidst a corkscrew turn with a sharp dip at the base of the turn. Car took the turn wonderfully, but that dip caused the front end to strike the road head on as the road began a sharp incline. Shattered the front splitter.

Oh my..... I am just not sure I could rip down the 1/4 mile (without diapers on) without insurance!!!! that seems scary..... I do see the point you made, but its losing control and doing somewhere like 15-20K damage that sort of freaks me out.... but I will think more about your suggestion (I know, I wont hold you responsible!!)

 

[Xylander]

Oh my..... I am just not sure I could rip down the 1/4 mile (without diapers on) without insurance!!!! that seems scary..... I do see the point you made, but its losing control and doing somewhere like 15-20K damage that sort of freaks me out.... but I will think more about your suggestion (I know, I wont hold you responsible!!)

My Hellcat is my daily, which is why I don't generally take it to the strip regularly. The couple of times I did take it, the traction stayed in sport and the suspension in street. These settings keep the car's safeties on (lateral traction control) and maximizes acceleration control. If a person smacks the wall hard enough to do 5k or more worth of damage, then that's likely going to be driver error (or ignorance).

I've got a personal rule that goes something like, "If I'm driving my daily on the track, I'm not going to sacrifice it for a time." This is especially true if it's a test and tune. If the car gets loose or does something dumb, I lift and will roll out a 17 second 1/4 mile if I have to. Where people get into trouble is when they try and drive through a loss of traction like they're trying to beat the other car as if they were in an NHRA elimination round.

"Lifting is for pussies." I've heard that a lot. But I'm not the one driving home with a duct taped fascia. If I were to be racing during a competition, I'd drive entirely differently. When that occurs, there's more than just the car on the line (shop rep, sponsors, and so on). It pays to perform and drive the best you can. Sometimes damage happens when you're constantly driving on the edge. However, a street daily isn't a race car in my mind and my first thought is to keep it damage free. Hence, if anything goes wrong, I lift and run it fresh the next time around. For example, if I get loose during the 2nd-3rd gear shift... my foot is off the gas the instant the traction control light flips on because this guy isn't going to be doing a wobble at 100mph in his daily.

 

[Redeye_eh]

My Hellcat is my daily, which is why I don't generally take it to the strip regularly. The couple of times I did take it, the traction stayed in sport and the suspension in street. These settings keep the car's safeties on (lateral traction control) and maximizes acceleration control. If a person smacks the wall hard enough to do 5k or more worth of damage, then that's likely going to be driver error (or ignorance).

I've got a personal rule that goes something like, "If I'm driving my daily on the track, I'm not going to sacrifice it for a time." This is especially true if it's a test and tune. If the car gets loose or does something dumb, I lift and will roll out a 17 second 1/4 mile if I have to. Where people get into trouble is when they try and drive through a loss of traction like they're trying to beat the other car as if they were in an NHRA elimination round.

"Lifting is for pussies." I've heard that a lot. But I'm not the one driving home with a duct taped fascia. If I were to be racing during a competition, I'd drive entirely differently. When that occurs, there's more than just the car on the line (shop rep, sponsors, and so on). It pays to perform and drive the best you can. Sometimes damage happens when you're constantly driving on the edge. However, a street daily isn't a race car in my mind and my first thought is to keep it damage free. Hence, if anything goes wrong, I lift and run it fresh the next time around. For example, if I get loose during the 2nd-3rd gear shift... my foot is off the gas the instant the traction control light flips on because this guy isn't going to be doing a wobble at 100mph in his daily.

This is very very helpful. Thanks for taking the time. Makes perfect sense. I have never actually raced a car on the track so I was not sure whether "getting out of it" could be done in time in order to avoid a slide -->> sounds like if you want to avoid it during lost traction, I could (at the sacrifice of time, which is just fine as you said)

 

[Xylander]

This is very very helpful. Thanks for taking the time. Makes perfect sense. I have never actually raced a car on the track so I was not sure whether "getting out of it" could be done in time in order to avoid a slide -->> sounds like if you want to avoid it during lost traction, I could (at the sacrifice of time, which is just fine as you said)

Oh, if you drive it "right" it's generally safer to drive it fast at a drag strip than it is on the street. It's a controlled environment with optimal conditions, generally. Sometimes accidents happen. IE, the 70 Chevelle that went down the lane before you dropped some oil and he did the thing they always do and don't tell the safety guys that he popped an oil leak. So, when you go, maybe your tire hits his oil patch and it gets a little slippery.

In the above example, if you have it in sport traction, the car may depart a little sideways, but the traction control should step in to reduce power. If you lift off the gas, it should snap back straight near instantly. The people that have issues will be running in track settings (because they think it's cool to be in track at the strip... when that setting is for road track use). They lose traction and go a little sideways, fail to lift and now have to drive it out of a drift at 110mph. A competent driver can pull it off, but I don't know any "good" drivers who would ever be in that setting in the first place. This is the type of situation that often ends with the car pulling right, then left, then more right, then more left until their door smacks the wall.

And, when I see this happen, what I also hear is the constant roar of the engine. Idiots like this tend to stay in the gas too because, "lifting is for pussies!" That's how that "death wobble" gets wider, and wider, and wider as they just keep adding more momentum. Eventually they run out of road.

It can all be usually fixed with taking one's foot off the gas.

 

[Redeye_eh]

Oh, if you drive it "right" it's generally safer to drive it fast at a drag strip than it is on the street. It's a controlled environment with optimal conditions, generally. Sometimes accidents happen. IE, the 70 Chevelle that went down the lane before you dropped some oil and he did the thing they always do and don't tell the safety guys that he popped an oil leak. So, when you go, maybe your tire hits his oil patch and it gets a little slippery.

In the above example, if you have it in sport traction, the car may depart a little sideways, but the traction control should step in to reduce power. If you lift off the gas, it should snap back straight near instantly. The people that have issues will be running in track settings (because they think it's cool to be in track at the strip... when that setting is for road track use). They lose traction and go a little sideways, fail to lift and now have to drive it out of a drift at 110mph. A competent driver can pull it off, but I don't know any "good" drivers who would ever be in that setting in the first place. This is the type of situation that often ends with the car pulling right, then left, then more right, then more left until their door smacks the wall.

And, when I see this happen, what I also hear is the constant roar of the engine. Idiots like this tend to stay in the gas too because, "lifting is for pussies!" That's how that "death wobble" gets wider, and wider, and wider as they just keep adding more momentum. Eventually they run out of road.

It can all be usually fixed with taking one's foot off the gas.

I like all that you have said.... and makes total sense. I will remember that (but still gonna wear a diaper just in case!!) cause starting to slip at speed must be a terrifying event!! (but I get it, get off the gas)

 

[qwk93ta]

Any time I’ve dragged raced….if I spin I get off the gas and get back in line. I’m not wrecking my car to win a race or get a beat time. I’ve never bought ins before. This summer I want to do a 1/2 mile race for the first time.

 

[Xylander]

I like all that you have said.... and makes total sense. I will remember that (but still gonna wear a diaper just in case!!) cause starting to slip at speed must be a terrifying event!! (but I get it, get off the gas)

After you've had it happen 10 or so times, you get used to it

Back in 1997, I was drag racing top fuel dragsters. I went sideways after a blown rear tire at around 290mph, rolled 300ft or so in a fireball. That was pretty tense. I peed a little (and quit driving drag strips for about 20 years hehe).

 

[Warson]

For road courses/track days I always buy insurance. Its not me Im worried about, it the other drivers that give me pause. The guy coming in hot behind you into a corner that overcooks it or has brake fade, can certainly ruin your day.

 

[meangreen1o1]

After you've had it happen 10 or so times, you get used to it

Back in 1997, I was drag racing top fuel dragsters. I went sideways after a blown rear tire at around 290mph, rolled 300ft or so in a fireball. That was pretty tense. I peed a little (and quit driving drag strips for about 20 years hehe).

Xylander has made great points. I have only purchased insurance twice and that was because it was a rare cold, overcast day, and not only was the track cold but i didnt have my track tires this time so i knew i was a little ill prepared. i purchased for those reasons the day of using Hagerty. very fast and east. I was lucky that day and had no issues but a brand new c7 z06 ended up in the wall because of lost traction on the cold road.

If the conditions are not in your favor it wouldnt hurt anything but your wallet to get it. but honestly if your comfortable with the car and track, its a toss up.

Try not to worry too much and enjoy the event!

 

[Hossfly]

Mean,
how muxhdoes the ins. Cost?

 

[baabootoo]

At Road America, I bought it for 24 hours. Remember, if you smash up the track OR another car, you're on the hook. I picked the value of my car, 10% was the deductible I'd have to pay, and it was $300-ish for a 50K car, for 24 hours. I did it all online in about 10 minutes the night before.