Story and photos by Sam Haymart
02-12-07: Winter in some parts of the country is beginning to thaw and let Mustangs come out of hiding for shows and events while other locations still remain frozen. In Phoenix, Arizona winter means only that it isn't going to be 110 degrees today.
At Firebird International Speedway in Phoenix, Professional Autosports Inc threw open the doors for the 2007 season of performance driving schools, open track sessions, and semi-professional racing. It was nearly 80 degrees and I got a sunburn.
Fellow mustang enthusiasts Ron Ballard (rondawg0410) and Frank Root (Frank3) who both own supercharged Roush Mustangs took the opportunity to come out and try the open track experience for the first time. Both of them bought their cars for performance and show, to enjoy the privileges that come with having a high performance car. Neither however have had the opportunity really open up their car in a street setting and get a true read on what their cars can do.
It's a familiar situation for most of us who own or seek to own high performance cars. We get the chance to get them up to speed on the street or freeway for brief encounters. There is a hard acceleration run once in a while where it is safe. On a windy road you can get some high-G feelings once in a while as well. But, the reality is that it’s not honestly possible to experience the full capabilities of today’s high performance Mustangs on the street in a safe or legal manner. They are too good for that.
This is where high performance driving programs like the ProAutosports events come into play. The street car performance driving program at ProAutosports gave Frank and Ron the chance to really experience all that their cars could do in a track setting. With a closed road course, a helmet, a driving instructor and trained paramedics on hand the stage was set.
A regional group of automotive and racing enthusiasts, ProAutosports offers monthly events at Firebird International Speedway with open track sessions, performance driving schools, and club style racing. The events are typically spread aver a three day weekend starting on Fridays which offers something for almost everyone’s schedule. Friday of course is the best day as there are fewer cars and more track time. It's more relaxed.
ProAutosports offers a new member orientation class to introduce first time open track participants to the world of high performance driving. Classroom sessions and on-track instruction sessions in your car bring participants up to speed on driving techniques, track etiquette and driving safely.
Each day is broken into 20 minute track sessions that are divided up into classes defined by experience and car type. Participants can choose to come out for one, two or all three days. The events attract many different types of cars and drivers. On this day the street car performance program included Mustangs of course, a Mazda Protoge and Speed 3, a BMW M5 and Z3, a Ford Focus, Subaru WRX and a Toyota Tundra pick-up among other things.
Participants themselves ranged from people who had just bought a new car and wanted to learn how to drive it well to experienced racers who recently joined the organization. In addition to open track and performance driving school programs, ProAutosports also holds racing sessions during their events for a variety classes including open wheel and even go-karting.
The ProAutosports group initiates new members with in-class and on-track instruction.
For Frank and Ron, who spent the first hour and a half on Friday in a casual classroom session, were anxious to get onto the track. They had spent a week counting down the days in anticipation of letting their Mustang loose. They had double checked their oil and coolant levels, verified their tire pressure. It was time. Helmets strapped on tightly, they were each accompanied by a diving instructor for their
first two track sessions. After that they could choose to drive alone or keep the instructor as needed.
The first time out was geared to getting them used to the "Firebird Course“, one of three separate road courses at the Firebird complex. Instructors explained the proper line through each of the twelve corners of the course which includes a 1/2 mile straight that doubles as the drag strip and runoff for the complex. The course is 1.6 miles long and completely flat but offers plenty of challenges with a large decreasing radius sweeper, a few tight esses, and one blind corner with a pavement change.
After the first session Frank and Ron were jubilant, exchanging high fives and comparing notes about the expereince of letting their cars rip. Both own fully equipped Roush Mustangs with the Stage 3 Roush supercharger, 14” Roush brakes and full track suspension. With over 400hp and a chassis that was made for this, they were able to really appreciate a new level of performance that they couldn’t on the street.
The second session ran faster as their confidence level increased. Still with instructors in the car, they were further groomed to hold the fastest line through the course and get the most speed out of it. Coming off the session they parked the cars for some cool off time. They checked out their tires which were starting to shred a bit from the track. A tread depth gauge read that 1/32” of tread was now gone. A typical day at the track can take more than 1/16” off of a set of street tires. It is recommended that if you are planning to make a hobby of weekend track days, that you pick up a set of track tires and save your expensive street rubber.
At the end of the day Frank and Ron were both tired from the adrenaline peaks and the work of driving. After contemplation they shared their thoughts on the experience. “It was a blast. Went fast, stopped fast, cornered fast, it was just plain fast”, Frank said. “The car handles like a dream, to this novice anyway. It seems very neutral, well balanced, very predictable, rotates well and is just down right fun to drive. I have heard that this car performs and now I have to agree. It's not just another pretty hot rod”. Ron summed it up by saying simply, “Wow, that was so much fun”.
The organization was started by Larry Pond, a well known veteran racer who made his name racing vintage Shelby Mustangs and in many other racing series. He won over 100 races in the “skunk”, a black and white 1966 GT-350. In the late 1990’s he raced in various series including spending time behind the wheel of a Corvette C5R. His career in racing spans over four decades rubbing shoulders with the best, so the new members tend to listen intently when he speaks.
After retiring from racing he devotes much of his time operating and teaching the next generation of high performance enthusiasts and racers with the ProAutosports events. “The goal was to create a place for people to come and safely drive in a track environment and learn more about their cars.” Pond says. “The second goal was to offer a progression they could go through, offering them the opportunity to also get into racing”.
Their group is a family friendly organization that promotes safety above all. The atmosphere is low key and comfortable which is a welcome surprise for beginners who sometimes can feel intimidated entering this world. “People are here to share a hobby with their friends one weekend a month. They’ll help you, work together to get their cars set up.” Pond adds.
The cost for this and similar programs is not all that much either. Pro Autosports operates as a membership group. Annual membership is $40. First time members pay $150 for their track day orientation and open track session. Subsequent open track sessions are $140 a day. The fees go to cover track rental, event insurance, event staff and of course the on-staff paramedics and ambulance unit.
The group puts on an annual big event, the “St. Johns Grand Prix” at the St. Johns airport in northern Arizona. It’s what they call the “largest semi-pro or semi-ammetuer racing event” in the state of Arizona. It’s televised and offers many of the same components of the monthly events at Firebird Speedway.
Professional Autosports Inc operates in the southwest exclusively, but there are many groups that offer a similar experience at race-courses all around the country. It's a great way to get out and really enjoy your Mustang in a safe and legal way while also sharpening your driving skills. Who knows, you might even find a new hobby. Our fellow Mustang enthusiasts Frank and Ron are excited about getting out for another event. We certainly are too.
More information at: http://www.proautosports.com
Find programs where you live: FnSweet Speedway Directory
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