Testing space?

Hey all, 

So I'm trying to get the car finalized and ready for the challenge. It's not street legal at this time, and won't be till sometime after the challenge. 

So, anyone have suggestions on places that would let me drive around and make noise? I really need some seat time to get it tuned right. I looked for local ish autocrosses between now and the challenge, there was one this morning, but by the time the car was ready enough, registration was closed. 

Do you have any sno parks? Should be vacant this time of year. It’s where I do my testing. Tow it up. Unload, and tear it up. Just have a second person to flag you down if a human crawls out of the woods, or a car pulls in. I set up my own traffic cones, so people coming in know to avoid the area. And don’t do it for too long. The cops won’t tell you to stop (at least mine didn’t) but they did say “be extremely careful, so be out here long, leave if someone shows up, and if something bad happens, I’ll write you up for everything I can think of.” 

An highly industrial areas that you might be able to Hoon around on a Sunday morning? 

Trackmouse said:

Do you have any sno parks? Should be vacant this time of year. It’s where I do my testing. Tow it up. Unload, and tear it up. Just have a second person to flag you down if a human crawls out of the woods, or a car pulls in. I set up my own traffic cones, so people coming in know to avoid the area. And don’t do it for too long. The cops won’t tell you to stop (at least mine didn’t) but they did say “be extremely careful, so be out here long, leave if someone shows up, and if something bad happens, I’ll write you up for everything I can think of.” 

There's one about 40 minutes away that might work. Still makes me a little nervous to tow it there not knowing if I'll be able to do anything. 

My other thought was this mall about 20 minutes away. It has a HUGE parking lot surrounding it, and very very few people, but there is mall security, so I definitely wouldn't be able to do anything without explicit permission. Not sure how I'd go about getting said permission...

John Welsh said:

An highly industrial areas that you might be able to Hoon around on a Sunday morning? 

Looking on satellite google maps, there are a few areas that could work, maybe I should call the places and try to speak with a manager when they are open this week? I'd still much rather have permission than be risky.

I think I may take a drive around to a few of them tomorrow to scout out space. 

Call racetracks. They have parking lots, and might actually understand what you would like to do. During the week they probably have availability but they might charge you a rental fee.

I guess it's possible you will get permission, but usually big parking lots are owned by corps with big liability lawyers who frown on unknowns.

Country roads, I had a loop I ran. That was stupid tho.

Inactive runway at local airport but I got run outta there.

Sunday morning behind the mall. I'd trailer up at daybreak and unload. Usually got in a good couple hours before any walkers, joggers or cross thru traffic. Never saw security but that was early 90's. 3-4 state police would have breakfast at the Eat n Park in front of the mall, by the time I unloaded in back they were gone. That was stupid too.

I'd still try an airport or an industrial site for the helluvit. Get permission wherever you go, things are a lot different now. Racetrack sounds the best even if it costs.

Maybe contact whoever owns the site the autocross club uses?

Knurled said:

Maybe contact whoever owns the site the autocross club uses?

Now that's an idea. I'll have to check on that...