New for 2023
We're back! With a new year come a few changes.
Expanding the Classroom
We intend on offering a few classroom events in 2023. Our 2022 classroom lessons were a success, despite being organized on short notice and with not too many attendees. In 2023, we intend on taking it a step further. However, as always, classroom lesson events will not impede/interfere with seat time. Classroom lessons are half-day events that are fully separate from our actual track days, but which work together with track days to improve driver skill and safety. As ever, classroom lessons are included with full day registrations, although - new for 2023 - you can donate to the corresponding tiers below to attend a classroom without registering for a Falcon Autosport track day.
Memberships 2023
We are aiming to offer no fewer than 5 events, or up to 6 events in 2023. If you are the type of person who would be interested in attending each event, the membership is designed to save you money in the long run. For example, a membership will cost $550, but registering for each event individually may cost $700. The primary reason why is that it's more cost effective and sustainable for us to offer memberships at the beginning of the year.
Credits and Refunds 2023
Okay, this one isn't a change. It's been our policy since day one. We want to reiterate that you can claim a credit or refund if you reach out to us before the event that you will miss and let us know. For example, a mechanical malfunction on your car - these things happen! But it means that we can allow someone else to attend from our wait list and help keep our events as well-attended as possible to ensure that we remain sustainable. If you miss an event or the car breaks during one of the first sessions and you choose to stay home/go home early, a credit can be issued. To redeem the credit, simply discuss with our team, or preferably Drew specifically in advance of the event. Drew will make the necessary changes to the registration roster. Please include the usual information (car colour, preferred run group colour, etc.)
Run Groups & safety 2023
Starting in 2023, your run group selection during registration is only going to be considered a "preferred run group." All beginners, novices, and first-timers will start in purple or blue run group. However, once you have at least one track day under your belt, you may be moved up to a higher level run group, according to our "algorithm" which is kept secret. As we don't track lap times for insurance reasons and since we are not a racing school, we do not know how fast someone is and it is not factored into the equation. What we will divulge is that it tracks the following bonus points and negative points:
+ Consistency - the number of laps that you are able to stay on track for without an issue; how safe the grass is
+ Passing zone respect - the number of times that you are observed giving a safe pass or receiving a safe pass without issue; how safe our staff would feel passing or being passed by you
+ General line & cohesion to classroom lesson plan - the generally outwardly observed skill of the driver; how safe our staff would feel sharing the track with you
+ General rule adherence - includes not speeding in paddock area or pit lane, observing yellow flag conditions, using indicators to signal "box box box - pitting in"; how flag marshals feel about you
+ General safety - remember to breathe; how safe you are with yourself and others
- Off-tracks - you will be asked to discuss what happened before being sent out; if we determine that you're feeling too much pressure, we can move you down a run group to help. Second instance is a mandatory instructor ride-along. Third instance is another instructor chat & ride-along. Fourth time, we will operate on a case-by-case basis. If we believe that you are sincerely trying to stay safe and are just trying to learn a challenging theory, we will make suggestions and recommendations. If we believe that it's dangerous, you may have to ride along with an instructor in the instructor's car (instructor driving)
- Complaints - if other drivers, flag marshals, or staff are mentioning you as not allowing them to pass, we will have a chat with you; if we determine that you have a "racing" attitude ("I don't want that Honda to pass me") you may be required to write "Honda makes fast cars" 100 times or more; second offense will be a warning and mandatory instructor ride-along; third offense will be packing up and going home without refund. This applies to all cars and all drivers.
- Speeding/drifting in pit lane or paddock - this is a major offense - depending on severity, first or second instance may result in guests receiving a multi-event suspension. This is not up for discussion or appeal, this is final. Our paddock and pit lane speed limits are 25 km/h unless otherwise specified at a driver's meeting. In our car-cooldown area, the maximum speed is 40 km/h, unless otherwise specified at a driver's meeting.
- Ignoring flags - chat with flag marshal and instructor; acknowledge that you understand where the flag marshals are and what their flags mean; a positive attitude goes a long way here
+ Consistency - the number of laps that you are able to stay on track for without an issue; how safe the grass is
+ Passing zone respect - the number of times that you are observed giving a safe pass or receiving a safe pass without issue; how safe our staff would feel passing or being passed by you
+ General line & cohesion to classroom lesson plan - the generally outwardly observed skill of the driver; how safe our staff would feel sharing the track with you
+ General rule adherence - includes not speeding in paddock area or pit lane, observing yellow flag conditions, using indicators to signal "box box box - pitting in"; how flag marshals feel about you
+ General safety - remember to breathe; how safe you are with yourself and others
- Off-tracks - you will be asked to discuss what happened before being sent out; if we determine that you're feeling too much pressure, we can move you down a run group to help. Second instance is a mandatory instructor ride-along. Third instance is another instructor chat & ride-along. Fourth time, we will operate on a case-by-case basis. If we believe that you are sincerely trying to stay safe and are just trying to learn a challenging theory, we will make suggestions and recommendations. If we believe that it's dangerous, you may have to ride along with an instructor in the instructor's car (instructor driving)
- Complaints - if other drivers, flag marshals, or staff are mentioning you as not allowing them to pass, we will have a chat with you; if we determine that you have a "racing" attitude ("I don't want that Honda to pass me") you may be required to write "Honda makes fast cars" 100 times or more; second offense will be a warning and mandatory instructor ride-along; third offense will be packing up and going home without refund. This applies to all cars and all drivers.
- Speeding/drifting in pit lane or paddock - this is a major offense - depending on severity, first or second instance may result in guests receiving a multi-event suspension. This is not up for discussion or appeal, this is final. Our paddock and pit lane speed limits are 25 km/h unless otherwise specified at a driver's meeting. In our car-cooldown area, the maximum speed is 40 km/h, unless otherwise specified at a driver's meeting.
- Ignoring flags - chat with flag marshal and instructor; acknowledge that you understand where the flag marshals are and what their flags mean; a positive attitude goes a long way here
Helmets
Helmets remain mandatory for all cars. DOT, M, or SNELL rated. Some limited quantities of rental helmets are available. Rental cost rates are increasing for 2023 to $20 for the day, to help us purchase more rental helmets.
High quality roll hoops (OEM or otherwise) optional but recommended for open-top cars (convertibles, Radical, other prototype race cars). Porsche Boxster S, Mercedes SLK type OEM roll bars are acceptable. If you are uncertain whether a roll hoop is suitable, email drew@falconautosport.com to seek clarification. An example would be a Miata with a Hard Dog Racing or Good Win Racing roll hoop; this would be acceptable/recommended, provided properly installed.
Drivers of vehicles equipped with roll cages or with no air bags are recommended to have a SNELL rated helmet with HANS device and minimum 5 point harness. Prototype race cars, purpose built race cars, or dedicated track cars travelling faster than 130 km/h (30+ km/h faster than the average 'fast road car') through the carousel at Grand Bend Motorplex are HIGHLY recommended to have a SNELL rated helmet with HANS device and minimum 5 point harness. If you require/intend to purchase any of the aforementioned gear, email drew@falconautosport.com - we may have suggestions, deals, or supplier/sponsor discounts available.
We've only had to turn away one guest from technical inspection as they had a brake disc with a very large crack. We aim to have no one turned away during technical inspection; this is why we're up-front about recommendations, suggestions, and expectations.
High quality roll hoops (OEM or otherwise) optional but recommended for open-top cars (convertibles, Radical, other prototype race cars). Porsche Boxster S, Mercedes SLK type OEM roll bars are acceptable. If you are uncertain whether a roll hoop is suitable, email drew@falconautosport.com to seek clarification. An example would be a Miata with a Hard Dog Racing or Good Win Racing roll hoop; this would be acceptable/recommended, provided properly installed.
Drivers of vehicles equipped with roll cages or with no air bags are recommended to have a SNELL rated helmet with HANS device and minimum 5 point harness. Prototype race cars, purpose built race cars, or dedicated track cars travelling faster than 130 km/h (30+ km/h faster than the average 'fast road car') through the carousel at Grand Bend Motorplex are HIGHLY recommended to have a SNELL rated helmet with HANS device and minimum 5 point harness. If you require/intend to purchase any of the aforementioned gear, email drew@falconautosport.com - we may have suggestions, deals, or supplier/sponsor discounts available.
We've only had to turn away one guest from technical inspection as they had a brake disc with a very large crack. We aim to have no one turned away during technical inspection; this is why we're up-front about recommendations, suggestions, and expectations.
Charity 2023
It's time to give back - the track day community has been awesome over the past years. Our staff have had an amazing time hosting these events for you. The cost of living in Ontario has skyrocketed and people are struggling. We want to help. We'll be collecting money for a noteworthy food bank in Ontario and making a purchase of vegetarian (vegan?), non-perishable food items to help the less fortunate in 2023, using the money donated to us. Here's how we want to make our charity efforts work:
There will be a tiered donation system where people can donate according to a tier that they want, to receive the corresponding gifts.
There will be some "bonus" events that will only be possible to attend with a charitable donation made through us. There will be some classroom lessons offered to donating guests. There will be crazy colours of hair dye on Drew's head. Yes, really; you wanna see Drew with green hair? Blue? Orange? Donate!
Donation targets:
Donations so far: $60
In late October, following the last event, the donation will be made. Pending season results, donated amounts may be doubled by Falcon Autosport.
Food Bank Donations
There will be a tiered donation system where people can donate according to a tier that they want, to receive the corresponding gifts.
There will be some "bonus" events that will only be possible to attend with a charitable donation made through us. There will be some classroom lessons offered to donating guests. There will be crazy colours of hair dye on Drew's head. Yes, really; you wanna see Drew with green hair? Blue? Orange? Donate!
- $10 donation - attend "invite-only" events; $10 towards reaching the target for Drew's hair dye
- $25 donation - attend "invite-only" events, $25 towards reaching the target for Drew's hair dye, entry to raffle for a free membership
- $50 donation - attend "invite-only" events, $50 towards reaching the target for Drew's hair dye, two entries to raffle for a free membership, Falcon Autosport sticker/merch, part of a day hanging out one-on-one with Drew [and staff?], talking about racing, track days, funny stories, and other amusing happenings, joking around
- $100 donation - attend "invite-only" events, $100 towards reaching the target for Drew's hair dye, four entries to raffle for a free membership, Falcon Autosport sticker/merch, part of a day hanging out one-on-one with Drew [and staff?], (talking about racing, track days, funny stories, and other amusing happenings, joking around,) and a credit for $25 towards a track day registration
Donation targets:
- $500 - Navy Blue hair dye
- $750 - British Racing Green hair dye
- $1000 - Grey
- $2500 - Falcon Autosport "yellow, orange, red" gradient blend
Donations so far: $60
In late October, following the last event, the donation will be made. Pending season results, donated amounts may be doubled by Falcon Autosport.
Food Bank Donations
