Car club keeps street racing on track

6th gear racing offers speed demons safer alternative

yorkregion.com
Sept. 5, 2014
By Adam Martin-Robbins

Street racing and stunt driving have long been a problem in York Region, particularly in Vaughan - and this year is no different.

So far this year, York Regional Police have laid 166 charges for stunt driving, often linked to traveling at more than 50 km/h over the speed limit, and two more serious criminal code charges of street racing.

In one 12-hour period earlier this summer, police nabbed and charged five drivers for stunt driving. Three of those drivers were allegedly clocked reaching speeds near 160 km/h while a fourth was allegedly travelling 206 km/h in an 80-km/h zone.

Not only is that dangerous, it can put a serious dent in your bank account. If caught, you can face a fine ranging from $2,000 to $10,000, six demerit points, a two-year licence suspension and up to six months in jail.

On top of that, you could be looking at a steep hike in your insurance rate.

For those with a need for speed, there are less costly - and much safer ways - of getting the adrenalin rush that comes from racing on the open road.

There are clubs and organizations out there that can arrange for you to rip laps around a track at an average cost of between $500 and $600.

For example, 6th Gear Racing typically organizes eight track days a season for its 823 members, with plans to nearly double that number next year.

The majority of those track days take place at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Bowmanville, about an hour’s drive from Vaughan.

That’s where 6th Gear has its clubhouse, featuring a $30,000 simulator that you can practice on before putting rubber on the road.

For $550, you get seven hours of open lapping, a four-course Italian meal, an event hat and a once-over of your car by an expert who will check your tire pressure as well as ensure your nuts and bolts are straight and tight.

An extra $500 gets you a private instructor for the day.

There are a few conditions, of course.

First off, you have to wear a helmet and closed-toe shoes.

And all newcomers have to go through a new driver day session at the training track to teach them “how to use their eyes properly and how to look ahead", spokeswoman Juliana Chiovitti said.

From then onward, you get to drive on the Grand Prix Track.

“It is a controlled environment, but you are reaching speeds up to 210 km/h plus, depending on the car,” Chiovitti said. “We don’t really have any rules, essentially. Our only rule is: everyone drives in one direction....We’re all gentlemen drivers and we’re all pretty fast. And you don’t have to worry about getting a ticket for going too fast.”

Barry Reid has been a member of 6th Gear Racing since 2005.

“For me, a day at the track is like a week vacation,” he said on a sunny August day at the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park Driver Development Centre track. “It’s worth every penny. All the stress is gone.”