I am thinking of taking my 2012 Prius C two to my local track (Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, IL) for T

Eventually, but not in a 1/4 mile.

"Standing ¼-mile: 18.1 sec @ 76 mph
Top speed (drag limited): 102 mph" - 2012 Toyota Prius C Instrumented Test – Review – Car and Driver

 

Exactly, so interstate driving isn't pushing the car to the limit.

 

They make you wear a helmet at K1 indoor go carts, and they only go 40 MPH.

 

. Yes its slow but then 48 mpg is the reason. R&T test said 17.8 sec at 77 mph in quarter and 10.6 to 60. Not terribly slow, but slow.
Still, I wish Toyota wouls offer a super sports model with 150 hp (no problem) and 'only' 40 mpg. The production line would be on overtime for years.. It is simply the reason why hybrid sakles are off; too much of the market wants performce as well as mpg. Had the same argument with Honda about the forthcoming CRZ. In fact it got downright confrontational to the extent that when the winy CRZ did come out all of the market expecting a proper successor to the CRX were downright offended. There are many at Honda who used to be friends before the opposition to the CRZ. Until Toyota recognizes that the market for hybrids must include a model with both performance and mpg. Perhaps Toyoda the president and racer will agree and get it done.
Honda finalkly got a small bump with their offer of a turbo kit but apparently it hasn't sold well (probably because a $35k CRZ isn't very appealing to the pocketbook)
I predict the first to offer Porsche 918 simile to the common marketplace will own the whole market.PS disconnecting the front sway bar improves handling eormously if track handling is your interest. Track proven.

 

But you have no 'metal' around you and drag racing beow 100 mph isn't much risk as long as your tires are good and your car in mechanically sound. Thats why they have pre-race inspections.

 

For those of who have raced interstate driving is nothing like racing. Absolutely nothing like it.

 

Nonsense. Take it from a racer interststate driving is not comparable to racing. How about coming out to even a high performance driving school and show us how its the same.

 

A helmet is useful for cars that have to corner but drag racing isn't that risky unless you don't pass a good pre-race inspection. If you are worriec about crashing wear a helmet.
When ribbed , challenge them to racing a quarter on a tea cup of gas. More laughter but the spirit improves.

 

At least the track, you have all like minded individuals with common goal and at least similar training, and prepared vehicles and protective gear...

On the interstate who knows who or what is driving next to you...makes for much scarier and less enjoyable time...

I always enjoyed track days...

 

BIT OF CORRECTION HERE: Do not drive thru water if you HAVE slicks or low tread depth tires (improves traction). No or little tread depth is invitation to hydroplaning, even at walking speeds.

 

Mahout,

obviously slick or low tread tires will hydroplane thorugh water... but the purpose of the water pit is to make the tires slippery such that the super sticky slicks are able to easily break traction to do the burnout... prior to the actually run.

if you drive through the water pit with treaded tires, you will sling water down the track which means the drivers behind you on the strip, when they try to make a run have the potential for breaking traction and causing an accident...which is bad, which is why they frown on treaded tires driving through the water pit...

 

Yeah, they accelerate faster than a Prius too... What's your point?

 

Some tracks require them, some don't.

It's usually a function of lawyers and insurance companies protecting the track owners rather than what's between the seat and the steering wheel.
Obviously, the best thing to do is to either get a definitive answer from a track official as to whether or not the rule is in place or even assiduously enforced.
It's always better to have and not need than to need and not have one.

Mopeds require helmets in most states on or off the track, and if you don't respect them?
They're fast enough to kill you.
YMMV

 

I actually asked this question. I'm not a fan of our new quoting system. The difference between a Moped and a car is significant. I'm not saying that a helmet is a bad thing, just not necessary on our cars. We go faster on the interstate than we will with a 1/4 mile run. Some tracks do require it though, as has been mentioned. It never hurts to have it and not need it, you're correct.

 

Make sure you post your times when you get back

i also get annoyed when reviewers compare 0-60 / 1/4 mile times with this car... I mean I have an Evo if I wanted to drive on a track or drive aggressively. I didnt get my C for performance at all, I got it to get me to point A to B also to respect and love the hybrid technology involved.

 

Well, at least at he end of your run you can use a handkerchief for the parachute!

 

No point, just a statement.

 

In the case of the C, 18 seconds

 

Granted but here the advice is ONLY slicks are permitted in the burnout lane troughs. As it should be because even walking speds are treacherous with slicks. Do treaded tires really carry that much more water in the grooves?

 

My old buddy Billy took his 2011 prius to a strip. He got laughed at alot. But that didnt bother Billy. He drove and drove and showed everybody his prius power. Man I loved his prius. One guy actually came up to him afterward and called it "awesome". I too would like to take my new prius on the track. Has anyone street raced their C? I thought about taking mine out to a little racing village by my hood... of course after I do more work to it....