I've never done any track events, but I'm really looking into getting started. Thus far I've found one at thunderhill with SCCA in July, and one with NASA at Infineon in August. Are there any other clubs I should be checking with that would be friendly and fun to a beginner?

Thanks,
Sam

 

There is also speed ventures. They do mostly SoCal events but make it up here once in awhile.
I will be at the Infineon event in August for both days in my vert as will a friend with a LS1 fd.
If you go, come over and say hi if you spot us...

btw, here is a link to most clubs that do track events:
https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showthread.php?t=362947

 

they are doing a track day event in stockton in a couple of weeks. its in the monthly meeting page.

 

i would like to take a trip up to Thunder Hill one of these days.


autocrossing is mildly fun but i want to hit some real speeds. my turbo doesn't sound happy with all those sharp *** turns, it likes a few straightaways in between so it can breathe...

 

Thunder Hill is best bang for your buck, but very hot in the summer! Maybe we should all try to do some group thing with NASA or through one of the other track-day groups?

 

I'll be at most T'hill, and Infineon events after July 9th

 

These guys are cool, knowledgable and organized.
http://www.trackmasters-racing.com/

 

There are a lot of track days going on in NorCal, as well as SoCal. Too bad this thread did not pop up over a week ago. I just got back from 3 days at Thunderhill Raceway! Friday, June 24th, was with NCRC in the Point-by group. The weekend was with NASA in the HPDE 3 group. I was also sharing driving wiith a friend in his prepared Mustang '89 GT. Big difference in horsepower compared to my 88 GTU.

I had a coaching session with NCRC and received some good pointers, as well as confirmation of what I was already doing well. NASA did not have any personalized instruction, but did have a good exchange of information in the download sessions right after easy run. The instructor / group leader typically ran his car through the group, focusing on obvious individual issues.

The weather at Thunderhill in the summer can be pretty nasty, from what I hear. However, this weekend only hit the mid-80s. In the shade was very nice. Only a couple of hours out of the day were hot.

Both groups did an excellent job of running the events and keeping on time. NCRC provides lunch, light breakfast and water all day. With NASA, you provide all your own. Doing a NASA HPDE is nice because racing sessions are mixed in throughout the weekend and it is instructive to watch those. Both groups have 20 min. on-track sessions, 4 per day.

I have been trying to get more SoCal, namely San Diego, guys interested, but it has been tough. It is a long haul from SD so you want to do at least 2 days on location. That still eats up 5 days. About a day and a half up so you do not get too tired to concentrate and have fun. If you can get ther in time to get a good night's rest, then one day travel up is OK. One day back works fine, agan, after a good night's rest.

Anyway, I have done events with a number of groups: Speed Ventures; Miata Performance (Aaron Tachibana); Nor Cal Racing Club; Track Masters and Redline Track Events; as well as more formalized schools. NCRC and Track Masters were new for this year. Both good organizations.

I would recommend that you look into the schools that Buttonwillow and Thunderhill have. This provides paid instructors and might be best when starting out. They are only offered a few times each year so you have to check the dates and plan ahead.

If you are looking for a consolidated listing of many events in CA and NV, then check out the following link.:
http://track-days.org/
It is the most up to date listing and gives links to all the organizers.



See you at the track some time,
John
'88 GTU

 

ya know, i didn't even realize it was less than an hour from my house to Thunder Hill. for some odd reason i thought it was a lot farther...

 

Hit hwy 20 to I-5 and then north 25 minutes! Go check it out some weekend, I've been there for Shelby Day and S.F. Porsche club (to watch, I can't afford that expensive ****!)