want to start tracking...
want to start tracking...
is there a beginners thread? i searched and didnt come up with anything...
im thinking the buttonwillow race course... just want to know, how do i start? take a class?
any suggestions would be great...
PS i have never tracked anything before, so im a total newb
im thinking the buttonwillow race course... just want to know, how do i start? take a class?
any suggestions would be great...
PS i have never tracked anything before, so im a total newb
cool thanks... wont make it out there this weekend, BUT ill be checking that website... and go when im ready...
so there is no "tracking" license or anything that i have to get? any classes, certification that i must pass?
also, can someone recommend, where is a good place to go to buy a helmet?
so there is no "tracking" license or anything that i have to get? any classes, certification that i must pass?
also, can someone recommend, where is a good place to go to buy a helmet?
I'd suggest asking some local SCCA Solo (autox) folks where they bought helmets. Sure, one can order it on the web from a plethora of palces but to determine fit etc you gotta do that in person 
As far as getting started, I found that the "drivers' schools" offered by PCA and BMWCCA are excellent (if your region will let you in, some are ****/stupid about being marque specific) and represent a great safe venue to learn at a very reasonable price.
As far as getting started, I found that the "drivers' schools" offered by PCA and BMWCCA are excellent (if your region will let you in, some are ****/stupid about being marque specific) and represent a great safe venue to learn at a very reasonable price.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: Dublin, CA
It might be a bit far for you, but Thunderhill offers a good course.
It is put on the by Hooked on Driving guys. The day involves classroom time, track time, and sessions after the track time to discuss any challenges. You have an instructor.
Check them out...www.thunderhill.com
Marc
It is put on the by Hooked on Driving guys. The day involves classroom time, track time, and sessions after the track time to discuss any challenges. You have an instructor.
Check them out...www.thunderhill.com
Marc
when i started the first thing I did was find an event autox or HPDE, close to where I lived (1.5 hours) and went to just watch. Talked to a lot of people, found out first hand what to do, where to go, what to have. You will be surprised how easy people are to talk to when it comes to their car and tracking it. after that, do A LOT of research.
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 712
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From: redondo beach, ca
the bmw club has good instruction and a well run format, their track days just cost a lot. they don't allow convertibles but i believe that's the only major restriction.
redline and speedventures hold track days all year.
if you're a total newb, read up on vehicle/driving dynamics so you know what people are referring to when they say weight transfer, tire slip angle, etc. play a lot of GT4. then practice small details on the street... like braking in a straight line, then turning, trying to hit an apex, heel-toe (but your first time on the track you shouldn't be shifting much. just do it all in 3rd gear).
redline and speedventures hold track days all year.
if you're a total newb, read up on vehicle/driving dynamics so you know what people are referring to when they say weight transfer, tire slip angle, etc. play a lot of GT4. then practice small details on the street... like braking in a straight line, then turning, trying to hit an apex, heel-toe (but your first time on the track you shouldn't be shifting much. just do it all in 3rd gear).
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Different tracks and different clubs have different rules. Most likely you will want to begin with HPDE. Some tracks will not allow you to drive solo without a recommendation from an instructor.
Helmet?
There are plenty of helmet recommendations here. Again tracks and clubs have different requirements. Most likely a Snell certified helmet will meet the most stringent requirements.
There are plenty of helmet recommendations here. Again tracks and clubs have different requirements. Most likely a Snell certified helmet will meet the most stringent requirements.
Originally Posted by istan
BOOOO
No love with the ZRs
No love with the ZRs
http://www.buttonwillowraceway.com/ and click on the Performance Driving Clinic tab.
I went to this event for my first track event, and it was a very good experience to get me comfortable with driving on the track. There are many rental helmets available, so dont worry if you dont' have your own. And they will also tech the car for you too. They separate people into first timers, and returning drivers, and the track is split into two separate tracks. One for the beginners, and one for returning drivers..
During the first session, everyone in the beginner group has an instructor (these instructors actually participate in scca races) ride with them for the first two laps to show you the lines, and to get you comfortable. Then after lunch, they connect the two tracks and make it into one big track, and once again, you get an instructor for your first two laps driving on this new configuration. Instructors are also available all day to ride along with you, or for you to ride in their cars.
From my experience with other organizations, they dont have many instructors, so one instructor is assigned to many students, and all you do is form a big lead-follow group around the track, with no specific instructions. This event is also mainly for beinners, so there are no race-prepped dedicated track cars to intimidate you.
I went to this event for my first track event, and it was a very good experience to get me comfortable with driving on the track. There are many rental helmets available, so dont worry if you dont' have your own. And they will also tech the car for you too. They separate people into first timers, and returning drivers, and the track is split into two separate tracks. One for the beginners, and one for returning drivers..
During the first session, everyone in the beginner group has an instructor (these instructors actually participate in scca races) ride with them for the first two laps to show you the lines, and to get you comfortable. Then after lunch, they connect the two tracks and make it into one big track, and once again, you get an instructor for your first two laps driving on this new configuration. Instructors are also available all day to ride along with you, or for you to ride in their cars.
From my experience with other organizations, they dont have many instructors, so one instructor is assigned to many students, and all you do is form a big lead-follow group around the track, with no specific instructions. This event is also mainly for beinners, so there are no race-prepped dedicated track cars to intimidate you.
Last edited by adrianko43; Sep 28, 2007 at 11:18 PM.
well i just picked this up...
http://store1.yimg.com/I/soloracerdotcom_1935_6627785
for $100 at the SPARCO socal sale this morning...
http://store1.yimg.com/I/soloracerdotcom_1935_6627785
for $100 at the SPARCO socal sale this morning...
Originally Posted by adrianko43
http://www.buttonwillowraceway.com/ and click on the Performance Driving Clinic tab.
I went to this event for my first track event, and it was a very good experience to get me comfortable with driving on the track. There are many rental helmets available, so dont worry if you dont' have your own. And they will also tech the car for you too. They separate people into first timers, and returning drivers, and the track is split into two separate tracks. One for the beginners, and one for returning drivers..
During the first session, everyone in the beginner group has an instructor (these instructors actually participate in scca races) ride with them for the first two laps to show you the lines, and to get you comfortable. Then after lunch, they connect the two tracks and make it into one big track, and once again, you get an instructor for your first two laps driving on this new configuration. Instructors are also available all day to ride along with you, or for you to ride in their cars.
From my experience with other organizations, they dont have many instructors, so one instructor is assigned to many students, and all you do is form a big lead-follow group around the track, with no specific instructions. This event is also mainly for beinners, so there are no race-prepped dedicated track cars to intimidate you.
I went to this event for my first track event, and it was a very good experience to get me comfortable with driving on the track. There are many rental helmets available, so dont worry if you dont' have your own. And they will also tech the car for you too. They separate people into first timers, and returning drivers, and the track is split into two separate tracks. One for the beginners, and one for returning drivers..
During the first session, everyone in the beginner group has an instructor (these instructors actually participate in scca races) ride with them for the first two laps to show you the lines, and to get you comfortable. Then after lunch, they connect the two tracks and make it into one big track, and once again, you get an instructor for your first two laps driving on this new configuration. Instructors are also available all day to ride along with you, or for you to ride in their cars.
From my experience with other organizations, they dont have many instructors, so one instructor is assigned to many students, and all you do is form a big lead-follow group around the track, with no specific instructions. This event is also mainly for beinners, so there are no race-prepped dedicated track cars to intimidate you.
Originally Posted by Marc Mc
One piece of advice: Don't worry about going fast. Focus on being smooth and driving the line. Speed will come. Listen to the instructors. Take an instructor every session if you can.
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 804
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas, NV
If you can wait until next spring, I can personally recommend the Alfa Romeo Owners of Southern California (arosc.org), which puts on great beginner's HPDE classes at Willow Springs. I attended one at the Streets of Willow in spring 2006, and it was extremely well organized and run. (It was also extremely basic for me, but I had been trying to coax a newbie L.A. friend who had just gotten a Z4 to try HPDE. He crapped out, but I had a good time in my rented Z4.)
Since Alfas are relatively few and far between, they are very open to other makes joining in.
They won't be doing a beginner's school at the event next weekend on the big track at Willow Springs (Oct. 13-14), but you might want to tool out there just to watch and to drive in the lunch run parade laps. That's all I got to do on the big track when I was there last year, and I'm dying to go back and run real laps one day.
Since Alfas are relatively few and far between, they are very open to other makes joining in.
They won't be doing a beginner's school at the event next weekend on the big track at Willow Springs (Oct. 13-14), but you might want to tool out there just to watch and to drive in the lunch run parade laps. That's all I got to do on the big track when I was there last year, and I'm dying to go back and run real laps one day.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
From: princeton, new jersey
Check out this sight. Motorsports.reg. It will give you all of the events going on within whatever distance you designate from your zipcode.
HPDE evetns are great fun and offer 1 on 1 instruction for newbies.
Before you go make sure you have decent brake pads left, change your oil if it's not been recently changed. Check all of your fluid levels, especially coolant and brake. Usually, there are rental/loaner helmets available. You may not want to invest in a helmet till you are committed to pursuing HPDE. If you are you should get stainless brake lines and replace your brake fluid with higher boiling point fluids. Have fun and be safe.
HPDE evetns are great fun and offer 1 on 1 instruction for newbies.
Before you go make sure you have decent brake pads left, change your oil if it's not been recently changed. Check all of your fluid levels, especially coolant and brake. Usually, there are rental/loaner helmets available. You may not want to invest in a helmet till you are committed to pursuing HPDE. If you are you should get stainless brake lines and replace your brake fluid with higher boiling point fluids. Have fun and be safe.
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