Hey everyone... we've pretty much nailed down our driving school/time trial schedule for 2004 and here it is:

February 14-15 - VIR Full Course - $265/$285 (Z car/non-Z car)
Registration is now open and filling up. There should be plenty of room for the driving school, but for those with SOLO I prepped cars, get your entry in early as we have to limit the time trial to 28 cars.

April 10-11 - VIR South Course - $245/$265
Registration is also open for this event.

Here's a picture of the facilty:

www.virclub.com

In June, we go south to Savannah, GA for our annual event at Roebling Road Raceway, June 19-20 (Price TBA)


www.roeblingroad.com

Then on October 23-24 we'll be back at Carolina Motorsports Park in Kershaw, SC (Price TBA):


(sorry, they didn't have a good arial shot). www.carolinamotorsportspark.com

We are also currently in negotiations with VIR to run the newly configured Patriot Course. This is a 1.1 mile circuit that uses the Spiral and Fish Hook sections of South Course along with the uphill section of North course. They've added some new asphalt so it can be run simultaneously with the Full course... we're looking at September 10-11 for that one.

For those of you who don't know - we run two-day high performance schools at various road-courses throughout the southeast. It's a chance to drive your car at speed on a purpose built raceway without the risks and costs associated with racing. Our events are low-pressure and laid-back. We welcome and encourage those of you who have never been on track before. Your car doesn't need any special equipment (unless it's a convertible) but it does need to pass our safety inspection. Drivers: all you need is a Snell rated M95 or SA95 (or newer) helmet and long sleeves/pants of natural fibers.

That gets you six 30-minute driving sessions (three per day) with an in-car instructor and classroom instruction between sessions. That's THREE HOURS of track time... compare that to your local autocross.

For more info and entry forms, please visit www.triangleZclub.com or www.timetrials.net

Stacy
Track Events Coordinator
Triangle Z Club, NC

 

I can't wait!

 

Hmmm... I'm interested in that Feb VIR date, but I really worry about the weather that time of year (especially after what we saw with last winter up here). What's the cancellation policy? I ask because if we get snow up here (and you all get rain down there), there's no way I'd make it down there.

 

It was cancelled last year b/c snow and they gave a full refund. I just put it toward the next VIR south dates.

 

John brings up a very good point.

We did renegotiate our weather clause with VIR after the fiasco last year.

We have a number of options in case of inclement weather. The situation that John brings up will be handled on a case by case basis. If all we have is rain at the track, so long as there is no ice forcasted, we will run the event. That means that the event 'should' be full in terms of paid entries, which means we will be able to issue refunds for those 'non-local' participants who may be snowed/iced in (must be verifiable of course) and can give some notice so we can fill the slot.

Otherwise, we have one-day options, full cancellation options, late start/early close options (unexpected weather).

We'll evaluate the weather the Thursday before the event at 3:00. By 5:00 we'll inform everyone whether the event is 'on' or not, or if we're going to try a one-day event.

Email me if you have any other questions.

-Stacy

 

Thanks for the additional info Stacy. Approximately how many cars do you run in each group? I'll probably register in two weeks after I get paid...

 

It varies from event to event. For VIR Full we are probably talking about 30 to 35 cars per run group. That's a lot of space for Full course. Stacy can better answer this though

 

I think the plan is to cap the student run groups to 30, with some wiggle room to 35 if necessary. While there is plenty of room (over 3 miles) we still try to keep it reasonable so there won't be too many 'trains' forming.

The general rule of thumb is 15 cars per mile for HPDE events. We use every bit of that figure for South course (1.6 miles, 23/24 cars per group) and don't have too many problems.

-Stacy

 

Expect the MidTN Z Club to be at most of those...

EXCEPT the Feb VIR event.

As Doug would say - too damnit cold and unpredictable. Could be nice - or freezy. Not worth the 10 hour drive to "Gamble".

We'll see you at the rest!

 

Fair enough. But obviously, we'd take into consideration the travel time when assessing any refund issue.

But I can certainly understand not wanting to spend the time and money to get there only to be surprised and not be able to run the whole weekend.

Keep in mind that registration for the April event is also open... like I told someone else - I recommend going ahead and signing up for it if you can.

If the worst should happen, and we have to cancel the February event again, the order of priority is as follows:

1) Those that signed up for both events
2) Those that signed up for April only
3) Those that signed up for February only and want credit toward April.

Thanks guys!!!

-Stacy

 

I was sorry I missed out on Roebling last year. That will be the one I tackle. Please up date with a price on it asap. Thinking about chin motorsports aswell. Roebling is about 10 miles from the house so slightly partial to going there.

 

Just curious, but Roebling web site does not show Triangle Z club in june?

 

That may be because we haven't sent in the contracts yet. Also, make sure they've updated to the 2004 calendar. (I haven't looked yet)

But we do have a verbal commitment with Kaye at the track. There's a chance it may say Tar Heel Sports Car Club and/or Alfa Romeo Club - we're kind-of doing a three-way event with them.

-Stacy

 

Im sorry it does say 2003.

 

No worries Stacy -

We were impressed at the professionalism of Roebling last year, that we certainly plan on coming again this year.

We're presenting the events schedule at our meeting this Thursday, and VIR SC, Roebling, and Carolina Motorports will all be noted!!!

 

Ack - just dawned on me Stacy...

The nationals are in June, several members from are club are planning on going.

Anyway we can move Roebling to say July or August?

We would HATE to miss that event!!!!

 

Most likely not. Most of the 2004 schedule is set in mid 2003. The only way we can switch a date is with someone else that wants to change thier weekend as well.

 

Will be sending in my registration tomorrow for the Feb VIR date. I'm interested in the timetrial, but can I decide if I can participate once I get to the track? Should I apply for my TT lisence now?

 

edit: double post

 

You can decide at the track, but it's best to have the TT license now so that if you decide to do the TT, you can just go sign up.