Are there other groups/organizations like speedventures that would give one the opportunity to run these tracks? I noticed there were special days with specific clubs (Porsche Club) that give discounted admissions. Any site out there that would have infomration like this? The site calendars have event names but there are no descriptions.

Another question - are there any plans from my350z.com to goto these tracks this year?

 

I've been doing Thunderhill with TEAM Racing. There are lots of orgs to do HPDE with tho. Many run at multiple tracks.

Google some of the following (off the top of my head) for calendars and such:
Hooked on Driving
NCRC - Nor Cal Racing Club
Lotus Club
Track Masters

 

Good suggestions. A few more pieces of input for those groups:
Hooked on Driving: Expensive and more gauged to high-end cars
NCRC - Nor Cal Racing Club: Great group and super cheap no-frills track time. They have a bunch of events at T-hill coming up for $125-150.
Lotus Club: Our autox group runs with them (Golden Gate Lotus Club), and feedback is good (I haven't run with them).
Track Masters: Another great group at a good value
Greenflag Driving: Traditional 3 run groups with lots of track time and fairly priced. May need a referral, which I could provide.
CFRA: Hard to get into - need to know someone (I might be able to help there, too).

I will be at Laguna this Saturday with Speedventures. I only know of a few, like 3 or 4, of the NorCal my350z members that do track days regularly. Most of the others do meets and drives, but not track days. I've been the only Z at my last two events, which was very sad.

 

^^^ Anything in particular you recommend for track noobs?

 

Awesome! I used to do track days in Colorado with NASA all the time, but it is just too expensive right now. I am just down the street from LS, and would love to take my TT G35 on it at some point, when I can justify it economically. Have fun out there!

 

Although the actual event registration is only a small part of the total costs, NCRC has a few very cheap, like $125, Thill events coming up. If we get two more people, we'll get a discount.

 

+1 about justifying it economically. I wanna hit the track more but times are tough right now in my industry.

As it stands, prolly the next track day I'm going to is Oct 16th w/ TEAM. That's 8 days before I'm getting married so I'm havin my bachelor party at Thunderhill for me and my track-going frenz.

 

Yeah, like you said, the registration is only a small part of the cost. Gas, lodging, insurance, consumables (brake pads, oil, tire wear)etc... make up the rest of the cost. Maybe next year.

 

How many are needed to get the discount? i am going in august, although not in my z, but that doesnt make a difference to them. and i have a couple friends going too

 

They are offering a discount for THIS Th, F, S, and/or Su at Laguna Seca for a group of 5+ because they are low in participation. You can't get a discount until they determine that they are low. How about Laguna on Saturday?

 

i cant go, family stuff to attend to, and school work sadly. also need to check up on the car since the last track day still, and fix an oil leak coming from the valve cover, havnt had time!

one of my friends will be there though as an instructor, in a blue/white spec miata. since they needed more instructors his track day was $110! for friday.....luckkkyyy. but if you see him, he is a nice guy, and will soon be a very fast spec miata driver.

 

I agree the track costs are not cheap. Speedventures is $350 / day and thats not easy for me.

For those people running at Thunder Hill, would you know if your group allows passenger ride alongs? I'd just like to get a feel and perspective as to running a track. This would be the first time for me.

 

AFAIK, only Hooked On Driving does not allow passengers, as well as anyone else running (with any organization) in the beginner group.

 

at the last thunderhill event with NCRC, one of my friends who was new was told that no one in group 1 could take a passenger unless they were an instructor. :shrug:

 

So I'm stuck with the youtube videos until I can get my car out there...

 

btw, looks like NCRC is the most affordable groups of them all. So there is no other membership fees (than the $40) running with them? And it seems it would be competitive to register for their events due to the low prices. Is it hard for a newbie to get on their list?

 

Group 1 is the n00bs group, that's why. Anyone who has never been on the track before should not be taking passengers out.

 

You don't even need to be a member. I'm not, and I still run with them.

Well, if that's the case, here ya go (my last time out at Thunderhill):

<object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/enAiSPRZKXE&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b &border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/enAiSPRZKXE&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b &border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object>

 

Solidfish:


I run NCRC with my partner Dave.

Group 1 ( our driving school) is for peoples that have never been on a track therefor for safety reasons, we do not allow any passenger in this group.

Passengers are welcome in all the other groups (solo, point-by and open) and you will always find plenty of drivers willing to give you a ride.

You do not need to be a member ( and pay the $40 membership) but the price for non-members is $10 extra per day.

If you're interested to do you first track event with us, you just have to sign-up for our driving school.
You will get a few classroms and 5 on-track sessions.
In 3 of those sessions you will have exercises where you apply what you learned in the classroom ( flags, the correct line, passing, etc,) and the last 2 sessions are "regular" open-track sessions.

I know that a lot a first timer do not like the idea of a "school" but believe me, driving on a racetrack has nothing to do with driving on the street and besided the rules (flags, etc) there is a technical side that you need to learn to have fun and be a safe driver.

Luc.

 

Hey Luc! See you and Dave at Thill later this summer! You guys run a great event (I was at Laguna with you in April). Thanks again!