Just a quick note to see if there's any interest in a track day at a different track in New Mexico. Arroyo Seco is a small, 1.4 mile track near Demming, NM and is scheduled to have the opening race for the Rocky Mountain Region SCCA. I'm planning to compete in my older 200SX Se-R Showroom stock racer that some of you have seen. I'm converting it to be in a class called Improved Touring S and will drive it down on March 4th for the races that weekend (March 5-6th).

The Pan American Region of the SCCA will be sanctioning the event and will also have a High Performance Driving Clinic during the event. This means that street cars will get to run the course with some instruction during the weekends. Cost will be $75/day or $125/both days from what I've heard. If anybody is interested in hooking up for the drive down, post here. I'd be happy to provide more details on what is sure to be an adventure!

 

I can't make it on those dates (March is going to be a killer month at work), but it sounds like fun. Take some pictures for us.

 

Where is Demming, NM or what is it near?

 

Brian-

Demming is on I-10, west of El Paso. Think of driving down I-25 to Hatch, NM (where they grow those HOT chiles) and going SW on a state road to intersect I-10. The track itself is so far south that it's probably within 30 miles of the border with Mexico!

 

I don't think I would be able to make that one David. Sorry.

Plus the Mrs. is out of town that weekend....gotta make the most of that freedom while it lasts.

Mudd

 

For those interested in what SCCA is doing for track day programming, here's a recent news release:

TOPEKA, Kan. (Feb. 16, 2005) - The SCCA Club Racing Department has announced a new way for SCCA members and sports car enthusiasts to compete and experience the thrill of road racing with the formation of the Performance Driving Experience (PDE), part of its new Time Trials program.

The PDE, the first of four levels of Time Trials activities (which range from instructional to all-out, top-speed events at venues from closed tracks to paved, non-track roads), offers a chance to improve driving skills while giving curious rookie enthusiasts a taste of competitive motorsports action.

SCCA Club Racing officials believe the new program will help introduce SCCA Club Racing, and motorsports in general, to people who might not have been on the Club’s radar before.

“This is the first time Club Racing has expanded its programs to non-traditional areas,” SCCA Director of Club Racing Terry Ozment said. “We are very excited about this opportunity for lots of reasons, but especially because it will bring SCCA to a brand new audience.”

The new format provides competitive flexibility for motorsports enthusiasts by allowing both street cars and race-prepared vehicles to participate, depending on the program level.

For rules information, visit the “Cars and Rules” section on the Club Racing homepage at www.scca.com. For a listing of events, go to the “Events” section at www.scca.com. Click the “Club” tab and select Time Trials.

All other inquires should be directed to Bryan Cohn, SCCA Club Racing Manager, at 1-800-770-2055 or bcohn@scca.com.

A breakdown of each level:

“Performance Driving Experience” (PDE) - The PDE is the first level of the program and provides an instructional environment for drivers who want to improve driving skills and increase their enjoyment of driving their street vehicle. PDE is SCCA’s unique version of “track” or “lapping” days.

“Club Trials” – Club Trials is the second level of the Time Trials program. This level combines elements of PDE instruction with the excitement of running against the clock to determine individual class winners. Cars range from street cars to fully prepared race cars.

“Track Trials” – Track Trials, the third level of the program, offers closed-course track time, and winners are determined by fastest time around the course. Cars prepared for both Solo and Road Racing competition are eligible for Track Trials.

“Hill Climbs” – The fourth and top level of the Time Trials program. Hill Climb events offer short-distance, timed events for race-prepared vehicles on paved mountain roads, with winners determined by fastest times.

 

Looks like no takers for this month's Z road trip. Here's a link to a track map for any and all who might be interested:

http://coloradoscca.org/images/trackmap-arroyoseco.jpg

 

Just returned from the long weekend at Arroyo Seco and thought I'd post a few thoughts. This was my first opportunity to compete in the Improved Touring S (ITS) class and I drove my '95 200SX Se-R over 1400 miles for the event in southern New Mexico.

ITS is a tough class with the second gen RX-7, early Z cars, BMW 3-series, early Porsche 911, Acura Integra GSR and others competing. Most all of the cars are full race-prep and trailered to the event. In a word, I went to a knife fight with a letter opener! My former Showroom Stock C (SSC) had only the addition of the Eibach Sportline spring kit as a performance enhancement and wasn't of much help.

There were only four ITS cars competing in a mixed class 18 car field. I was frustrated to finish third in the first race (which was dry), but the next day held some surprises. The second race was held after a driving rain/hailstorm. The terrible understeer that I had all weekend was not as much a factor in the wet and it was great fun passing lots of high-HP/mega buck cars on the way finishing second at the end of Sunday's Regional race.

The HPDC had an interesting set of cars- F360 spyder, Porsche GT2, 996 twin turbo, C5 Vette and a Z3. Looks like everybody got a lot of track time and plenty of instruction from the local SCCA guys (I worked tech this event).

Arroyo Seco is an interesting short (1.4 mile) track with lots of runoff room. Late apex turns are the guiding rule at this high-desert circuit. Lots of great dicing and hand-to-hand combat all weekend, but I'm happy to report that the car never actually touched another all weekend! A great opening race and I'd highly recommend the event in the future!