I just moved to Los Angeles last month and I’m looking forward to some HPDE. Glad to be here where I can drive my Z all year! I’ve done about 15 HPDEs in the last few years at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Limerock Park. Both of these are road courses with a top speed in my Z of around 130 on the straights, but for the most part lots of sharp turns keep the speeds down. I am not running a cage, harness, or any other racing safety equipment.

I was going to sign up for Big Willow in a couple weeks from Extremespeedtrackevents, but I started watching videos of the track and it seems like there are lots of crazy crashes where experienced drivers in caged cars hit the dirt and flip or crash hard into a barrier. Reminds me of a videogame. So, what is the best track for someone not used to being in 5th gear? Streets of Willow? Bottonwillow? Chuckwalla Valley Raceway? Or is Big Willow fairly safe for beginner and intermediate run groups? What is your favorite track or club? Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

Extreme speed is your cheapest option. If you talk to the owner you can get 10 track days for $500 I think it was


Then just follow them to the tracks they go

 

Go to streets of Willow to start

 

My favorite track would probably be Buttonwillow. It is a good mix of technical and speed.

Big Willow is high speed and not that technical, but you just need to remember to slow down between turns 8 and 9 and its pretty safe. Streets is definitely a good starter track, but it seems like you have some experience with HPDE.

Chuckwalla is a very fun track, but is pretty far compared to Willow Springs and Buttonwillow.

As far as groups, Extremespeed is the lowest cost option, but in general I have noticed the number of incidents and issues and flags to go up as the cost of track days goes down.

Corner3 has a race series you could compete in. It's not wheel to wheel and is very welcoming to new participants. It would definitely help get to know the Z community in the so cal area.

 

I went to Chuckwalla a few weeks ago and I had a great time. Everyone that works there is extremely kind and helpful, and the cabins were even better lol.

Great for beginners as there's almost nothing the crash into. My brother flew off the track and only tweaked his alignment. There's also a bank turn that is super fun.

 

Thank you everyone for the suggestions! I'm starting off with Streets of Willow because it is closer, then I'll try ButtonWillow. Chuckwalla looks awesome but is quite a drive.