We have two terrific racetrack events next month. First, a three day weekend (Fri., Sat. and Sun.), Oct. 1 - 3 at Buttonwillow Raceway. We are running different configurations of the track each day, two days counterclockwise and one day clockwise, with the "bus stop" on Sunday, and the full back straight Friday and Saturday.

If you have never driven Buttonwillow, it is a great track. 3 miles, lots of challenging turns and elevation changes, but several straightaways too. Buttonwillow is on Interstate 5, northwest of Bakersfield.

You can attend one, two, or all three days. The pricing is kind of complicated, but here goes. If we get 10 or more Zs (that includes 350Z, G35 Coupe, and 300ZX TT), we get a better price. If we have less than 10 cars, the regular price is $150 for Friday; $170 for Saturday; and $150 for Sunday. If you attend two days, its $280, and if you attend all 3 days, its $390. Now if we can bring in at least 10 Zs, then we get free timing equipment (a $20 value) and the discount is for two or three days only. Friday and Saturday, is $250; Saturday and Sunday is $235; and all 3 days is $345 and you get a free t-shirt. If you are a newbie, you must have a driving instructor; that's another $30.

You can stay at one of the motels in the town of Buttowillow (about 10 - 15 miles from the track) for about $30/night. To sign up for this event, go to www.speedventures.net and select the Buttonwillow event. I think you will have to pay the full price to start, and if we get 10 cars, they will refund you the discount. To make motel reservations, go to buttonwillowraceway.com, and go to the visitor information/lodging section for phone numbers of local motels. Be sure to bring your own bottled water.

OK, now for event #2. A weekend at Spring Mountain Motorsports Park in Pahrump, Nevada. It is 40 miles northwest of Las Vegas. Another great road course, 2.2 miles, 10 turns, plus some straights, and pavement is very smooth. It is on Sat. and Sun., Oct. 9 & 10. It makes for a great weekend because you get to stay in a Casino Hotel, and you can drive the racetrack all day and play craps, blackjack, etc. all night.

The price is $275 for the whole weekend, including 2 days on the track, driving instruction, lunches, bottled water and a T-shirt. I think you can go for only one day, but it's pretty far, so I think it makes more sense to do both days. Go to www.racerfactory.com to sign up. I don't have any information on possible discounts; they may not be available.

The hotel is the Pahrump Nugget (866) 751-6500. I'm not sure what the rate is, but should not be expensive. Tell them you are with RacerFactory.

Please PM me if you have actually signed up for either event, as I need to keep a count of the cars that are definitely showing up.

See you there !!!

 

I'm a little surprised there has been so little interest here in these two excellent racetrack events next month. Buttonwillow is a great track, sort of a compromise between Big Willow and Streets of Willow. Plenty of tight turns, and plenty of straightaways too. 3 miles long, challenging, but lots of fun. 125 miles from downtown L.A. You can drive one, two or all three days, depending on your budget and other preferences.

Spring Mtn. is a hoot for the weekend. Much like Buttonwillow, but a little shorter. Same kind of circuit with lots of twisties, but plenty of straights to open up your Z too. And you get to spend the weekend in a hotel casino 40 miles northwest of Las Vegas. Drive all day. Gamble and party all night!!!

Both events have driving instructors for newbies, and advanced groups with very loose passing rules for the experienced drivers.

 

Is anyone coming to either of these racetrack events?

 

I have signed up and will be there for Friday and Saturday.

 

Anyone going to the October 9/10 event at Spring Mountain? $275 for both days!!

http://www.racerfactory.com/events/register_smmp.asp

 

I will be at Spring Mtn. Oct. 9 & 10, and at Buttonwillow Oct 1 and 2 (mabye 3). I will be driving my S4, as my 350Z is AHEM in rehab.

The great thing about the Spring Mtn. weekend is that, if you like to gamble, we are staying at the Pahrump Nugget Hotel Casino. You can find me at the craps table after the racetrack day is over.

 

I got an e-mail from Mr. Chen of Axis. I believe he will be driving at the Buttonwillow event Oct. 1 - 3, in his new white 350Z race car, and, hopefully, bringing his famous yellow Z. Hope you can make it.

I will be there on Fri. and Sat., driving my S4 (for obvious reasons).

Sign-ups at www.speedventures.net

 

I'd love to make it up there, but my Z is in "limbo" right now, and I've got a cycling time trial on Sunday. If I get the green light to move forward with phase two of the Z project, I might drag it out to the next local event.

However, do let me know if there is a need for instructors on Saturday.