I'm interested in checking/trying it out. Anyone have any recommendations or ideas on it?

Obviously, i guess i am at a beginner level, but would love to check out the whole range if possible. Thanks!

 

Since you are in norcal check out Hooked on Driving...they have very well organized events and good instructors..most are held at Thunderhill, which is a relatively safe track to learn on (compared to Sears Point and Laguna Seca)...good luck...the bug will bite bad...

 

i agree those guys are great Chuck...

 

i 3rd that opinion.
dave ray (hookedondriving.com) put up a good show.
safe and well organized.
you NEED to have instructors, else you wont learn.
DO NOT drive sears point until you got 20 days under your belt, else you are wasting your time and scaring yourself silly.

 

I would say START at Infineon.... that is with Jim Russel School helping you along the way. Great instructors. Just got new Lola cars(at least they said they were going to get them soon a while back). I've had about 3 days at the go kart track and 4 on the actual track. They give you lots of time out on the track and I had a blast. Also you take two of their 3-day courses you can get your racing license no sweat.

Just watch out for the big sweeping downhill turn, 6 is it?

 

HOD is a good crowd,though I'm not sure they assign you an instructor so you'll have to deal with a new guy at every session (can someone confirm this?).

When you start, it may be a good idea to stick with the same "right seater" for the day.

Audi Club is THE club I got my wife started with my C4S. It was at Infineon and it went perfectly. Even rainy a bit in the morning of the 1st day).

I also started at Infineon. I would NOT wait 20 days to go there :-D . It is such a great track.

Also, NCRC (www.ncracing.org) is providing a small number of 1-on-1 instruction at their event. Also a great bunch!

Richard.

 

it's okay to do sears point as your 1st time on the track. i did with bmwcca for two days back-to-back. bmwcca-ggr has a great hpde program. just don't go driving over your head thinking racer x. the instructors will keep you in check. i recommend you do back-to-back days. first day is too much information; flags, turn workers, passing rules, lines, etc... by the time you start getting used to things, you're on your last session lol. 2nd day is when you start to get a 'feel' for it. always ask for instructor until you're comfortable going solo even if they've already signed you off to go solo.

 

Absolutely, 2nd the TWO days back-to-back... I also heard a lot of good stuff about the BMW club.

 

Thanks guys. Some really great information here. I have been to Sear's point many times, but that was doing easy stuff like quarter miles...ready to have some real fun now!

 

If it's your first time out, I wouldn't start at Infineon/Sears. The walls are closer and if you make a mistake, bad things can happen.

That being said, Thunderhill is a great starter track and the walls are far away, except in a few corners.

There's an event coming up June 20-21 with NCRC: http://www.ncracing.org/events.php

You can't beat the price for $138 and getting 5 sessions.


It will be my first time running with this group, so I cannot provide feedback on their instructors but maybe others can chime in.

When I was still receiving instruction, I did quite a number of track days with T.E.A.M racing: http://home.onemain.com/~bonster/schedule.html - I would highly recommend them and their instructors.

 

+1

 

For more seat time you could also sign up with Diablo Region PCA's next Drivers Ed event at Thunderhill on Friday, June 5th. As a novice you've got an instructor with you the whole day - $205 covers everything including catered lunch (increases after 5/22). Only three rungroups, so lots of time on track w/o being mixed with the craz-- er, experienced drivers.

Registration form: http://dia.pca.org/docs/2009/0605_Th...gistration.pdf
Tech Inspection form: http://dia.pca.org/docs/2009/0605_Th...l_TechForm.pdf

Questions? Ask our track registrar: mailto:trackregistrar@diablo-pca.org

 

Its a slipper slope to get on though, be warned. the mod bug is a killer after a day on the track.

PCA is a good start, the golden gate region i think it is.

 

How many sessions do they typically offer per track day? Are they 20 minute sessions?

 

Usually it varies between 4 and 5. And yes, 20 minutes give or take. After a day or two of track, your worn out (at least i am!) but it is SO much fun to do.