I am looking for a Porsche club or for that matter any car club in the South San Jose, CA area that does frequent DE's at local tracks. I am not looking to race just want a controlled environment to drive my car in a spirited manor and not worry about getting a ticket or crashing my car!

Additionally looking for driving advice for both my wife (better someone else provide the advice ) and myself. Any assistance would be appreciated, thanks in advance.

 

I am taking my g/f with me to Skip Barber in the near future so she can take the driving school while I take something more interesting. It's a little pricey, but they teach things like how to drive a manual properly, how judge distances for braking/turning, etc. I think my g/f will want a 6-speed after the course... LOL

 

I don't want to sound cheap but you could get at least two DE days maybe three for two people for the cost of a one day High Performance driving class for 1 person. I am also not so sure you could digest all they are going to feed you in a single day as well. Lastly I really would like to use my car then there cars from what I see it is all done in there track ready Mazda cars, not hardly a Porsche!

 

PCA.org and scan regions interested in and check the calendar. Also other clubs organizations that do similar "fun" type DE stuff. Like Chin or Trackquest.

 

speedventures, trackquest, pca, hooked on driving, are just a few..

 

PCA has great events & instructors to make you and your wife comfortable with the car on the track. Here are the 2 regions that cover all of California. Living there, you could probably go to 2 different events every week if you want.
http://www.pca.org/regions/regions.asp?Zone=7
http://www.pca.org/regions/regions.asp?Zone=8

 

pca ggr (golden gate region)
http://www.ncracing.org/
http://www.trackmasters-racing.com/
http://www.gglotus.org/
hookedondriving.com

 

You get to drive TWO Porsches...

http://www.skipbarber.com/driving_sc...hp_school.aspx

I'll do some DEs once I've done the Barber and Porsche schools.

 

Thanks everyone for your feedback I am looking at doing the HOD event on Valentines day this looks like a pretty good event, with a reasonable price.

 

Sounds like fun!! Good luck!!!!
tom

 

What should I leave at home for a track event, I was thinking of taking out the floor mats, spare tire, tools, compressor I think that should cover it. The track is only 1 hour drive I have AAA so I figure leaving the spare at home shouldn't be a big deal.

 

Take the spare tire and tools out at the track. I usually leave the floor mats and everything else at home.
(Edit, my car does not have a spare )

 

The S2000 club in the bayarea is very active for track days and they don't really care what kind of car you drive. check out the SF bayarea forum at www.s2ki.com

 

Really more important to ask what should I take to the track. I keep a list and check it cause I keep adding to it.
But for new guys stuff like driving gloves, helmet, shoes, neck collar, chairs, cooler with drinks and food tire guage, compressor, some wax, blue tape are some of the basics.
Thats why I take the spare out and leave it at home, gives me more room to take what I really need.

If you and your wife attend a PCA event their certified instructors are a great way to start the learning process. I think the PCA organization and how they will instruct you to the level of a solo student is the way to start out. Then you can try other venues knowing that you have been schooled correctly in the basics.

I am glad you are taking the car to the track, for me it was one of THE most awesome things I have ever done and now my favorite hobby that I am totally addicted to!!!! ENJOY!!!

 

Tom thanks for the PM I will follow your advice on the further research. Whats up with the blue tape? Does this really protect the paint? I do have driving gloves not track gloves, my hands get sweaty under hard driving! I am going to rent helmet for the first time and decide where to go after that.

I have been doing some research in the are of track karts and I think this might be my long term goal. Less expensive to complete at a high level then with these P-Cars, and the performance from what I have read is pretty amazing. Lastly if you reck it you can still drive to work the next day in your P-car!