Advice on nearby DE or similar events

[WhiteMamba]

I spent last weekend at the Skip Barber 3-Day racing school at Palm Beach Int'l Raceway driving in a spec series MX-5. Now I know why you Miata guys are so quick around the autox courses.
Regardless, I've got the bug. I need some more high speed laps. I would like to know if anyone has any advice on what is the best group to get involved with for track time, what sort of events will be held at BIR this year and what it will take to participate. I will again be driving the Cayman S this year if this has a bearing on which group would be best. Thanks, Kevin

[nm+]

I spent last weekend at the Skip Barber 3-Day racing school at Palm Beach Int'l Raceway driving in a spec series MX-5. Now I know why you Miata guys are so quick around the autox courses.
Regardless, I've got the bug. I need some more high speed laps. I would like to know if anyone has any advice on what is the best group to get involved with for track time, what sort of events will be held at BIR this year and what it will take to participate. I will again be driving the Cayman S this year if this has a bearing on which group would be best. Thanks, Kevin

I've never been to BIR, so i can't do feedback on that.
I've used these guys
http://www.mvptracktime.com/
They run an excellent event.
I'm probably doing thier Putnam Park event this April.
Thier two day Blackhawk event is fun, rain or shine.

F-bodies are doing an event at Road America in April, though I've heard bad things about some of thier safety practices.

I've heard excellent things about:
http://www.findtheline.com/
They run at MAM near Omaha.

BMWCCA does a number of well reviewed events at BIR

You can also be elitist and do PCA events, which are PCA members only (to ensure they don't get passed by a wagon). PCA is doing a RA event as well in April or early May.

Probably best to do your first event at Novice. First time on that track and first time tracking that car. Plus it is more fun to pass than be passed when you're starting out ;)

[phile]

I spent last weekend at the Skip Barber 3-Day racing school at Palm Beach Int'l Raceway driving in a spec series MX-5. Now I know why you Miata guys are so quick around the autox courses.
Regardless, I've got the bug. I need some more high speed laps. I would like to know if anyone has any advice on what is the best group to get involved with for track time, what sort of events will be held at BIR this year and what it will take to participate. I will again be driving the Cayman S this year if this has a bearing on which group would be best. Thanks, Kevin
If you go to BIR, don't forget to investigate their condos (really upsized double motel rooms with two baths, a party space and a kitchen). The rent is cheap enough and they are HUGE. You could share one with somebody you didn't even like. Details on their web site.

[SmokingTires]

I'll be going up with the Evo and my buddy who has a 2008 STi later this year. There are a couple open track days. $200 or so for the full day of lapping :)

I'd be glad to split a room.

[murph]

I'll be going up with the Evo and my buddy who has a 2008 STi later this year. There are a couple open track days. $200 or so for the full day of lapping :)

I'd be glad to split a room.

When are you heading up mike? I was thinking of going to the BMWCCA event in May. (looks like the ring is going to have to wait)

[murph]

also, BIR has their own school, which is good for beginners, but I think I'd probably rather go with another club after doing something like skip barber.

I think some of the other MAC folks were talking about heading up to the BMW event in may as well, not sure who.

[WhiteMamba]

also, BIR has their own school, which is good for beginners, but I think I'd probably rather go with another club after doing something like skip barber.

The only group that I have looked at is PCA and it requires at least one of its Driver Training courses before participation. I'm not sure if I could sit through another day of generic discussions on "driving dynamics" that seem to form the basis of all of these courses but I guess I'll have to do whatever it takes. Nonetheless, I don't want a group that let's people out their without understanding how to drive or with a general understanding of track etiquette.

[KrazyKarl]

I've done three findtheline events, and they've all gone well. Plenty of track time and Damian and his staff are very helpful. Mid-America Motorplex is a nice track as there is little to hit, with some interesting turns and straights. Only downside is its a bit of a haul from the Twin Cities. I plan on taking the 944 up to Brainerd for the PCA event in April.

[Cman]

Suburban Corvettes of Minnesota - Lots of track time, low key

The BIR school has instructors but it is basically open lapping.

MAM is a great track and FTL good people

NASA for Road America end of April and two Blackhawk Farms events this year

Midwest F-Body Club for RA in April and October

I haven't driven with the other clubs but there are the three "German" car clubs that do the BIR and RA every year.

Steve

[Tyro]

The only group that I have looked at is PCA and it requires at least one of its Driver Training courses before participation. I'm not sure if I could sit through another day of generic discussions on "driving dynamics" that seem to form the basis of all of these courses but I guess I'll have to do whatever it takes. Nonetheless, I don't want a group that let's people out their without understanding how to drive or with a general understanding of track etiquette.

Great attitude Kevin! Sounds as if you know it all, might as well be driving with Schumacher.. :rolleyes:

The Nord Stern driver training is not what you're making it out to be. I'd guess around 20% classroom, 80% on-track.

[oldtoyota]

Great attitude Kevin! Sounds as if you know it all, might as well be driving with Schumacher.. :rolleyes:

The Nord Stern driver training is not what you're making it out to be. I'd guess around 20% classroom, 80% on-track.

Coming from a true elitist. :evil:

Jess is right. Not bad some stuff that is annoying. There events can get very crowded out on the track is really my only complaint and then it not everyone wants to let you pass in the passing zones because that is the only place they feel comfortable going fast.

I have never done a BMW club event since they will not let convertibles or targa's run because of the insurance. I would be curious if any of these would be open to Forumla 500's running with them. My brother is interested in running his car on a big track and maybe look at w2w if they ever come back to BIR.

[Tyro]

There events can get very crowded out on the track is really my only complaint and then it not everyone wants to let you pass in the passing zones because that is the only place they feel comfortable going fast.

I think you'll see that in anyone's DE event, "that guy" in the high-powered car whose a$$ you're on all the way through the corners only to give you a pass on the straight while keeping his foot down.

During the last few hours of the event when everyone has headed home, you'll be wishing to see anyone on the track at all!

[nm+]

Great attitude Kevin! Sounds as if you know it all, might as well be driving with Schumacher.. :rolleyes:

The Nord Stern driver training is not what you're making it out to be. I'd guess around 20% classroom, 80% on-track.
I told you PCA was elitist. ;)

[Tyro]

I told you PCA was elitist. ;)

:D :D :D

[WhiteMamba]

Great attitude Kevin! Sounds as if you know it all, might as well be driving with Schumacher.. :rolleyes:

The Nord Stern driver training is not what you're making it out to be. I'd guess around 20% classroom, 80% on-track.

Ooouucchh!!! That feels personal. From what you were able to discern from my prior post, it seems as if you are the omniscient one (i.e. "know it all" ;) ). Regardless, I think you answered my question on the posture/nature of the PCA DT.

[WhiteMamba]

I think you'll see that in anyone's DE event, "that guy" in the high-powered car whose a$$ you're on all the way through the corners only to give you a pass on the straight while keeping his foot down.

During the last few hours of the event when everyone has headed home, you'll be wishing to see anyone on the track at all!

You've sold me. Would you consider the Cayman a "high-powered car" because if you did I may not only be a know it all but I may also be "that guy". I'll have to ask my therapist about this one.:rolleyes:

[Tyro]

See you on the track Kevin.

[WhiteMamba]

See you on the track Kevin.

I'll be chasing down your tail lights.

[Tyro]

I'll be chasing down your tail lights.

Or my headlights if I'm not careful.

[MacLotus]

I'd recommend BIR Performance Driving School. They have 19 track day events this season without run groups. It's $265 for the day with your own car but you get a lot of track time. No DT required.

Not throwing Nord Stern under the bus (as I'm a member myself), but having to wait to get called for specific run groups sucks compared to 'jump in your car and drive when you like' format.

Early mornings at both events are always kinda crazy :bigeyes: , and many drivers 'shoot their wad' early (lots of testosterone there) till their car breaks, so the afternoons (especially later) the track is kinda open with little traffic.

Here's a link to a youtube video I made for the school. I don't work there... but rather traded the video work for track time. :rockon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxSm_3x1j1Q

Watch it in High Quality for optimum viewing pleasure. The schedule is available at their website www.birperformance.com

See ya there!! (and the MAC AutoX events too!)

[jungle]

I am a big fan of the NASA program...they have a nice progression starting from those who have never been on a race track all the way up to bumper grinding/door rubbing racing.

SCCA also has racing events, speaking of which there will be a race at BIR this fall.