What track series/events do you run with?

"Danny Korecki" (dannykorecki)
06/19/2020 at 21:15 • Filed to: None

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! made a post about !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . I dropped a comment about Track Night being the cheapest way to get on track, but it made me think what events/series/etc my fellow Oppo’s do to get on track?

Doesn’t matter if road course, roll racing, airstrips, drag racing, anything goes.

What events do you usually do? What is the cost for the event? Any additional info you want to share?

DISCUSSION (11)

SmugAardvark > Danny Korecki
06/19/2020 at 21:36

SCCA, but formerly NASA and Martin Sports Car Club. I’ve done a handful of events with other various groups (such as PCA). I used to host my own events a few times a year, but that was many years ago.

WRXforScience > Danny Korecki
06/19/2020 at 21:41

After I started tracking, I found out what the requirements for instructing were, and once I had the skills and seat time I felt I needed to know what I was doing I already knew who to contact and what to do to start instructing.

The only events I pay an entry fee for now are the SCCA Time Trials (they give instructors a partial discount, but you still pay). I instruct with the local BMWCCA, PCA, SCCA, APEX Academy, Edge Addicts, Chin, and Eagle’s Canyon Raceway. I got 32 trackdays and 11 autox events in last year and even with the Covid stuff, I should get at least as many track days and 9-10 autox events.

Trackdays cost me consumables ($100-$150, including gas) and most clubs even include lunch for the instructors (plus plenty of shirts).

Nick Has an Exocet > Danny Korecki
06/19/2020 at 22:03

I did Miata Reunion last year. This year, I might do a Retro Sporting event or Exclusive Track Days.

Junkrat aka Rick Sanchez: Fury Road Edition > Danny Korecki
06/19/2020 at 23:15

Luckily I prefer tracks that are straight, so they are pretty cheap to run. I have been getting into these no prep races over the last couple of years. They are usually held right after they scrape the track, so there is no residual rubber, and don’t allow any test runs before the race. It levels the playing field especially in the drag radial and small tire classes. I haven’t had a car since the kiddos arrived but they are almost in high school so maybe I can get something together then.

NYankee1927 > Danny Korecki
06/19/2020 at 23:19

I go with PCA. They are honestly the nicest group of guys I’ve ever met of all the different orgs. Everyone is very down to earth and willing to both give instruction but place you correctly In groups based on skill and experience.

On the other end of the spectrum, I won’t be going with NCRC. They have stated with no exception, I’ll be in the beginner group. I’ve ridden along with them and seen some shit. It is not worth the potential damage to the car to go with them.

If you are short on time and money is less of an issue, get in with a group that does private track days. I do that most since in a good year, I make it out to the track 3 times. You know the other drivers and there is no question the only damage to the car that will happen is your own fault. To me that is worth triple or quadruple the cost of a day.

Poor_Sh > Danny Korecki
06/19/2020 at 23:20

PCA last year but trying TNIA because of logistics this year. I want to eventually be an instructor.

marshknute > Danny Korecki
06/19/2020 at 23:33

I run with the Porsche Club of America (Northern NJ Region). 3-day weekends range from $350ish (Pocono) to $550ish (Watkins Glen). N ot including lodging/food/gas/consumables.

I run a base model C6 Corvette; stock brake calipers with upgraded pads (Carbotech XP12), which cost about $150 for the front and rear (so $300 total). Fronts last two weekends, rears last three.

I’ve been using Pilot Supersport tires ($1400/set) which last me 2 years, although my tread gets mighty thin by the end of the second year.

So with 6 events per summer, consumables alone cost me roughly $1450/yr. Plus 4 tanks of fuel per weekend (6 including the drives to/from the track).

In other words, AutoX is the way to go if you’re on a budget...so long as you’re OK with standing in a hot parking lot for 7 hours in exchange for only 7 collective minutes of seat time.

just-a-scratch > Danny Korecki
06/20/2020 at 02:03

When the car is in good shape, I have money and time, road courses as HPDE are my preference. Autocross is pretty good too.

The car is a 1996 328i with coilovers, bi gger brakes, and poly bushings.

I did some events with the Audi club years ago in Portland and Laguna Seca. Yesterday was my first time at the Ridge. Still it only comes to a handful of track days.

If we jump in the wayback machine I can talk about motorcycles and Formula SAE, but I was not a team driver, so I didn’t get much experience there either.

Forrest > WRXforScience
06/20/2020 at 02:48

That’s a lot of seat time! Awesome!

At a PCA track day a few years ago , one guy driving an air cooled 911 casually mentioned that he spent $15k in track day registration fees last year. At the time, track fees in my area were around $300 to run for a day. So, that’s basically a track day per week.

He toted his 911 to the track on a flatbed trailer towed by a Chevy 1 ton pickup. When you go to the track every week, I suppose towing your car there and having a stout tow vehicle is a good way to maximize your chances of getting home under your own power.

WRXforScience > Forrest
06/20/2020 at 11:23

I’ve only got my BRZ, I drive it to events and drive it home. I can fit a full set of tires, tools, and anything else I need in the back when I fold down the seats.

If you aren’t becoming an instructor, there is also the option of becoming a member at a track. The tracks I go to basically work out that if you’re tracking once a month or more, the membership is cheaper than paying for all the individual events.

Forrest > WRXforScience
06/20/2020 at 13:53

Make s sense!

I’ve never trailered a car to a track day event either.

Most of the people I have seen trailering their cars at track days have been because either...

(a) The car is pretty old, fragile, or unreliable, or

(b) The car isn’t road legal. I used to know a couple people who had retired stock cars (think NASCAR) that they would tow to track days.