Good afternoon, all. I'm trying to get some kind of game plan together for the this year so that I can get as much track time as possible. I have no plans to race at this time (too much commitment, too expensive, no suitable insurance for a car that I'm still making payments on, &c.), I'm just looking for the opportunity to improve my skills and enjoy my car outside the bounds deemed safe for the street.

I did two days back-to-back with the Phil Wicks school at Autobahn last year (and two separate events with Reg Pridmore's CLASS on my SV650) and was very impressed with their preparation, preparedness, instruction, and, most importantly, their focus on safety. As a novice (and dyed-in-the-wool chickenshît), I appreciated the restrictions on passing, slow first couple of sessions for track familiarization and focus on proper technique and lines rather than speed. I'm trying to evaluate other events that are open to me and have found at least two organizations that obviously have nowhere near the overhead and curriculum that the Wicks school does.

What should I look for when evaluating a track day? These "other" organizations (I don't want to make them sound too fly-by-night...) basically seem to offer open track time, but spell out the restrictions on when and where to pass, including the use of the "point-by". What are some good and bad things that I should try to determine about the event before committing time and money? I've got a good feel about the Wicks school, but I'm sure there are some other things I just didn't consider that should be applied when choosing another organization.

This is kind of long-winded, but I think some of this information might be appreciated by other track neophytes. :-)

 

Check with your local BMWCCA chapters. Here is a link for chapters in your region. http://www.bmwcca.org/members/AM/Tem...ion&regionID=3

One of the best DEs around is BMWCCA

 

Check with the organisation's rules on solo driving. Some groups allow solo driving much sooner than others. If you're nervous about things, stick with an org that makes it harder for someone to get into a car by themselves.

Up here, the BMWCCA events are very well run and feel very safe to me.

 

95% of the novices out there would benefit from the attitude you're displaying and from the advice onasled and snid have offered.

For most students the "open track day" format is of little value from a skills development perspective. You want an instructor in the car, a quality classroom program and discipline during track sessions.

 

Oh, my mom would be so proud! ;-) Perhaps this thread can get promoted to sticky if enough good info's gathered.

The disciplined track sessions are probably my biggest concern from a safety standpoint. We've all seen or heard about "incidents" even at the Phil Wicks school. They're going to happen. I just don't want it to happen to me! :-) I'm definitely looking for an organization that will keep the testosterone-laden racer wanna-bes (and bona-fide racers, for that matter) separated from those of us who are a little more conservative.

I do see some value in the open track day format (especially the ones close to home) if they're safe (duh) and if I'm able to get significantly more time on the track to practice and experiment. From a skills-improvement perspective, however, I do think having instruction is paramount.

Kind of getting back to my original question, however: from past experience, what are some red (or yellow) flags that I should see when signing up for track time, be it with a club or in an open track format? Have any of you done an event that, in retrospect, you should have avoided? If so, what could you have noticed ahead of time (either when evaluating the organization or at, say, the initial drivers' meeting) that would have said "stay home"?

 

Shameless plug (since I'm an organizer): Let me echo the recommendation for BMW CCA schools, which offer intensive instruction and serious emphasis on safety without losing the fun factor. This year there will be no fewer than four BMW CCA events at Putnam Park Road Course, just outside Greencastle. Putnam is a very safe, fun, technical track where a Mini driver can really enjoy the car.

The first of these will be the weekend of April 15-16 by the Hoosier Chapter, with other chapters' schools in May, June and (I think) August. Enrollment for April should be opening in the next week or two. Those interested can PM me, or keep an eye on http://www.hoosierbmw.com. Note that attendance is limited and that novice slots fill up sooner.

This will be our 15th year for this school, and I'm glad to say that in the past couple of years we've had numerous of Minis there, both students and instructors.

Neil
05 MCS
96 M3

 

Just to note, you will always have some on the track that want to get past you quick, I was one of them. So, this is something you will always have to deal with, and do so understandably. No one wants to just be part of a 20 min train ride.
If you are worried about your safty then by all means take car of that. Get a roll bar, race seatS and a Hans (type) device. I did most of this before I ever hit the track, as no matter how safe you think it is, people do die.

 

Wish I read this topic sooner...

I took a 15 year hiatus from DE events. I was very nervous my first time back; I was in a barrowed car that was quite powerful, and, muscle memory comes slowly for this old fart.

I participated in three events last fall. Two PDA events and one NASA event. NASA is a little more strict, but both offer 100 laps of driving time at LRP. Passing is limited to the front straight and the short straight just after the chicane - lots of power required to pass here.

I went out with an instructor for my first two stints. I went solo for the reast of the day in the barrowed car. The passing environment is a good one to get accustomed to in my opinion. It requires more concentration for sure, but it will develop your sense of situational awarness when driving. I had no problem passing some folks, but there were also times when I preferrd to be passed so that I could concentrate on my goals without being pushed.

Go with goals, and grab an instructor at least once for every event. I think learning from as many different folks as possible is a great way to learn a track. If you can find a guy or gal that once raced formula fords or some other form of low powered good handling car you'll learn a lot about efficient driving - oh and special tricks to keep you on line.

I cannot wait for this season to begin!!!

 

Miata drivers are also great prospects for intructors who understand low power, good handling cars. And there are usually a bunch of Miata drivers around.

 

...funny, my instructor friend drives two cars; a 190e automatic and a Miata. The 190 is waaay short on power, but Jasen spanks most guys on the back side of LRP, only to be caught again by the end of the straight. Not so at Watkins Glen; tough place if you leave the power at home.

To your point, he was taught my a Formula Ford guy and he now drives a Miata and has a blast!