Ok.

I'm a car enthusiast. Been it for a while. Not enough to know the ins and outs of racing (aside from every driving and video games, does that count? ).

I've done some events where they let you drive cars really fast, around cones, or for best-lap-times, things like that: two mazda events, a mercedes event, a volvo event...

I'd love to take my car on a "track" some time. I want that to be this year.

What I want to do first:
NOT race my car (it's my daily driver!) against other cars at the same time!
be able to drive my car safely but fast, learning the limits (well, I'm sure my limits will be way earlier than the cars at first!)...

and I certainly don't mind doing it with an "instructor" around for learning, but that's actually not even what I first want to do.


So, aside from that intro (and forgive if I misuse the terms like 'racing')... where does one start?
I know there are 'tracks' around me (Boston). NHMS, say. But then when I go to those sites, I can never tell "what event can I, mr street driver, go to to drive at?" All I see are big acronyms, stuff that looks like "bring your nascar racing car and race for your fifth title".

Now lately I've been understanding that there are clubs that I should join, and they can help one get the hang of things... to join a bunch of fellow MINI drivers, is the BMW club (there's a Boston one) the place to go?

What about SCCA itself? I see a "new england" region... ?

Thanks for any help, and good pointers for pages to read. I see a LOT of info out there, but a lot is out of date or assumes knowledge of certain terms that confuses me a bit.

Heh, if I get on to a good start this year with this newfound hobby, my wife will be happy to learn that this is cheaper than when I was taking flying lessons .

Ah yes, one last concrete question: at some points I will get summer wheels and tires, but right now my MINI came with the all seasons. Am I *insane* to even think of taking those tires to one of these schools/driving/racing lessons and should budget that before I go anywhere?

 

The car clubs run the best driver education events (commonly known as DEs). Look at your area BMW, Audi or Porsche Club websites.

You will have an experienced instructor with you at all times and there will be no racing.

And, you won't need anything except a helmet (some clubs will rent them) and won't need to do anything to your car until you get more experienced except fresh brake fluid and maybe pads.

 

isthar,

It is not the car, it is the driver that counts. So no worries about the faster car.

STLMINI is right about racing.

You are welcome to join us, the Mini Performance Group (MPG) out of Albany NY when we go to our track days. Lots of people with lots of experience. PM me if you may be interested and I will send you our schedule. We can take you step by step thru all the stuff you will need and answer your questions.

We are members of bmwcca so many of us run their events.

 

Start with a membership in SCCA. Universally that's the best way to go.

Also check out "Hooked On Driving. http://www.hookedondriving.com/index.cfm

I would begin with SCCA autocross. Great way to learn your car's limits in handling, and far less expensive than track days.

 

http://www.ner.org

http://www.boston-bmwcca.org/

PM me for more information, and welcome to a lot of fun.

Sincerely,

Charlie

 

I did love to take my car on a "track" some time. I want that to be this year.
What I want to do first.
_______________________________________

 

Get in touch with one of the Mini car clubs in your regions as well. I am with the MPG club in Albany NY and we sometimes go to the track together. The next one is may 17 in Monticello, NY if you are in the NE region.

 

I'm going to sign up for the Monticello date in May with SCDA. Looks like there will be several other MINI's there and this a great track for our great handling little cars.