I am arranging a track day at Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania. For those of you who haven’t ever done this, it is a lot of fun as well as informative. Basically, you show up at the track first thing in the morning for tech inspection and, as a novice, receive verbal instruction about the track, braking, steering, lines of travel, etc. You then take your car out on the road course with an instructor as a passenger in your car and proceed to learn and drive the track with input from the instructor. Each session lasts about 20 minutes and you can expect to have about 4 to 5 sessions per day. The track is a road course with turns in both directions, hairpins, straightaways, etc. You need a helmet. There are three groups, novice, intermediate and advanced. Newbies are automatically placed in the novice class and have the chance to move into higher classes as the instructors see fit. You really learn a lot about driving and specifically, your car. I urge all of you to attend if you can fit it into your schedule. You will be hooked!!

The track day is sponsored by Performance Drivers Association who I have run with many times before. The date is Saturday, October 11. The cost for the day is $205.00. There is also a Sunday, October 12 school if you can’t get enough. Pocono has many variants. It is a Tri-Oval with an infield section (See a track layout here http://www.pdadrivingschool.com/pages/poconoMaps.htm ). The Saturday school runs the East Course and the Sunday school runs the North course so those that want to stay and do two days will be on a completely different section. That is a really good option. The East Course was chosen for this group event since there are more turns making it a little more fun for MINI's.

If you are interested in attending, you can send your entry fee directly to PDA or to me. I will be signing up a group of people. If you wish for me to take care of the details, PM me and I will give you payment details. Make checks payable to "Performance Driver’s Association".

The school is open to all types of cars and space is limited so if you wish to attend, register asap either directly or through me.

Let's show them what MINI's can really do!!!

 

This sounds awesome. Quick question though. If my passenger and I both want to take the driving course can we both use the same car or does each person need there own car? Thanks!

 

You can use the same car. Since you will be automatically placed in the novice group, as will your "co-driver", you will each have half as many runs but still have to pay the full price. You might try calling PDA for additional info since this is an atypical situation. As a novice though, you will not be allowed to take a passenger, other than an instructor, during a run.

 

Thanks for the heads up! I'll be doing the South Course with NASA this Sunday, August 31st. Just got a Schroth 4 point harness for the MCS - can't wait to try it out.

Alan

 

Alan,
Where did you anchor the shoulder straps?
Do you have pictures?

 

Volper,

The harness is a kit from SolorRacer. You get two seatbelt clips to attach at the left side attach point for the drivers seatbelt & the rear passenger seatbelt. All you need is a Torx T-50 to undo the bolts. Then simply click in harness to just added clips on the left front and rear as well as the available seatbelt clips on the right. Straps go through headrest rods to keep them together.

You can see it on October 11th at Pocono East Course. I'm mailing the Registration Form tomorrow.

See you then,

Alan

 

Got my registration confirmation back in the mail! Can't wait to get on the track on the 11th!

 

is it possible to have the price decreased if we get more people to go. just last week someone told me about these "track days" and it sounded like a blast but he mentioned it would probably be around 100 bucks if he got around 20 mini's.

p.s. im kind of a cheepo. it sounds pretty cool, ill have to decide soon.

 

smh0216,
Great to hear it!! I received mine in the mail as well.

Weaver,
See what you can do, this will be fun!!

Is anyone else going? Come on guys!!!

I have harnesses but I need a link or some info as to the correct attachment method. Can anyone advise?

 

>>is it possible to have the price decreased if we get more people to go. just last week someone told me about these "track days" and it sounded like a blast but he mentioned it would probably be around 100 bucks if he got around 20 mini's.
>>
>>p.s. im kind of a cheepo. it sounds pretty cool, ill have to decide soon.

well $200 for a day at the track with an instructor is actually pretty cheap. actually $200 for a days worth of track time is pretty cheap too. price out a NASA event and its more or if its the same it usually involves a lot more cars.

 

Minhi,
So, are you going?

 

So what is the count for this event? Who is going? This is so much better than an autocross people. If you haven't experienced it, you really need to.
I just have to find time to install the harnesses before next weekend.

 

Is Saturday just for MINI's or can anyone go. My brother has a Bimmer convertible and might be interested as well. Thanks

 

It is open to all.

 

can i still go or do i need to pre-register?

 

>>can i still go or do i need to pre-register?

I had to call to inquire about my application and they said that they still have room. Go to the link provided by VolperCooper in the first post and print out the registration form. Fill it out and bring it with you. The only caveat is that you will need to pay cash since you didn't pre-pay.

Any ladies going? I'd like to share a room if possible.

 

Anyone interested in sharing a motel room tonight, 2 double beds, non-smoking, to help reduce costs? Must be at track at 7am.

Michelle

 

OMG! What can I say?!? What an experience! Very overwhelming first time out, didn't even enjoy it that much in my first session. But challenging! Rode as a passenger after my first session with my first instructor in his z28 Camaro, yikes! Rode shotgun with another instructor in his MINI. Second time out did much better, wow, I was beginning to get the hang of it. Then rode with VolperCooper in his hot MINI, excellent driver! Third time out did even better. Fourth time we went out on our own.

It really does begin to come together, in spite of how overwhelming it seems in the beginning. Really an incredible experience, will definitely do it again. Would absolutely recommend it to anyone who enjoys the performance aspects of their vehicle.

Thank you to VolperCooper for putting this out there and for encouraging us to go. We had an excellent showing of MINI's. Only 2 females!!!!! Out of all of the cars!

Definitely wears you out, I had to come home and rest before I could think about posting!

 

Well the Track Day has come and gone and it turned out to be a great day and a great event! The weather cooperated flawlessly and the track conditions were excellent. It was great to meet some of you and I hope it was fun and enjoyable for everyone!! Having had the opportunity to explore the limits of my MINI with and without the help of the computer, I definitely decided that on the track, the computer should be turned off. This was my same conclusion with the recent autocross as well.

My tires received quite a beating but then again I was pushing them pretty hard!! I also found a cracked turn signal lense. I guess it could have been worse.

Below are several photos taken during the day:

 

Hey, that's me driving car #40!! Wow, awesome photos Volper, thanks!

Hmmm, a cracked turn signal lense.....I'd better take a closer look at my car. Though everything looked O.K. in my initial inspection.

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