I'm new to SoCal and am interested in finding a good track that people down here take their Mini's to. Any suggestions on a good track near Los Angeles?

I'm also starting to get curious about taking a Driving class. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance...

 

streets of willow is pretty popular, it's a pretty cheap and relatively safe track. There are several of us that go out regularly. I'm heading out there either may 10 or 11, I'll let you know which I end up deciding on.

There are several organizations that arrange track days, the most popular being speedventures.com and redlinetrackevents.com. Between the two I prefer speed ventures and that's who I'll be going out with in may.

 

Oh and as far as schools go, the only one I can think of immediately here in so cal is fastlane, but I would say try out a track day or two first. If you're really serious about a driving school, save up and go to Skip Barber out at Laguna Seca (in norcal)

 

There's always Buttonwillow, which is about 2 hours north of LA. SoCal Hooked on Driving (HOD) have started doing events there, I came down from from NorCal to do one last year.

Buttonwillow is a fun and pretty safe track, there's nothing to run into except dirt. HOD will coach you in the car, do you need any more driving classes than that?

 

A couple of us will be doing some track days soon at Streets of willow. You are more then welcome to join us. Just pm me if you like.

 

I'm also interested and it sounds like South bay Mini would like to support these kind of events ... keep the info flowing and does anyone know anything about South Bay Mini?

 

There is a event on the 20th of this month. You guys are welcome to join.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-feb-20th.html

 

I'm still in Bama, likely going to VIR the end of February, please keep the information flowing.

-J

 

Coouuper,
Let me know if you sign up. I might try to make that if I can get a couple things done to the Mini.

On topic: +1 on the speedventures recommendation. I've run with them for years and Aaron runs a great event. A good balance of freedom and safety. Generally good, courteous drivers and everything is on time. If you are new, you can sign up in the white group and get an instructor who will work with you all day. Other drivers will also give rides, which is always a blast especially if you are new and have not experienced it before.

I just did Willow Springs big track yesterday with SV and Aaron must be bribing the weather gods as it rained all around us but not on the track.

 

I sure will. Lmk if you need help with your Mini. I am waiting for a couple more days to see how the weather will be on the 20th. I will let you know.

 

Anyone going to a track anytime soon? I've yet to go and really want to...

 

I'm considering next Friday w/ Speedventures.com at Buttonwillow. I would be taking my Boxster and not my Mini.

 

Cool. How do you like Buttonwillow? I was thinking about Streets of Willow on Apr 10 as well.

This will be my first time at a track (I guess Los Angeles doesn't count ;-), where does one try on and get a helmet?

 

Buttonwillow is fun, if a bit flat. There are 2 "hills" which rise about 10ft. There are lots of possible ways of running, I think I did #13CW.We mail ordered a few from Helmet City, they'll take back on you don't like or don't fit. We got a cheap open face SA2005 standard one. (SA is the standard for car racing "special application", 2005 will be good till 2015.)

Edit: That was running CW, not CCW.

 

I second the BW is "fun, but flat" comment. It's a popular track, especially the #13CW config, so it's fun to compare times. I've seen times published in car mags from their tests and it is used a lot in time attacks. And as long as you keep a couple areas in mind, there's generally a lot of safe run off, too. My sig pic is from BW

Funny enough, the only track in California I have not been to is Streets of Willow. I've been to Willow at least half a dozen times, but never SOW. If I don't go to BW next week, I might go to SOW on 4/10 with the MCS.

I also order my helmets online, but I know my size and what kind of helmet I like. There are retail stores in LA (I'm assuming that's where you are). I think there's a Simpson retail store in the Torrance area. I've been to Werks 2 in Burbank and Sube Sport in Huntington Beach and I'm sure there are others. Some groups allow M rated/motorcycle helmets, if you can borrow one. The only/main (?) difference between the M and SA rating is the fire resistance requirement in the SA rating.

 

For fun I looked up the track records at Buttonwillow http://calclub.com/html/html2/archiv...ve.htm#buttrec

SSB is a good comparison for an MCS, and SSC for an MC. I've got a little work to do about 16 sec behind the SSC record.

 

I did 2:42 in the MCS w/ auto and completely stock at the time.... that was in the rain though Very, very little traction coming out of 2 without a LSD and a lot of sliding around through Cotton Corners, which was fun actually. I was passing Vettes which had no traction at all. FWD in the the rain FTW I do 2:05-2:06 in the Boxster. The car is capable of much faster though, I need more practice

 

I didn't know it rained at Buttonwillow I can feel smug about 2:32.7 in the MC, with instructor (not a very heavy instructor), but in the dry then. One of these days I want to take the MCS to Buttonwillow to see what I can do, I'd be aiming for 2:20.

All of our MINis are stock apart from the tires, that fine by me. (The MCS does have the LSD though.)

 

Don't forget this opportunity for advanced drivers to learn the secrets of Laguna Seca, coming up on April 8th! We still have a few slots open.

Advanced Car Control Clinic 2 @ Laguna

 

I can vouch for the Bob and Jerry school... they did wonders with me at Buttonwillow and I am really looking forward to Laguna Seca!

 

Proof that it rained at BW

I'm signed up for this Friday with Speedventures and will be there with my Boxster.

 

The Central California chapter of the BMW club is putting together a driving school weekend, at the end of May, at Buttonwillow (north of Bakersfield) and at the California Speedway (in Fontana, not far east of LA)

http://www.cccbmwcca.org/BMW/Welcome.html

http://www.bmwclubla.org/calendar.php

I attended the car control clinic and driving school that the LA chapter put on last year, at Willow Springs and it was really good - learned a lot, sharpened my skills and had a great time ! You will learn a lot in a very safe, methodical environment. You'll get a good combination of theory and seat-time. If you're a beginner to track days or if it's been awhile, this is a very good way to get started I think.