Looking at the PIR schedule ( http://www.portlandraceway.com/schedule.asp )it looks like there are a lot of possibilities.

So any suggestions for a day a bit later in the season so this Central Oregonian can join in?

 

A couple track days sound great! We've got a few opportunities and a few invitations from some other clubs putting on track events.

The BMW club invited us, and the Alfa club has talked with us about joining in a track day. I need to look at hte schedule and see what days can work. There's bound to be a few. I only made it to two of them to drive, last year. Hope to get to at least one or two this year.


(BTW-Sorry Icekid, I inadvertantly deleted the thread you replied to.)

 

I am not sure what happened...........only hit the button once and it never loaded so I did it one more time. LOL

I really want to hit at least one track day this summer.

 

I dunno... goofy technology.


I PM'ed you to let you know, but I suppose you can ignore it now if you saw this first.

Anyway, I'm digging around to look at the schedule and see how it relates to the clubs. I'll get the dates posted in a few minutes.

 

OK, Here's the PIR track schedule as it relates to Driver instruction and schools/ clubs. Remember, all... it's a short year at the track, since they are closing in September for 2-3 months of construction. Also, the clubs listed are clubs that have either invited PDX MINI before, or have open invitations to our club members for track day participation.

Team Continental Driving School 2007
02/17/2007 (Sat)
03/23/2007 (Fri)
08/30/2007 (Thurs)

Cascade Sportscar Club Driver Training 2007
Classroom sessions are the evening before the driving event.

3/15/2007 - Ground School (Thurs)
3/16/2007 - Driving School (Fri)

5/3/2007 - Ground School (Thurs)
5/4/2007 - Driving School (Fri)

6/14/2007 - Ground School (Thurs)
6/15/2007 - Driving School (Fri)

8/9/2007 - Ground School (Thurs)
8/10/2007 - Driving School (Fri)

9/13/2007 - Ground School (Thurs)
9/14/2007 - Driving School (Fri)

ProDrive High Performance Driving Courses 2007
04/18/2007 (Wed)
05/16/2007 (Wed)
06/20/2007 (Wed)
07/11/2007 (Wed)
07/25/2007 (Wed)
08/08/2007 (Wed)
08/29/2007 (Wed)

ALFA ROMEO Club of Oregon
03/24/2007 – (Sat)

BMW CLUB of Oregon
05/07/2007 – (Mon)
08/03/2007 – (Fri)

LOTUS CLUB of Oregon
04/03/2007 – (Tue)
05/25/2007 – (Mon)
08/31/2007 – (Fri)

SHELBY Club of Oregon
06/26/2007 – (Tue)

 

So, total novice question.. But, what exactly is involed in a track day? I assume you drive around with an instructor for a nominal fee. Is that a good assumption? Sounds fun!

 

Yes, good assumption. There are a host of options for the track novice. (everybody that goes, is, at some point )

Typically the events are put on by an established car club, or a driving school.

Car clubs in the Portland area that put on events are the Porsche Club, the Audi Club, the Alfa Romeo Club, the Shelby Club, and the BMW club.

Generally, the club events are a series of sessions with novice, intermediate and expert drivers. The expert drivers also serve as in-car instructors, for the novices, and for the intermediates, if requested.

Generally you'll get 4-6 sessions on track, ranging from 15 to 20 minutes. It may not sound like much but it's plenty for a road car. by then, it's tiem to cool the brakes, and the tires, and the engine and give your mind a rest.

What it is not, is racing. Do you drive fast? Yes, if you choose, but it's in a very structured setting, with strict rules, and monitored thorughout the event by both the club representatives and the SCCA corner workers.

What it is, is a whole bunch of fun and a tremendous educational experience. You'll learn more in one day, than you have in your life, about proper car control, what to look for and how to drive the proper line through a turn.

The driving school events are a little different in that you may have classroom education included, and there are far less cars on track throughout the day.

Lots more to tell, but that's the surface scratch.

 

One other club member and I are signed up for the Team Continental School on March 23. You are more then welcome to join in. It may be more schooling than you may need, knowing that you have done track days before. Since I have not, I thought it was a great and a less expensive route to having an instructor riding shot-gun for all the lapping sessions.

 

I'f I can fit it in, I'll do a TC day. I know minibeel is going soon, and I knew you were too. I need t talk wit hthe wife about schedules. She wants t odo one too.

ScottinBend wants to do a warmer weather event, as he's gotta make the trek over the pass to get here.

We have one HPDE (very) tenatively scheduled in the summer that might be a partner event. Nothing offical to announce as of yet, but it could be pretty cool. Some national MINI involvement perhaps. More to come, on that subject.

 

I saw that in the club update. Depending on cost, I may be able to make it. The wedding is first priority though. I'm sure you understand.

 

let me know when youre all goin. Id love to join in!!....if i can get the day off that is...

 

I have no idea what you mean.

 

I would prefer one that didn't req. a school the eve before, but I could probably make it work if needed.

 

The main reason that I'm doing TC is that there is a school before, as I have never had my car on the track at speed. The parade laps at the Historic Races don't really count. Training is always a good idea in my book.

Scott - I don't think that if you are an advanced driver you will need an instructor with you during the lapping sessions, but the class the night before is required. I do understand you plight, the roads coming over the mountain with UHP tires would be interesting to say the least, not to mention that this would burn 2 day vacation time.

Jarid - start asking for the time off now, that's more than 6 weeks notice. I'm sure someone there can cover your shift for one day.

 

I like the team continental school idea, and its pretty cheap IMO. I plan on signing up in the next day or two. Improving the wetware can never be a bad idea.

 

Cool, see you there!

 

I know our trusty PDXMINI.org "webmaster" is planning multiple track day attendance this year. I hope to get out to both a TC AND a couple club events.

 

I would still need to do the drivers school before the track day. Not a bad thing, but I would like to do just a track day too.

Oh, and Bronson........you need to update your sig !

 

I know! I haven't had time to take a pic of the new car that was worth putting in a sig.

I wanted to get a shot of both cars or something, but haven't found the time during the daylight and the sun.

I'll cobble somthin' together soon...

 

Lol

 

Just a little insight into the different clubs from someone who has been there..

BMW club.

They are the most structured of the clubs putting on HPDE's. If this is your first time on the track I would go with them. As a novice, you will have an instructor riding along for each lapping session. You have to be checked out by an instructor before you are allowed to advance to the next level (intermediate and or advanced). The only negative is their track days fill up very fast, so you need to plan ahead.

Shelby Club.

I would not recommend them for the novice. They tend to have less control over the actions of some of the drivers, especially their own club members. They do have more safety rules regarding clothing which is ok.

Lotus Club,

Easier to get into their events and you will tend to get more track time than the BMW club. If you already have some experience, they are a good bet. You also can get an instructor if you are a novice. All in all, my favorite next to the BMW club.

Porsche Club,

Leans more to catering to the advanced group than the novice or intermediate. Also, very expensive Porsche's do not like getting passed by MINI's. Still a good way to go if the dates work out for you.

Alfa Club.

I haven't been to one of their events but have heard they also tend to have smaller turnouts and plenty of track time. I plan on going to the Sat 3-23-07 event if the weather looks decent.

I have been hoping more of the club members would get interested in doing track days, as it would be nice to see other MINI's out there.

Be warned, it tends to be VERY ADDICTIVE

 

Well, ive pre-registered for the Team Continental School. Looks and sounds interesting (do I need to buy a helmet? maybe loaners are available?). As i was relating my interest to my wife, she spilled that she had been saving to send me to Prodrive (much more expensive IMO). Nonetheless, I will you there!

 

Yes, you need a helmet. This something that you should not skimp on. If you need any proof, go to Topgrear.com and read about Richard Hammonds 0-288-0 in 20 seconds. Helmets are a good thing.
http://www.topgear.com/content/featu...ries/09/1.html
http://www.topgear.com/blogs/planett...hing-my-crash/
Beg for one, borrow one or steal one.

 

Loaners are "OK" if they fit fine, but it's the one thing you need to buy for the long term that is your most important purchase.

There are plenty of options for helmets. But you need to go try them on and get a proper fit.

Competition Motorsports is one place to find a reasonable priced Bell helmet. Speedware Motorsports is in the Seattle area (Kirkland), and Wine Country Motorsports is down in Northern California.

You could try one on locally and go to the internet option if you don't find a suitable option here.

www.speedwaremotorsports.com
www.competitionmotorsports.com
www.winecountrymotorsports.com

 

Will a motorcycle helmet do? I have a good Shoei..