Just curious if anyone has done one of the track days that they put on over at Gateway. Sounds like alot of fun and when you go on their website http://www.stlpdx.com there are a few pictures of Mini's running the course.

 

Check out the post for the BMWCCA Frost on the Pumpkin school that's coming up. MINIs are always there (both student and instructor cars). I've been to a SCCA PDX, but I have more fun at the BMW/PCA events.

 

I have never done a PDX, so I can't say one way or another; however, I am very familiar with the BMW schools - I've done 7 or 8 of them. Also, my impression from speaking with fellow track rats is that the BMW school is much more focused on safety and learning. I don't see a reason not to try out both to see what you think, though. They are on different dates.

 

Sounds like fun but I work on Saturdays and I already took off to go to Petit Le Mans the first weekend in October so for me the Sunday only event would be a better fit.

 

Go for it. We'll have at least one Driving Event (aka "DE" or "High Performance Driving Event" aka "HPDE" next year - plus, the Porsche Club of America has a couple per year.

There's a schedule on motorsportsreg.com

 

How would you compare the PDX to a BMW/PCA event?

 

The big difference for me was that my PDX instructor was really acting more as a supervisor to make sure I didn't get into trouble, but wasn't really interested in teaching me much. I got the impression he couldn't wait to sign me off to solo, which he did after 2 sessions. That was fine, I'm experienced enough.

The BMW/PCA DEs are much better for learning, and they are two days whereas the PDX I did was only one (and it was more then 2/3 the cost of a BMW DE for half the seat time). Even if I'm signed off solo, I can always find an instructor happy to ride with me to give another perspective and some new tips.

I also like the crowd (students/instructors) of folks at the BMW/PCA events (and that always includes MINI people, several here on NAM). They're a great bunch of people who are really passionate about teaching and learning from each other.

To be fair, I only did one PDX, but I have not been back for another. I've done several BMW/PCA DEs (half dozen or so).

 

If you're a novice, I highly recommend a BMWCCA Track day. You will have an instructor with you for every run as well as classroom instruction.

I haven't done a PCA event but I think they are fundamentally the same.

 

They work pretty much the same. In fact, many of the PCA folks instruct at BMW events, and vice versa. Two of my instructors at BMW CCA events were PCA club race drivers.