[Dascamel]

Biggest positive from Speedventures, wide range of cars. Get to learn alot about characteristics of different cars and modifications. Until then I never understood how Miata in the proper hands could put down great times on street tires for example....

[Ramos]

Here is another question... For a novice to the track like myself, what is better learning, going back to the same track as often as possible since I am already comfortable there and can focus on improving every time rather than learning a new track or going to as many new tracks as possible to learn new things, new turns and new skills?

[Kbueno]

Originally Posted by Ramos

Here is another question... For a novice to the track like myself, what is better learning, going back to the same track as often as possible since I am already comfortable there and can focus on improving every time rather than learning a new track or going to as many new tracks as possible to learn new things, new turns and new skills?

Every track is different. Any time I would go to a new track, I would suggest instruction to learn the lines. I think if you stay in the novice group and don't push too hard, you should be fine. I'm surprised other more experienced track people haven't chimed in and given advice.

[Dascamel]

I haven't even tried any other tracks yet, but fairly sure I want some instruction on the first day at least. No one else chiming in?

[leftcoastman]

I suggest same track again and again. That way you can perfect an already known line, rather than learning a new line every time.

[nicknaz]

I kind of think this is a non issue. How many tracks are within a 5hr drive to most people? 3 maybe 4 max?

At some point you'll go to all of them anyway, so just show up to all of the days

If you have to pick and choose your dates, start off at the track with the most run off and the least amount of concrete walls

[Ramos]

Button Willow def. qualifies.. I already know it, 4 hours away (not too bad) and very safe no walls..

How's California Speedway? I might stick to those two for now, although I can't wait to go to Laguna Seca and experience that.. Maybe not try Infineon until I am more comfortable in my own skills as I hear that it has concrete walls

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by Ramos

Maybe not try Infineon until I am more comfortable in my own skills as I hear that it has concrete walls

It is actually not that bad in a DE situation if you respect those corners (T10!) with small run off and big concrete, drive within your limit and take small nibbles (not big bites) when you increase your cornering speed and decrease your braking zone

[clubspec330i]

I was at Speedventures AutoX event today at Autoclub Speedway. Being a seasonal at BMWCCA AutoX, SV is a little more lax and less technical plus you don't have to work the course. I got about 18 runs total.

On other occasions, I run with them at Street of Willow and Buttonwillow.

[sayemthree]

I would advise to run with BMW CCA since you are concerned with safety - at least until you graduate up to the A group. otherwise you are just getting track time with no instruction which means you may or may not me practising the right line. only practise does not make perfect - only perfect practise makes perfect.

[S4to335]

My recommendation is to go to the same track over and over again. When I first started in 1997..I went only to Thunderhill..Probably something like 16 days..before I went to any other track. Here is my estimated break down of HPDE and race track days to date:

Thunderhill (50+ HPDE, 8 races)
Sears Point/Infineon (12 HPDE)
Laguna Seca (12 HPDE, 8 races)
Spring Mtn - Pahrump NV (5 HPDE)
Buttonwillow (7 HPDE)
Willow Springs - big track (4 HPDE)
Second Creek - Denver CO (1 HPDE)
Miller Motorsport Park - Toulle UT (6 HPDE)
Reno Fernley - Fernley NV (2 HPDE)

[leftcoastman]

Originally Posted by sayemthree

I would advise to run with BMW CCA since you are concerned with safety - at least until you graduate up to the A group. otherwise you are just getting track time with no instruction which means you may or may not me practising the right line. only practise does not make perfect - only perfect practise makes perfect.

+100,000,000,002

Nothing is sadder than a guy in a Ferrari/Noble/Lambo/GT-R/Z06 getting eaten alive by a guy in a much slower car.

Stick with good instruction as long as you can. Hell, I'm an instructor now and every once in a while I try to get another instructor to ride with me. Very enlightening.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by S4to335

My recommendation is to go to the same track over and over again. When I first started in 1997..I went only to Thunderhill..Probably something like 16 days..before I went to any other track. Here is my estimated break down of HPDE and race track days to date:

wow that is a lot of DEs

[S4to335]

Originally Posted by Nick Nazareno

wow that is a lot of DEs

I wish I could do more..but that frickin job gets in the way. My first one was in 1997..so its taken me a few years to get to that level. I have been teaching since April 99.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by S4to335

I wish I could do more..but that frickin job gets in the way.

I feel the same way! But the job pays for the DE time so we can't complain too much

[Ramos]

Originally Posted by sayemthree

I would advise to run with BMW CCA since you are concerned with safety - at least until you graduate up to the A group. otherwise you are just getting track time with no instruction which means you may or may not me practising the right line. only practise does not make perfect - only perfect practise makes perfect.

Originally Posted by S4to335

My recommendation is to go to the same track over and over again. When I first started in 1997..I went only to Thunderhill..Probably something like 16 days..before I went to any other track. Here is my estimated break down of HPDE and race track days to date:

Thunderhill (50+ HPDE, 8 races)
Sears Point/Infineon (12 HPDE)
Laguna Seca (12 HPDE, 8 races)
Spring Mtn - Pahrump NV (5 HPDE)
Buttonwillow (7 HPDE)
Willow Springs - big track (4 HPDE)
Second Creek - Denver CO (1 HPDE)
Miller Motorsport Park - Toulle UT (6 HPDE)
Reno Fernley - Fernley NV (2 HPDE)

Thanks guys.. I will combine your advice
As many track days as possible with any group on tracks I already know
like Button Willow,
Stick with BMWCCA for new tracks !

[sf90]

speed ventures is an awesome group of people. They also have "freindly" time trails it has always been fun. I think there enough people on this forum that we should have a thread where we can post track days and see when some of us can go together, learn from each other perhaps.

[longodj]

Originally Posted by Ramos

Thanks guys.. I will combine your advice
As many track days as possible with any group on tracks I already know
like Button Willow,
Stick with BMWCCA for new tracks !

Don't forget NASA/PDA for their "new driver/track" abilities. They have great classroom time and incredible instructors. I highly highly recommend them. I haven't gone to a BMWCCA event yet (first one is late August at The Glen) but I had no problem learning tracks with NASA.

[sf90]

Originally Posted by longodj

Don't forget NASA/PDA for their "new driver/track" abilities. They have great classroom time and incredible instructors. I highly highly recommend them. I haven't gone to a BMWCCA event yet (first one is late August at The Glen) but I had no problem learning tracks with NASA.

I am not sure about NASA in your area but around here it is usualy very crowded and there seem to be too many cars on the track to learn or even at times be safe.

[longodj]

Originally Posted by sf90

I am not sure about NASA in your area but around here it is usualy very crowded and there seem to be too many cars on the track to learn or even at times be safe.

Around here there's maybe 20-30ish cars per run group?....can you get much more crowded than that? I know on the smaller Pocono courses it was to the point that the course was just a giant line of cars sort of gliding along....kind of erie actually.

[sf90]

here actually there are many incidents, or should i say atleast one incident per event, last time a freind of min got rear ended pretty hard. Therefore I would not suggest NASA for beginners.

[S4to335]

Originally Posted by sf90

here actually there are many incidents, or should i say atleast one incident per event, last time a freind of min got rear ended pretty hard. Therefore I would not suggest NASA for beginners.

Yeah..I was in Group 4 at Infineon once..and there were 55 cars on track..and the track is only 2.3 miles long.