Empty parking lot in OC for skidpad-type work?

[450knotOffice]

Does anybody in OC know of an empty parking lot that can be used as a quasi-skidpad (without attracting the police)? I'd like to exercise the '84 Carrera but am having a heck of time trying to find a likely empty lot.

Ideas?

[scottmandue]

When I was a kid that was fun and easy to do on rainy days in mom's station wagon.

These days however with So Cal so crowded and the police being so ticket happy you will probably be hard pressed to find such a place.

Best bet might be to find someone doing auto-cross in your area.

[Joeaksa]

Biggest problem we had with things like this was getting the owner to sign off due to liability. Good luck finding one and if you do keep them happy!

[Danny_Ocean]

Try the 405 during rush hour.

[450knotOffice]

Ha Ha.

I realize any owner of a lot would be opposed to someone just showing up and running circles on it, due to liability concerns. I was hoping to try to find big lot with an absentee owner - one not on the premises.

[Zeke]

Why not just do the SDR PCA driver's school? It's coming up, I think.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

I usually go over to Terminal Island on weekends when there's nobody around. North of the V.T. Bridge usually works okay.

[450knotOffice]

Cool. That sounds like an idea.

Milt, I just finished the POC driver's clinic (in the 996) and had a great time. However, I'm planning to bring the older '84 to the track eventually and I want to know how the car feels at the traction limits. I haven't really explored its limits yet.

[EdT82SC]

Scott, have you tried El Toro? It's probably worth checking out. I bet at night nobody is there. Or you could just go to the next autocross there on October 20.

[BlueSideUp]

Who is the autocross with on the 20th?

I was also thinking El Toro is the only place with open pavement like that. You should be scouting for stuff like this when you're at work Scott. :P

[450knotOffice]

El Toro would be great at night, but I'm thinking that place is probably still locked down tight as a drum. As for the event on the 20th, I'm planning to be there with my wife because she's never done anything like this before. We'll bring the '84 for me and the Cayman for her. Jess, the event on the 20th is a driver's clinic hosted by the PCA, Orange County Region. They'll be conducting a full auto cross the next day. Are you a member?

And yes, I'm usually scouting - but for good roads.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Yea, I'm betting the only people around El Toro at night are criminals and cops.

[BlueSideUp]

Scott- No I'm not a member, I tried to join a few years ago before I had the 911 but that turned out to be a big hassle back then. I hear they have a better deal now for people that are interested in buying a 911. I would love to go to an autocross, I was actually thinking about taking my wife in her Mini because she's never done anything like that before and she is interested in trying it out.

I'm not sure if my old 911 would pass tech, my last autocross was a few years ago at an SCCA event. They were mainly concerned that you didn't have junk in the car, you had a helmet, the battery was strapped down, and you weren't using bailing wire or duct tape. An autox would be a great place to at least learn the low speed characteristics of my 911, I haven't really tested it's limits for fear of unintentional landscaping.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

I usually go over to Terminal Island on weekends when there's nobody around. North of the V.T. Bridge usually works okay.

Really? I haven't been over there in a while but I thought they kept all their lots locked up. And if you run into the port police they probably won't be too appreciative of your actions.

[450knotOffice]

Jess, here's the link.

http://www.pcaocr.org/

I don't think you'll have problems with tech. I think the things you mentioned basically covered it. To quote their FAQ:

Make sure that you have good working seatbelts, that your battery is properly secured, and that you have all lug nuts on your wheels. Also, check you tire pressure and add a couple extra pounds. If your car is ready for a long weekend trip and has good tires it is probably ready for an Auto-X. You will need a helmet (see Zone 8 rules for requirements). If you do not have a helmet we do have some loaners. You DO NOT need a roll bar in an open or closed car.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

Really? I haven't been over there in a while but I thought they kept all their lots locked up. And if you run into the port police they probably won't be too appreciative of your actions.

Don't mess around with Homeland Security. My wife works down there. Game over.

I look at a lot of places to run a few turns of a skid pad and they all look like a bust anymore. Better to just go down where they spray water on the lot and let you feel the car doing all kinds of weird things. PCA does this in SD and POC does this at Willow.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Haven't had a problem up to now, but that doesn't mean you wouldn't. In fairness it's been a few months since I went over there for a little. . . um. . . "proving grounds" work. This was on the 951 before it went kaboom. I was messing around with different fuel maps. I was doing hard pulls (with lots of burning rubber) for a good solid hour and not a soul happened by.

[450knotOffice]

Milt, we did the skidpad excercises last weekend on a dry skidpad with a lot old rubber on it.

[Wickd89]

Hey Scott,
Maybe the Anaheim parking lot if you slip the attendant some $$ for half an hour on an empty day...

[Wickd89]

Anaheim Angels Stadium parking lot of course.....