California Fesitval of Speed DE June 5th.

[ted]

This DE is at the California Speedway in Fontana.
It is for Porsches only, hope some Pelicans can make it.

I cross posted this info from the SDR PCA site. This is our TT/DE chair Jack Miller discussing the California Fesitival of Speed DE June 5. Some big track or AX experiance required, message follows.........

Since the time I was “volunteered” to chair the California Festival of Speed’s Drivers Education event, I’ve been thinking a lot about the track and its value in the training process of novice, as well as experienced, high performance drivers. I’ve come to a surprising conclusion. Despite last years caution about the speed of the track, I think this is one of the best tracks for drivers who are relatively new to big tracks. Why?

1. The surface of the track is impeccable. It is easy on the cars and tires and doesn’t present the driver with any unnecessarily challenging bumps, ruts, or swales.
2. The front and back straights are very fast. That’s fun! That’s one of the things we pay for. Is all that speed dangerous? Yes, but it is relative. Consider the end of the straights at Willow, Thunderhill, Laguna, Sears, even Buttonwillow and Streets. Compare them with California Speedway and ask yourself at which one would you’d prefer overcooking it. At the Speedway, you can just keep driving on the oval. No real off-track-excursion awaits. No gravel imbedded in your wheels at 130 mph. No tire wall. Little to no risk of rollover.
3. Speaking of rollover, the greatest risk of rollover comes from going off the track at a spot where there is a significant drop off from the level of the road surface. Compared with any of the above mentioned tracks, going off track at Fontana will probably be a non-event.
4. Speaking of run-off, going off the track is an inevitable event if you’re pressing it to the limit. Off-track-excursions (OTEs) as the Speedway are as benign as anywhere I’ve been. No drop-off and no dirt (the guys who did Buttonwillow will appreciate this). In fact, the only time I went off last year, I found myself on a service road. A quick U-turn and I was back in the action drag racing Steve Gerken down the straight.

So does all the above mean going to California Speedway is a risk-free venture? Absolutely not. Motorsports are very dangerous to life, limb, and wallet. As the saying goes, if you can’t afford to lose it, don’t bring it to the track. The above only presents a comparison to other tracks you may have been to or may be considering. If you are a relative novice intimidated by the speed of the Speedway, don’t be. I’ve revised my opinion about Buttonwillow being the best, first big track for novices. I think the Speedway wins.

Does all this relative safety mean the Speedway is boring for experienced drivers? You’ve got to be kidding! The high speed thrills of this track almost go without saying. You will go faster on this track than any other track in the Western United States, but only if you want to. You brake from 140+mph in a car like mine down to second gear to enter turn 3. Talk about g-force. The infield is a fast, yet highly technical course. Long distances separate corners. Any error is paid for dearly in lost time. Experienced drivers will easily see the differences in lower times when they get it right. The hairpin at turn 5 will test your judgment. Is it a single or double apex? Can you use the whole road at the track out, even the rumble strips? The following kink is flat out, guaranteed, with good tires. So how good are those tires after the last few sessions? Did you go flat out last year? Can you this year? Be careful tho’. The next corner comes up real fast, especially if you’ve gone through the kink flat! Turn 9 is a very late apex. Can you be patient and gain that advantage on the next drag strip? The Speedway will offer at least four passing zones. This should keep most cars turning optimum laps, lap after lap.

You’ve got to love the oval at the Speedway. The entry to it is more challenging than the oval entries at Vegas and Phoenix. The Speedway’s plastic k-rails keep the emphasis on driver skill and not just horsepower. But once you’re on the banking, if you’ve got horsepower, you can definitely use it all. The Williamson chicane (for those who hate it) and the Mistak chicane (for those who love it, i.e., me) slows you down before NASCAR turn 1, but not as much as many drivers seemed to think. A touch of the brakes, no down shift in my car, line it up, and get back on the gas. Prepare for an aural treat if you’ve got a loud car. The k-rail creates an echo chamber that simply must be heard. It’s worth the price of admission.

This year’s DE is compressed into one day, Thursday, June 5. Is it worth taking a day off work? What kind of question is that? A bad day at the track is better than a good day at work. If you can get the time off, do it. Is the price of the DE is good deal? I think so. Here’s how to look at it.

1. The track costs literally 5 times more to rent that the other venues we’ve used, e.g., Willow, Buttonwillow, Streets. However, the entry fee is much less than double. That means the difference will be made up by club racing, the efforts of the volunteers to get vendor sponsorship, and the willingness of the club to take a chance on losing a lot of money in the process. All we’re asking from DE drivers is to pay $210…and that includes lunch. You don’t have to cornerwork or pick up cones. Just show up and enjoy yourself and the company of friends.
2. Compared to last year, the event is a good deal, too. Last year, DE drivers were supposed to get eight sessions spread out over 2 days for $265. By my recollection, that was a schedule of 180 minutes @ $1.47 per minute. I say supposed to get because some DE groups got shorted a session. This year, barring red flags, etc., you’ll get six, yes six, 25-minute sessions, i.e., 150 minutes @ $1.40 per minute, AND that includes lunch, so it’s really $1.33 per minute for track time. I’ll make every effort to ensure you get a full 150 minutes. We’ve got an hour break for lunch scheduled. If we get behind, we can make up some time there.
3. Because this year’s event is on one day, you don’t have to spend for 2 nights in the hotel. One night is $100, half the price of attendance saved right there. If you’re an early bird, you can even drive up to the track on Thursday morning and spend nothing on a hotel. It is an advantage having the track in our back yard.
4. Registration at this year’s event ensures priority registration at next year’s event.
5. Registration at this year’s event guarantees you a spot on one of the finest, fastest, and safest tracks west of the Mississippi. So, what the heck are you waiting for? The registration form is on the web site at www.pcasdr.org.

[ted]

try this link for more info.
http://www.pcasd.org/club/index.html