Taking the 951 to Portland International Raceway

Porsche944parts · 02-09-2008, 10:33 AM

Hey Everyone!!!
I have had my 951 for 6 months or so now and Love Every bit of the car. I use it as a daily driver and I have never took any car to a track to run it except for 1/4 mile racing. SO I got a couple questions.
1. Does anyone know how I can get on the track in Portland, OR?? (please explain and give links)
2. How much does it cost?
3. Will they let me get on since I have never done it before? (BTW I'm 22 years old)
4. When does this all go down at PIR??

white944cup · white944cup's Garage

The best way to get on a track is to join your local PCA and get some track time and experience at DE (driver education) events and club races. Our local club (Florida Crown Region) holds events at Roebling Road, Daytona, Sebring, to name a few. Either that, or get your racing license through the SCCA.....check their website for info. It is difficult to get out on a real race track any other way. Most tracks are not open to just anyone who wants to get their car on a track......they want proof that you know what you are doing before they let you out there.

Porsche944parts · 02-09-2008, 02:28 PM

Thanks I will check it out. Anyone from Portland want to give me some tips?

Wipeout · 02-09-2008, 09:00 PM

Glad to have a local! Where exactly are you located in the area?

Showing up and hanging out at the track is free; I believe the Audi and Porsche clubs will be running on the 24th of February and the 1st of March at PIR. Typically you can't track unless you're a member of those clubs and there's a fee associated with all of that. If you want to go out there and hit the track, I believe a DE is a requirement, as well as safety gear and the like.

I doint drive on the track, but Schwank (who will probably see this thread and come on in) will be taking his red '87 NA to the track often this year. He should know all about how to get out on the track at PIR.

Porsche944parts · 02-10-2008, 09:11 AM

Im in SE Portland. By Foster road. Well Im definatly going to come out if there will be a event on the 24th. Please contact me if there will be a event that day so I dont miss it.

Wipeout · 02-10-2008, 09:45 AM

Cool. I'm out in North Portland; Schwank is out off 99. I believe www.portlandraceway.com is the track's website, complete with what events are out there.

flash968 · 02-10-2008, 02:38 PM

interesting track - some very deceiving turns - i fragged my clutch there trying to figure them out - i was the out of town guy, with a bunch of guys who knew the track really well - not a good mix - long straight that dumps into a tight right and a switchback - can really make you work

schwank · 02-11-2008, 07:00 AM

Hey there... I'm Eric. I live in SE Portland as well, and run frequently at PIR. There are all sorts of clubs you can run with, but I would recommend the Oregon Porsche Club (PCA) or Cascade Sports Car Club (CSCC). Both offer instruction for first time track drivers.

You will begin with a classroom 'chalk talk' before driving where you learn the flags, the physics, and the rules. This usually happens the night before the track day. On track day you will be paired with an instructor who will show you the proper line and work on car control and driving technique. Depending on your progress, after a couple track days (and once you are safe) you will be signed off to drive solo. It is still useful to drive with instructors on occasion to help you work on certain turns, or perfect technique.

Before you go out it is imperative to make sure your car is in excellent condition. You do not want to spill fluids on the track, as that stops the action for everyone. You WILL need good brakes, good radiator and coolant, and have some fresh oil. Make sure you have good tires with proper pressure. There is a tech check in for cars each day... the rules vary based on organization, but in general are posted on their websites.

Cost ranges from around 130-200 based on which organization is running the event, and if you need a rental helmet. The track was totally repaved and reconfigured slightly for this year, so the surface should be excellent for driving. The official grand opening is the 24th, mainly for everyone to go check it out... free lunch and you can walk or bike the track. Sunday the 25th is the first official 'track day', run by the Porsche Club. I'll be out there in the Boxster... but the club head track guy Don Clinkinbeard has a nicely built 944 turbo. Not too many of us old front engine guys out there, but we have a handful of good guys for sure. Porsche club has 10 HPDE days this year, and Cascade has probably half a dozen on fridays before their race weekends. There are plenty of other clubs you can run with as well, like BMW, Alfa, and Audi.

Anyway, come on out... it's as much fun as you can legally have. The 944 is a blast to drive at Portland. Feel free to PM me any questions, or just post here. Hope to see you out there this year!!!

Wipeout · 02-11-2008, 07:27 AM

Uh, Eric...I think your dates are shifted one date too far - if it's Saturday and Sunday, that's the 23rd & 24th...that's also what their calendar says (I'd hate for people to show up for an empty track!).

Nice photo.

Porsche944parts · 02-11-2008, 08:16 AM

Thanks ALOTfor the info. I will definatly try to get out there.
P.S. From what I know My 951 doesent leak anything, I will need to change my rotors and pads before I get out there. Any suggestion on pads?

schwank · 02-11-2008, 09:58 AM

There is a thread going on right now on the rennlist 951 forum... a lot of guys like the Porterfield R4S pads as a good cost

erformance ratio. Won't eat your rotors up with street usage either.

And I was wrong on the dates as Darren mentioned, it is the 23/24th of this month for opening weekend. But there are a ton of events this summer. You don't need to make the first ones.

Porsche944parts · 02-11-2008, 02:52 PM

Do You know where I can buy these kind of pads?? What do you think about HAWK pads?? I know the preformance of them is Amazing but My friend says the really did a Number on his rotors, but for some reason only 1 of 4 of his rotors got damaged?
BTW He has a Acura TSX with Single piston calipers.

Wipeout · 02-11-2008, 04:12 PM

Try Paragon Products and here at Pelican.

pdx944 · 02-11-2008, 05:58 PM

I might have to come out that weekend.

Porsche944parts · 02-12-2008, 08:34 AM

The only Preformance pads I found on Pelican were BHP.

schwank · 02-13-2008, 06:21 AM

I actually use Hawk HP+ on my NA 944... they are great for street and they hold up well on track without eating rotors. For all out racing the Hawk Blues are great, but they won't do well on the street as they are rough on rotors when cold.

I just don't know about the 951 size pads as I have not replaced mine yet... I assume you can get the Hawks in that fitment though. I do know know that you can get them for a pretty competitive price with no shipping whatsoever by calling Jeremy or Justin at Matrix Integrated here in Portland. Tell them Eric referred you. They take great care of me and do good work on Audis and Porsches... unfortunately they don't do maintenance on the older watercoolers, but they will source you pads and stuff. I have gotten all my Hawk pads from them as well as a set of Pagid Sport pads for the 986S.