DE type events - which org do you like?

[Danskman]

I'm planning on running a few non-competitive driving events this Spring/Summer in the 911 with my son, and I was wondering which organization(s) you like, and why.

Looking at PCA, NASA, SCCA. NorCal tracks (Sears, Thunderhill, Laguna).

Pluses and minuses of each organization? Track time? I'd like my son's first on-track experiences to be good ones.

Thank you!

[lally911]

Check out tracquest (www.tracquest.com) Todd runs a great event and you will get tons of track time.

[Jack Olsen]

Tracquest is great, although they're also on the expensive side.

NorCal Racing runs good events at Thunderhill. So does NASA, Speedventures, and I've heard okay things about Unlimited Laps, although I've never run with them.

[924Sman]

I feel PCA is a good deal. Laid back and plenty of track time. Many locations to attend. You get to learn from other Porsche drivers so the car characteristics are dealt with more. Chance to learn about your car from other owners. You can do a one day session or 2 days and in some regions 3 days of DE. Cost from 175.00 - 375.00 still less than racing schools.

Your sons age is the issue in PCA as he must be 18 if not mistaken. Sman

[Danskman]

Originally posted by 924Sman
Your sons age is the issue in PCA as he must be 18 if not mistaken. Sman

Thanks for the heads-up, Sman. He'll be 20 in two weeks.

PCA sounds attractive due to the P-Car info that will abound. Sounds more attractive too, in that I'd rather have other drivers that are concerned about preserving their vehicles - not some kid in a Civic squeezing between me and the wall. I think we'll start out on PCA events and then work into others.

Thanks for the info.

[924Sman]

PCA DE events most often include other car makes. Some larger regions do not allow cars other than Porsche because there are enough to fill the events. So you will see some red mist types at times. But they get noticed real quick and are straightened out or else.

For larger regions you may find the event fills up and you lose out if you don't send entry as soon as they open the registration up.
Smaller regions at times are begging for participants so track time is no problem.

This a good place to get started as you may find it too much for you and become disenchanted in DE vs. 3 grand at a school and find yourself afraid to do it. A cheap way to test your metal!
Granted this is not the place for the race minded individual to gain all that is needed to race but can get you there just the same only at your pace and with instructors willing to help you get there.

And in regards to going home with all your body parts and the same color the PCA is excellent! Even in GT class the guys hate contact and these cars have less car at risk just more money at risk!

ENJOY! Sman

[Dleong]

For NorCal Tracks local to you, I can recommend each of these clubs, as I instruct with all of them:

www.pca-ggr.org PCA Golden Gate Region

www.ncracing.org - Northern California Racing Club

www.trackmasters-racing.com - Trackmasters

www.tracquest.com - Tracquest

They all have events coming up soon, and post their schedules, prices, and information online. They all also have their unique atmosphere, style, and population.

[Danskman]

Dave,

Thanks for the GGR info. A couple questions for you...

Any issues that I am a member of the SVR region, and not GGR?

If I attend the ground school for GGR, is that good for a SVR track event too?

Are there any additional licensing requirements (other than club membership) for any of the groups/clubs you mentioned?

Thanks.

[Dleong]

To run in GGR Time Trials, you have to be a dual member of SVR and GGR.

SVR has not had any track events for at least a year, and I don't see any on the horizon. Also, GGR ground school is for Time trials only.

BTW - if you are intimidated by the fact the GGR events are competitive Time Trials, don't be. Just think of them as DE, and you can even skip the tmed runs.

NCRC and Trackmasters both require membership, which is included wiht your first event fees. Trackmasters membership is actually free, but you still have to join.

Be sure and check out their websites. It is all there.

[North Coast Cab]

Mike,
I was going through the same analysis myself recently here in Ohio. I was trying to decide how to run at Mid Ohio and Beaver Run. Anyway, I searched through the national PCA website all the surrounding PCA chapters. Amazingly through the course of the year there were at least 6 events at each track. I contacted one chapter and they said no problem, sign-up and send in the cash. I did join Nasa and sign-up for one of their events also. Should be interesting to compare. One other note, there are very wide swings in the cost of the events even at the same track.

John

[jase007]

Mike:

Pluses and minuses of each organization? Track time? I'd like my son's first on-track experiences to be good ones.

I got started in this with my father 18 years ago with skip barber and PCA DE. Although he won't admit it I am sure his involvement as an instructor in the club allowed some "non-invasive" feedback that I was completely unaware of.

Besides, I was able to learn from many different instructors in and out of our region and spend time doing something I was learning to love with my father.

18 years later and we are still racing together. Here is a thread on my local board re: Sebring PCA race.

Jason

[dtfastbear]

The Monterey Bay and Loma Prieta regions are also starting a new DE series. There is an event at Thunderhill coming up on Easter Sunday. Registration is now open!

www.coastaldriving.org

Most of the GGR instructors will be helping out with this series, so the instructor will be competent.

Since this is only a one day event, it isn't as big of a commitment as the TT series. No ground school required, either, although there is a mandatory "ground school" the morning of the event. So, it's not as if this information is missed.

Let us know if you sign up for one of these events so we can look for you and help you out, if you need it.

Cheers,

Dean

[Zeke]

Originally posted by Danskman
Thanks for the heads-up, Sman. He'll be 20 in two weeks.

PCA sounds attractive due to the P-Car info that will abound. Sounds more attractive too, in that I'd rather have other drivers that are concerned about preserving their vehicles - not some kid in a Civic squeezing between me and the wall. I think we'll start out on PCA events and then work into others.

Thanks for the info.

I don't believe you will find any kids in Civics squeezing between you and the wall. No matter whom you choose to run with.

[campbellcj]

Many of the cars we see at DE and TT events here in SoCal are more expensive than your average Pelicanhead's Porsche

I have seen a Ferrari 360 Cup and a -real- GT40, among various other less exotic but still impressive monsters. If anything I worry about messing up -their- cars, not mine...

[Danskman]

Originally posted by Zeke
I don't believe you will find any kids in Civics squeezing between you and the wall. No matter whom you choose to run with.

I was referring to a recent thread on the 911 board where exactly that happened, and the 911 driver posted an in-car video of the incident. Kid came over afterwards, and said something along the lines of, "Man, your car is too wide".

[widebody911]

Originally posted by Danskman
I was referring to a recent thread on the 911 board where exactly that happened, and the 911 driver posted an in-car video of the incident. Kid came over afterwards, and said something along the lines of, "Man, your car is too wide".

http://vintagebus.com/incident.mpg

[TimT]

I prefer to drive with clubs where instructors drive for free

[Zeke]

Originally posted by Danskman
I was referring to a recent thread on the 911 board where exactly that happened, and the 911 driver posted an in-car video of the incident. Kid came over afterwards, and said something along the lines of, "Man, your car is too wide".

AND? Did the kid get to go out again........ever? You sounded like you thought all the independent run groups allowed such behavior and I can assure you they do not. I didn't mean it in a mean sense, I meant it as encouragement to go out with any group that is convenient for you and is recommended here. Hope you didn't take it wrong.

[Danskman]

Originally posted by Zeke
... I meant it as encouragement to go out with any group that is convenient for you and is recommended here. Hope you didn't take it wrong.

No, Zeke. Not at all. Thanks.