ACRA Feb. event questions

Jeff · 12-14-2006, 08:05 AM

I am in the initial stages of planning a trip to California to run in ACRA's Feb. event at WSIR and have a few questions...

1. Do I have to be a member of ACRA (I was on their website and didn't see where to join)?

2. How quickly do these events fill up (I am going to see if other AZ Pelicans can make it)?

3. I have not run WSIR big track (or small for that matter), does ACRA provide an instructor to show the "new guy" the line?

3a. Can someone else ride in the car with you? I have a friend that knows the track well and is racing a Grand Am 911 in 2007, if he joins me can he be my instructor?

4. I run in the intermediate group (possibly moving to the Advanced group at the next event in Jan.) with the PCA. Will any of this experiance transfer or do I have to start with the beginner group? I do have my log book from the PCA (starting with my first event and going through the time when I no longer needed an instructor) and will try to have the chief instructor evaluate my driving at the next event.

5. Recommendations on lodging?

I am sure I will have more questions later, so any input will be great.

Jack Olsen · 12-15-2006, 08:40 AM

I responded to this last night, but it appears to have disappeared in the database problem that Wayne mentions in the announcements. So here's a second shot:

1. No, ACRA doesn't require a membership.
2. ACRA is still a pretty new group. I don't think they've reached capacity at an event, yet. You'd be wise to sign up in advance, but I suspect there will be openings on the morning of the event as well.
3. ACRA doesn't provide all new drivers with instructors, but they are available. Also, the first yellow group run of the day is run as a 'ducks in a row' session. Instructors take groups of five or so cars out in a cluster to show the driving line and braking points.
3a. I'm double-checking on the passenger rules right now, but I believe that passengers are only allowed with red group drivers or with instructors. If your friend is enrolled in the event, he can drive your car to instruct you.
4. PCA has a much more formalized process for moving up through run groups. With ACRA, the idea is to use common sense to get guys in the right group. We can move you during the day based on where you feel comfortable and what makes sense, given your lap times and experience. You're not required to start in yellow, with your experience.
5. Lodging is tricky. Rosamond is a tiny town near Edwards Air Force Base. Los Angeles is about a 75 minute drive away, so I drive up on the morning of the event. But the last time I stayed out there, I stayed at the Essex House in Lancaster, which is about 20 minutes away.

http://www.essexhouse-hotel.com/

I've never stayed at the Devonshire Inn. But it's closer:

http://www.devonshireinn.com/