I am in the Seattle area. Where can I go to track my car? How do most places work? Can you only go on some special days when there is a race or can you go most of the time? Do you need to be a member? Do you need pass some kind of test or get a special license? Are the tracks open year round? I want to push my car and I don't know where to go! Thanks
Check with the local car clubs (BMW, Porsche, Alfa, etc...). They have track classes (CCC, HPDE, and open lapping for those who qualify). Pacific Raceways is pretty good but there's a new track called The Ridge near Shelton that looks great. Cheers.
The Ferrari Club of America NW will sponsor one or two track days this year in Washington and/or Oregon, depending on member interest. Pacific Raceways is close and has a great intro class to get you started. If you haven't driven on a track recently, they'll require a class but you'll get lots of time behind the wheel. After you pass their requirements, you can drive by yourself on a wide variety of days throughout the year. They are generally seasonal, but call them directly for more information. The school there is called ProFormance Racing. I hear great things about the Shelton track too, but I haven't seen it yet.
I don't want to rain on your parade, but there are some important points to know (I have been doing track events for a decade, and instruct for Porsche, BMW, Ferrari, etc. in Portland). 1) Your auto insurance likely won't cover any incidence on the track--you are likely going to have to pay for any damage to your car "out of pocket" This is a rare event, but not unheard of. 2) You may have liability exposure--this is even true if you have an "umbrella" policy. While you are theoretically covered by the event organizer's policy, theoretical is a dicey thing when it comes to legal matters. Here's a scenario--someone is being careless, and spins in front of you on the track. You can't do anything to avoid it, and you t-bone them. It turns out that they are a neurosurgeon, are injured, and you are suddenly on the hook for the damage to your car, damage to their car, their income replacement, and damages that they decide to pursue you for. While they may sue you and the track insurance policy--you will be individually responsible for your legal defense, which even if successful is likely a 100K bill. This info comes to me from attorneys who both drive and instruct at track events in Portland, as well as my own conversations with insurers, and assorting postings from across the country. You can buy specialized policy to cover you in both situations above, but these are expensive and can be hard to get. I'm not trying to deter you from doing track driving, but you should go into it informed. S
There are really three track options: Pacific Raceways, Portland and The Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton (which will open in May, but many of us have already driven it during the benefit run in December.) When completed, the Ridge will be by far the best track for learning, as it will have the most run-off room -- it is also easy to drive at a reasonable pace, but will take a lifetime to master. Pacific is a blast to drive, but is downright dangerous when the usual "unexpected" happens. Portland, while I've never personally driven it, is okay on the fun scale and safer overall than Pacific Raceways. Take a performance driving school -- you can even start with a good driver's skills day, such as the one offered by the regional Porsche club. Driver's skills day does skidpad, autocross, trail-braking, etc... Think of it as learning complex car control at slow speeds, while the performance driving schools are true track day lessons.
