Here are up coming track days for anyone who might be interested. - Nguyen 9/15/05 http://www.oregonpca.org/DriverEd/driver_ed.htm 9/29/05 http://www.bmwacaportland.com/drive.html 9/30/05 http://www.alfaclub.org/ 10/2/05 http://www.bmwacaportland.com/drive.html http://www.portlandraceway.com/schedule.asp --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Do you have to be a member of those clubs to participate? Or, do they have reciprocal privileges with FCA?
I heard you can join them but must ask. Remeber though, you have a target on your back as everyone wants to pass a Ferrari. Not sure if I want all those guys out there gunning for me. They might do something stupid. I heard their are up to 30 cars on the track at once too. I will go to Pro Drive days first and have Tony C as an instructor rather than other car club days for now Mike
I have been out with the BMW guys a few times. A good bunch of guys that respect each other- I think I paid a non-member fee and if memeory serves it wasn't bad. A couple of my buddys were in novice and were very happy with the instructors that rode with them. Usually are 30+ cars in the novice class. Intermediate runs about 25-30 cars and advanced about 25ish- Since I spent about 2 days cleaning grass and dirt from the Z06 I drove last track day so I will not disclose the group that I was running with... If you want more seat time I think it is a good opportunity.
Almost every club DE day (in Portland) just requires that you are a member of a national car club. All of them accept BMW CCA or BMW ACA members, and I would imagine they would accept (and be delighted to have) a Ferrari driven by an FCA or FOC member in attendance. I attended the PCA event today (in my M3), but have been driving my 360 in assorted events this year. In general, everyone is respectful of everyone else. I have never felt like I was wearing any kind of a bullseye when driving my 360.
As others have said you don't have to be a member of a club to drive on track days of that club. You might have to pay a surcharge (about $30) to some clubs. I've driven with all the clubs and there's definitely no "target in the back" syndrome, at least as far as I could tell. Although my first few times driving a Ferrari (only), I did feel self-concious and tried to drive faster than my capability. A few loops or lawnowing trips cured that quickly. Most/all everyone definitely behave seriously, it's their necks and cars on the line too. One fun thing about driving with various clubs is a wider variety of cars you get to "experience" with. If you are a beginner or have driven only 2-3 times at PIR, I highly recommend the below two clubs. They are racing clubs and their schools include a 2-3 hours ground school the night before. The track portion is highly controlled and taught by accomplished racing drivers. 10/7 http://www.teamcontinental.com/ 9/23, 10/13: http://www.cascadesportscarclub.org/ - Nguyen ps: Scotty, which run group was you in today? I was in a blue/yellow sport racer.
Nice--it was great watching you lap around. I ran in intermediate yesterday (it was the first day with my M3)--blue sedan. I had brake issues--so that kept my speed a bit more conservative.
I am hoping to finish my car up this winter as time allows. it would be nice to go to the track and run with you guys if you dont mind a non F car in the crowd.
