Experience with NCRC?

hlakhani · 26 July 2011

Hi all,

Thinking of doing my first HPDE soon, and was recommended Northern California Racing Club as a pretty good club with affordable prices.

http://www.ncracing.org

Has anyone had (recent) experience with this club? Is there any others I should check out, particularly being a first timer? As I understand it, NCRC does not provide in-vehicle instruction, but the first 3 of 5 sessions of the day will include some classroom time and general overview of techniques.

Also, tire pressures will likely be set to 32 psi cold (per another thread here), brakes and tires are in good shape, i'll change the oil, top up my coolant, and change my brake fluid to something better. Anything else I should be worrying about before the event?

Oh yeah, anyone planning on going to buttonwillow on 9/17? If so, let me know!

nsxnut · 26 July 2011

hlakhani said:
Hi all,

Thinking of doing my first HPDE soon, and was recommended Northern California Racing Club as a pretty good club with affordable prices.

http://www.ncracing.org

Has anyone had (recent) experience with this club? Is there any others I should check out, particularly being a first timer? As I understand it, NCRC does not provide in-vehicle instruction, but the first 3 of 5 sessions of the day will include some classroom time and general overview of techniques.

Also, tire pressures will likely be set to 32 psi cold (per another thread here), brakes and tires are in good shape, i'll change the oil, top up my coolant, and change my brake fluid to something better. Anything else I should be worrying about before the event?

Oh yeah, anyone planning on going to buttonwillow on 9/17? If so, let me know!

I like Trackmasters

http://www.trackmasters-racing.com/

They don't offer instruction at every event but for the ones they do you will have an instructor all day.

92 white 0650 · 26 July 2011

Re: My experience has been excellent

I like NCRC (Dave and Luc) and respect their consistency and dedication over the past 10+ years. But I race with them now, so I cannot speak to the details of instruction.

I do know they have "driving school" sessions for novices which I believe is mandatory to some extent. I watch them go around every time I sit in the pit lane waiting for my session. School consists of about 6 or so "students" following an instructor learning the line. I think this on track demonstration coupled with the extensive classroom work keeps raw novices safe.

I have been an instructor with NCRC as well as Trackmasters and can 2nd Don's endorsement of Trackmasters since Doug Gale there has been doing this 10+ years as well. You can pay NCRC a bit extra for in-car instruction for the day. You can also bring your own instructor or coach to be "your passenger" all day. My experience as an instructor is that the end result for a strudent is the same with both Trackmasters and NCRC. The approach is different but the learning, safety and enjoyment usually is the same.

But JMHO, as I have avoided the inevitable poliitics as much as possible. And I have a bias because I like the track time I get in NCRC's race group, a benefit not offered in any other HPDE club.

Do your homework on the NCRC site and EM me with any specific questions.

Sylvan · 26 July 2011

hlakhani said:
Hi all,

Thinking of doing my first HPDE soon, and was recommended Northern California Racing Club as a pretty good club with affordable prices.

http://www.ncracing.org

Has anyone had (recent) experience with this club? Is there any others I should check out, particularly being a first timer? As I understand it, NCRC does not provide in-vehicle instruction, but the first 3 of 5 sessions of the day will include some classroom time and general overview of techniques.

Also, tire pressures will likely be set to 32 psi cold (per another thread here), brakes and tires are in good shape, i'll change the oil, top up my coolant, and change my brake fluid to something better. Anything else I should be worrying about before the event?

Oh yeah, anyone planning on going to buttonwillow on 9/17? If so, let me know!

I think NCRC is great. I first tried them this year, back in April, and since then I've done 4 events with them this year. I like their format, and they stick to their schedule which I appreciate. They do have a driving school for newbies, and they do have instructors, though I think you have to pay extra to have one reserved for you.

Just make sure the car is in good shape and you shouldn't have any problems. I'll be going to Thunderhill on August 8, and I'm also planning on Buttonwillow on Sept. 17, so maybe I'll see you there.

92 white 0650 · 26 July 2011

I'll be going to Thunderhill on August 8,

Come by and introduce yourself. I'm usually paddocked near the starter's tower. Maybe give me a ride at the end of the day? I don't think I've been in an NSX for months........maybe a couple of years. :redface:

Dhalsim · 26 July 2011

I've had good experiences with NCRC and Trackmasters. I have also used Speedventures.

nsxnut · 26 July 2011

For your first day I think you should have an in car instructor.
I think it is helpful to develops the correct driving skills/habits from the get go.
If you do decide to sign up with ncrc pay the extra money to have an in car instructor.

As an instructor it is very difficult to help some one if you are doing a lead follow.

Hope this helps.

Doug was the one of the Founders of NCRC. They parted ways and he started Trackmasters.

Later,
Don

d.n · 26 July 2011

It's a superb club for track time. The drivers are very respectful which is also a key element for fun on track. I don't have any experience with their instruction for novices, but I do agree that you'll want somebody there the first time out. It will help your learning curve immensely

Sylvan · 26 July 2011

92 white 0650 said:
Come by and introduce yourself. I'm usually paddocked near the starter's tower. Maybe give me a ride at the end of the day? I don't think I've been in an NSX for months........maybe a couple of years. :redface:

Yea, definitely. How will I find you? Is it the car in your avatar pic?

hlakhani · 27 July 2011

Thanks for all the replies!

I definitely think I'd prefer some in-vehicle instruction too. Per the website, it doesn't seem like NCRC has in-vehicle instruction as an option even in their "driving school" and only has the lead-follow instruction as described above.

I haven't signed up yet so I'll make sure to keep an eye out during the signup process.

nsxnut · 27 July 2011

hlakhani said:
Thanks for all the replies!

I definitely think I'd prefer some in-vehicle instruction too. Per the website, it doesn't seem like NCRC has in-vehicle instruction as an option even in their "driving school" and only has the lead-follow instruction as described above.

I haven't signed up yet so I'll make sure to keep an eye out during the signup process.

It is there... See below.
They are offering open and point-by drivers $50 bucks to instruct.

Check out this post. http://nsxprime.com/forum/showthread.php?t=151063
Specifically http://nsxprime.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1455772&postcount=10

DRIVING SCHOOL
Our normal novice program is a single day Driving School. All drivers that have never driven cars, karts or motorcycles on a race track will be placed in this school automatically. This program will give the typical beginning track driver enough experience to drive the track solo. The school is a single-day activity only. Novice drivers registering for two-day events should assume they will be approved to drive in the solo group on the second day, but NCRC reserves the right to hold a student back for a second day in the driving school. The driving school has a 5 to 1 ratio of students to instructors, and drivers in this school are not expected to also register and pay for private instruction.
PRIVATE INSTRUCTION
On a limited basis, we can provide full-time private instruction for drivers of any experience level. Register and pay for private instruction on the payment form.

Open and Point-By drivers may register to instruct at the event on an "as-needed" basis. If we ask you to instruct, you get $50 refunded back on your event payment!

Check this box if you are in the Open or Point-By group, and are willing to instruct at this event

92 white 0650 · 27 July 2011

Sylvan said:
Yea, definitely. How will I find you? Is it the car in your avatar pic?

Yes, black and green, #13.

hlakhani · 27 July 2011

nsxnut said:
It is there... See below.
They are offering open and point-by drivers $50 bucks to instruct.

Check out this post. http://nsxprime.com/forum/showthread.php?t=151063
Specifically http://nsxprime.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1455772&postcount=10

Thanks, I was following that thread too, but I'm not sure what you're getting at. Does that mean I can't expect great quality instruction since almost anyone can do it?

nsxnut · 27 July 2011

hlakhani said:
Thanks, I was following that thread too, but I'm not sure what you're getting at. Does that mean I can't expect great quality instruction since almost anyone can do it?

Not exactly.

If you get a regular instructor I'm sure they will be good. If you get a Driver that is looking to save 50 bucks off the day than you may get just that.

tracknut · 28 July 2011

hlakhani said:
Thanks, I was following that thread too, but I'm not sure what you're getting at. Does that mean I can't expect great quality instruction since almost anyone can do it?

Hi, this is Dave Mills, from NCRC. Just to be clear, we have two uses for instructors at NCRC. First is in our driving school, where instructors are leading groups of novice students through exercises on track. They are not in the student's cars, they are in their own, primarily charged with driving the line and keeping the various student groups from bunching up or going too fast. We use our newer instructors for this purpose.

And then there's what most folks get at clubs, in-car instruction. It is a paid service at NCRC (in our words, someone who's net getting instruction doesn't have to pay for your instructor), and for that we use our more experienced instructors. I suspect you'd find many of the same instructors are driving with a variety of the clubs, these are all long-time drivers, not someone with say only 5 years of driving experience.

Dave

hlakhani · 31 July 2011

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the clarification. I'll probably just go with the standard school this time around and then add in personal instruction on future days. Looking forward to the event and seeing/meeting any fellow Primers there!

Cheers,
Hamza

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