Planning open track day at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, CA

[YellowHaze]

Since buying my first NSX in September of this year, I have anticipated attending a local track event to become familiar with what the car can do and how it handles. That plus a chance to meet with fellow NSX owners and other car enthusiasts.

Some of you might be familiar with a company called Speed Ventures. They host open track events at a number of race venues. Costs vary between $170 up to $300 and more depending upon details of the event. Listed below are two opportunities for organizing a special NSX event in 2009:

May 16, 17 (Fri and Sat)- "full track" event; currently planned for intermediate level drivers; cost ~$300 for either day.

June 13, 14 (Fri and Sat)- "interior track" event; open to all levels; cost ~$170+ for either day.

Today, I spoke with one of the organizers. He said the May event might be open to beginner level drivers if a certain number come from a car club. We may also be able to get a group discount rate.

The full track utilizes just that, the regular race course plus an interior road course section. Way more fun to drive both at speed on banked corners and on a technical course section. The cost is more, however.

The interior track utilizes only the technical course, not any part of the oval race track. The cost is less. My vote is for an opportunity to attend the full track event in May. More fun and typically cooler weather. A couple of details...

-No special insurance is needed
-A helmet is needed (can rent one) plus some car prep procedures. You can visit their website to see what those are at www.speedventures.com. Pretty basic stuff as you will see.

The rep I spoke with said NSX owners don't show up for these kind of events in any real numbers. Same for Ferrari owners. Said both NSX and Ferrari folks are fickle. Hey, we're no wusses! Anyone interested in attending either event should reply to this thread. The more interested in going, the better chance I have to get a better discount rate and to get a chance to attend the May event.


"Gentlemen, start your engines!" :biggrin:

 

[tpagannsx]

Count me in!!! When you get more info....please let me know.

Thanks,

Tony

 

[eNeSeX 95T]

im in

 

[YellowHaze]

Let me know which event you are most interested. An open track or interior only track event. I will do my best to get us the best discount I can, but I have to know which one most are interested in going to.

My vote has been cast for a open track event in May, if I can reserve us a spot.

Gracias!

 

[nsxalot]

I have gone with this group and will do it again. It seems that events put on by car clubs are better. The higher the price of the car the better the group.

Reasons: The average age of the drivers is older with clubs. You my get more track time as clubs have 3 or 4 run groups not 4 or 5. Instruction may be better with clubs. Club instructor get paid more, have had more track time and more experience instructing. People with $100,000 cars drive differently from one with $10,000 cars.

The Las Vegas Porsche club, like many clubs, puts on 3 or 4 track events a year at $300 a weekend. New drivers spend the first half of the day in class for group driving skills, fast turns around cones and time on a wet skid pad. For the rest of the weekend there is a trained instructor with you. New drivers must have the instructor's permission to go on the track. This was it's safer for you and others on the track. You area most likely has the same arrangement.

I do like Speedventures and the people who run it. They have alway treated me well. And, I will run with them again.

 

[YellowHaze]

I appreciate the input. That's good to know. Not sure about the instruction part though but I think you are correct. That's the reason why the Speed Ventures rep said details depend upon what kind of NSX turnout we will have. My guess is if we can get 8 or more interested or so we can get car club treatment.

So, are you interested in going in May?

 

[nsxalot]

It looks like I will be teaching English in Tibet during that time. If things change I will join you. Keep posting the information.

Picking a track: Look for one with no walls. Walls are not your friend.

Lance

 

[sicarius82]

Definitely in...

 

[mrbythatmuch]

I would be interested

 

[YellowHaze]

So far, we have 5 that have expressed interest in attending a track event at the Auto Club Raceway, including me. I'll wait a few weeks to see how many more reply with interest before contacting Speed Ventures to discuss details and pricing.

Until then, hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable holiday.

 

[YellowHaze]

Hello fellow track driving enthusiasts. Upon attending the Dec. 4th South Coast Acura meeting, I was introduced to Ferdie Ang. Ferdie is the performance parts/marketing manager for SCA's sister dealership Subaru. Besides his primary duties, Ferdie handles the organizing of sponsored track/car meet events. Their home track is Button Willow. They also occasionally frequent Willow Springs, Fontana, and even Laguna Seca.

Besides a chance to be part of an Acura/Subaru joint event, their pricing is much nicer on the wallet- about half what Speed Ventures charges. The only negative is their typical use of Button Willow Raceway, a bit of a drive vs. going to Fontana. What I intend to do is stay in touch with Ferdie and see what events may be able to be scheduled at Fontana. For me, I'd much rather drive 60 minutes than 180 minutes each way. I'll keep you gents posted.

-------- YellowHaze --------

 

[Prospeed]

I'm in Steve! Just keep us updated.:smile:

 

[YellowHaze]

I'm in Steve! Just keep us updated.:smile:

Hey Brian! Looks like you have the track bug as I do. I'll keep this thread going with updates as I get them. My intention is to identify track and even road trip opportunities in the January-May 2009 timeframe. Hopefully, I might be able to work something out at Fontana in May in conjunction with SCA/Subaru (Ferdie). That and maybe a Button Willow event before then. Gotta see what my Stage 3 chip and me can do. Woo-hoo!

Steve