tracks for the bay area?

[wolftec]

hello ft86club,
So over the years, I’ve grown to love my car and started to mod it to my liking. As my love for it grew, so did my need for speed and I’ve been increasingly going faster (stupidly) than what is safe on the road like I spun out a few years ago, going 100+ on the freeway in the rain. Since then I realized how stupid I was… and always try to stay within 5mph of the limit. I’m really anti-social and don’t know where to start. I've done research about it like I know I need a helmet. I've looked at main track websites but I can’t seem to understand how too. Is there anyone on this forum that can help me get an understanding of how to go about tracking my car In the bay area. Like what Facebook group I should follow. Money is also a big thing since I’m a college student, so the cheaper the better? Thank you.

[mav1178]

Your best bet is to find a group of people to run track events with.

NorCal has their own version of 86 Cup

https://www.facebook.com/groups/norcal86cup/about/

Or you can run track days with groups like NCRC which allows you to drive without worry about being competitive.

http://www.ncracing.org

[Lunatic]

Hook up with Neal at "The Racers Line" He's a FRS track junkie close to you.
https://www.theracersline.com

[FirstWinter]

Come join us for 86 Cup. It's tons of fun and you can ride with us as you learn the ropes. Most of the events are with NCRC & they're the most affordable organizer locally. I would try to rent a helmet for the first event or so before you decide if you want to continue tracking.

If you want to go on a track day generally you sign up with a local organizer (NCRC, SpeedSF, Exclusive Track Days, Hooked On Driving) and from there just show up!

[Xxyion]

Originally Posted by Lunatic

Hook up with Neal at "The Racers Line" He's a FRS track junkie close to you.
https://www.theracersline.com

Milpitas is actually quite far from Neal lol.

That being said, you kind of have to know what you are getting yourself into. The track (contrary to popular belief) is not a place where you can go WOT 100% of the time because you want too.

Most tracks will either ban or black flag you if they deem that you are a danger to others on the track. Usually you run with groups of people on the track. You almost never have the track all to yourself (unless you buyout the day).

The track is a place to learn how to handle your vehicle and how to properly drive what you own. Not a place to drive 100+ mph because you cant do it on the street.

The nice thing is many tracks and events offer a driver training course, where a teacher will show you how to properly manage the course and utilize the car to its best potential.


If you havnt already, i recommend joining the Norcal 86 facebook group. A lot of guy on their track their cars (i'll be starting next year) and can offer some really good advice. I also recommend doing at least one drivers training course.

Good luck man! Hope to see you out there in 2018!

[mkivsoopra]

As others have said, join the NorCal 86CUP Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/norcal86cup/) and checkout our website at www.norcal86cup.com . We have a short FAQ there to address some common questions too. The 2018 schedule is not posted yet, but it'll be up very soon.

Since you're just starting out, you shouldn't be competing yet, but it'll be fun to do the same events that NorCal 86CUP is doing. That way, you can ask us for driving tips / car setup tips, or ask for rides around the track to help you improve.

We don't bite, so don't be afraid to ask questions in the FB group.

[strat61caster]

@FirstWinter is right, there are a couple groups that host track days, you register with them and they run the event. I think the only one he missed was Track Masters. Certain car clubs also offer track days like Lotus Club (I've heard great things about them) as well as BMW and Audi club, they're usually not too snobby.

For a first timer I'd suggest Hooked On Driving, they hold your hand quite a bit and have an instructor riding with you so you're not incredibly overwhelmed first time on track learning the etiquette of everything. They'll also encourage you to go as fast as your skills can take you on that day. Pricey, but worth it imo. I've found cheaper track days are more 'wild west' which can be fine for some and a big turnoff for others.

Here's a good writeup on prepping and what to expect:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25485

Autocross is a cheaper way to get your rocks off, the lack of seat time can seem like a turn off, but I find it way more exhilarating tackling a new course every event than turn X at track Y for the 100th time. Lotus Club autocross offers a ton of seat time for an autox (~12-14 runs vs. 4-7). American Autocross offers a practice track in the afternoon on Sunday you can get a lot of seat time on out at Crow's Landing.

https://www.hookedondriving.com/
http://www.gglotus.org/ggautox/ggautox.htm
http://www.americanautox.com/

Expect $200-$400+ for an HPDE, generally depending on how many cars they put on track at once and how many instructors they have available.
Autox will be $45-$75 for an event, 4 runs for some, 12 runs for others.

And there's also a drift club that I've heard nothing but good things about so far.
http://www.driftcentral.com/

To find a track day I usually go to the track's website and check their calendar, like Laguna Seca or Thunderhill and scan through to find a date+group I like.

http://www.mazdaraceway.com/calendar
http://www.sonomaraceway.com/events/complete-schedule/
https://www.thunderhill.com/event-schedule/
(For instance you can see SpeedSF has Laguna Dec 30/31st, likely the cheapest track day in the area, and the weather can be downright perfect in Dec/Jan)


Next year's autox schedule will likely be compiled and posted up on this forum scca dates and aas dates are published tentatively
http://www.baautox.com/forum/index.p...frm_id=2&rid=0

[mkivsoopra]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

For a first timer I'd suggest Hooked On Driving, they hold your hand quite a bit and have an instructor riding with you so you're not incredibly overwhelmed first time on track learning the etiquette of everything. They'll also encourage you to go as fast as your skills can take you on that day. Pricey, but worth it imo. I've found cheaper track days are more 'wild west' which can be fine for some and a big turnoff for others.

+1 on Hooked On Driving for your first time. They are more expensive, but worth it.