2015 NorCal 86Cup Topics & Talks

[The Racers Line]

Originally Posted by sw20kosh

I see. You will unfortunately have to graduate to Point-By run group in order to register for the 86cup. Best way, if you have 4-5 days, is to have one of the NCRC instructors evaluate you on track for a session. Thoughts @MyRx?

That kind of sucks. I have 4(1 NCRC, Two Private, 1 SpeedSF)days, so I guess I could petition to have an instructor drive with me. By the time of the 86cup event in June(right?), Ill have done 8 or so, so we'll see.

Thanks for all the info.

[sw20kosh]

Originally Posted by Neal@EQtuning

That kind of sucks. I have 4(1 NCRC, Two Private, 1 SpeedSF)days, so I guess I could petition to have an instructor drive with me. By the time of the 86cup event in June(right?), Ill have done 8 or so, so we'll see.

Thanks for all the info.

Yes you should be in point by soon if you have 4 track days already.

[ddeflyer]

Originally Posted by sw20kosh

Yes you should be in point by soon if you have 4 track days already.

Well, at the same time don't try and rush to move up groups. As you go up people expect you to be paying more attention and be moving faster. This pressure can actually slow down your progression since you aren't focusing on skill development that much.

Conversely seeing how the faster drivers in a group take a corner can also be very informative (assuming you are skilled enough to absorb what they are doing) and helpful.

I guess what I am saying is move up because that is where you belong, not because you want to do the TT stuff.

[PMok]

Originally Posted by ddeflyer

Well, at the same time don't try and rush to move up groups. As you go up people expect you to be paying more attention and be moving faster. This pressure can actually slow down your progression since you aren't focusing on skill development that much.

Conversely seeing how the faster drivers in a group take a corner can also be very informative (assuming you are skilled enough to absorb what they are doing) and helpful.

I guess what I am saying is move up because that is where you belong, not because you want to do the TT stuff.

well said. I actually took my time and didn't ask to move up to the Point By group until I had about 10 events under my belt. At that point I felt I was ready and it was actually a pleasant surprise to find less traffic and better driver courtesy in the PB group. So glad I moved up, but didn't want to rush it until I felt ready.

[sw20kosh]

Which is why I recommended getting a ncrc instructor to ride along IF he had 4-5 days under his belt and he feels like it is time to get evaluated for PB.

[Bones36]

http://www.speedhunters.com/2015/03/...ast-track-day/

[FUN BRZ]

Been reading this thread lately and just got a few questions since I've never been on the track but would love the experience.

Is there like events/days specifically designed for us noobs?
Pretty much where we are separated to kinda have the track to ourselves at our own pace? Maybe something like a 30 second window between the cars. Or like "Instructional" track events?

Really curious! If I was a cat I think I'd be dead by now...

[xero404]

Originally Posted by Bones36

http://www.speedhunters.com/2015/03/...ast-track-day/

Made it on the front page . Knew these red ce28s would come In handy for rice points lol.

[xero404]

Originally Posted by FUN BRZ

Been reading this thread lately and just got a few questions since I've never been on the track but would love the experience.



Is there like events/days specifically designed for us noobs?

Pretty much where we are separated to kinda have the track to ourselves at our own pace? Maybe something like a 30 second window between the cars. Or like "Instructional" track events?



Really curious! If I was a cat I think I'd be dead by now...

Ncrc (the host group for 86cup) has a driver's school with an instructor for first timer. From mostly going to socal track days ncrc is a breath of fresh air as they are very professional and accommodating for all skill levels. Ive only run a handful of events with them and they are truly first class in safety for the drivers.

[acx23]

Your best bet is with NASA's HPDE Group 1 (http://nasanorcal.com/) for you can get an experience driver/instructor to sit with you and answer any questions you may have.

Originally Posted by FUN BRZ

Been reading this thread lately and just got a few questions since I've never been on the track but would love the experience.

Is there like events/days specifically designed for us noobs?
Pretty much where we are separated to kinda have the track to ourselves at our own pace? Maybe something like a 30 second window between the cars. Or like "Instructional" track events?

Really curious! If I was a cat I think I'd be dead by now...

[ddeflyer]

Originally Posted by FUN BRZ

Been reading this thread lately and just got a few questions since I've never been on the track but would love the experience.

Is there like events/days specifically designed for us noobs?
Pretty much where we are separated to kinda have the track to ourselves at our own pace? Maybe something like a 30 second window between the cars. Or like "Instructional" track events?

Really curious! If I was a cat I think I'd be dead by now...

Most organizers separate drivers by experience/skill to some degree. When we are talking about NCRC, this is what School/Solo/PointBy/Open/ARC run groups are about (these groups also have varying rules for passing beyond the speed and experience level of the drivers).

Beyond that, some organizations have varying levels of instruction given to new drivers. NCRC, from what I understand, tends to be fairly light on the instructional aspect (lead follow level of coaching in the school group) with coaches available for hire if you so choose. This is still more than some organizations such as GGLC (golden gate lotus club) which do very minimal levels of formalized instruction programs.

At the other end of the spectrum you have organizations that generally put an instructor/coach in the right seat for every session until you move up to the higher run groups (and longer if you ask). These organizations also tend to be slower to move drivers into other run groups. Organizations that are more like this are PCA, Audi, HOD, and BMW (I haven't actually run with BMW but everyone tells me they are pretty hardcore on the coaching).

My personal opinion is that you should really do your first couple of times with one of the more instruction oriented groups in order to have that coach in your right seat keeping you safe and helping you avoid alot of bad habits.

My favorite of the coaching heavy groups is HOD, but full disclosure, I am a coach for HOD.

[The Racers Line]

Originally Posted by ddeflyer

Well, at the same time don't try and rush to move up groups. As you go up people expect you to be paying more attention and be moving faster. This pressure can actually slow down your progression since you aren't focusing on skill development that much.

Conversely seeing how the faster drivers in a group take a corner can also be very informative (assuming you are skilled enough to absorb what they are doing) and helpful.

I guess what I am saying is move up because that is where you belong, not because you want to do the TT stuff.

I agree to a point. Im at a level where I think I belong in a faster group with NCRC, but I will let a professional decide. The issue I am running into, is that I am very observant of what's going on around me on the track, but a lot of guys in solo aren't, becuase they are inexperienced/distracted drivers. I get stuck behind people that don't look in their mirrors and don't understand that when you point by, you are supposed to let off. I just don't think that number of days at the track automatically corresponds to a safer/faster drive. I've seen plenty of experienced drivers do stupid things.

3 of the 4 events I have done now have been in either open passing, or optional point by, and I have done fine so far. I am being coached by an ex-professional superbike racer and 5+ year instructor for both motorcycles and cars that has helped me a lot. As long as I get a chance to show an NCRC instructor that I can be just as safe and keep up with the pace out there I will be happy. If he/she decides Im not ready, then I'll just have to keep practicing.

[ddeflyer]

Originally Posted by acx23

Your best bet is with NASA's HPDE Group 1 (http://nasanorcal.com/) for you can get an experience driver/instructor to sit with you and answer any questions you may have.

As I understand it (and I haven't actually done NASA events so this is second hand info), the NASA HPDE program is more oriented towards producing racers instead of track day junkies. As I understand it, choosing NASA vs. marquee clubs (when looking for groups with more instruction) really depends upon if you want to be doing wheel to wheel stuff later on or just doing laps.

[ddeflyer]

Originally Posted by Neal@EQtuning

I agree to a point. Im at a level where I think I belong in a faster group with NCRC, but I will let a professional decide. The issue I am running into, is that I am very observant of what's going on around me on the track, but a lot of guys in solo aren't, becuase they are inexperienced/distracted drivers. I get stuck behind people that don't look in their mirrors and don't understand that when you point by, you are supposed to let off. I just don't think that number of days at the track automatically corresponds to a safer/faster drive. I've seen plenty of experienced drivers do stupid things.

3 of the 4 events I have done now have been in either open passing, or optional point by, and I have done fine so far. I am being coached by an ex-professional superbike racer and 5+ year instructor for both motorcycles and cars that has helped me a lot. As long as I get a chance to show an NCRC instructor that I can be just as safe and keep up with the pace out there I will be happy. If he/she decides Im not ready, then I'll just have to keep practicing.

Just ask nicely and be humble. As long as your self evaluation isn't totally in left field then your checkout will go smoothly.



Also, don't be this guy :

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7iUKaPlBl8"]Trackday Comedy - FLAT OUT - YouTube[/ame]