Track days / HPDE / Cup in the North East
 

What are the places to go in the NE for track experience? (Not Auto-X). Seems just a few at the first glance. There are a few clubs active, but mostly events take place on weekdays which is not always great. I asked same question in the NY/NJ forum, but seems not so much activity there..

So far I signed up to drive on Mar 22 with SCDA at Lime Rock Park and on Mar 29 with Hooked on Driving at NJMP - Lightning. Anyone else in?

Also is there anything like the 86 cup with regular competitive events, which I guess is it active only in California?

Associations, clubs and alike:
http://nasane.com/
http://www.scda1.com/
http://www.hookedondriving.com/hooke...gion/Northeast

Tracks:
Watkins Glen International (my favorite) https://www.theglen.com/
New Jersey Motorsports Park (NJMP) http://www.njmp.com/
Lime Rock Park http://www.limerock.com/
Pocono Raceway http://www.poconoraceway.com/
New York Safety Track http://www.nyst.com/

I signed up for:
4/28-29 WGI with NASA
5/17-18 NJMP with NASA
7/7-8 WGI with SCDA

The Boston BMWCCA is a really active club and they put on a very good HPDE program. I've moved through several different regions of NASA but so far the Boston BMW Club is by far the best; their instruction is awesome and they have a very fair system. They visit: Lime Rock, Mt Tremblant, Watkins Glen, NHMS and the new Thompson Speedway

NASA Northeast for weekend events. I've been an instructor there for 10+ years.

Also we are running a private track day at NJMP as well June 9th.

-Mike Paisan

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Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Enthusiasts since 2001.
Like us on Facebook! | E-mail: sales@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.AZP1 (2971) |AIM: AZP Installs
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Thanks guys, I just signed up for NASA membership) :thanks:

Since I haven't done any events with them yet, which run group would they allow me to start at? And how are the groups overall in terms of pace? I have 3 years experience of track days and time trials back home (I just moved to US), and by comparing my experience to NASA's description I'd go for HPDE 3 (not 4 since the track is new for me).


Also an :offtopic: question: where in the area can I find a decent brick and mortar shop to get a helmet, shoes, gloves (I prefer to try these things, so not online), also transponder, tire pressure gauge, and other small things?

I see you are in NY, you will want to hit up Stable Energies located in Garfield, NJ. Talk to Brian Casella there (his dad is the regional director for NASA Northeast as well) and they have all the stuff to try on and buy on site.

Signup for HPDE3 and go from there. I'm an official and one of the original NASA Northeast members so shoot me a message if you have any questions about NASA.

Also June 9th we have a very private track day if you are interested. http://AZPTrackEvents.com

-Mike Paisan

http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/153798190.jpg
Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Enthusiasts since 2001.
Like us on Facebook! | E-mail: sales@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.AZP1 (2971) |AIM: AZP Installs
"Race Tested, Enthusiast Approved!"

NASA runs time trials: http://nasane.com/time-trials-2/ and the rules are here: https://www.nasaproracing.com/rules/...rial_rules.pdf. They're fun, they're competitive, and it's a great group of people who will be only too happy to have you join them.

COM Sports Car Club also runs time trials - they've got a class for everybody:

- Rules: http://www.comscc.org/rules/rulebook...2014-Rules.pdf
- Car Classing Spreadsheet: http://www.comscc.org/rules/rulebook...v2_0_rev3.xlsx
- 2014 Schedule: http://www.comscc.org/events/ (this schedule is incomplete at this time; there should be one or two more events added to it before too long)

COM is similar to NASA in that it's a great group of drivers who know how to have fun while driving very fast. The early July relay race is always a terrific experience.

Note: the COM website can be a bit of a challenge the first time you try to navigate it - if you need any help, PM me and I'll walk you through it.

Schattenbaum PCA: http://www.schattenbaum.org/DriverEd.aspx
-NJMP (Lightning & Thunder)
-Summit Point

BMW CCA: http://njbmwcca.motorsportreg.com/
-NJMP (Lightning & Thunder)
-Summit Point
-Shenandaoh

If you just goto https://www.motorsportreg.com/index.cfm/event/calendar, select driver school, and type in your zip that might be easier.

Cool. That's just half an hour drive from my place, I should check it out.

I'll try to make it to the event, though it's Monday so it really depends. I need more track time.

The schedule looks interesting (for both). Will pencil it in. Just wondering, Boston and NJ BMWCCA are independent?

Thanks, also signed up for it. Looks super useful. Also seems like not all the clubs and events are there, more like 80%, which is still a lot.

So I'm in for HPDE with them first, let's see how it goes. I read one needs to be in HPDE 4 and to spend some time on the track with them, which is totally valid.

:w00t:

Correct. The BMWCCA is the national association but each individual region is separate in how they run things.....

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

I think no one mentioned Monticello Motor Club (I just found randomly browsing):
http://www.monticellomotorclub.com/#track

Anyone knows it? What's it like?

Send me a PM. I am one of the Chief Instructors for NASA NE. I think you already emailed Joe Casella about this but I want to make sure this is who I think it is.
You should do a group 2 session with an evaluation and we will make adjustments as required.

Monticello is a private club but it is possible to get in with certain clubs. Nice place.

Yep, this was me :) Will PM you

PCA is the way to go if you want to save some $$. Very well organized events with a lot of time on track. Shattenbaum is my go to club. Absolutely love running with those guys.

I would also add:
NNJR PCA - NJMP, Summit, Watkins, Mid-Ohio, Mosport, Pocono
Delaware PCA - NJMP
Potomac PCA - NJMP, VIR, Summit, Watkins

All of the details can be found on motorsportreg.com

I was very happy with my experience with Schattenbaum. Like Yodr stated, they are very organized, friendly, and truly willing to help you hone your skills. I've found them to also be one of the cheapest around the area at around $300 for 2 day events. I think i penciled in April for Summit Point with Schattenbaum PCA, but might need to change it to Sept with BMW CCA. I'll def be going to the Nov 1-2 at NJMP Thunder with Schattenbaum so hopefully I'll see some of you there.

It's a private club, $125K membership fee. :)

It's an ok track if you can find a club that runs there.

-mike

Forgot to add another great PCA group:
RTR PCA (Riesentöter) - they also run Watkins, Pocono, NJMP and Summit.

Does anyone know if there are shops around NYC that offer free (or inexpensive) pre- track day inspections? The thing is that while most clubs are fine with self inspection and don't require that it's carried out by a real shop, PCA - Allegheny actually does require it. And I'm thinking about going with them to Watkins Glen on May 10-11.

Chin Motorsports will be at the Glen May 20-21. Half hour sessions with three run groups plus a combined group at the end of the day.

http://www.chinmotorsports.com/

Get in touch with us. We are 20 min from holland tunnel and we help you out. Always glad to see more folks going to the track.

Maybe you will even sign up for our day too.

Mike