Quote:
Originally Posted by M23
Tnks AZP.
Where do I sign up for my first track days for beginners? I want to start out with other very new beginners and not be mixed in with intermediate or better drivers. But I'm guessing these track days will be organized and they will group the drivers within their skill levels correct?
Do these beginners track day events include free beginner instructors? I read there are instructor fees for some instructors. But I think those are for more advanced and intermediate instruction correct? And beginner instruction is basically just to give the beginning drivers the basics like track etiquette and how everything at the track operates yes?
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Your info says SoCal so you probably want to aim for something at Buttonwillow. I would avoid Fontana (I've done the high banks, and while fun, you need to know what you are doing) and Big Willow (haven't gotten there yet but I hear it is a very fast track that can have alot of consequences). I haven't heard anything about streets of Willow or Horse thief mile but they might also work for a start (ask @CSGMike as he is from SoCal if you are interested in those). For which clubs you do the event with, I would look into the marquee clubs (BMW, Audi, PCA) as they generally still have really good instruction programs.
In NorCal we also have hooked on driving which is great for beginners but unless you are coming up to Laguna or T-Hill that wouldn't work.
As far as what they will teach you, the good clubs will have an instructor in the car to help you get through the first stage of driving on track and should also have some classroom sessions w/downloads after every on track session. You can expect to learn about basic track rules like flags, entering and exiting the track, passing and being passed, the school "line", car control (particularly smoothness), etc.
I would recommend staying away from the lower cost clubs until you are in AND passing people in a point-by class run group (ie. you should be able to safely pass people in a corner at speed). This is primarily to ensure that you have the skills and awareness to deal with more un-expected situations on track. 86s seems slow at first because they don't have monster power, but as you get better you will discover that they are really very, very fast machines capable of passing alot of people.
Edit: I am much more conservative on safety items and run group progression than most people. Your risk tolerance is your own choice so long as you stay within the expectations of the event organizer.