HPDE: Where, When and Who With?

[Touge Monster]

Originally Posted by PMok

paid. hopefully see you guys on May 19!

Sweet should be fun

[DChan415]

How fast are you guys going through turn 8 at thunderhill? Do you just let off the gas a little or do you tap the brakes before turning in?

[PMok]

I definitely tap the brakes ... but I'm chicken.

[Doborder]

tough not to tap the brakes... but I am getting to the point where I don't hit the brakes but definitely lift

[AyJay]

No brakes used after 6 til the entry of 9. Speeds prolly in the low to mid 90s thru turn but I wasn't really paying attn to the speedo in the fr-s. I'm basing my estimation of the speeds i get thru turn 8 in my s2000 when i glance at speedo around 8's runoff.

[DChan415]

Originally Posted by AyJay

No brakes used after 6 til the entry of 9. Speeds prolly in the low to mid 90s thru turn but I wasn't really paying attn to the speedo in the fr-s. I'm basing my estimation of the speeds i get thru turn 8 in my s2000 when i glance at speedo around 8's runoff.

So are you lifting a little?

I'm flat out in my miata but havent had the balls to do it in the brz yet. Stock Michelins still.

[AyJay]

Originally Posted by DChan415

So are you lifting a little?

I'm flat out in my miata but havent had the balls to do it in the brz yet. Stock Michelins still.

I do lift briefly approaching 8 to transfer weight forward for turn in but I'm back on the gas as I apex the inside of 8. I actually find it hard not to lift because I'm redlining 4th gear right before 8 in my s2000 and I don't want to shift. If memory serves the fr-s is the same way.

[BigFatFlip]

Anybody have any experience with Speed ventures (http://speedventures.com/)? Just wondering since I was interested in signing up for Infineon and never heard of this group.

[AyJay]

Speedventures got wildly popular down in SoCal for offering days at Willow Springs, Buttonwillow, ACS, etc. They also have some pretty successful 1 make "challenge" series at their events for people that want to compete. Looks like they are trying to work their way north.

Personally, I like to support the local NorCal folks like NCRC, Trackmasters, etc. I see that Trackmasters is prolly working in conjunction with Speedventures for the May 23,24,25 days @ Sonoma as they both have the same dates on their sites.

Truthfully, I usually try to avoid Speedventures whenever possible. I hear they put on a great event but they also did one of the dirtiest examples of money talks I've seen recently. They are a sponsor of s2ki's racing sub forum and b*tched and moaned to the admins until they had threads about competitor "challenge" series and track days removed. Essentially, they bought and censored the content of the racing sub forum and turned alot of us NorCal'ers off since we couldn't even say NCRC Chrono series over there anymore.

[BigFatFlip]

Yeah, good experiences with hooked on driving and trackmasters, heard good things about NCRC, but I have heard some horror stories on some of the lesser known ones... I probably try with those other groups first, really need to start earning those track outline stickers

[orthojoe]

TMR, HOD, and NCRC are who I trust and run with.

I've heard good things about Golden Gate lotus club.
PCA is full of porcupines
NASA crams it in way too tight
I saw a 'promo' vid from Grip drift skid and said "hell no, never" after watching it
CFRA is supposed to be good too, but limited events and by invitation only

Anyone going to be at Sonoma on May 24th or 25th?

[oofie]

Originally Posted by orthojoe

TMR, HOD, and NCRC are who I trust and run with.

I've heard good things about Golden Gate lotus club.
PCA is full of porcupines
NASA crams it in way too tight
I saw a 'promo' vid from Grip drift skid and said "hell no, never" after watching it
CFRA is supposed to be good too, but limited events and by invitation only

Anyone going to be at Sonoma on May 24th or 25th?

Who's running in Sonoma on the 24th and 25th? Too bad as I'm going to SoCal that weekend

So even if you have a Porsche, you dont like the PCA group here?

[orthojoe]

Originally Posted by oofie

Who's running in Sonoma on the 24th and 25th? Too bad as I'm going to SoCal that weekend

So even if you have a Porsche, you dont like the PCA group here?

I'll be there both days. BRZ on the 24th.

Yup. Not a fan of their people. Very rude to non p-car owners. 'Instructor status' is a total joke. Not interested in playing games and politics.

[kster1]

Thought I'd say hello in this thread. I just bought my BRZ yesterday from Carlsen Subaru. I'll be out at the track with it in the fall (I usually skip summer events due to the hot weather).

I've been doing HPDEs for the last 10 years or so. Some of the clubs I've gone with and my honest opinions that I'm sure some will disagree with:
NCRC: Good overall experience but can be hit and miss (maybe due to the low price?).
TMR: I didn't have a good experience with this. They didn't respond to pre-event e-mails and complaints regarding lack of point-bys (on track) seem to go ignored.
CFRA and PDC: Good clubs but by referral only.
Speed Ventures: Done events with them at Buttonwillow and been happy.
Grip Drift Skip: I did one event with them. Went okay but it was limited track time due to the short sessions and people going off.
GG Lotus Club: Lots of track time but not for the beginner.
HOD: Expensive but good for the novice who needs more introduction to the hobby.
BMWCCA: Similar to the HOD model, expensive but good for the novice who needs more hand holding.
TEAM Racing: loved them but Bonni closed shop.