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      08-16-2012, 05:55 AM   #1
rzm3
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Arrow Hello Chicago!

Hey guys,

I will be moving to Chicago next month. Just wanted to see which race tracks you guys typically go to. Can't wait to track with y'all.

Cheers!
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      08-16-2012, 10:43 AM   #2
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Welcome to the region and my former hometown.

I'm a big fan of Autobahn CC in Joliet.

And this will be a bit more of a haul down and around the lake, but I also recommend Gingerman in South Haven, MI. If all goes well, it's probably a 2 hour drive from Chicago.

Hope to see you out there.
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      08-16-2012, 10:59 AM   #3
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^Which organizations typically run events at Autobahn? And how often?
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      08-16-2012, 11:59 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rldzhao View Post
^Which organizations typically run events at Autobahn? And how often?
Autobahn is a "Automotive Country Club" http://www.autobahncc.com/

Multiple local clubs have events, SCCA and NASA has events, There is always something going on every weekend.

Other tracks include: Road America, Blackhawk Farms, Gingerman.


Also be sure to check out the local M club site. ChitownM.com
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      08-16-2012, 01:20 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rldzhao View Post
^Which organizations typically run events at Autobahn? And how often?
Believe that this group has the most regular dates @ Autobahn: http://lapsincorporated.com/

MVP track time and Hooked on Driving also typically have 1-2 dates there/year.

Gingerman has quite a few open track days, as well as test and tune sessions in the evening. You can also run as an intermediate or advanced driver on any of the CGI Driving School dates for the price of a typical track day.

Short of an Autobahn CC membership, I think that Gingerman affords you the most available days out of any track in the region.
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      08-16-2012, 03:49 PM   #6
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What part of town are you moving to?

Re: tracks, MVP Track Time (http://mvptracktime.com/) runs really great events, and most of them are around Chicago. Here are the tracks I've run:

1. Road America – don’t think I could tell you much about it that you don’t already know. It’s clearly the stand-out in this group, but it’s about a 2.5 hr drive at reasonable speeds with no traffic.
2. Autobahn CC - about an hour drive from downtown. Great track – be sure to check whether the event you’re doing is running on the North course, South course, or the full track, which links the two.
3. Putnam Park – also about a 2 to 2.5 hr drive from downtown. Not really in the same league as RA and Autobahn, but it’s a fun, safe little track.
4. Gingerman – I put this in the same category as Putnam. Nice little track with a lot of events that are easy to jump aboard.
5. Blackhawk Farms – never run it, but I’m not dying to. Looks a little beat-up from the videos and pictures I’ve seen, but what do I know – I’ve never been.

Enjoy the city.
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      08-16-2012, 03:52 PM   #7
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Awesome, looking forward to seeing you on the track
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      08-16-2012, 03:52 PM   #8
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wow nice!! PM me when you get up here.
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      08-16-2012, 03:55 PM   #9
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Glad to have another track hound in the area
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      08-16-2012, 05:58 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rldzhao View Post
Hey guys,

I will be moving to Chicago next month. Just wanted to see which race tracks you guys typically go to. Can't wait to track with y'all.

Cheers!
Trader .............no seriously, good luck to you my friend. I'll miss my right hand man but Chi-Town will gain a great guy. Make sure to keep the passenger seat open for me. I'm often in Chi-Town and I'll definitely have to hook up with you once you get settled in................Phil
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Last edited by ///M Ryder; 08-17-2012 at 09:57 PM..
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      08-17-2012, 10:52 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brosef View Post
What part of town are you moving to?
Thanks for the info and I will be living just north of downtown.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nate@IND View Post
wow nice!! PM me when you get up here.
Will do!
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      08-18-2012, 09:39 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brosef View Post
What part of town are you moving to?

Re: tracks, MVP Track Time (http://mvptracktime.com/) runs really great events, and most of them are around Chicago. Here are the tracks I've run:

5. Blackhawk Farms – never run it, but I’m not dying to. Looks a little beat-up from the videos and pictures I’ve seen, but what do I know – I’ve never been.

Enjoy the city.
I've ridden this track many times on my motorcycle and it's a great track. But for cars it is a little on narrow side in terms of surface. Any major course corrections may result in at least 2 wheels in the grass.

Road America is a must. Huge, gorgeous track.

And if you are living in the city prepare to pull off any tints and mount a front plate. Chicago (and IL in general) suck for owning nice cars.
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      08-18-2012, 01:44 PM   #13
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What part of the city are you moving to? I am in Bucktown. I haven't had any issues for the "no front plate" yet and I drive and park all over the city.

Good luck on the move and settling into Chicago.
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      08-18-2012, 05:46 PM   #14
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Welcome to chitown! There's a ton of events around here if you look hard enough. feel free to PM me as I think I've run with most the groups around here.
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      08-20-2012, 09:26 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rldzhao View Post
^Which organizations typically run events at Autobahn? And how often?
I believe 1010th has the best price on autobahn.. The facility there is wonderful. The best track in chicago area I think.
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      08-20-2012, 11:50 PM   #16
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Nice move. Well done!

There are some great fellas up there and great tracks too! Have fun!



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      08-21-2012, 07:40 AM   #17
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Welcome to Chicago. If you need help with the city and need help moving around let us/me know. There are many things to do outside the track life.
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      08-21-2012, 09:08 AM   #18
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Whoa! Congrats on making the move back to Chicago!

We definitely need to meet up when you're in town!

Shoot me an email or PM when you get in.

I will be temporarily moving to MI for school/work but will be back and forth between States. I'll be living fairly close to Gingerman Raceway and Grattan so if you hit up those tracks, let me know.
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      08-21-2012, 02:34 PM   #19
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Welcome to Chicago! On the post earlier about tints, they just passed a law this year that does allow 35% tints all around (not on windshield). If you have the rear window tinted below 35% then you have to increase the fronts to 50%. Some might tell you that they still get harassed on tints though. As for front plates, that is a must, very likely you'll run into incidents without it from the police.
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      08-21-2012, 09:02 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by acevo8
Welcome to Chicago! On the post earlier about tints, they just passed a law this year that does allow 35% tints all around (not on windshield). If you have the rear window tinted below 35% then you have to increase the fronts to 50%. Some might tell you that they still get harassed on tints though. As for front plates, that is a must, very likely you'll run into incidents without it from the police.
Don't believe the tint law. It was a state law not a city and you'll still get a $250 ticket for it in chicago. Ask me how I know
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      08-21-2012, 11:35 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by klammer View Post
Don't believe the tint law. It was a state law not a city and you'll still get a $250 ticket for it in chicago. Ask me how I know
The tint law is fact, 35% all around or 50% on the front windows if you have privacy glass from the factory. If you got a ticket, all you had to do was request a court date and it would have been thrown out. Its a state law.

Also, I haven't ever had a front plate and I haven't gotten a ticket for it, a couple warnings though.

Other than Road America, Blackhawk is my favorite, definitely.
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      08-22-2012, 01:46 AM   #22
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Thanks for all your advice and welcome

Question: what's the next event you guys are going to?
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