Tracks in SF Area?

MaxL · 11-07-2012, 06:06 PM

I am contemplating a move to San Francisco, and I was wondering about what tracks are close enough to SF to drive for a weekend (and that are good enough). We are rather spoiled here with premier tracks like Watkins Glen, Mosport, Circuilt Le mont Tremblant, Mid Ohio and Calabogie - all within a reasonable drive. So how are things for those who live in Bay Area? I know Laguna Seca is supposedly awesome, but what about others? How is tracking scene in general?

djantlive · 11-07-2012, 07:09 PM

Thunderhill, Laguna Seca, Infineon are the 3 near by tracks. Spring willow is further in central CA.

dagolfpro · 11-07-2012, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djantlive

Thunderhill, Laguna Seca, Infineon are the 3 near by tracks. Spring willow is further in central CA.

+1

You can check the following sites as there are many track events.

http://www.motorsportreg.com/

http://www.nasaproracing.com/

http://www.ncracing.org/

http://trackmasters-racing.com/

http://www.ggcbmwcca.org/

you can also check out manufactures that holds track events as well. I did ran Thunderhill last month with Lotus club and we only had 30 cars total. So, only about 15 cars on the track at once.

IL8Apex · 11-08-2012, 01:02 PM

Moving to CA? Don't do it. The state is broke, our taxes just increased with the recent election, and the welfare state just gets worse. I'm leaving within the next year.

But I digress. The tracks in NorCal just don't compare to what's available in the Midwest or in your case Toronto. Laguna is decent, Infineon is alright, Thunderhill is very average. That's pretty much all you got around here.

Compared to what's available around you, and I've done them all, there is no comparison. Mid-Ohio is world-class. My favorite track in the US is Road America, which is still fairly accessible to you. Watkins and Mosport are both better than Infineon in my opinion. Even Gingerman in MI is quite charming.

Hope this helps.

r53s65e90 · 11-08-2012, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IL8Apex

Moving to CA? Don't do it. The state is broke, our taxes just increased with the recent election, and the welfare state just gets worse. I'm leaving within the next year.

But I digress. The tracks in NorCal just don't compare to what's available in the Midwest or in your case Toronto. Laguna is decent, Infineon is alright, Thunderhill is very average. That's pretty much all you got around here.

Compared to what's available around you, and I've done them all, there is no comparison. Mid-Ohio is world-class. My favorite track in the US is Road America, which is still fairly accessible to you. Watkins and Mosport are both better than Infineon in my opinion. Even Gingerman in MI is quite charming.

Hope this helps.

Good points. However, this is what the paddock at Laguna Seca looked like last weekend (11/3-11/4). Temps in the high 70s.

IL8Apex · 11-08-2012, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by r53s65e90

Temps in the high 70s.

Touche. You can't beat the weather in NorCal in Oct/Nov.

tightie · 11-08-2012, 02:51 PM

Drive down and come with us. Tons of M3s come out!

MaxL · 11-08-2012, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IL8Apex

Moving to CA? Don't do it. The state is broke, our taxes just increased with the recent election, and the welfare state just gets worse. I'm leaving within the next year.

But I digress. The tracks in NorCal just don't compare to what's available in the Midwest or in your case Toronto. Laguna is decent, Infineon is alright, Thunderhill is very average. That's pretty much all you got around here.

Compared to what's available around you, and I've done them all, there is no comparison. Mid-Ohio is world-class. My favorite track in the US is Road America, which is still fairly accessible to you. Watkins and Mosport are both better than Infineon in my opinion. Even Gingerman in MI is quite charming.

Hope this helps.

Even though it's a very informative summary, It does not help at all

. I am not that eager to move, but I will likely have to, for work.

I'm fine with driving to So Cal or even Nevada - anything interesting there? If not, that's definitely a business opportunity.

MaxL · 11-08-2012, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IL8Apex

Touche. You can't beat the weather in NorCal in Oct/Nov.

Two of my track days this year were at below freezing temps, so I can definitely appreciate warmer weather.

scubasewj · 11-08-2012, 05:17 PM

If you're willing to drive to socal there a handful more tracks:

Autoclub Speedway, Buttonwillow, Willow Springs, Streets of Willow.

Z K · 11-08-2012, 06:18 PM

There is also Reno Fernley Raceway. About 4 hour drive from San Francisco. Further than the 3 tracks near SF but a lot closer than driving to SoCal. I drove it once about 10 years ago when it was still under development. Should be nicer now. Blasting through the Tahoe mountain roads on the way there and back is also a blast.

http://www.renofernleyracetrack.com/

11-07-2012, 06:06 PM	#1
MaxL Captain Drives: M3 e90 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 834 iTrader: (0)	Tracks in SF Area? I am contemplating a move to San Francisco, and I was wondering about what tracks are close enough to SF to drive for a weekend (and that are good enough). We are rather spoiled here with premier tracks like Watkins Glen, Mosport, Circuilt Le mont Tremblant, Mid Ohio and Calabogie - all within a reasonable drive. So how are things for those who live in Bay Area? I know Laguna Seca is supposedly awesome, but what about others? How is tracking scene in general? __________________ Running a business is like driving on a race track - My Blog
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11-08-2012, 01:02 PM	#4
IL8Apex Private Drives: 2009 E92 M3 DCT, 1999 E36 M3 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: The Penn, CA Posts: 88 iTrader: (2)	Moving to CA? Don't do it. The state is broke, our taxes just increased with the recent election, and the welfare state just gets worse. I'm leaving within the next year. But I digress. The tracks in NorCal just don't compare to what's available in the Midwest or in your case Toronto. Laguna is decent, Infineon is alright, Thunderhill is very average. That's pretty much all you got around here. Compared to what's available around you, and I've done them all, there is no comparison. Mid-Ohio is world-class. My favorite track in the US is Road America, which is still fairly accessible to you. Watkins and Mosport are both better than Infineon in my opinion. Even Gingerman in MI is quite charming. Hope this helps. __________________ 2009 E92 M3 / DCT / AW / Black Extended / Akrapovic / Dinan Stage I + Camber Plates / BBS CH-R / Valentine One by Alekshop

11-08-2012, 02:51 PM	#7
tightie JOSH SHOKRI. Drives: 2013 E92 Coupe. Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: los angeles, california. Posts: 4,819 iTrader: (7) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [3.85]	Drive down and come with us. Tons of M3s come out! __________________ Speed District >> Past: 08 6MT E92 Matte Blue Gintani Supercharged - Present: 13 DCT E92 California Members Speed District M3 Track Days: May 31, 2012 @ Willow Springs Raceway (Road Course)

11-08-2012, 05:17 PM	#10
scubasewj Private Drives: '09 E92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: San Francisco Posts: 78 iTrader: (1)	If you're willing to drive to socal there a handful more tracks: Autoclub Speedway, Buttonwillow, Willow Springs, Streets of Willow. __________________ 100 WHP M Floor Mats \| ESS VT2-600 Supercharger \| Arkapovic Evo Exhaust \| KW V3 \| 19 inch BBS CH-R \| Vorshlag Camber Plates \| Arkym CF Lip/Rear Diffuser \| Front/Rear Cam \| 6NR Upgrade Coming Soon: Brembo BBK \| M Performance CF Spoiler \| TE-37SL on Nitto NT01

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11-07-2012, 07:09 PM	#2
djantlive Private Drives: E46 Vert Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 62 iTrader: (0)	Thunderhill, Laguna Seca, Infineon are the 3 near by tracks. Spring willow is further in central CA.

11-08-2012, 06:18 PM	#11
Z K Major Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Francisco Posts: 1,240 iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 BMW E90 M3 [0.00]	There is also Reno Fernley Raceway. About 4 hour drive from San Francisco. Further than the 3 tracks near SF but a lot closer than driving to SoCal. I drove it once about 10 years ago when it was still under development. Should be nicer now. Blasting through the Tahoe mountain roads on the way there and back is also a blast. http://www.renofernleyracetrack.com/