Which event organizer did you choose to drive/race with?

[ricardofors68]

Curious as to which organizations did you guys choose and why? I'm starting with NASA Mid Atlantic, Track Club USA as I'm just initially looking for seat time and getting to know the car and my lack of abilities.

[kyippee]

I liked NASA in the north east. Good focus on safety- required tech inspection when I was there. Didn't notice any shenanigans when I ran with them many years ago.

[Fitzpadj]

Originally Posted by ricardofors68

Curious as to which organizations did you guys choose and why? I'm starting with NASA Mid Atlantic, Track Club USA as I'm just initially looking for seat time and getting to know the car and my lack of abilities.

While NASA-MA may have less track time than some other clubs, you have the opportunity to climb their HPDE ladder and eventually go Time Trial or Racing. I never thought I would climb the ladder when I started but now I have been racing for years.

I have found every time I went to a club with "more time", that I ended up leaving early Sunday. There is only so much time you can spend on track, especially in the early stages. Personal experience. I definitely encourage you to try other clubs; I tried a bunch early on.

If you do end up making it out to a NASA-MA event, look for the Ford Gooseneck Trailer with a white E46 M3. (My E92 is for Autox/Daily driving). Typically with lots of BMW races at these NASA MA events you will have lots of highly experienced guys to pull info/suggestions from; maybe a couple beers too

[ricardofors68]

Fitzpadj, thank you and will look for you. My track weekends are very limited so I wanted quality over quantity and you confirmed what I've heard thru the grapevine about NASA. Glad I finally made a sensible decision.

[ThunderMoose]

NASA is my primary group. I also like Chin but as mentioned earlier I can only handle so much track time.

[aus]

For newbs, one of the best is BMWCCA.org.
Once you get going, most will leave for faster groups, but they're great to learn with.
.

[CorruptCommie]

PCA, BMWCCA, Chin. I don't do NASA events since I'm not interested in going TT yet. I like the other clubs better for HPDE, with Chin topping out the track time. I can't even handle the entire end of the day combined session.

[roastbeef]

i just go with the local, non-sanctioned groups.
one of the things i have been curious about is the bmw cca "laguna seca driving school", but i have a feeling it may be more than i want to spend.

[aus]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

i just go with the local, non-sanctioned groups.
one of the things i have been curious about is the bmw cca "laguna seca driving school", but i have a feeling it may be more than i want to spend.

Do you have any info on this Laguna Seca Drving school?

That track is crazy expensive to start with. The instructors get lunch and maybe a session a day with the CCA. I don't know if they still give them rooms anymore for 2 day events.
.

[roastbeef]

Originally Posted by aus

Do you have any info on this Laguna Seca Drving school?

That track is crazy expensive to start with. The instructors get lunch and maybe a session a day with the CCA. I don't know if they still give them rooms anymore for 2 day events.
.

I don't know too much yet, still need to investigate further to see if I can make it.

[ricardofors68]

Wow those Chin trackdays are more expensive than NASA!!

[admranger]

Originally Posted by aus

For newbs, one of the best is BMWCCA.org.
Once you get going, most will leave for faster groups, but they're great to learn with.
.

Agreed.

[bigjae1976]

Porsche Club is another good option. Some chapters are better than others, like BMWCCA. Usually the better DE orgs will be more crowded, have better instructors and less track time.

[CorruptCommie]

Originally Posted by ricardofors68

Wow those Chin trackdays are more expensive than NASA!!

Yep, but you also get 2x+ the track time. Dollar per minute it's probably one of the best.

[SYT_Shadow]

PCA, particularly Potomac, ARPCA. Great people.

For racing, AER. I like their 'run what you brung' mentality.

In the end, 'racing' is just like a HPDE with open passing or a well organized HPDE in the top run groups.

[Fitzpadj]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

PCA, particularly Potomac, ARPCA. Great people.

For racing, AER. I like their 'run what you brung' mentality.

In the end, 'racing' is just like a HPDE with open passing or a well organized HPDE in the top run groups.

Racing is NOT like an HPDE if you choose the right group (NASA or SCCA)

I do agree with you, AER/Chump/PCA are just advanced HPDEs. The Chump Guys get especially upset when you mention that to them.

[WarrantyTracker]

If you can get down to VIR with Tarheel BMW CCA, they have a two-day format & 4 sessions a day.

Founders Region PCA runs most of their programs at Summit Point, but they do Labor Day weekend at VIR every year too. Four sessions a day, and many of their HPDEs are 3-day weekends.

NCC BMW CCA has 3 weekends a year at Summit Point, all 2-day events with 4 sessions a day.

I have participated with all these clubs and they have very well-run HPDE programs and very good instruction.

[ricardofors68]

Lots of options that I wasn't aware of. I already put $$ down for an event with NASA. VIR, Summit, CMP, Dominion, all near me so plenty of asphalt to drive over. Thank you guys.