Hitting the Track in SoCal

JoB01 · 01-16-2008, 09:16 PM

Anyone familiar with the tracks in southern California? I've never raced on a track before, and I'd like to start getting into it (with the new M3). I'm going to be north of Edwards, in the Mojave and will probably be driving down to the track just north of LA... has anyone gone through the driving class there? is it worth it? What's the track like? Will the M3 be a fun drive on it?

Thanks in advance!

OC ///M · 01-17-2008, 02:39 PM

I've run at El Toro Marine Base...there's a temp track set up there...and the way the housing market's going, development will be stalled for a while... meaning more track time...

(the track's lease could be extended)

here's a tour...

sayemthree · 01-20-2008, 10:27 PM

BMW CCA puts on great events in the area at all the track. Willow springs, buttonwillow Cal speedway etc. with in car and classroom instruction.

I highly recommend it. Buttonwillow is a great track for beginners.

JoB01 · 01-21-2008, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sayemthree

BMW CCA puts on great events in the area at all the track. Willow springs, buttonwillow Cal speedway etc. with in car and classroom instruction.

I highly recommend it. Buttonwillow is a great track for beginners.

Thanks for the help, fellas. I'm about an hour drive away from Willow Springs, it seems, so I'll probably be doing most of my learning there... the website looks pretty awesome!

sayemthree · 01-22-2008, 02:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoB01

Thanks for the help, fellas. I'm about an hour drive away from Willow Springs, it seems, so I'll probably be doing most of my learning there... the website looks pretty awesome!

Dirving Concepts also does good schools in the region. they use mostly BMW CCA instructors too but its more exclusiv and usually one day mid-week. lots of porsches and ferraris there. both are good. have fun!!!!

Cingulus · 01-22-2008, 08:19 AM

When do the run at El Toro?

Hans Delbruck · 01-22-2008, 07:27 PM

I run with SpeedVentures.

http://www.speedventures.com

sayemthree · 01-23-2008, 12:24 AM

El Toro is more autocross. not a real track. BMW CCA is doing an Autocross at CAL speedway parking lot feb. 2, 2008.

!Xoible · 02-14-2008, 06:21 PM

u have more info on how to sign up for the El Toro thing? coz this is 10 min's from my place

Jinxter · 02-14-2008, 06:23 PM

if I had a track 10 mintues from my place....I'd probably be broke ahhaha

OC ///M · 02-14-2008, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mantis

u have more info on how to sign up for the El Toro thing? coz this is 10 min's from my place

The lease for the portion of the runway on the base is given to AMCI they in turn allow a few different groups like SCCA to use the runway when they are not testing cars there.

There's one coming up in march through SCCA. LINK

Cingulus · 02-16-2008, 09:35 PM

Is El Toro SCCA?

!Xoible · 02-16-2008, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OC kid

The lease for the portion of the runway on the base is given to AMCI they in turn allow a few different groups like SCCA to use the runway when they are not testing cars there.

There's one coming up in march through SCCA. LINK

thanks! i'll probably pass on the march one, coz my legs arent too fun on the track (no car until maybe May hahah)

OC ///M · 02-17-2008, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cingulus

Is El Toro SCCA?

El Toro is going to be a combination of homes, The Great Park, and some retail/commercial. Interim, a portion of the runway is being leased for use as a track.

Here's the deal:
Lennar owns the property. CBRE (CB Richard Ellis) manages it on their behalf. The track in use encompasses a portion of the old runway. It is leased to AMCI. They (AMCI) allow, or solicit, different groups, such as the SCCA to use the track space on occasion.

!Xoible · 02-17-2008, 08:46 PM

wow you know ur stuff pretty well... i guess there's a reason ur called OC Kid

sayemthree · 02-18-2008, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OC kid

El Toro is going to be a combination of homes, The Great Park, and some retail/commercial. Interim, a portion of the runway is being leased for use as a track.

Here's the deal:
Lennar owns the property. CBRE (CB Richard Ellis) manages it on their behalf. The track in use encompasses a portion of the old runway. It is leased to AMCI. They (AMCI) allow, or solicit, different groups, such as the SCCA to use the track space on occasion.

yep - but I heard thier plans are now on hold due to the housing market and economy.

OC ///M · 02-18-2008, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sayemthree

yep - but I heard thier plans are now on hold due to the housing market and economy.

You're about half-right.

Lennar and The City of Irvine/(The Great Park Design Studio) happen to be two of my clients.

The Great Park is still moving forward, albeit slowly. Lennar has us on stand-by only handling emergencies at the moment, while they decide if they are going to part it out or hold...

The trickle-down effects of the housing market troubles are still developing.

sayemthree · 02-26-2008, 01:40 AM

well I have it from an attorney that works for Lennar. its on hold - of course they want the City to beleive its moving alongs slowely. so the City wont sue them. oh yeah, they call that stand-by.

OC ///M · 02-26-2008, 09:52 PM

^ That's right Lennar is on hold, they recently fired a sh*tload of people too. The city/Great Park is still continuing to move forward...mostly design and polishing up the Orange balloon right now.

edit: I don't see any other SCCA dates coming up at El Toro other than March 29 & 30.

01-16-2008, 09:16 PM	#1
JoB01 Private First Class Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: CA Posts: 114 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 E90 M3 [0.00]	Hitting the Track in SoCal Anyone familiar with the tracks in southern California? I've never raced on a track before, and I'd like to start getting into it (with the new M3). I'm going to be north of Edwards, in the Mojave and will probably be driving down to the track just north of LA... has anyone gone through the driving class there? is it worth it? What's the track like? Will the M3 be a fun drive on it? Thanks in advance!
	Tweet

01-17-2008, 02:39 PM	#2
OC ///M Lieutenant Colonel Drives: SSII e92 M3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: So Cal Posts: 1,612 iTrader: (0)	I've run at El Toro Marine Base...there's a temp track set up there...and the way the housing market's going, development will be stalled for a while... meaning more track time... (the track's lease could be extended) here's a tour... __________________ OC ///M 2011 ZCP \| ED + PCD \| Akra Evo \| Brembo 380mm \| ESS Tuning Software \| Evosport Pulley \| Molded OEM Spoiler & Splitters \| Last edited by OC ///M; 02-10-2008 at 05:10 PM.

02-14-2008, 06:23 PM	#10
Jinxter Lieutenant Drives: 2008 BMW e92 M3 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Walnut Creek, California Posts: 490 iTrader: (0)	if I had a track 10 mintues from my place....I'd probably be broke ahhaha __________________

02-26-2008, 09:52 PM	#19
OC ///M Lieutenant Colonel Drives: SSII e92 M3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: So Cal Posts: 1,612 iTrader: (0)	^ That's right Lennar is on hold, they recently fired a shtload of people too. The city/Great Park is still continuing to move forward...mostly design and polishing up the Orange balloon right now. edit: I don't see any other SCCA dates coming up at El Toro other than March 29 & 30. __________________ OC ///M* 2011 ZCP \| ED + PCD \| Akra Evo \| Brembo 380mm \| ESS Tuning Software \| Evosport Pulley \| Molded OEM Spoiler & Splitters \| Last edited by OC ///M; 02-27-2008 at 01:58 AM.

01-20-2008, 10:27 PM	#3
sayemthree Brigadier General Drives: bmw Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: usa Posts: 4,846 iTrader: (0)	BMW CCA puts on great events in the area at all the track. Willow springs, buttonwillow Cal speedway etc. with in car and classroom instruction. I highly recommend it. Buttonwillow is a great track for beginners.

01-22-2008, 08:19 AM	#6
Cingulus Enlisted Member Drives: 2011 M3, 06 A3, 03 350Z TT, Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Temecula, CA Posts: 47 iTrader: (0)	When do the run at El Toro?

01-22-2008, 07:27 PM	#7
Hans Delbruck BMW & MB - friends in my garage Drives: C63, 135i, 1959 BUICK Join Date: May 2005 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 1,284 iTrader: (0)	I run with SpeedVentures. http://www.speedventures.com

01-23-2008, 12:24 AM	#8
sayemthree Brigadier General Drives: bmw Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: usa Posts: 4,846 iTrader: (0)	El Toro is more autocross. not a real track. BMW CCA is doing an Autocross at CAL speedway parking lot feb. 2, 2008.

02-14-2008, 06:21 PM	#9
!Xoible Banned Drives: .... Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: . Posts: 1,820 iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 M3 [3.50] 2007 335i [4.50] 2008 528i [4.00] 2006 Infiniti - G35 ... [4.00]	u have more info on how to sign up for the El Toro thing? coz this is 10 min's from my place

02-16-2008, 09:35 PM	#12
Cingulus Enlisted Member Drives: 2011 M3, 06 A3, 03 350Z TT, Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Temecula, CA Posts: 47 iTrader: (0)	Is El Toro SCCA?

02-17-2008, 08:46 PM	#15
!Xoible Banned Drives: .... Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: . Posts: 1,820 iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 M3 [3.50] 2007 335i [4.50] 2008 528i [4.00] 2006 Infiniti - G35 ... [4.00]	wow you know ur stuff pretty well... i guess there's a reason ur called OC Kid

02-26-2008, 01:40 AM	#18
sayemthree Brigadier General Drives: bmw Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: usa Posts: 4,846 iTrader: (0)	well I have it from an attorney that works for Lennar. its on hold - of course they want the City to beleive its moving alongs slowely. so the City wont sue them. oh yeah, they call that stand-by.