Buttonwillow Performance Driving Clinic Review (+photos)

[thorny]

I've been contemplating my first track day for quite some time. Finally, the big day has some and I can tell you - this was the most fun I had with the car, ever!

For my first track experience I chose to attend Performance Driving Clinic held 3 times a year at Buttonwillow Raceway. Some people say that the clinic provides too little track time and it is all strictly controlled. I can tell you, I had more track time than I wanted, and their approach is great for beginners and even for some folks who had a few track days under their belt. They did 15-20 minute track sessions and then equal or less time classroom lessons. We had an opportunity to drive with instructors and they pointed out a lot of mistakes that I was making. I learnt the track (counterclockwise) and my driving got 100 times smoother than it was in the beginning.

My car is pretty much stock, all I did in preparation for the event was to install StopTech Performance brake pads, StopTech SS brake lines and Motul 600 fluid. Car held up very well, I had no issues with my brakes at all, the track had two really heavy breaking zones from about 125 MPH. I did not experience any power steering fluid leaks under the hood. I burned my tires a little bit at the skid pad exercise.
I was amazed how easy our cars to control when sliding, the skid is very predictable and very neutral!

Can't wait to do it again!

[klammer]

Awesome. Once you go track you never go back:thumbsup

[THE TECH]

Looks like a good time!

[spdy330]

I went on Saturday to watch my friends. I believe klammer statement and that is the reason I will just watch others. Tracking is defiantly an experience and the ultimate fun but at a price tag. Be prepared to have a hole in your pocket

Sean aka persian54 took me on 3 laps and all I can say is wow!

Glad you had fun and just be safe out there and watch out for the people around you.

I am looking forward to watching everyone at the track again in the near future.

[GOLFFRR]

sweet

[thorny]

Originally Posted by spdy330

I went on Saturday to watch my friends. I believe klammer statement and that is the reason I will just watch others. Tracking is defiantly an experience and the ultimate fun but at a price tag. Be prepared to have a hole in your pocket

Sean aka persian54 took me on 3 laps and all I can say is wow!

Glad you had fun and just be safe out there and watch out for the people around you.

I am looking forward to watching everyone at the track again in the near future.

I've been spectating motorsports since as far back as I can remember, I love doing it and will certainly continue on. But doing it on your own gives a totally different perspective on racing. It certainly comes at a price tag, but everything else does too, heck a weekend of skiing at Mammoth cost me just as much if not more with all the hotels, lift tickets, fine dining and other bs. You can do a ton of HPDE events in a stock car at a cost of a full Akrapovich exhaust, etc.

Well, if you put her into the wall - it is a different story. LOL!

cheers!

[thorny]

Originally Posted by klammer

Awesome. Once you go track you never go back:thumbsup

[OC3]

Did they have you go thru car/skid control on this particular PDC?

[thorny]

Originally Posted by OC3

Did they have you go thru car/skid control on this particular PDC?

Yep. That's why that tire looks the way it is I wish they wet it a little

[Kenny@VS]

Originally Posted by klammer

Awesome. Once you go track you never go back:thumbsup

Well Said!! All ways good to see more people going the track! I'm sure your car thanks you two.