Quote:
Originally Posted by FTS
Sorry, I did not see your post previously. If they don't have any driving record for you, they would start you off in Green group, but it would not be too difficult to move up if they realize you know how to handle yourself. Alternatively, if you have a driving record with another organization, say with BMW NCC, you can have their chief instructor provide a note and document your driving record to our club and they will take that into consideration.
Everyone is different of course, but partly my reason to switch primarily to running with the PCA was I wanted to drive solo after I learned how to drive at a decent level. Unfortunately, BMW club does not have such run groups. So, I started in the Green group with PCA, the first day I was promoted to Blue (still instructed) and later on to White (intermediate uninstructed) and so forth. I find it rewarding in many ways to be able to run without an instructor, and still have the option to request an instructor for one or more runs if I chose to do so.
I have to admit I had my reservations at the beginning running with bunch of people uninstructed, but once I get to know the club and drivers, I felt a lot more comfortable as the promotions are not easily obtained and there are multiple checks along the way to ensure no one is endangering others in uninstructed groups. Serious incidents, in my experience last 10 years with PCA, have been absent, but of course there are few people going 2 or 4-off here and there, that's DE IMO.
I think having a driving record with the PCA pays off in the mid- and long-term. Although I have tremendous respect for BMW club, their organization is really superb, they are a little too strict in their ways for my taste, and they do not have enough events. I still run with them from time to time, but PCA has plenty events in our region (I think approaching 11 or 12 now at several different tracks) that I do not miss not running with the BMW club too often. I do miss my friends there though, all superb people.
I hope I was able to answer your question.
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The points you make are not true of most BMWCCA chapters. I think you are referring to NCC.