PCA Summit Point HPDE, April 5-6

[FTS]

We hope to see our Bimmer friends at our Founders Region's season opener at Summit Point Main circuit. April 5-6 (two day event), $285 for students, 5 run groups.

https://www.motorsportreg.com/index....6#.UvmWP0JdW2k

Cheers,

[bkrM3]

The DelVal CCA chapter is going to be there the same weekend, running the newly-expanded Jefferson Circuit.

Were you guys the lucky ones who booked the skid pad first? I'll let you slide my M around it if I can get on for a few minutes

[FTS]

LOL, yes we have the old skid pad, the new one should be available though. Actually the skid pad is run for us by the BMW NCC folks, and they do a great job. The skid pad is not mandatory in our format, first come first serve

btw, you can see the new Jefferson's ariel photos here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/0llg0woo2w1dscf/zkc-jco4OO, if you haven't already. Best of luck and have fun.

[bkrM3]

Originally Posted by FTS

LOL, yes we have the old skid pad, the new one should be available though. Actually the skid pad is run for us by the BMW NCC folks, and they do a great job. The skid pad is not mandatory in our format, first come first serve

btw, you can see the new Jefferson's ariel photos here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/0llg0woo2w1dscf/zkc-jco4OO, if you haven't already. Best of luck and have fun.

Thanks! It's actually my birthday that weekend. Being at the track is about the best present I can think of

I believe I heard (but hope I'm wrong) that DelVal won't be able to run the new Jeff skid pad because of its location smack in the middle of what will be a hot track for almost the entire weekend. Bummer. Have you seen the video running the new layout? https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152175679666282 Very excited to try it.

Sorry for jacking your thread!!!

[FTS]

I think it would be better for you to celebrate your birthday on the main circuit, don't you think? Faster and longer track, better surface, faster cars, all the skid pad you may want and cheaper! It is a no brainer if you ask me

[bkrM3]

Originally Posted by FTS

I think it would be better for you to celebrate your birthday on the main circuit, don't you think? Faster and longer track, better surface, faster cars, all the skid pad you may want and cheaper! It is a no brainer if you ask me

Sounds like fun but I'm eager to try the new Jefferson layout. I have a Summit Main event planned for July. Thanks though!

[lutfy]

Thanks for the props. I'll be there. Signed up to instruct with you guys. Last time had a blast as majority of the cars out there "move".

Lutfy

[FTS]

Originally Posted by lutfy

Thanks for the props. I'll be there. Signed up to instruct with you guys. Last time had a blast as majority of the cars out there "move".

Lutfy

Facts are facts, you guys really do great job. I am looking forward to spending more time on the skid pad myself. See you there

[WarrantyTracker]

I'm torn, but I signed up with Del Val for April at the Jefferson again. It's becoming a rite of spring.

I have you folks in mind for July at Summit and August at VIR, if you are willing to have me. I've heard that you will start me in novice for at least the first weekend, no?

[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.

[Estoril Blue]

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.

The points you make are not true of most BMWCCA chapters. I think you are referring to NCC.

[SR-71]

If I were to register, how would the tech inspection be completed as I am down in the Hampton Roads area?

[FTS]

Originally Posted by Estoril Blue

The points you make are not true of most BMWCCA chapters. I think you are referring to NCC.

Yes, you are correct I am referring to NCC; I should have not generalized it to the entire BMW club, I just know NCC, I apologize.

Originally Posted by SR-71

If I were to register, how would the tech inspection be completed as I am down in the Hampton Roads area?

There are two ways:

1. A week prior to the event, we host a tech inspection session, free of charge, you can bring your car and we'll inspect and sign your form for attendance.
   
2. You can download the tech form yourself, take to any shop you trust and they'll do the inspection (Porsche dealers generally perform it for free, but I don't know about BMW dealers), and they'll sign and stamp their shop's name and contact and you'll just bring it to the event.

The schedule and location of tech inspections, as well as the tech form, can be found here.

[FTS]

Yesterday we had some skidpad exercise trying to get ready for the season after a long winter sleep, we definitely need more practice before April :

[FTS]

We now have 142 total registrations, 16 BMWs and 13 of them M3s

Thank you all, I will make sure to stop by and say hello to all.

[DB]

Originally Posted by FTS

We now have 142 total registrations, 16 BMWs and 13 of them M3s

I am one of the M3s. My friend with an e46 is another. Love PCA events. This is the first time for both of us with your region. Looking forward to it!

[FTS]

Superb. I was hoping for more GT cars, there are more M3s than GT3s this event which is unusual. Is your's a 2008 M3? I hope we'll get to meet.

cheers,

[DB]

Originally Posted by FTS

Superb. I was hoping for more GT cars, there are more M3s than GT3s this event which is unusual. Is your's a 2008 M3? I hope we'll get to meet.

cheers,

Yes. A white 2008 sedan.

[FTS]

We are up to 178 entries, 25 BMWs, 18 M3s Going to be a superb weekend. Thank you to all for attending.

[WarrantyTracker]

Here's an inspection question for you:

The club is holding an inspection session on Saturday, starting at 9 am.

I need to be home by 10am to take the kids to a soccer tournament, which means I would need to leave the inspection site by 9:30.

If I show up early, do I have a chance of getting in the front of the line and getting out fast? Do people typically wander into these things on the late side?

TIA!

[FTS]

if you are early, I am pretty sure you'll be out by 9:30, but miss the pizza party later on