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      11-07-2012, 05:06 PM   #1
MaxL
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Tracks in SF Area?

I am contemplating a move to San Francisco, and I was wondering about what tracks are close enough to SF to drive for a weekend (and that are good enough). We are rather spoiled here with premier tracks like Watkins Glen, Mosport, Circuilt Le mont Tremblant, Mid Ohio and Calabogie - all within a reasonable drive. So how are things for those who live in Bay Area? I know Laguna Seca is supposedly awesome, but what about others? How is tracking scene in general?
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      11-07-2012, 06:09 PM   #2
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Thunderhill, Laguna Seca, Infineon are the 3 near by tracks. Spring willow is further in central CA.
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      11-07-2012, 10:12 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by djantlive View Post
Thunderhill, Laguna Seca, Infineon are the 3 near by tracks. Spring willow is further in central CA.
+1

You can check the following sites as there are many track events.

http://www.motorsportreg.com/

http://www.nasaproracing.com/

http://www.ncracing.org/

http://trackmasters-racing.com/

http://www.ggcbmwcca.org/

you can also check out manufactures that holds track events as well. I did ran Thunderhill last month with Lotus club and we only had 30 cars total. So, only about 15 cars on the track at once.
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      11-08-2012, 12:02 PM   #4
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Moving to CA? Don't do it. The state is broke, our taxes just increased with the recent election, and the welfare state just gets worse. I'm leaving within the next year.

But I digress. The tracks in NorCal just don't compare to what's available in the Midwest or in your case Toronto. Laguna is decent, Infineon is alright, Thunderhill is very average. That's pretty much all you got around here.

Compared to what's available around you, and I've done them all, there is no comparison. Mid-Ohio is world-class. My favorite track in the US is Road America, which is still fairly accessible to you. Watkins and Mosport are both better than Infineon in my opinion. Even Gingerman in MI is quite charming.

Hope this helps.
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      11-08-2012, 12:28 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IL8Apex View Post
Moving to CA? Don't do it. The state is broke, our taxes just increased with the recent election, and the welfare state just gets worse. I'm leaving within the next year.

But I digress. The tracks in NorCal just don't compare to what's available in the Midwest or in your case Toronto. Laguna is decent, Infineon is alright, Thunderhill is very average. That's pretty much all you got around here.

Compared to what's available around you, and I've done them all, there is no comparison. Mid-Ohio is world-class. My favorite track in the US is Road America, which is still fairly accessible to you. Watkins and Mosport are both better than Infineon in my opinion. Even Gingerman in MI is quite charming.

Hope this helps.
Good points. However, this is what the paddock at Laguna Seca looked like last weekend (11/3-11/4). Temps in the high 70s.
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      11-08-2012, 12:57 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by r53s65e90 View Post
Temps in the high 70s.
Touche. You can't beat the weather in NorCal in Oct/Nov.
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      11-08-2012, 01:51 PM   #7
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      11-08-2012, 03:37 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IL8Apex View Post
Moving to CA? Don't do it. The state is broke, our taxes just increased with the recent election, and the welfare state just gets worse. I'm leaving within the next year.

But I digress. The tracks in NorCal just don't compare to what's available in the Midwest or in your case Toronto. Laguna is decent, Infineon is alright, Thunderhill is very average. That's pretty much all you got around here.

Compared to what's available around you, and I've done them all, there is no comparison. Mid-Ohio is world-class. My favorite track in the US is Road America, which is still fairly accessible to you. Watkins and Mosport are both better than Infineon in my opinion. Even Gingerman in MI is quite charming.

Hope this helps.
Even though it's a very informative summary, It does not help at all . I am not that eager to move, but I will likely have to, for work.

I'm fine with driving to So Cal or even Nevada - anything interesting there? If not, that's definitely a business opportunity.
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      11-08-2012, 03:39 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IL8Apex View Post
Touche. You can't beat the weather in NorCal in Oct/Nov.
Two of my track days this year were at below freezing temps, so I can definitely appreciate warmer weather.
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      11-08-2012, 04:17 PM   #10
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If you're willing to drive to socal there a handful more tracks:

Autoclub Speedway, Buttonwillow, Willow Springs, Streets of Willow.
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      11-08-2012, 05:18 PM   #11
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There is also Reno Fernley Raceway. About 4 hour drive from San Francisco. Further than the 3 tracks near SF but a lot closer than driving to SoCal. I drove it once about 10 years ago when it was still under development. Should be nicer now. Blasting through the Tahoe mountain roads on the way there and back is also a blast.

http://www.renofernleyracetrack.com/
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