Riding along with a professional driver?

leopard print · 03-25-2016, 09:13 PM

Is there anywhere I can ride along with a professional driver on a track? Every time I see a video of someone riding shotgun with a professional driver they're always freaking out with excitement or want to piss their pants so I feel like I would get a kick out of the experience. I've seen online that this can be done with Nascar but I'd rather be on a track with twists and turns.

1MOREMOD · 03-25-2016, 09:48 PM

Do a track day, most tracks have instructors that are or were pros of one level or another.

leopard print · 03-25-2016, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

Do a track day, most tracks have instructors that are or were pros of one level or another.

I have no desire to track my car. Do tracks have programs where someone can walk in and ride with a driver? Perhaps even pay to do so?

1MOREMOD · 03-25-2016, 09:56 PM

Most probably dont. Where do you live. May be able to set something up but would come easier to someone who is a track junkie and already knows those people.

Rich150001 · 03-25-2016, 10:00 PM

Nurburing has the Ring Taxi. Maybe there's a market to have these in the US too?

leopard print · 03-25-2016, 10:01 PM

I'm in Los Angeles, more specifically the Culver City area.

1MOREMOD · 03-25-2016, 10:02 PM

Lots of track guys in that area they will chime in. M3 Number 86 comes to mind.

leopard print · 03-25-2016, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich150001

Nurburing has the Ring Taxi. Maybe there's a market to have these in the US too?

Just Youtubed this. It's exactly what I'm looking for. Wonder if there is something similar to it in the states.

1MOREMOD · 03-25-2016, 10:06 PM

Pacific raceways my home track has a track taxi that was a e92 m3. Call laguna, thunderhill, bw, thermal whatever close by you.

leopard print · 03-25-2016, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

Lots of track guys in that area they will chime in. M3 Number 86 comes to mind.

Thank you. I'll wait for him or others to chime in.

okusa · 03-25-2016, 10:10 PM

Just show up for a Speed District event and ask someone for a ride along. I've given a few.

M3 Number 86 · 03-25-2016, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leopard print

Is there anywhere I can ride along with a professional driver on a track? Every time I see a video of someone riding shotgun with a professional driver they're always freaking out with excitement or want to piss their pants so I feel like I would get a kick out of the experience. I've seen online that this can be done with Nascar but I'd rather be on a track with twists and turns.

I'm not a professional but I'm good at drifting which make for the best ride alongs. I'm going to buttonwillow tomorrow.

I think the best day would be during Bimmerfest which is at Autoclub speedway in May. Does that give you enough time to schedule?

leopard print · 03-25-2016, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3 Number 86

I'm not a professional but I'm good at drifting which make for the best ride alongs. I'm going to buttonwillow tomorrow.

I think the best day would be during Bimmerfest which is at Autoclub speedway in May. Does that give you enough time to schedule?

Hell yeah! Thanks for chiming in. Wasn't planning on going to Bimmerfest but may have to now. I'll shoot you a PM.

Flying Ace · 03-26-2016, 12:17 AM

You need a ride?

1MOREMOD · 03-26-2016, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flying Ace

You need a ride?

You aren't qualified to drive a shopping cart

leopard print · 03-26-2016, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flying Ace

You need a ride?

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

You aren't qualified to drive a shopping cart

M3 Number 86 · 03-26-2016, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flying Ace

You need a ride?

Where the hell have you been?!

nnettepos · 03-26-2016, 01:46 AM

Most probably dont. Where do you live.

leopard print · 03-26-2016, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nnettepos

Most probably dont. Where do you live.

Los Angeles.

jphughan · 03-26-2016, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leopard print

I have no desire to track my car. Do tracks have programs where someone can walk in and ride with a driver? Perhaps even pay to do so?

Can I ask why you have no desire to track your car? I'll give you fair warning that if you ride along at a track day, that is rather likely to change. Not that that's a bad thing at all IMHO, but if you're resolutely against tracking a car that really is a hoot on track and will give you a whole new level of appreciation for it out there, then consider that carefully.

To answer your original question, at least out here it's pretty common for DE organizers to allow instructors and even sometimes the top student run group to give rides even to non-participant spectators. Sometimes it's free, sometimes there's a fee. And yes some instructors have a pro background, but honestly if you've never been to a track, any instructor is going to impress even in a mostly-stock car, no need for a full-on racecar. I just took a neighbor out for a quick run around a few corners and straights near our neighborhood and she reacted just like those "Son takes mom on track" YouTube videos. I wasn't even pushing that hard since it was a public road, but her mind was well and truly blown.

leopard print · 03-26-2016, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jphughan

Can I ask why you have no desire to track your car? I'll give you fair warning that if you ride along at a track day, that is rather likely to change. Not that that's a bad thing at all IMHO, but if you're resolutely against tracking a car that really is a hoot on track and will give you a whole new level of appreciation for it out there, then consider that carefully.

To answer your original question, at least out here it's pretty common for DE organizers to allow instructors and even sometimes the top student run group to give rides even to non-participant spectators. Sometimes it's free, sometimes there's a fee. And yes some instructors have a pro background, but honestly if you've never been to a track, any instructor is going to impress even in a mostly-stock car, no need for a full-on racecar. I just took a neighbor out for a quick run around a few corners and straights near our neighborhood and she reacted just like those "Son takes mom on track" YouTube videos. I wasn't even pushing that hard since it was a public road, but her mind was well and truly blown.

I don't really have an answer to your question other than I've never really thought it about before, so it wouldn't say I'm resolutely against it. If that desire changes after the ride along, then it looks like I'll have a new hobby to pursue.

Hopefully you blew your neighbors mind enough to get blown yourself. Hahaha

Thanks for the info.

kenwelch · 03-26-2016, 10:37 AM

Spend a day at the BMW Performance Center in Thermal if you would like to drive on 5 different courses. All BMW's with their tires and fuel at one price.

My wife and I were there on March 13th with the BMW CCA. Great day with the M235, M3, M4, M5, M6, X5M, and 340. Outstanding price for CCA members at $215 each.
Take a friend

After 20 years of owning BMW's my wife is finally interested in our E92 M3.

I may have to buy her a new car.
Check out their webpage.

03-25-2016, 09:13 PM	#1
leopard print Lieutenant 1570 Rep 390 Posts Drives: Really well for an Asian. Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (5)	Riding along with a professional driver? Is there anywhere I can ride along with a professional driver on a track? Every time I see a video of someone riding shotgun with a professional driver they're always freaking out with excitement or want to piss their pants so I feel like I would get a kick out of the experience. I've seen online that this can be done with Nascar but I'd rather be on a track with twists and turns.
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03-25-2016, 09:48 PM	#2
1MOREMOD - 11817 Rep 23,187 Posts Drives: Race car-> Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: check your mirrors iTrader: (5)	Do a track day, most tracks have instructors that are or were pros of one level or another.
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03-25-2016, 09:56 PM	#4
1MOREMOD - 11817 Rep 23,187 Posts Drives: Race car-> Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: check your mirrors iTrader: (5)	Most probably dont. Where do you live. May be able to set something up but would come easier to someone who is a track junkie and already knows those people.
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03-25-2016, 10:00 PM	#5
Rich150001 Lieutenant 109 Rep 461 Posts Drives: 2016 M4 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Arlington (Ballston), Va iTrader: (0)	Nurburing has the Ring Taxi. Maybe there's a market to have these in the US too? __________________ 16 M4 / 17 C7 (Sold) / 08 E92 M3 AW (Sold) / 09 Yamaha R6 (Sold)
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03-25-2016, 10:01 PM	#6
leopard print Lieutenant 1570 Rep 390 Posts Drives: Really well for an Asian. Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (5)	I'm in Los Angeles, more specifically the Culver City area.
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03-25-2016, 10:02 PM	#7
1MOREMOD - 11817 Rep 23,187 Posts Drives: Race car-> Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: check your mirrors iTrader: (5)	Lots of track guys in that area they will chime in. M3 Number 86 comes to mind.
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03-25-2016, 10:06 PM	#9
1MOREMOD - 11817 Rep 23,187 Posts Drives: Race car-> Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: check your mirrors iTrader: (5)	Pacific raceways my home track has a track taxi that was a e92 m3. Call laguna, thunderhill, bw, thermal whatever close by you.
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03-25-2016, 10:10 PM	#11
okusa Lieutenant Colonel 846 Rep 1,679 Posts Drives: 2011.75 E90 M3 - SSII Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (7)	Just show up for a Speed District event and ask someone for a ride along. I've given a few. __________________ Instagram: @okusa916
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03-26-2016, 12:17 AM	#14
Flying Ace Lieutenant General 4985 Rep 11,891 Posts Drives: G05 45e, 997.1 & 991.1 GT3s Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: SF, CA iTrader: (5)	You need a ride?
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03-26-2016, 01:46 AM	#18
nnettepos Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: bmw Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: x5 iTrader: (0)	Most probably dont. Where do you live. __________________ M3 is cool
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03-26-2016, 10:37 AM	#22
kenwelch Lieutenant 96 Rep 545 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 M3 M-DCT & 2017 440GC Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mission Viejo, CA iTrader: (0)	Spend a day at the BMW Performance Center in Thermal if you would like to drive on 5 different courses. All BMW's with their tires and fuel at one price. My wife and I were there on March 13th with the BMW CCA. Great day with the M235, M3, M4, M5, M6, X5M, and 340. Outstanding price for CCA members at $215 each. Take a friend After 20 years of owning BMW's my wife is finally interested in our E92 M3. I may have to buy her a new car. Check out their webpage. Last edited by kenwelch; 03-26-2016 at 06:33 PM..
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