Track Events in the Bay Area

not.ramos · 04-25-2018, 09:28 PM

Hey everyone,

I'm fairly new to track scene but I'm interested in tracking my 335i at least once.

What track events are in the Bay Area, how do I get started, what are the requirements, and how much is it?

I know that certain events require some sort of experience and a restriction on certain modifications.

chhappy7 · 04-26-2018, 12:22 AM

I think BMWCCA has it. Check out the golden gate chapter. I think they have a track day coming up soon-ish? I'm contemplating whether I want to join BMWCCA...

jh_f30 · 04-26-2018, 12:29 AM

I was literally just checking this out today. I'm somewhat in the same boat as you, so Stage 1 sounds like a good place to start.
https://simracewaydrivingschool.com/...iving-courses/

FaRKle! · 04-26-2018, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ramos.33f

Hey everyone,

I'm fairly new to track scene but I'm interested in tracking my 335i at least once.

What track events are in the Bay Area, how do I get started, what are the requirements, and how much is it?

I know that certain events require some sort of experience and a restriction on certain modifications.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chhappy7

I think BMWCCA has it. Check out the golden gate chapter. I think they have a track day coming up soon-ish? I'm contemplating whether I want to join BMWCCA...

Hooked on Driving is a good group with plenty of track days and a good coaching cadre. They're a bit more expensive than some of the other groups out there, but that's also a decent filter that you'd want (less chance of cramming too many cars on the tracks, unsafe drivers, ect.). It's a good place to learn for beginners.

Your mods should be fine as long as you pass a tech inspection (almost all groups require this). Download a tech inspection form from the group/company you want to run with and have it done at your next service or go to one of the indy's that does them (IIRC some might do it for free).

I wouldn't rely on BMWCCA for track days. The GGC only does two events per year (the first being this coming weekend), which is nothing.

The Audi club has a track weekend coming up at Thunderhill this Mother's Day weekend. They're an excellent group to learn with (especially as a first timer), and a bit cheaper too.

Calvin36 · 04-27-2018, 06:16 AM

NASA is really good to new track drivers as they have proper downloads per session where you can ask questions about corners and how to take them. For the first 2 levels HPDE (High Performance Driving Event) 1 and 2 you'd have an instructor and HPDE 3 and 4 you drive alone. Each level you must test out of. Very informative and organized but not as much track time I think. It's great experience for people with no track experience and need more guidance.

They also progress into time trials. I also see spec Miata and spec e30 races there as well as some single car races. My experience is primarily at Sears Point/Infineon/Sonoma Raceway.

Drunkm0nk3y · 04-27-2018, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calvin36

NASA is really good to new track drivers as they have proper downloads per session where you can ask questions about corners and how to take them. For the first 2 levels HPDE (High Performance Driving Event) 1 and 2 you'd have an instructor and HPDE 3 and 4 you drive alone. Each level you must test out of. Very informative and organized but not as much track time I think. It's great experience for people with no track experience and need more guidance.

They also progress into time trials. I also see spec Miata and spec e30 races there as well as some single car races. My experience is primarily at Sears Point/Infineon/Sonoma Raceway.

Calvin can you send me more info on NASA. I've been itching to track the f30 this summer. I've done trackdays with my Motorcycle.

not.ramos · 04-27-2018, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calvin36

NASA is really good to new track drivers as they have proper downloads per session where you can ask questions about corners and how to take them. For the first 2 levels HPDE (High Performance Driving Event) 1 and 2 you'd have an instructor and HPDE 3 and 4 you drive alone. Each level you must test out of. Very informative and organized but not as much track time I think. It's great experience for people with no track experience and need more guidance.

They also progress into time trials. I also see spec Miata and spec e30 races there as well as some single car races. My experience is primarily at Sears Point/Infineon/Sonoma Raceway.

How is your experience with Sonoma Raceway? What are the restrictions? I know Mazda Raceway has the 90-92 db restriction for sound on turn 5?

Calvin36 · 04-28-2018, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ramos.33f

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calvin36

NASA is really good to new track drivers as they have proper downloads per session where you can ask questions about corners and how to take them. For the first 2 levels HPDE (High Performance Driving Event) 1 and 2 you'd have an instructor and HPDE 3 and 4 you drive alone. Each level you must test out of. Very informative and organized but not as much track time I think. It's great experience for people with no track experience and need more guidance.

They also progress into time trials. I also see spec Miata and spec e30 races there as well as some single car races. My experience is primarily at Sears Point/Infineon/Sonoma Raceway.

How is your experience with Sonoma Raceway? What are the restrictions? I know Mazda Raceway has the 90-92 db restriction for sound on turn 5?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drunkm0nk3y

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calvin36

NASA is really good to new track drivers as they have proper downloads per session where you can ask questions about corners and how to take them. For the first 2 levels HPDE (High Performance Driving Event) 1 and 2 you'd have an instructor and HPDE 3 and 4 you drive alone. Each level you must test out of. Very informative and organized but not as much track time I think. It's great experience for people with no track experience and need more guidance.

They also progress into time trials. I also see spec Miata and spec e30 races there as well as some single car races. My experience is primarily at Sears Point/Infineon/Sonoma Raceway.

Calvin can you send me more info on NASA. I've been itching to track the f30 this summer. I've done trackdays with my Motorcycle.

https://www.nasaproracing.com

For more info. Sonoma raceway is one of my favorite racetracks. Has a lot of elevation changes, different radius turns, stringing S turns, off-camber turns, big long front straights. All terrific fun. Very technical but very rewarding when done correctly.

not sure about the sound restriction as I always had a full catback exhaust so it ain't too loud.

exE36M3 · 05-04-2018, 09:37 PM

Do the BMWCCA - they offer Novice, Expert, and Semi-Pro instruction WITH instructors. The latter is what sets them apart from the other driving "schools". If you pilot the car yourself, you literally learn nothing - and your odds of crashing on the track can be pretty significant.

I've logged over 1000 miles of track school time between the Miata club, Hooked on Driving, and the CCA schools. There's a reason the CCA schools are a few hundred bucks more. It's humbling having someone tell you when to brake, gas, turn, etc. but man that passenger seat live input helps. You'll log at least 100 miles in the day. And guaranteed, you'll learn A LOT.

The CCA also offers a less expensive "car control clinic" for about $150-ish. It's cones in a parking lot, but you'll explore the limits of your car in a space WITH A LOT of room. The CCA usually recommends this before a track school and sometimes requires it.

I'm a near 20 year BMW CCA member. It's worth every cent of that year membership fee. And FWIW, on your first service visit, that 10%-15% off labor/10%-20% parts discount from just about every BMW indy shop and dealer pays for the membership fee.

04-25-2018, 09:28 PM	#1
not.ramos Enthusiast 210 Rep 367 Posts Drives: 6MT M2C Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: East Bay Area, California iTrader: (0)	Track Events in the Bay Area Hey everyone, I'm fairly new to track scene but I'm interested in tracking my 335i at least once. What track events are in the Bay Area, how do I get started, what are the requirements, and how much is it? I know that certain events require some sort of experience and a restriction on certain modifications. __________________ IG: brandon_rramos ULTRA MOTORSPORTS
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04-26-2018, 12:22 AM	#2
chhappy7 Major 519 Rep 1,171 Posts Drives: TBD Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Hanover, NH iTrader: (0)	I think BMWCCA has it. Check out the golden gate chapter. I think they have a track day coming up soon-ish? I'm contemplating whether I want to join BMWCCA...
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04-26-2018, 12:29 AM	#3
jh_f30 Lieutenant Colonel 1306 Rep 1,827 Posts Drives: 2013 335i Sportline Auto RWD Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (2)	I was literally just checking this out today. I'm somewhat in the same boat as you, so Stage 1 sounds like a good place to start. https://simracewaydrivingschool.com/...iving-courses/ __________________ 2013 F30 335i RWD ZF Melbourne Red ~Remus Sport Axleback~VRSF Chargepipe~VRSF Catless Downpipe~GPlus FMIC~HR Sport Springs~Active Autowerke OBD Flash Tune Stage 2~
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04-27-2018, 06:16 AM	#5
Calvin36 Lieutenant Colonel 1062 Rep 1,876 Posts Drives: F30 335i M Sport Join Date: May 2017 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (2)	NASA is really good to new track drivers as they have proper downloads per session where you can ask questions about corners and how to take them. For the first 2 levels HPDE (High Performance Driving Event) 1 and 2 you'd have an instructor and HPDE 3 and 4 you drive alone. Each level you must test out of. Very informative and organized but not as much track time I think. It's great experience for people with no track experience and need more guidance. They also progress into time trials. I also see spec Miata and spec e30 races there as well as some single car races. My experience is primarily at Sears Point/Infineon/Sonoma Raceway. __________________ Mine: BSM F30 335i M Sport Hers: AW F30 328i M Sport
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05-04-2018, 09:37 PM	#9
exE36M3 BMW CCA Member 488 Rep 808 Posts Drives: 2015 435i M Sport Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: NorCal iTrader: (4)	Do the BMWCCA - they offer Novice, Expert, and Semi-Pro instruction WITH instructors. The latter is what sets them apart from the other driving "schools". If you pilot the car yourself, you literally learn nothing - and your odds of crashing on the track can be pretty significant. I've logged over 1000 miles of track school time between the Miata club, Hooked on Driving, and the CCA schools. There's a reason the CCA schools are a few hundred bucks more. It's humbling having someone tell you when to brake, gas, turn, etc. but man that passenger seat live input helps. You'll log at least 100 miles in the day. And guaranteed, you'll learn A LOT. The CCA also offers a less expensive "car control clinic" for about $150-ish. It's cones in a parking lot, but you'll explore the limits of your car in a space WITH A LOT of room. The CCA usually recommends this before a track school and sometimes requires it. I'm a near 20 year BMW CCA member. It's worth every cent of that year membership fee. And FWIW, on your first service visit, that 10%-15% off labor/10%-20% parts discount from just about every BMW indy shop and dealer pays for the membership fee.
	Appreciate 0 Quote