Speed Trial USA: anyone familiar?

lorinzo · 12-16-2016, 10:40 AM

Groupon offer $349 for a "Premium Race Car Experience for One."

Website indicates you get a full day (7am to 5pm) of instruction and drive their "race prepared Toyota Celica celebrity cars" at Big Willow or Streets of Willow.

I have been unable to find any comments or reviews from past attendees.

The HACK · 12-16-2016, 03:34 PM

They're still around using the same name? Wow.

I figure they would have been sued to oblivion after that incident with the Subaru. Either this is a different group, or they've got quite the gall to keep using the STUSA name.

And $375 for a single day, and people complain when BMW CCA charges $449 for a WEEKEND. My how the times have changed.

lorinzo · 12-21-2016, 09:24 AM

They offer Big Willow or Streets of Willow. . .

which track is better?

gtron · 12-21-2016, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The HACK

I figure they would have been sued to oblivion after that incident with the Subaru.

Needs more details.

gtron · 12-21-2016, 09:38 AM

btw OP, I've seen posts about Xtreme Adventures too. I believe they were cheaper. I unfortunately have not tried either company.

lorinzo · 12-21-2016, 09:29 PM

I think this is one of the various companies where you drive an "exotic" a few times around a parking lot.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtron

btw OP, I've seen posts about Xtreme Adventures too. I believe they were cheaper. I unfortunately have not tried either company.

princelybug · 12-21-2016, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lorinzo

They offer Big Willow or Streets of Willow. . .

which track is better?

I've been to track days with STUSA several years ago. They keep you on a tight leash. Not good or bad, but I like other organizations more.

Big Willow is better. You get a long straight before turn one going CW.

lorinzo · 12-21-2016, 11:59 PM

Thanks for the info.
I am signing up for a day at Big Willow.

Quote:

Originally Posted by princelybug

I've been to track days with STUSA several years ago. They keep you on a tight leash. Not good or bad, but I like other organizations more.

Big Willow is better. You get a long straight before turn one going CW.

gtron · 12-22-2016, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lorinzo

Thanks for the info.
I am signing up for a day at Big Willow.

Cool, let us know how it goes.

PoorLurker · 12-22-2016, 01:27 PM

In a Toyota Celica, I would say streets of willow.

Big Track willow is much higher speed. Streets of willow is tighter and benefits lower HP cars.

If you drive Big Track, make sure to keep the tires off the dirt heading into and out of turn 9. I have seen a street car get two off after turn 9, "save it" by coming back on only to shoot across the track and roll.

Turn 9 is a decreasing radius out of an all out fast turn 8. Don't get caught by surprise.

bd307 · 12-22-2016, 03:50 PM

Tracked with them back in around 2003. I did not have a good experience with them and never been signed up with them since.

Not sure if they are the same people behind it now though, but there are better choices out there.

lorinzo · 12-23-2016, 10:52 AM

Can you please recommend some of the "better choices" and what is the general range of cost.

I have done the 2 day M school and various half days with BMW and other auto manufacturers. I am looking to get more involved training and would prefer to use their vehicles.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bd307

Tracked with them back in around 2003. I did not have a good experience with them and never been signed up with them since.

Not sure if they are the same people behind it now though, but there are better choices out there.

bucketfoot · 12-23-2016, 11:24 AM

I did a NASA HPDE last year and was very happy with the experience (I'm trying to get my brother-in-law to join me in doing it this year).

I'd at least look into the offerings from your local NASA organization.

princelybug · 12-30-2016, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lorinzo

Can you please recommend some of the "better choices" and what is the general range of cost.

I have done the 2 day M school and various half days with BMW and other auto manufacturers. I am looking to get more involved training and would prefer to use their vehicles.

The cost for each event is different. There are many variables (weekday, weekend, daytime, evening, track configuration, etc.).

A couple that I've gone with which I like better than STUSA:

http://www.speedventures.com

http://www.extremespeedtrackevents.com

Let us know what you think? Keep us updated.

lorinzo · 01-28-2017, 12:19 AM

All set to go tomorrow morning at 7am!!!
I will keep you all posted.

gtron · 01-30-2017, 08:51 AM

What happened?

lorinzo · 02-03-2017, 08:53 AM

It was essentially a general track day at Willow Springs. I was just a part of a much larger group that was out that day. We were broke into groups of about 20 and then rotated throughout the day.

It was exactly what I was looking for. I wanted driving instruction on a real track. I was not interested in simply driving an "exotic" around the parking lot a few times.

Day started with a classroom session about the details of the track, rules and flags used to communicate on the track.

The first session was alone in the car, follow the leader to learn the track and line. Each session was about 10 laps. My next 4 sessions were with instructor in passenger seat. He would give me tips along the way and then when we were done hanging out.

I recommend for anyone looking to dip your toe into the world of tracking.

12-16-2016, 10:40 AM	#1
lorinzo Captain 84 Rep 953 Posts Drives: e90 M3; i3 rex; e46 M3 vert Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	Speed Trial USA: anyone familiar? Groupon offer $349 for a "Premium Race Car Experience for One." Website indicates you get a full day (7am to 5pm) of instruction and drive their "race prepared Toyota Celica celebrity cars" at Big Willow or Streets of Willow. I have been unable to find any comments or reviews from past attendees. __________________ \| 2011 M3 Sedan \| Le Mans Blue \| M-DCT \| ZC2 \| ZCP \| ZP3 \| Moonroof \| Enhanced Premium Sound \| Dinan exhaust \| Dinan software \| Dinan pulley \| Dinan intake \| Dinan pedals \| Bimmian LED interior \| Lux H8 V3 \| WeissLicht PY24W LED \| 20% tint \| IND reflectors \| IND front grills \| IND key hole cover \| IND hood vents \| IND M5 mirror covers \| Reus Systems audio \| Verstraβe shifter paddles \| BBS LM 20x9 et 15 and 20x10.5 et 15 \| Hankook Ventus V12 255/30/20 and 295/25/20 \| Red BBS Racing lug nut kit \| H&R Sport springs \|
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12-16-2016, 03:34 PM	#2
The HACK Midlife Crises Racing Silent but Deadly Class 1820 Rep 5,337 Posts Drives: 2006 MZ4C, 2021 Tesla Model 3 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Welcome to Jamaica have a nice day iTrader: (1)	They're still around using the same name? Wow. I figure they would have been sued to oblivion after that incident with the Subaru. Either this is a different group, or they've got quite the gall to keep using the STUSA name. And $375 for a single day, and people complain when BMW CCA charges $449 for a WEEKEND. My how the times have changed. __________________ Sitting on a beat-up office chair in front of a 5 year old computer in a basement floor, sipping on stale coffee watching a bunch of meaningless numbers scrolling aimlessly on a dimly lit 19” monitor.
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12-21-2016, 09:24 AM	#3
lorinzo Captain 84 Rep 953 Posts Drives: e90 M3; i3 rex; e46 M3 vert Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	They offer Big Willow or Streets of Willow. . . which track is better? __________________ \| 2011 M3 Sedan \| Le Mans Blue \| M-DCT \| ZC2 \| ZCP \| ZP3 \| Moonroof \| Enhanced Premium Sound \| Dinan exhaust \| Dinan software \| Dinan pulley \| Dinan intake \| Dinan pedals \| Bimmian LED interior \| Lux H8 V3 \| WeissLicht PY24W LED \| 20% tint \| IND reflectors \| IND front grills \| IND key hole cover \| IND hood vents \| IND M5 mirror covers \| Reus Systems audio \| Verstraβe shifter paddles \| BBS LM 20x9 et 15 and 20x10.5 et 15 \| Hankook Ventus V12 255/30/20 and 295/25/20 \| Red BBS Racing lug nut kit \| H&R Sport springs \|
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12-21-2016, 09:38 AM	#5
gtron powerhouse 708 Rep 1,628 Posts Drives: 2014 Porsche 981 CS Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2016 Mercedes C450 AMG [10.00] 2016 Lexus RC 200t [0.00] 2014 Porsche [9.50] 2012 550i M-Sport [7.86]	btw OP, I've seen posts about Xtreme Adventures too. I believe they were cheaper. I unfortunately have not tried either company. __________________ no signature. except for this one.
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12-22-2016, 01:27 PM	#10
PoorLurker Custom User Title 1137 Rep 675 Posts Drives: a bicycle Join Date: May 2015 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (0)	In a Toyota Celica, I would say streets of willow. Big Track willow is much higher speed. Streets of willow is tighter and benefits lower HP cars. If you drive Big Track, make sure to keep the tires off the dirt heading into and out of turn 9. I have seen a street car get two off after turn 9, "save it" by coming back on only to shoot across the track and roll. Turn 9 is a decreasing radius out of an all out fast turn 8. Don't get caught by surprise.
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12-22-2016, 03:50 PM	#11
bd307 Chef 927 Rep 1,059 Posts Drives: Things with wheels or no wheel Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0)	Tracked with them back in around 2003. I did not have a good experience with them and never been signed up with them since. Not sure if they are the same people behind it now though, but there are better choices out there.
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12-23-2016, 11:24 AM	#13
bucketfoot Captain 1064 Rep 819 Posts Drives: 2020 Toyota GT86 Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Centennial, CO iTrader: (0)	I did a NASA HPDE last year and was very happy with the experience (I'm trying to get my brother-in-law to join me in doing it this year). I'd at least look into the offerings from your local NASA organization.
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01-28-2017, 12:19 AM	#15
lorinzo Captain 84 Rep 953 Posts Drives: e90 M3; i3 rex; e46 M3 vert Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	All set to go tomorrow morning at 7am!!! I will keep you all posted. __________________ \| 2011 M3 Sedan \| Le Mans Blue \| M-DCT \| ZC2 \| ZCP \| ZP3 \| Moonroof \| Enhanced Premium Sound \| Dinan exhaust \| Dinan software \| Dinan pulley \| Dinan intake \| Dinan pedals \| Bimmian LED interior \| Lux H8 V3 \| WeissLicht PY24W LED \| 20% tint \| IND reflectors \| IND front grills \| IND key hole cover \| IND hood vents \| IND M5 mirror covers \| Reus Systems audio \| Verstraβe shifter paddles \| BBS LM 20x9 et 15 and 20x10.5 et 15 \| Hankook Ventus V12 255/30/20 and 295/25/20 \| Red BBS Racing lug nut kit \| H&R Sport springs \|
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01-30-2017, 08:51 AM	#16
gtron powerhouse 708 Rep 1,628 Posts Drives: 2014 Porsche 981 CS Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2016 Mercedes C450 AMG [10.00] 2016 Lexus RC 200t [0.00] 2014 Porsche [9.50] 2012 550i M-Sport [7.86]	What happened? __________________ no signature. except for this one.
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02-03-2017, 08:53 AM	#17
lorinzo Captain 84 Rep 953 Posts Drives: e90 M3; i3 rex; e46 M3 vert Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	It was essentially a general track day at Willow Springs. I was just a part of a much larger group that was out that day. We were broke into groups of about 20 and then rotated throughout the day. It was exactly what I was looking for. I wanted driving instruction on a real track. I was not interested in simply driving an "exotic" around the parking lot a few times. Day started with a classroom session about the details of the track, rules and flags used to communicate on the track. The first session was alone in the car, follow the leader to learn the track and line. Each session was about 10 laps. My next 4 sessions were with instructor in passenger seat. He would give me tips along the way and then when we were done hanging out. I recommend for anyone looking to dip your toe into the world of tracking. __________________ \| 2011 M3 Sedan \| Le Mans Blue \| M-DCT \| ZC2 \| ZCP \| ZP3 \| Moonroof \| Enhanced Premium Sound \| Dinan exhaust \| Dinan software \| Dinan pulley \| Dinan intake \| Dinan pedals \| Bimmian LED interior \| Lux H8 V3 \| WeissLicht PY24W LED \| 20% tint \| IND reflectors \| IND front grills \| IND key hole cover \| IND hood vents \| IND M5 mirror covers \| Reus Systems audio \| Verstraβe shifter paddles \| BBS LM 20x9 et 15 and 20x10.5 et 15 \| Hankook Ventus V12 255/30/20 and 295/25/20 \| Red BBS Racing lug nut kit \| H&R Sport springs \|
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