Going to Cal Speedway...

[palantirion]

I've registered for an HPDE at Cal Speedway with Speed Ventures on 5-15. Anyone interested in joining me? They still have openings for 5-16 and 5-17, I believe.

[qwyjibo]

i'd be all over this if it wasn't so far for me. i'd like to attend one of these and go with someone rather than alone.

[palantirion]

DeKnight will be joining me with his Z4 MC.

[Hawkwind]

Mebbe but it sounded like it might be kinda crowded with the other group there.

[MonacoM6]

4-25 minute runs for $290 is steep, I think you get more bang for the buck with the BMWCCA.

Anybody been to a speed Venture event before? Are they uptight and by the schedule or looser like an Evosport event? Is there a chance of getting more time?

[palantirion]

Originally Posted by Hawkwind

Mebbe but it sounded like it might be kinda crowded with the other group there.

-I've run there with this exact setup and it wasn't crowded. Even less so on a Friday. Aaron will limit the number of registrants, and passing rules are pretty open. Join us! Bring Dan

Originally Posted by MonacoM6

4-25 minute runs for $290 is steep, I think you get more bang for the buck with the BMWCCA.

Anybody been to a speed Venture event before? Are they uptight and by the schedule or looser like an Evosport event? Is there a chance of getting more time?

LOL, BMWCCA is a lot more expensive at Cal Speedway! And 4x25min = 5x20min...except that with the latter you actually get less time because you waste more each session on warmup/cool down laps.

SV is precise with their scheduling. At most of their events you can get extra run sessions as group space tends to open up in the late afternoon. Obviously that won't be the case here, as there is only one run group for non-Posches. You could always register with POC, see if they will give you more time for more $.

[Hawkwind]

Looks like the next BMWCCA at Cal Spdwy is $350 for Sat or Sun. So that's not much different from Speed Ventures, and it includes instruction. Question is which one gives you more laps.

[palantirion]

Originally Posted by Hawkwind

Looks like the next BMWCCA at Cal Spdwy is $350 for Sat or Sun. So that's not much different from Speed Ventures, and it includes instruction. Question is which one gives you more laps.

-It's more $ for BMWCCA, but as you point out this includes instruction. With SV you get more driving time, and you have many more passing opportunities and fewer cars on track (IE: more freedom while on track). SV suits my needs better this time out.

Also, BMWCCA does not 1) allow convertibles, and 2) allow you to run the true Roval. BMWCCA puts a cone chicane in front of turn one so you have to come off the banking and then go up in the middle of Nascar Turn 2. This is arguably safer than running the true race course. Although the cone chicane is fun in its own way, I prefer the true course.

[Hawkwind]

Originally Posted by palantirion

-With SV you get more driving time, and you have many more passing opportunities and fewer cars on track (IE: more freedom while on track).

Sounds like a contradiction. Or you're implying that CCA doesn't allow much passing. Or is this because the SV drivers use their mirrors and let faster cars pass?

[palantirion]

Originally Posted by Hawkwind

Sounds like a contradiction. Or you're implying that CCA doesn't allow much passing. Or is this because the SV drivers use their mirrors and let faster cars pass?

-BMWCCA doesn't allow much passing. Only recently have they considered letting A group drivers pass in turns with point-by. I don't recall them ever allowing open passing. Because of this your opportunities to pass, and thus use the track to the best of your abilities, is more limited than in the intermediate and advanced groups of organizations like SV. Not to say that driving behind a slower car is pointless - you learn from it - but it's not my primary goal. Factor in the multiplier effect of having fewer cars on track and the slightly longer run groups and you will find you have significantly more useful track time than with most other HPDE organizers.

This is not to say that there are not other organizers who offer tons of track time. But some of them skimp on corner workers or are poorly organized. SV runs like clockwork and holds the same, if not better, safety standards than NASA or BMWCCA. Considering the freedom allowed to drivers at SV events it still surprises me how seldom there are incidences of any kind, and that so far (knock on wood) SV has never had a fatality.

p.s. If you can afford it, I still highly recommend Driving Concepts. You get tons of track time, and the best-of-the-best instructors (mostly from BMWCCA). DC has what I consider to be the most comprehensive school style. Of the various shop-organized events I have gone to, I would recommend AGA's. They were well organized and very safe. Their individual instruction was top notch as well.