anyone here a PCA (Porsche Club of America) member?

[MikeK]

I'm thinking about joining. My boss tells me that the track days are much cheaper then the BMWCCA. I know that you have to have a Porsche VIN to join or something. Dunno.

If anyone could shed some light, that'd be great

discuss.

[vlad]

pretty much same price for the track days, older crowd, other than that nothing different

[MikeK]

pretty much same price for the track days, older crowd, other than that nothing different

meh, then ill pass.

[Wh33lhop]

Buy a p-car and give me your wheels

Problem solved

[Asbradley21]

I'm a member, you have to have a VIN#, its a little cheaper atleast in my region. Depending on your region, they can be the wine and cheese crowd, or the get out and be fun crowd. And you get PCA's version of Roundel, Panarama which is quite good.

The Ferrari Club IIRC you do NOT have to have a VIN# to join though.

[MikeK]

yeah, PCA does require a VIN#... i do have a vin I can use, so its not a problem.

[kishg]

Are you a BMWCCA member? Have you been to NJ BMWCCA track events?

[MikeK]

Are you a BMWCCA member? Have you been to NJ BMWCCA track events?

i am a member of BMWCCA :)
not yet, i was scheduled to for Thurnder Bolt this past month.. my ACL surgery fugged up my whole summer :(

[kishg]

i am a member of BMWCCA :)
not yet, i was scheduled to for Thurnder Bolt this past month.. my ACL surgery fugged up my whole summer :(

ok. so come to our summit pt event or lightning in october.

[MikeK]

ok. so come to our summit pt event or lightning in october.

Yeah man, def next year, once my right leg functions normally.

[Emre]

I run with and instruct with several chapters of the PCA and BMW CCA. For students, prices are about the same. For instructors, prices are higher with the PCA (we have to pay for track time).

The PCA runs schools that are closer to lapping days than genuine driving schools: you get no classroom time and the instructors are encouraged to sign students off quite early. Basically, if you can do a few laps without crashing, you can get signed off. The idea is that the old guys who show up in $100K GT3's aren't really looking for serious driving instruction...they just want to go out and play with their expensive toys. At least that's what a couple of the chief instructors have told me. That's why instructors pay for their track time: we don't really have much work to do!

With the BMW CCA, you'll generally spend much more time with your instructor (both in-car and classroom). It takes longer to get signed off. That's why BMW CCA gives "free" track time to the instructors. We're there to work. You work hard and they give you a few sessions to have fun. Even when we go out on the track, we're expected to have our students with us in our passenger seat to continue their training.

Personally, I feel like the quality of training and instruction is better with the CCA. But that's just one guy's opinion. YMMV.

[nmlss2006]

Uh, as a PCA member I'd say that the local situation is fairly different from the one Emre describes for his region. It is undeinably true that different chapters have very different crowds and guidelines, but I haven't seen very many 'old guys who show up in $100k GT3s who are not looking for instruction'.
Cost is about the same, but you get access to PCA events with your BMW CCA card anyways..

[der affe]

i used to be a member, i used to see most of the people at the track that i did at the shop i was working at, and i though most were assbags.

around here here seems to be no real middle ground with them. they are either the "look at me i am so cool i have a PORSCHE" crowd who mostly bench race or there are people thatr really love their PORSCHE and love to drive the wheels off them and are nice to those who are interested and snub the bench race asshats, fine with me.

i let it expire a while ago when i wasn't doing much with them anymore.
Panarama is a good mag though.

[Emre]

Uh, as a PCA member I'd say that the local situation is fairly different from the one Emre describes for his region.

As you said, different chapters are different. I'm a long-time instructor with multiple chapters of the BMW CC, BMW CCA, and PCA (as well as a few other clubs). I'm just sharing my personal experiences behind the scenes.

Incidentally, the local PCA chapter in Montreal isn't so bad. I was thinking of a couple of others. And I haven't (yet) instructed with the NJ Chapter of the PCA. If they're anywhere near as good as the NJ Chapter of the BMW CCA, then I'm sure I'd love them.

[Asbradley21]

i used to be a member, i used to see most of the people at the track that i did at the shop i was working at, and i though most were assbags.

around here here seems to be no real middle ground with them. they are either the "look at me i am so cool i have a PORSCHE" crowd who mostly bench race or there are people thatr really love their PORSCHE and love to drive the wheels off them and are nice to those who are interested and snub the bench race asshats, fine with me.

i let it expire a while ago when i wasn't doing much with them anymore.
Panarama is a good mag though.

and as a 914 owner you have to love the

"You have a 914? *scoff* I have a 997GT3RS" people.
But the
"You have a 914? I have a 997GT3RS. I wish I still had MY 914."
people make up for it.