Has anyone done a HPDE at Blackhawk Farms Raceway or Road America? I have read about the "Automotive Track Days" at BFR and for beginners like myself but was hoping some of you have participated and could give me an idea of what to expect.
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The Chicago Chapter of the Audi club runs an epic event at BHF. Usually the weekend before 4th of July. It's a "don't miss" event. I'd go with Badger Bimmers for an HPDE at RA.Kyle Burkhardt
NASA Midwest Spec E30 Series Director
PajamaPants Racing
MW SE30 #12 -
Badger Bimmers has three DE events scheduled at Blackhawk for 2012 (May 25, July 9 and August 20) and their Road America event on September 29-30. If you are just starting out all of the events have classroom instruction on DE details (flags, passing rules, corner by corner dry and rain lines, braking techniques, etc) and extensive in-car instruction. The Road America events have classroom instruction for novice through advanced, and in-car for novice and intermediate. Very well run events, and a good entry point for someone starting out. I started with them at Road America as a novice in 2004 and been running with them since.
Other DE events at Road America for 2012: Porsche Club (August 10) and Badger Audi Club (date not posted yet) both of which tend to be coordinated by the some of the same folks that run the Bimmer events (Mike Clemens, Larry Boyer, Mary Meddo, John Morgan, etc); other groups running events include GT Track Days (June 11-12), MFBA (April 28-29), NASA (October 5-7), and MVP Track Time (July 7-8, October 13-14). I've run with all of these except for NASA and MFBA which I hope to do this coming year.
Warning, very addictive.1990 325i: slippery slope from DD/DE car to SE30/ITS
1991 318is: raw DD
2004 330i zhp: civilized daily driverComment
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Boris:
Are all of the BB events at BHF one-day (friday)? OP, I'd do 2-day events. You'll learn more and have more track time to apply it. Nothing worse than just starting to get it at the end of the first day, and then packing up to go home!Kyle Burkhardt
NASA Midwest Spec E30 Series Director
PajamaPants Racing
MW SE30 #12Comment
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How long do the events usually run for? ( ex. 9a-4p )
The BFR track day is $250, I am hoping to find something at RA more along the lines of $150 and under. What are the rates for members/non-members at the Badger events?Comment
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How many events do you attend before you can drive without an instructor with you? I look forward to doing some classes/instruction but I would love to just run an open track day where I could go out by myself and just run as long as I want.Comment
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Instructors don't detract from the experience, they add to it. Depends on you, but I would think most people are ready after 4-6 weekends. That being said, I'd take all the instruction I can get for the first couple of years (10-12 events), and you should have one at any track that's new to you until you have years under your belt.Kyle Burkhardt
NASA Midwest Spec E30 Series Director
PajamaPants Racing
MW SE30 #12Comment
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BHF events tend to be four sessions per day, RA typically 5 sessions. MVP ran six sessions at RA the last time I attended. Costs are not cheap, mid $200s per day are common. Fees cover track rental (and safety crews!!) and the organizer's insurance.
Sagaris, listen to cosm3os. When you are starting out the key is learning from folks with experience. In addition to having an instructor ride with you, get rides with instructors with you in the passenger seat. Watch everything they do (hand positions, where they are looking, their track reference points, heel and toe shifts, trail braking, lines they follow, how deep they go into braking zones, etc). There is a lot to learn and work on to improve your own skills.
cosm3os, yes the BB events at BHF are one days. By the way I've been reading your threads on spec e30 here and on other forums. Car is only in extensive DE prep now but I'd like to try a club race school and someday come out and play...1990 325i: slippery slope from DD/DE car to SE30/ITS
1991 318is: raw DD
2004 330i zhp: civilized daily driverComment
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We (www.MVPTrackTime.com) will be at Road America twice for 2012.
July 7-8, 2012: Another Weekend at Road America
October 13-14, 2012: 3rd annual "Cheese Heads On Track"
All are welcome to join us for the on track fun. We schedule four 20-minute AND two 25-minute run sessions for each run group daily.
FeffMVP Track Time :mrgreen:Comment
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I've done the BHF's automotive track day before. I think they were 20 minute session, one session per hour with an hour break for lunch. 9-4 sounds about right. It's not much of an educational event compared to other midwest clubs but beginners will be given instructors and a little class time. It's a fantastic track for small light cars :) Whats nice about these days is that you can literally signup a day or two before the event to get a look at the forecast first. I think you can sign up on site but I'd rather not take the risk in case the event is full.
I'm an advanced student and will never turn down an instructor. There is always more to learn and hear different thoughts about everything (car setup, driving line, setting up for a pass, breaking bad habits, etc) . A good instructor will make your overall experience better.Comment
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RE: DE +/- Instructor in the car
Nice to hear that some drivers appreciate the instruction.
There is no trophy at the end of a session, and the extra 150-200 lb will not detract enough from the experience to make up for the extra instruction.
If you're relatively new at the track, it is extremely helpful to have an experienced driver in the passenger seat. They will have far more insight into what you're doing than you realize. Most of us who have been instructing can tell way, way before a newish driver before they're in trouble, and clean up the line, help with brake points, or warn them that they're going to go off the track, and prepare for the event in advance.
Thanks for the heads up on the dates, I need some track time very badly this summer, and close by is great. May try and sign up as an instructor and see you guys there!
Finally wrenching on the race car again, S54 going in, EPS being changed around, and working on a 4 chan ABS system. Hopefully knocking some weight off the car in the process as well.Comment
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MCSCC has an event Memorial day weekend with a track day saturday, club races sunday, and a high speed autox monday!
Come out - super laid back crowd...
www.mcscc.org for detailsComment
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