[CA] 11.25.05 Buttonwillow Raceway

[e30user]

An event is being hosted on the friday after thanksgiving.
Price: $160 (includes lunch)
Both grip and drift driving welcome.

This event will include the Full 3 mile track of Buttonwillow Raceway. Specific configuration hasn't been confirmed, but you get the idea. We will have 30 to 40 drivers in attendance. 8 hours of open track time!
This is considered a "Test & Tune" day, per Buttonwillow. Driver's will be responsible for their own tech inspections. This event will be insured, and emergency medical staff will be on site.
The track is open from 8 AM - 5 PM. There will be plenty of race time for everyone.
Event is rain or shine! Buttonwillow does not give refunds based on weather conditions.

Event details: www.bobsdonuts.com/trackday
Email: don@bobsdonuts.com for any questions.

Updated info: The event is more appropriate for intermediate and advanced track drivers. Rather than run groups this will be a free for all, open track. However, drifting will only be allowed every other hour. So you'll definitely be able to get alot of track time, drifter free. Although the event will include about 40 drivers, the chances of all 40 drivers being on at once is not likely. I've seen up to 30 on the full 3 mile track without traffic issues. Given this, and the presence of corner workers, cars should have a safe distance from eachother as long as common sense is used.

[bimmer8604]

thanks for sharing!

this wont have any type of instructor ride alongs will it? Its just open time to get out on the track? Any crudentials needed before participating?


Kyle

[e30user]

thanks for sharing!

this wont have any type of instructor ride alongs will it? Its just open time to get out on the track? Any crudentials needed before participating?


Kyle

You're right. There won't be any formal instructors present. However, many advanced drivers attending are friendly and should be willing to give tips or ride alongs. Rather than being an official HPDE, like the ones NASA puts on, this is more of a "test and tune" day, or open time to get out on the track as you put it. I'm not too sure what you mean by credentials so please feel free to clarify. If you mean memberships, such as NASA of SCCA, those aren't necessary. For any further questions, try emailing don@bobsdonuts.com . He can answer your questions better than me.

[bimmer8604]

Yea, i was just wondering if you had to have any licenses or previous track experience. Theres a kid at school here(UTI) that sometimes works as a Tech guy at Buttonwillow, i asked him today if he knew anything about this and he said he didnt, it seemed weird they would be letting cars on the track with out a tech inspection...

Kyle

[e30sd]

kyle,

this may be a "deal" (actually an awesome price for bw), but for your first time out, i would consider NASA or BMWCCA. they cost more but are arguably the best as far as organization/instruction. i'm no expert, i've been to like half a de, so take it fwiw.

[e30user]

Yea, i was just wondering if you had to have any licenses or previous track experience. Theres a kid at school here(UTI) that sometimes works as a Tech guy at Buttonwillow, i asked him today if he knew anything about this and he said he didnt, it seemed weird they would be letting cars on the track with out a tech inspection...

Kyle

No special licenses needed. I'll have to agree with what e30sd posted. This event is geared towards those with previous track experience. The drivers that are attending will be able to know if their car will be up to par for a day at the track, especially after deciding to pay the entry fee. I don't want to say novice drivers are not welcome, but standardized instructional/novice programs won't really be provided. This is run more like a private event. Think of it as a group of friends all pitch in to rent a track to mess around on, safely of course.

I'm slow as hell on the track, and I suck at lines, braking points, etc. However, I do know how to use common sense in keeping the proper distance from other cars (especially important in the wet), letting people pass in proper areas, and keeping an eye on the flaggers for the turn. So I'm not the best driver by any means, but I feel comfortable being safe with other cars on the track. Most of the drivers attending will have the same emphasis on safety in mind. You'd be pretty much on your own for the rest, technique/skill-wise. That's sort of why the event is more for experienced track goers that just want track time at lower costs than other HPDEs, which are also great for attending, especially for first timers.

[bimmer8604]

thats what im thinking, i would rather go to something with instruction. With not having any prior track experience, i think i would get WAY in over my head on this. Any links to the area CCA track days or PDEs? Thats why i was asking about having instructers there or anything. But thanks for posting the info!

Kyle

[Dave]

thats what im thinking, i would rather go to something with instruction. With not having any prior track experience, i think i would get WAY in over my head on this. Any links to the area CCA track days or PDEs? Thats why i was asking about having instructers there or anything. But thanks for posting the info!

Kyle

Go to BMWCCA.org and look for your region. The regions have websites and most all of them do one or two Driving Schools a year. Even if they dont have it posted, email the contact person - they should be able to help you out.

NASA - www.nasaproracing.com. Same idea - there are regions and they hold racing weekends that include HPDE.

I did my first HPDE this weekend. I recommend doing this with instruction first. In fact, of the 4 HPDE groups, 1 and 2 must start out with instructors and 3 drivers can get them if they want them.