Autocross Venue (stadium) Update

[Bill Behun]

Autocross Update:

I have been in contact with the SDSU stadium General Manager regarding possible use of the stadium southeast parking lot. Unfortunately it appears no more driving or other events will take place as SDSU has moved up the schedule to demolish the existing stadium starting imminently. The both east parking lots will be used for construction/demo staging for the next 2 years. After that it is likely the next development phases will take place so we (the club) need to look for other venues.

I will be contacting the Auto Club Speedway and other possible venues that may be available. There is a facility under construction in Otay Mesa that may hopefully be available in a couple of years. If anyone knows of possible venues and/or contacts please let me know and I will inquire. Email me at: AX@pcasdr.org (thumbs up emoji here)

Bill Behun, Autocross Co-Chair

[Robert Joe]

SCCA (CalClub) use ACS for AX. They use the lot opposite the Kart track. That is the best one. You don't want the other tiny lots that are closer to the Oval. Size wise it is in between the W. Lot and SE. Lot. You can setup some pretty fast sweepers in that lot. Has some cambered sections but not as steep as the W. lot Better grip than Qualcomm but not as good as El-Toro. Not broken up like Qualcomm. SCCA setup the day before and we have the key to lock the gate.

POC are starting to run AX at El-Toro this Sunday. El-Toro used to be THE AX place but the site has trimmed down a lot now. It is basically Slalom/Walom transitions down, turn around and Slalom/Walom back for another turn around. Max speed is around 70mph. Some may like that others not. But you do get damn good at timing, staying ahead and getting on the backside of all the cones.

I prefer ACS to El-Toro because you can setup more flowing, sweeping courses.

[tb911]

Baseball Stadium in Lake Elsinore. Smaller that Qualcomm, but I hear SCCA uses it. Closer than ACS

[Tom Helvey]

Baseball Stadium in Lake Elsinore. Smaller that Qualcomm, but I hear SCCA uses it. Closer than ACS

DId an event there last year, it's as hot as the face of the sun and it's a 45 second course (max). That being said, it was a lot of fun. Another option might be El Toro.
Both require planning on the part of the driver in addition to the work of the AX crew. Volunteers will make or break either venue.

[Sparks]

Bill, is the parking lot at North Island Credit Union Amphitheater a possibility? Looks much smaller than what we are used to but from Google Maps it looks relatively open and I ignorantly assume that the facility is not in constant use. Might be a stopgap possibility while we hope, and possibly work toward, the possibility of the Otay training facility as a future option.

Additionally, just wanted to say thanks to you and to all members of the club that are actively working toward finding a solution to this problem.

Map link:

https://www.google.com/maps/@32.5884658 ... 312!8i6656

[tb911]

parking lot at North Island Credit Union Amphitheater

I've heard rumors of other clubs using this (SCCA?)
Definitely worth a phone call.

[tb911]

El Toro is on its way out. Don't know when it will be gone completely, but as stated above, it is now a shadow of its former self as the encroaching development keeps whittling away at it.

I've also heard that they are ONLY renting to POC now, and that is because POC has a family connection to the property management company that is in charge of the space.
This is just a rumor, but its out there, for what it is worth. But considering how small the current space is, and that it keeps getting smaller and smaller (until one day soon it will be all gone) I wouldn't be surprised if it is true. They may not want to deal with this stuff on a regular basis anymore.

[rwalker]

parking lot at North Island Credit Union Amphitheater

I've heard rumors of other clubs using this (SCCA?)
Definitely worth a phone call.

I made the call. They wouldn't quote me a price for the lot initially, but when I told them the Clubs are accustomed to paying $2,200/day (but are flexible), the GM told me they want "$20k/day plus expenses" (I have no idea what would constitute "expenses"). This sounded to me like "please go away".

BMWNA held an event recently to show off some of their new cars and probably thought $20k was noise, or the NICU Amphitheatre folks wanted to host them for another reason.

I doubt our fortunes will improve once COVID tapers and real stadium events resume at NICU Aphitheatre, so I have mentally closed the book on the venue.

-Rob

[tb911]

BMWNA held an event recently

This must be what I heard about. Yep, too rich for our blood.

Sounds like our destiny lies in Lake Elsinore and Fontana.

Not just AX, but also which would be better for PDS?

[Steve Grosekemper]

Its a drive for newbies but I think PDS future is at streets of willow.
There is a classroom and a skidpad and the track can be broken up into sections.
It is the cheapest of all the real tracks and has hotel and eating options.
You could also cater the Streets cafe for lunch and breakfast.
Just a thought...

[911TED]

VISION Motorsports purchased the building next to the track gate entrance.
A future driving school, RV spaces and track service venue is in the works.

WSIR last weekend was a full house, line out to highway to get in.

[Bill Behun]

I'm contacting the Baseball Stadium at Lake Elsinore soon for more info. Stadium there says nothing will go on there until the state allows groups to gather. At the current rate of Covid control that means ... ???
Also it costs more to rent than what we have been used too - but hey - we own Porsches so can afford anything?
Signed -

[Tom Helvey]

Its a drive for newbies but I think PDS future is at streets of willow.
There is a classroom and a skidpad and the track can be broken up into sections.
It is the cheapest of all the real tracks and has hotel and eating options.
You could also cater the Streets cafe for lunch and breakfast.
Just a thought...

+1
Absolutely agree, we should consider using The Balcony for PDS as well, it has a great skid pad that can be used to practice specific techniques. It's kind of a mini-autocross with a large skid pad at one end. It's also easy to reverse direction for exercises.

[afilsinger]

Have we looked at any of the lots at Cal State San Marcos? At least part of the year they are completely empty and might be open to renting to us.

PCA LA does AX a couple times a year at the port in Long Beach, is there any options like this in San Diego? What about airport space at one of the smaller local fields - maybe Oceanside since its ultra low traffic volume?

Completely different than an Autocross, but I know they close the road on Fiesta Island for Triathlons, I wonder if we could get a permit to use it for "hill climb" style driving.

[LUCKY DAVE]

I wonder if we could get a permit to use it for "hill climb" style driving.

Maybe we could rent out the south grade on Palomar Mountain?
We could charge $1500 each for non SDR members and make $$$.
It would take a few corner workers.......