Poll: Would you go to a D.E. at a big track?

[MR LIPP]

Click on check boxes that apply and click on "submit vote" button.
You can change your vote.

Please give us your feedback!
Instructors will be provided.

OK Robert, thanks for the suggestion.
A Time Trial involves timing and points scored for top times in a class.
A D.E. involves no timing, just a chance to improve your skills and have fun pushing your car in a fun and safe environment. It is a great step toward getting involved with Time Trials.

See official PCA description
http://www.pcasdr.org/porsche_events/track_events/driversed/index.php

Streets of Willow ($100 Estimated)
Infield Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrLoiiG5ges
Autoclub Speedway in Fontana AKA California Speedway ($135-149 estimated)

[Robert]

I think it would be helpful for everyone if you would point out the differences between a big track DE and TT.

[va122]

Hey Martin,

I'm not sure what direction you're going with the poll, if you're trying to establish a TT school or something. If that's the case I think it would be helpful for noobs as it would provide a "bridge" from Q DE's and TT's.

[MR LIPP]

Hey Vic
For Time Trialers this would be a fun practice day with no Qualcomm asphalt sandblasting issues.
For "noobs" it is a fun transition to big tracks/time trials.
The D.E. team is trying to figure if we can get enough people to fill this event and where we will draw them from. We are looking into dates for both tracks and are thinking about something in June as the racing calendar is light then. We are also thinking about doing another D.E. school. I am sure I can count on you to share your valuable experience as instructor. We will auction off your instruction to "noobs" in a 3/4 cup GT3 to help make ends meet

[Robert]

I would also add that, other than the use of timing transponders, the first 10 (of 11) sessions in our TT's are, for all intents and purposes (other than perhaps some street car auto insurance policies), a DE. If you never go look at the transponder printouts and you skip session 11, timed runs (which many of our regulars do), you're experience will be virtually indistinguishable from a DE. For those that do not care about their times, we use transponders to help keep cars and drivers in the run group that is safest and most fun for them.

Note that we are having a TT at Streets of Willow on a Friday (and Saturday) in about 2 weeks, January 30 & 31. Anyone who would vote for Martin's proposal should seriously consider this event (and sign up by tomorrow to save $): great track, close by, at least one weekday, and tons of fun. To register go to http://pcasdr.motorsportreg.com.

Martin, one other suggestion...if you get enough interest in weekday DE's, perhaps consider piggybacking your dates to a typical TT weekend (upcoming Streets event notwithstanding). That way, interested TT'ers could get an extra day of practice in, which makes their effort of heading out of town all the more worthwhile, and lowers the financial risk for the Club.

[Dan Chambers]

FWIW: I have wanted to do a one-day DE at Fontana Infield since first viewing the layout with Carl and Gary as AX Chair in '04. Phil Tucker showed us the line and the surface was soooo smoooooth! Nice thing about Fontana, fees include Corner Workers and EMT/ERT service (at least it did in '04).

I'm not sure if it's cost feasible for a one-day event, but it sure would be nice.

Additionally, I really like the "day away from work DE/AX" events that OCR and GPR put on at SOW. They are fun, and not too expensive. I do them whenever I can get the day off. Bummer it's such a long trip for a one-day event. Fontana is closer ...

My dos-pesos.

[richard]

I would go to Fontana except early-mid June. Don't know how to check the boxes for voting.

[kescheussler]

I believe OCR is working at an Autoclub Speedway (infield) event sometime this year. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
ks

[Kim Crosser]

I like the idea of a Friday event better than Monday. Drive up Thursday after work, have fun Friday, then have the weekend before back to work. Doing the Monday event (my worst day for business meetings - hardest to get away) means getting back real late from Willow and still having to get up early on Tuesday.

[Bill Behun]

I ditto Dan.

(whatever that means).

[Steve Grosekemper]

I would love to do streets of Fontana for a one day event.
Fontana would be my first choice as we haven't done it before and it is much closer and a much nicer facility.
I think bang for the buck is the real question here.
I am thinking Fontana is going to be a bit more costly...

I also agree that Friday would be my day of choice unless there was a substancial cost reduction for a monday Fontana.
If both weekdays are the same cost, I think Fridays are the way to go.
Mondays are quite hectic for me as well and nobody really gets anything dne on a Friday... do they?

These events make great test and tune days!

[Dan Chambers]

I would love to do streets of Fontana for a one day event.
Fontana would be my first choice as we haven't done it before and it is much closer and a much nicer facility.
I think bang for the buck is the real question here.
I am thinking Fontana is going to be a bit more costly...

I also agree that Friday would be my day of choice unless there was a substancial cost reduction for a monday Fontana.
If both weekdays are the same cost, I think Fridays are the way to go.
Mondays are quite hectic for me as well and nobody really gets anything dne on a Friday... do they?

These events make great test and tune days!

Err ... yeah, what he said. Friday: good. Monday: not as good. Closer, better facility, maybe the $$ we put into track fees would be the $$ we use for hotel/gas to Lancaster/etc., yeah ... all of it. Yeah ... that's the ticket. (And speaking of ticket: less distance to travel for Martin R. to risk another one ... couldn't resist; sorry Martin. )

DC

[ChuckS]

Fontana would have a higher entry fee (unless we got a lot of people going), but without the Hotel cost, less food cost and much lower gas cost (it's a lot closer), it is probably less expensive overall.

I vote for Friday as well!

[MR LIPP]

Fontana would have a higher entry fee (unless we got a lot of people going), but without the Hotel cost, less food cost and much lower gas cost (it's a lot closer), it is probably less expensive overall.

I vote for Friday as well!

_________
Peter worked up an estimated cost of $135 for Fontana and $100 for streets, but I suspect Chuck is right. Just the cost of one night hotel will make it a wash. Then there's gas and time.
BTW, I recommend the AAA premier service for towing up to 200 miles to help non-trailer drivers feel better about making the trip.
Infield Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrLoiiG5ges

[va122]

Wait, what? How did you get 135 for fontana? I was actually talking about this yesterday at the track, last time we checked it was like 10k to rent the track on a weekday! Granted that my conversation was for the Roval, but that may not make a difference unless the track can rent the oval only to someone else. I may have misunderstood.

I personally don't care for just the infield b/c I would miss the rush of doing like 175+ on the banking

Fontana would have a higher entry fee (unless we got a lot of people going), but without the Hotel cost, less food cost and much lower gas cost (it's a lot closer), it is probably less expensive overall.

I vote for Friday as well!

_________
Peter worked up an estimated cost of $135 for Fontana and $100 for streets, but I suspect Chuck is right. Just the cost of one night hotel will make it a wash. Then there's gas and time.
BTW, I recommend the AAA premier service for towing up to 200 miles to help non-trailer drivers feel better about making the trip.
Infield Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrLoiiG5ges