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

[va122]

Don't get me wrong, i would probably go and instruct. With my portable cool suit of course. It was Hot when i raced there last Apirl.

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

[Rsylvestri]

+++1 for Fridays any track config @ Fontana
175 in turn 1= big whevoes in a street GT3
153 tops in a street 993

[davidsq]

113 in that "off line" red thing u got...

[MR LIPP]

Really good info from Peter


Driver's Education AWAY from Qualcomm Stadium
by SDGT3 on Sat Jan 17, 2009 12:02 pm

Hello to all PCA members,

I want to post something as it relates to the on going discussion of what fellow DE Co-Chair Martin Lipp posted as it relates to conducting a DE at a big track vs. what has been customary to PCA and running a DE on the surface lot at Qualcomm Stadium.

When the current 2009 DE Chairs (Carl Scraggs, Martin and myself) met with the 2008 DE Chairs (Chuck Sharp and Curt Yaws), we spoke about doing something different as it relates to DE's. As most already know, Qualcomm is probably in it's final years as a place we can use for the use of any motorsports and others in the club are already looking for suitable venues to continue to hold events locally, In the meantime, we need to look for new ways to do things and one that has been discussed for years has been conducting a DE at a proper track. One of the other reasons was to become a "feeder" series for the Time Trial events.

It was our opinion that there needed to be a better transition for individuals who autocross to progress to the TT series and what better way to do that than to have a DE away from Qualcomm and at a bigger track.

We thank you for all your responses to the poll questions as it helps us gauge what the membership wants. From said responses, we can clearly see that everyone would like to see a DE at either the Fontana infield or Streets of Willow, preferably on a Friday if it has to be a weekday. After our meeting this past Monday, I went to work contacing both tracks to check availablity. Please note that weekend days are not only already booked, but are cost prohibitive and therefore we are looking for weekdays.

Keep in mind that we want to have at least 1 DE away from Qualcomm this year, but we have to make sure it doesn't interfer with any of the autocross, time trial dates or other Zone 8 events. As a result, June was completely open. Also bear in mind that after late-June until October, both of these tracks become extremely hot and most don't want to go there. Therefore, I checked from early June to mid-June and gain from late October to early December and NO FRIDAY dates were open. As we are new DE Chairs installed just this year, we could not act prior to our meeting this past Monday and are late to the party in terms of gathering our choice of dates. If all goes well this year, we hope to gather earlier dates for 2010 and have that "Friday" everyone desires.

After discussing the most preferable date available with Carl and Martin, we have elected to reserve Monday, June 15, 2009 as a date at Fontana's infield course. Carl will complete a budget and propose it to the board at the next meeting in February.

Because Fontana is more expensive to rent than Streets, a higher participation rate is needed to make this work, including, but not limited to extending the invitation to other regions like OCR, GPX, LA, etc. What I can tell you is that the entry fee will be higher than Streets (estimate is appx. $49 more), but there will actually be LESS out of pocket expenses to members when compared to Streets because there will be savings in gas as Fontana is closer and most important, NO need for an overnight stay in a hotel in Lancaster or Palmdale.

Finally, we'd like to gauge the level of support or lack thereof, this date on June 15th at Fontana has at this point. If there is not enough interest, we will not put a deposit to secure the date after the Feb. board meeting.

We thank you in advance for your anticipated response to this questionnaire.
__________________________________
Peter Busalacchi
2009 DE Co-Chair

[Cajundaddy]

Great idea guys,
I enjoy running the cones with you at the Q, but track events at Fontana and Streets are a major hoot. There should be no trouble filling the event if you open it to OCR and GPX members. The "for profit" guys usually charge $190 or so at Fontana but run groups and passing safety are often afterthoughts with them and get a little spooky. I look forward to a PCA Zone 8 track day at either location.

[Mike]

Nice letter Peter.
I'm interested in a DE June 15.
Mo fun to finish off Q-DE tires on the infield.

[kleggo]

yes

i recently completed the POC Short Track series @ SOW and Fontana.
I'd go back, but TTs are beckoning also.

cheers

Craig

[SDGT3]

yes

i recently completed the POC Short Track series @ SOW and Fontana.
I'd go back, but TTs are beckoning also.

cheers

Craig

Craig,

I highly encourage you to sign up for the TT series. Jack and Robert put on a great event, are very organized, it's highly competitive and most of all is a lot of fun!!

Thank you for your post as it illustates the perceived void in the progression steps to go from autocross to time trials and eventually to club racing. You went to another club to gain experience in big track events. What Carl, Martin and myself would like to see is the membership stay "in-house" and become seasoned as they progress and go to TT and perhaps beyond.

In addition to meeting the demands of those that want to move up through the ranks, we'd also like to see those that already TT and club race use the DE setting for test and tune days, especially if they are stategically placed on the calender between events. This type of all encompassing event will give those newer to track events a good sense of what it's like to compete at a higher level and provide individuals with a wealth of information from those that have done this for years.

[Jackie C]

Martin and Peter,
You guys are making us other chairs look like we're slacking!!! Very organized and informed. Nice work. I like the shake up. Change is good. Sign me up for the 15th of June. I'll test,tune,instruct and have fun. We have so many new DE instructors, this will be a great opportunity for all and strategically planned to boot. Don't complain too much about the heat in June, because there is the wind to content with there as well...Think of it as "hardening" for Pahrump!

[gulf911]

the entry fee will be higher than Streets (estimate is appx. $49 more),

$49.00 higher than what? $295? This is a single day event and the Streets TT is a 2 day. What would be the estimated cost for this event?

Thanks,
Dan

[MR LIPP]

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

[Gunter]

Count me in

[gulf911]

I'm in as well.

Mr. Reinhardt , Grosekemper, Duncan, Smurfs, DQ... etc. please watch your mirrors, and move over...

[Curt Yaws]

Count me in. Thank goodness we finally got some pro-active DE chairs to give us new and exciting venues to play at. Thanks, Guys!

[ChuckS]

Count me in. Thank goodness we finally got some pro-active DE chairs to give us new and exciting venues to play at. Thanks, Guys!

+1 What Curt said!