Track Driver Education Classes or Club Suggestions?
 

I just picked up my first Z the other day (2011 Red Nismo) and I am looking forward to going to the track. I attended an HPDE event at Summit Point, WV, several months ago with the PCA (Porsche Club of America), even though I don't own a Porsche.

I live in Maryland, just south of Baltimore. The local Z club does not participate in track events. Does anyone have suggestions for other clubs that offer HPDE classes in the area? What tracks do the Zs hangout at around Maryland? :driving:

You might consider asking some of the MAZOC members if they know of any events. MAZOC = Mid-Atlantic Z Owners Club. I think they have a dedicated thread in the Mid-Atlantic region subforum.

Great advice, thank you!

You might want to check out Hooked On Driving, they host HPDE events at tracks all over, including Summit Point. They aren't affiliated with any club and they don't cater to any specific group of vehicle owners but they seem pretty legit from the research I've done. Keep in mind their program is focused on driving skills not racing skills. I'm thinking about doing an event up at Summit this summer.

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Let me know when ur planning on doing that..i live about 30 min from summit point and would love to go out there with some fellow z owners

Definitely, I'm tentatively thinking July or August, depending on how busy work is at the time

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I am definitely interested. It appears as though they are offering an event in July 2017. I think registration opens up in the next couple of months.

Summit Point Motorsports Park
Shenandoah 2017 Fun at Summit Point West Virginia (FULL WEEKEND)
Saturday - July 29, 2017 / Sunday - July 30, 2017
Registration Fee: $395.00 - $495.00

I also found an interesting event at Summit, 'Friday at the Track'.

Friday at the Track

Thats cool bro just let me know when the time comes and ill try my best to make it out...

Most of the clubs are pretty much the same IMO. Only differences will be qualifications for individual levels of advancement. As far as track time, IMO Trackdaze is the best club, but I typically only run in the open track days, which is not an instructed track day. It's for, at a minimum, people who have been signed off to track solo (typically some higher level intermediate or advanced HPDE). I like it because they have an open group for licensed drivers, which does not have any passing restrictions or the like. About 4hrs of track time per day in the open track day. Much less, like other clubs, on days when they include HPDE.

As a side note, I personally find Shenandoah to be an unsafe track. I don't run at Summit unless it is on the main circuit.

I've never been to Summit, although, I know a few people who race bikes up there. Can you elaborate on your safety concerns? I'm curious to hear your opinion as someone with track experience.

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Walls, no runoff, crappy layout (IMO) and a crest that pretty much demands any car that is remotely fast..let off, coast otherwise you don't have all of the wheels on the ground when you want to commit to the brakes. Main is OK, aside from the deer. Jefferson if you mess up you can end up in the trees...

I appreciate your feedback. Any other tracks in the area that you recommend?

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03threefiftyz - I definitely share your concern about trees when I was on the Jefferson circuit, per my limited experience. Given your high experience level, do you have a recommended raceway for beginners that is more forgiving? I live in Howard County to give you an idea of my location.

btw - I have seen your car at Hill's Garage a couple of time, very impressive setup. Frank is an amazing mechanic.

IMO, Shenandoah, Jefferson and Dominion are pretty unfriendly to mistakes. Strangely, the faster tracks like VIR, Summit Main and NJMP have a lot more run off and, especially with VIR and NJMP, have much better facilities.

It's all risk/reward. If you drive within your means and all of that you can have fun at any of them, I just see a few of the local tracks as higher risk than reward.

Thanks for the advice, I'll definitely take that into consideration, especially with my lack of experience. A bit off topic, but do you have any good recommendations for trustworthy performance mod shops near to the northern VA area?

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Hills Garage and no one else.

Agreed

https://hillsgarage.net/

Thanks, that's a strong endorsement. I definitely want to deal with someone I know I can trust. You seem like you know your **** so I'll check them out.

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Thanks again for the advice, I am checking out the different events at VIR & NJMP. A have ton of other questions, but I will spare you and keep reading through the old posts.

I typically run with NASA North East, they have other regions too. I personally like the NJ Motorsports Park tracks, lots of open space and run offs. The only time I've seen people hit something there, and only in HDPE 2 and above, is when they go off track and over correct then hit the inside barrier of a turn and that's not the tracks fault. My first track experience was with a local Subaru group and that was utter crap, almost no instruction, not corner workers, and an instructor whos only instruction was faster or slower. I ahve heard PCA is pretty good too but never went with them yet. NASA is pretty expensive but well orginized especially for first timers like I was.

As you might of noticed 370Z's are not very popular track cars. It's going to be tough to find any Z groups that also track their cars. However, I instruct and if you attend any Nasa Mid Atlantic event at Summit Point you will always find at least one fellow 370Z (as long as my car is not broke). And you will likely see two others 370Z’s with Jason aka TakJack (as long as he’s not on his lid) and Steve.

I also attend every Dominion and hope they make some improvements to it over the winter (although I am not holding my breath).

I'm nearby and run semi-regularly with NASA, along with TrackDaze, Track-Club USA. All of them are fine for starting out.

Moore Automotive in Fairfax and Mach V right around the corner from me are my go-to for tuning and alignment.

Pretty much everything else I do myself: from brakes, suspension, oil coolers, to clutch and transmission swaps. Hit me up with any questions.

One final question, do you guys recommend any books to read on HPDE? I realize that the best skills are learned with time in the seat. I am currently reading 'Porsche High-Performance Driving Handbook 2nd Edition' by Elford.

Thanks in advance.

Read anything by Ross Bently.
Also check out any BMW cca chapters in your area. They have a great program from novice to expert and you don't need a BMW to run with them. Pm me if you would like any more info.