Hi, I'm looking for a good place within reasonable striking distance of Chicago that can teach me how to drive on a track.

I was originally going to get free driving lessons from a friend but he had something that got in the way.

Google has failed me. Yellowpages has failed me. Site search has failed me. Help?

 

A few of us here run with NASA. Not free though, look them up.

 

NASA has an event in July at autobahn in Joliet. They also have an event in September at Gingerman in South Haven, MI - about 3 hours away.

They both also have other groups that run in both places. I've only done one NASA weekend so far, so I can't speak to the quality of the others. Gingerman is a good place to do your first track weekend. Lots of runoff area.

 

When he says "Not free though", what he means is that you have to pay for the track time. NASA doesn't charge for the classroom sessions and the experienced driver ride-along that are required for all new drivers. The SCCA also has a similar program. All though, it will end up being more expensive for the weekend and their safety rules are extensive (like to run TT, you required to have a full roll cage in the car).
Because both groups use experienced race drivers as instructors, the SCCA may have a better school for beginners. They have had the road racing program for a longer time, with more races available to the competitor. These instructors are volunteers and the quality of instruction will vary.
I am a member of both the SCCA and NASA.

 

Are classes at NASA and SCCA one time deals or are there regular classes? I KNOW I can't learn how to race in one day.

 

I've never been to a SCCA HPDE, so I can't answer for that. I believe the NASA classroom sessions are one day, held on your first run day between driving sessions. As long as you are classed in HPDE I, you will have a instructor in the car. In HPDE II, you can request a instructor to ride along. HPDE III & IV there are no ride alongs. You should know what your doing by that point. Timing is included in HPDE IV and they run with the TT classes.
I haven't actually participated in an NASA HPDE, money problems. But I have been there as a guest and I sat in on the classroom session to see what they were being taught. I have participated in other, outside, tracking events since having the 8

 

I must still be missing something. If I go for a level I class one day, get both sessions and the classroom, they plop me down in level II the next time? What I don't understand is if each level is one session, what's in between?

 

I was told, most people graduate from HPDE I to HPDE II by the end of your first day. The various classes are to group drivers by their experience level. You will still have to conclude your classroom sessions by the end of your first day whether you are in I or have been moved to II.

 

Falken:

You are welcome ot join us (www.MVPTrackTime.com) at the track. We have two events (Autobhan - August 18th and Blackhawk Farms September 13th & 14th) near Chicago.

Mark "Feff" Pfeffer

 

Falken,

From what I've seen, you only have to move up in run groups when you feel you are ready. They aren't going to force you to go out there in the higher run groups. I plan to stay in the low run groups with very limited passing for a long time.

If the weather holds out, devildog and I are planning on running at autobahn next saturday with trackdaze.com. I will be running in the lowest run group. I've had two NASA days at Gingerman so far.

 

Keep tabs on this thread to see what the latest track happenings with us Evolv folks are: https://www.rx8club.com/mw-rx-8-forum-31/upcoming-wi-il-track-days-120420/page21/

 

Hey Falken,

You can learn a lot in the passenger seat if you're willing to be thrown around for a bit Go to one of the events in the thread listed above and see if you can be a ride-along. I'm amazed at what I've learned just by riding along. The best advice: don't throw up in a borrowed helmet!!!

This way you can start learning in your head and then add the rest

Check with event coordinators to see if ride-alongs are allowed.

 

devildog and I will be running at autobahn tomorrow with trackdaze.com. Red Devil and mac11 will probably be there as coaches, pit crew, giving us crap for our mistakes, etc. Would be a good opportunity to come out and see a track day and have some people explain to you what is going on. Sounded like they might allow ride alongs as well. I won't be experienced enough to do them myself, but others that are running probably will. You might be able to get a ride along during the instructors track time, which would be fun.

If nothing else a track day is an opportunity for a "car show". You can see a lot of interesting cars very close up. For example, when I was at Gingerman there was a Ferrari F430.