Koala Joe

Ya'll Westside Folks,

On May 22 - May 23, Speed Trial USA will be hosting Streets of Willow @ Willow Springs Raceway. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Speed Trial USA, they are an organization that hosts amature circuit events where anyone and everyone can drive on a real racetrack. This is your opportunity to prove your driving skills, or to improve your basic racing skills on a close-circuit environment. All you need is your car (passing tech-inspection), a SA-95 or better helmet, full tank of gas, yourself and you're ready to go.

Please check out their Website for additional information. Lets bring out the RX8 and see what it can do. You can bet you'll see lots of 350Z's, S2000's, WRX's, STI's, Integras, Civics, Accord, Silva's, S15's, BMW's, Porsche's, specialty vehicles, and hopefully, lots of RX8's.

Note - this event grows by leaps and bounds each year. The first time I went (2 years ago) the event had about 60-70 participants. Last year I went we had close to 150+ (I think). So remember to sign up early if you wish to join the fun.

Date: May 22 - May 23 (Sat & Sun)
Location: Willow Springs Raceway
Event: Streets of Willow

www.speedtrialusa.com

Myself and 5 of my friends have already signed up for the event. A friend of mine is part of the STU organization; if we can get more people to sign up, we might get a discount. PM me if you're interested in attending. Lets go out and have some fun! :D

Koala Joe

26 hits and no one's interested???

RX8Bliss

120bones? i might go, but seems a bit crowded. i just have to get my helmet back from my friend - who took off to texas with it.

Koala Joe

120 Bones is not bad at all. My friend Tommy said they're anticipating about 150 - 200 cars this time.

mpheinitz

Are you nuts?

150 cars is too many. How much track time can one expect and what are the run groups like?

~Michael

Koala Joe

Mpheinitz, its a big track, 1.87 miles long. There will be 6-7 groups running: Pros, Advance A & B, Intermediate A & B, Beginner A & B. Each group gets 15 -20 min on the track, which is about average 8-10 laps. The groups are launched one after another. Event starts from 8:30 till 5:30, with 30min break in between. Trust me, even with 150 people, you'll get more than enough runs throughout the whole day.

Were you planning to do a endurance run on your 8??? Besides, they cap the entrance.

Koala Joe

Which ever group you belong to, you'll get at least 7-8 runs the whole day. I don't think you want to push your car that hard.

jdl

Michael makes a good comment -- and he should know, with the amount of time he's spent on the Streets over the years, among others

There's definitely a point of diminishing returns at the Streets as the number of groups and participants go up. At 6+ groups and 150 drivers, you'd have to stop, turn around, and squit real hard to find the that point you passed waaaay back there...

-jd.

mazdaexe

I've been to an event held by speedtrial. I think its a bit too crowded and not quite enough lap times, cuz usually things are running slower than you expect. And on the course, I think its a bit too crowded, kind of becomes dangerous (especially with some wreckless drivers). and the workers there has some really bad attitude (maybe a specific case...)

I actually like redline events better, but they kind of switched to friday events now. 20 cars in each group, 30 minutes each group.
60 cars per day. less crowded.

speedtrial kind of do things more safely (also means slower). while redline really gets you going on the course. not saying that redline is unsafe, but not as safe as speedtrial.

if you want a safer time, go to speedtrial. if you want more laptimes, consider redline.

Koala Joe

Point taken guys. I know Speed Trial is not the same as before, but I think it still worthwhile going; bunch of my friends go there and have a BBQ and watch other "wreckless" drivers make a fool of themselves :D

I hope to see some of you there. PM me if you're going so know who to look for.

Riccio

One thing to keep in mind, while participating in this type of event, is in addition to the $120 to run the event, depending on how hard you drive, budget in for a new set of tires.

Not in my RX8, but when my partner and I went to a comparable event at Willow, sponsored by Beverly Hills Maserati/Ferrari, at the end of the day, he was ordering a new set of tires for his Maserati - the ones we drove in on were pretty FRIED......

Edit: He just had to replace the two front tires - not all four tires - my mistake.....

mpheinitz

Have fun and be safe. I will not be attending this event.

~Michael

Koala Joe

Riccio - Racing was never considered a "cheap" sport :D

casual

What else would you need besides a helmet as far as safety gear?
I would only be able to make it on Sunday, if you only make it one day would you suggest Saturday or Sunday?
This is probably not covered by my insurance either, huh?

Psychofox

i will be there

Koala Joe

Sunday would be less crowded. So I would recommend Sunday if you don't like being around too many people. Majority go there only 1 day.