2004 Track Event Announcements
As part of NCRC's financial support of NSXPO 2003, the Northern California Racing Club (NCRC) agreed that the Sacramento Chapter would designate NCRC as its official track club for 2004. NSX Club members in good standing can attend any NCRC event without being required to pay NCRC membership for the year. The first event is scheduled to take place on May 22-23, 2004, at the new Reno-Farley racetrack in Reno, Nevada. See complete details and track schedule by clicking the link below.
A Brief Overview of an Open Track Event
By Gary Berger.
When members aren't at club meetings, guess where you may find them. Yes! At the track! There are many other clubs that run open track events each with their own sets of rules and equipment requirements. Please check with your local car clubs for more information. This open track event explains what a Green Flag Driving Association open track is like.
After registering, everything else happens the day of the event:
- Put your car through tech inspection. Simple for stock NSXs. Need a helmet (check the minimum Snell rating the track organizer will require) and a fire extinguisher within reach of the driver. Gloves are recommeneded and most other track organizers require it. Red or blue is best for visibility should you need to provide hand signals to the corner workers. The registration packet you get in the mail will have all the requirements. For Laguna Seca, you must be under 95db sound limit in front of the State-maintained sound shacks. They are located on the rise from Turn 5 and also going up the hill towards the Corkscrew. You were able to lift past Turn 5 to try and lower your exhaust note but you can't do that going up the hill to the Corkscrew. You get two warnings, then you're out and no refund. This is not the club's fault. It's a State park and they set the rules.
Click photos for larger viewing size.
- Attend a one hour class in the morning to learn the rules of passing, reading flags and how to corner and brake, etc.
- Go on the slow-speed drive-around with the chief steward to see the track. Takes about 10 minutes.
- Wait till your group is called. You'll be in the novice group. (There's an intermediate and an advanced group, too, when you're ready).
- Line up at start/finish with about 25 other cars in your group and when the green flag drops...DRIVE!! using what you learned at the class.
- You can request an SCCA driver go with you, either driving your car or as a passenger, to get further coaching. You can do this all day long, as long as they're available. Its included in the price and its a heck of a deal, much cheaper than a driving school.
- Usually, they allow passengers after lunch (over 18 years and helmet, too) and, if secured properly in the car, you can video tape your sessions!
- You'll go out for 20-25 minutes per session, about 4 or 5 or 6 sessions during the day, as they rotate the three classes.
- Visitors are usually allowed anywhere, photos are okay, very low key, come and go as you want in the pits, the pit wall, the lunch truck, gas available, etc.
As the day goes on and you learn the track and your car, its stops being scary and gets fun. Then eventually it gets downright addictive!
The event is NOT timed, passing is ONLY allowed in two or three safe straight-aways and you ONLY drive as fast as you want to...those are the keys to a safe, fun event! Its an opportunity to drive fast, safely and legally, as the NSX was meant to be used. The various groups that sponsor these events want you to come back, so they've learned how to run an efficient, safe, fun event. Follow the rules and you'll have a blast!
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| Turn 6 flat out |
Corkscrew awaits |
Taking the plunge! |
I also want to say that getting to drive on a real race track (especially one with the famous Corkscrew)
is NOT TO BE MISSED! But if you do miss out, there's Sears Point, Buttonwillow, ThunderHill,
Willow Springs and more. And that's just California!
You too can become an addict!
Check out the In-Car photos for a lap around Laguna Seca.
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