[RamAir02]

I've run with PCA & HoD. I've heard great things about Chin Track Days as well.

I'll be at Watkins Glen Aug 26-28 with PCA NNJR. I'll also be at The Glen Oct 14-16 with HoD. I was there in May this year with PCA Potomac and last year with Hooked on Driving and PCA Potomac.

I'm a big fan of the PCA events. They seem to come in about half the cost of Hooked on Driving for a similar experience, IMHO. PCA is well organized, you tech every morning, lots of track time, 20-25 min sessions, great instructors and they'll move you up groups quickly as you progress.

I wouldn't worry about the independent track inspection. The form is simple. You can have a dealer fill it out or an independent shop, but what often works better is PCA runs a free tech inspection at a shop a few weeks before each event. Even the tech inspection is fun since you meet a bunch of the folks you'll be going to the event with. I usually do the free tech inspection or use a shop that charges $50 to throw the car on a lift, check it out and stamp the tech form.

[23 ZL1]

Anyone familiar with New Jersey Motorsports Park and the events that run there?

[RamAir02]

Originally Posted by 23 ZL1

Anyone familiar with New Jersey Motorsports Park and the events that run there?

Yeah, I was at Thunderbolt in May with PCA NNJR and I'll be at Lightning Oct 8-9 with the same chapter. HoD was at Thuderbolt July 7-8, but I couldn't make that event.

[23 ZL1]

Originally Posted by RamAir02

Yeah, I was at Thunderbolt in May with PCA NNJR and I'll be at Lightning Oct 8-9 with the same chapter. HoD was at Thuderbolt July 7-8, but I couldn't make that event.

That's the closest track to me. If my ZL1 ever gets delivered I'm sure I'll head there for my first track experience. I believe they do SCCA stuff there as well. Any recommendations for groups or organizations to get involved with for a novice?

[RamAir02]

Originally Posted by 23 ZL1

That's the closest track to me. If my ZL1 ever gets delivered I'm sure I'll head there for my first track experience. I believe they do SCCA stuff there as well. Any recommendations for groups or organizations to get involved with for a novice?

As noted above, I've only experienced PCA & Hooked on Driving. Both put on great events. PCA is a bit less expensive, but I'll continue to do PCA & HoD events. I would like to try Chin Track Days based on feedback from people I've met at the track too. I came into this hobby as a novice and found instructors for PCA & HoD to be fantastic.

While I would like to experience other organizations as well, I've enjoyed running with the same groups -- you meet folks, keep seeing them at multiple events, become friends and get kind of a "track crew" going. When I'm registering for events now, I typically text 5-10 people to see if they plan to be there. In addition to the thrill of HPDE, it's nice to have that community feel as well.

[VaporPressure]

I've run with 3 different regions of PCA, and 10/10ths.

PCA is a really good organization to start out with. All the events have been well-organized with lots of friendly people. The instructors have ranged from pretty good to very good. They have a classroom curriculum for novices that is helpful. Haven't had any bad experiences. However once you're comfortable with what you're doing, then at times PCA can feel a little bit more strict and serious about all the rules the national PCA set out for them. But again, really good group to get started with and they put on fun, safe events.

10/10ths seems to emphasize personal responsibility a bit more. It feels a bit more laid back than PCA, with focus on just maximizing track time. Their intermediate group is passing anywhere on track with a point, which works out really well. Their advanced group is passing anywhere, no point-by needed. Based on my lap times it appears I could run advanced, but after riding with an instructor in advanced I think the passing is a bit too dodgy for me. I know a few guys faster than me who don't like the advanced group's passing set up either, but it works for a lot of people. I've enjoyed intermediate group a lot, it seems on average a bit quicker than the intermediate PCA group and the drivers are very conscientious. That being said, there's only 3 run groups which cuts two ways. Lots of track time, but at the most recent event my group was way too crowded.

I'm interested to hear if anyone else has feedback on MVP besides their personal feelings regarding the organizer. Are the events well-organized and fun? Safe drivers? Thanks.

[RUQWIKR]

CHIN is my consistent go-to across the country. Not saying others aren't good. My biggest issue with certain providers is finding out they class based on what the car is only / mainly.

I've showed up to events and the Advanced group is a bunch of "fast" cars - many with drivers that should not be in that run group whether it be for overall pace, situational awareness, predictability, etc.

[Kmeleon]

Originally Posted by 23 ZL1

That's the closest track to me. If my ZL1 ever gets delivered I'm sure I'll head there for my first track experience. I believe they do SCCA stuff there as well. Any recommendations for groups or organizations to get involved with for a novice?

23, I'm running NJMP Lightning next week with Track night (TNIA). They're usually there once a month or so over the summer. Nice thing about TNIA is cheaper and they don't start till about 3pm so I can take 1/2 days of vacation instead of a full day.

[Kmeleon]

Originally Posted by RamAir02

I've run with PCA & HoD. I've heard great things about Chin Track Days as well.

I'll be at Watkins Glen Aug 26-28 with PCA NNJR. I'll also be at The Glen Oct 14-16 with HoD. I was there in May this year with PCA Potomac and last year with Hooked on Driving and PCA Potomac.

I'm a big fan of the PCA events. They seem to come in about half the cost of Hooked on Driving for a similar experience, IMHO. PCA is well organized, you tech every morning, lots of track time, 20-25 min sessions, great instructors and they'll move you up groups quickly as you progress.

I wouldn't worry about the independent track inspection. The form is simple. You can have a dealer fill it out or an independent shop, but what often works better is PCA runs a free tech inspection at a shop a few weeks before each event. Even the tech inspection is fun since you meet a bunch of the folks you'll be going to the event with. I usually do the free tech inspection or use a shop that charges $50 to throw the car on a lift, check it out and stamp the tech form.

Ram Air, I think I'll be joining HOD this October for WG, hopefully we get nice weather for the weekend. That weekend is gonna work out the best for bringing my wife and daughter with 😎

[RamAir02]

Originally Posted by Kmeleon

Ram Air, I think I'll be joining HOD this October for WG, hopefully we get nice weather for the weekend. That weekend is gonna work out the best for bringing my wife and daughter with ��

Watkins Glen is the only track around here that I'd recommend to bring the family to. Most tracks are in the middle of nowhere or in more depressed areas. Watkins Glen has a great downtown, very walkable with lots of shops. Watkins Glen State Park is very cool. And Seneca Lake has wineries, restaurants, a brewery or two and a distillery along it. I stay at the Harbor Hotel -- I think it's the nicest hotel there. Dano's is one of the best restaurants I've been to up there -- it's Austrian and delicious. Stone Cat used to be amazing, but it's under new ownership, different chef and they changed the format -- famous for their catfish, but I won't be returning. Such a shame.

[RUQWIKR]

Originally Posted by RUQWIKR

CHIN is my consistent go-to across the country. Not saying others aren't good. My biggest issue with certain providers is finding out they class based on what the car is only / mainly.

I've showed up to events and the Advanced group is a bunch of "fast" cars - many with drivers that should not be in that run group whether it be for overall pace, situational awareness, predictability, etc.

Just to clarify, I've run with many fine other groups: TrackDaze, SCCA, Edge Addicts, etc. Every group will have it's issue of the day. Track, track conditions, car count, etc. play a big part.

[23 ZL1]

Originally Posted by Kmeleon

23, I'm running NJMP Lightning next week with Track night (TNIA). They're usually there once a month or so over the summer. Nice thing about TNIA is cheaper and they don't start till about 3pm so I can take 1/2 days of vacation instead of a full day.

Nice. Do they make the cars run numbers for those events?

[Kmeleon]

Originally Posted by 23 ZL1

Nice. Do they make the cars run numbers for those events?

No, no car #'s.

[wakespeak]

I like Edge Addicts here in TX. They are relaxed but also organized where needed. The feel is more like you're at a track event vs track school. I have done enough events for several years now and appreciate that.