Calling all mid-atlantic guys - anyone going to to the SCCA PDX at Summit Main on Oct 23rd? Last day to sign up is Oct 18th. Pretty certain I will be going if the weather looks good.

Right now the entry list shows a 2007 Shelby GT and a 2011 GT 500 signed up...anyone on this forum?

Saturday 23rd is a pure track day (PDX). They will run 4 groups: Novice, Inter, Advanced, Instructors. Sunday is a combined Time Trial (TT) and PDX. So Saturday is the day to go, unless you compete in TT of course (full race prep cars).

I've attended several events put on by the Wash DC region SCCA. Always well run, low car counts, plenty of track time and great instruction. In terms of bang-for-the buck they really do offer one of the best deals in the East.

For anyone in the area who has never tried a track day this is a good opportunity. Summit Main is nice track, its a good combination of high speed and slower technical sections. The track is relatively easy to learn and doesn't overwhelm a novice (unlike Shenandoah for example). Any questions post them here or shoot me a pm.

Brad

 

I've never been there and wanted to go, but I'm shooting for Summit Point with NASA November 6-7. I'd love to go with you and SCCA, but I'm not going to make it that weekend.

 

The NASA event is also a good one. For the benefit of those who don't know the terminology or organizations:

SCCA is the sports car club of america. Its a nation wide organization with regions in every state. Each region is run by a club - just a group of folks who like cars. They sanction many, many car events. They are the 'big guys' on the block when it comes to AutoCross. They also put on club racing events at race tracks and even have a yearly national championship (each region has championships as well).

NASA is the national auto sports association. Its similar - its nation wide, there are regions and the clubs in each region put on car events. Overall it is smaller than SCCA but they are less into AutoCross and more into race track type racing: solo time trials and wheel-to-wheel. It is 'younger' than SCCA and its rules for classing cars are very different and some would say much better (power to weight ratio for example).

With regard to the two events at Summit Point (the SCCA PDX on Oct 23-24 and the NASA Fall Finale on Nov 6-7):
- On Sat Oct 23rd the SCCA event is PDX only - meaning there are no events during the day other than lapping sessions (with or without an instructor depending on your experience)
- On Sun Oct 24th the SCCA event is PDX and Time Trials. This means the PDX guys (i.e. US, or at least me) have to share the track (seperate sessions) with the Time Trial guys. Time Trials are competitive - basically its like AutoCross on a track instead of in a parking lot in that its you against the clock. I've never done it, and I'm sure its fun but it takes a certain level of car prep that I don't have, namely a full roll cage and fire system.
- On Nov 6-7 both days are PDX and TT, thus you have to share the track both days.

Most NASA events also have wheel-to-wheel racing, thus even more groups of guys on the track. For these reasons, i.e. NASA tends to be very competition oriented, I mostly shy away from their events. I've been to them, and it is cool seeing all the race cars and watching the races but if you are looking to maximize track time during sessions with fewer cars on the track, its not the best venue (this is a generalization but usually holds true).

 

You don't need a roll cage for NASA TT (at least in some groups for all I know).

 

I'm not sure about NASA but in SCCA they have two forms: Club Trial and Track Trial. In Track Trial you need full racing prep. In Club Trial you don't. The decision on which to hold at a particular venue is made by folks higher up in the SCCA organization (i.e. safety steward type folks) and is based on speed and track danger/difficulty. At Summit Point - the Main circuit is Track Trial only while the Shenandoah circuit is Club Trial. The event on Oct 23-24 is on the main circuit and thus the TT, on Sunday 24th requires full cages.

 

Argonaut - I assume you need to be an SCCA member to participate in these events?

I second what you said about Summit Main being an easy track to learn. Great mix of high speed and technical parts. I've been on it and love it!

Have you ever been to VIR?

What groups do you typically run with?

 

Yes you have to be a SCCA member but they have a 'member for a day' system. I think its for insurance purposes. Anyway, for a few dollars more you can be a member for a day.

I've been to VIR a few times. Its a spectacular track. The climbing Esses are pure nirvana. Hope to go back in November. Its a 6 hr drive for me.

My favorite organizations to do track days with are TrackDaze.com and the Shattenbaum Porsche Club. TrackDaze will be at VIR Nov 15-16.

 

Thanks for the info. I couldn't agree more about the climbing esses!

I'm in WV and can get to VIR (about 4 hrs) quicker than Summit Point. Go figure!

A very good friend of mine is instructing with TrackDaze in Nov. Sadly, I probably won't be able to make it to that event. I've done events with MazdaDrivers and the Potomac Chapter of the Audi Club. Maybe we can get to the same event sometime next year.