As most of you know, i am new to the board. I have a healthy 996tt with only a exhaust and ss modification. I want to start running it on tracks but dont know where to begin. I live in Southern California and would appreciate any input on events or clubs that can assist me. I am complete novice to this but figure everyone has to start somewhere.

Any advice would be appreciated....
CAA

 

The first thing I would do is go to the PCA website. They have racing events all the time for all classes. You should also check the SCCA website. Between those two you'll find exactly what works for you.

 

Go to the RTR PCA chapter's website (others have this I am sure) and dig into DE's. Someplace there is a manual for DE's read it all....

Then, if not in the PCA, join and go to a DE. Follow the advice in that manual (what to bring, how to behave, etc.).


Worked for me.


JB

 

First thing I would do is to join your local PCA chapter. Most are wealth of advice. Second, get out and sign up for a couple of DE events. These types of venues really teach you how the car handles. Good luck.

 

also hit some of the local autocrosses

 

I think you should begin by doing several autocross events before you get onto a fast track at a DE event. Auto-x will teach you a lot about the handling characteristics of your car.

 

Thanks. There is actualy a local Auto-X venue this weekend close to me which I am going to attend. I appreciate all the advice.

 

you can google the track names around you like "button willow", "fontana" and "california speedway" along with words like "track day". besides PCA, there are other organizations that are easier to deal with. my local PCA chapter has too many pre-requisites for a track day (ground school, shop inspection).

like others said, do an AX first.

 

One caveat....my insurance agent told me the following:

If the event is timed, no coverage. If not timed, not problem- we'll cover you....check with your agent.

I agree AX would have been good...but if I did damage there, no coverage. At a fast DE (VIR)...full bumper to bumper....

Go figure. But, that was incredibly important for me to find out.

I have this in writing now.

YMMV.

 

Give us a call or stop by the shop.

We can help support your efforts and help you avoid the pitfalls many fall into when starting out.

We can and have supported clients who have never been on a race track or DE all the way up to getting them trained for pro racing.

 

He is amazing and helped me. Run, don't walk, to his shop to talk with him.
Wish I could just drive to GMG....

Fabryce...why can't you put a shop in Central PA?



JB

 

First thing is......

Cut up all your credit cards, lock all of your money in 5 years CD's, payoff your house....BECAUSE once you start Auto-Xing, or DE...............you are going to be HOOKED, and you will SPEND all of your money on RACING...


Seriously,

Auto-Xing is great, but its boring.
I would get involved with PCA, POC, or even BMWCCA, and start going to HPDE (high performance driver education). Some of the clubs have excellent instructors and they can really get you started in the right direction.

But first, you will want to read up on the rules regarding car prep and driver requirements.

And since you live in So Cal, I would take Fabryce up on his offer to visit him down at his shop. Its a huge 15,000 sq. ft Motorsports Center. They do roll bars, harnesses all the way up to supporting and campaigning 3 2008 997 GT3 Cup cars in the World Challenge GT series.

www.gmgracing.com


Good luck. But dont say I didnt warn you...... $$$$$$$$$$$

 

Where in So. Cal are you?

I go up to Streets of Willow in Rosamond and I'm headed to Calif. Speedway in early May and possibly back to Streets this month. There's also some other tracks around.

You can checkout these sites as well for track days outside of PCA and POC. They are a bit more reasonable, money-wise, for timed track day practice. I go through Speedventures mostly.
www.speedventures.com
http://www.speedtrialusa.com/index1.html

 

If you are serious about tracking, I would sell the Turbo, NO JOKE!

I think most of the guys on here that track TT regular and are serious about it, spend an absolute fortune, If I was to turn back the clock I would have done a 996GT3RS for sure. If you get hooked you will take the car to far and probably beyond return, I look at my car now without a value on it's head, It's a hobby, I use mostly for track only now and if I have an off or an incident (Knock on wood) then so be it!

Don't get me wrong, the Turbo is quick on track but you will lose out BIGTIME on stock brakes and suspension and to compete with the likes of the GT3RS you will find yourself spending fortunes.

If I was you I would try a couple of track days first and see how it goes after that.

 

Just to add, I'm happy with the way my car has turned out and performs but let's say it wasn't cheap