I have no real desire to track my car, because I know it (and me) would suck. But I live reasonably close to Texas Motor Speedway as well as Texas Motorsport Ranch and both host amatuer type events all the time. I was wondering if those events are usually free or reasonable cheap to just watch. I don't mind spending like $5.

I went to one back in November at Texas Motor Speedway (SCCA I believe) and it was real fun just being there and seeing the cars drive. I'd like to kind of make it like a weekend "hobby". Just go and watch the cars drive around. Plus it would give me a good reason to get some practice on my camera.

 

Not sure about track days, although it's probably the same, but for just a driving-around-cones autocross, you're not going to pay anything until you end up at the trailer registering to drive the event.

Ask where it's ok to stand with the camera, though.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Westrock2000 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have no real desire to track my car, because I know it (and me) would suck. .</TD></TR></TABLE>

you shouldnt let that stop you from going out and driving. everyone starts from somewhere. and even if you dont have goals on winning or anything its good just to go out and drive your car, get to know it a little better, and improve your skill.

 

all the autox's ive done have been free to spectate. at gingerman i believe they were charging to park on site to watch.. thats the only track ive raced at

 

You may have to sign a waiver before you're allowed on the premises.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Outrun &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You may have to sign a waiver before you're allowed on the premises.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Ya I did have to sign a waiver and wear a bracelet.

 

Autocross events are free to watch, just sign the waiver. For taking pictures, sometimes they assign you a person to be your eyes, so you don't get flattened by an out-fo-control car when you're looking through the viewfinder.

For HPDE events, or real SCCA events, it might cost something. At Streets of Willow it was $10 I recall, but at Laguna Seca, I think it was free. You'll just have to go and find out. There are some pretty cool photographic points on some tracks...

 

Is that the corkscrew at Laguna?

 

every event i've been to has been free. for some regions, if u wana walk around where the cars are parked u have to have a wrist band that shows u are aware of the dangers and all. same with free ride alongs too

 

going to all these event and watching fast cars will make you want to participate at the next event. at least it did for me.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rochesterricer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Is that the corkscrew at Laguna?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Yes, it's an awesome track in a great area of the country.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Westrock2000 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Sign a waiver and wear a bracelet.</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

Alright good info guys. I guess I'll start checking out the calenders for Texas Motor Speedway and Texas Motorsport Ranch. Are there any websites I can check out that will show the calander for various sactioned bodies (or whatever there called), like local SCCA or NASA, or even HPDE.

 

Yes, I wrote this for just this question, and it's a sticky in this very forum:
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=972109

 

http://www.nasatx.com

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by davidnyc &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">http://www.nasatx.com

</TD></TR></TABLE> we gonna see you making a return to the track david?

 

Next time you go ask if you can help out. That's what I did for a while. You get really close to the action and, for me, it was free and really great fun.

 

it's been said a number of times, but i figured I woudl reiterate:

i've never been to an AutX or HPDE wher ethe group putting on the event charged admission to spectate... some venues, on the other hand will charge (as tends to be the case at gingerman)

for any Road race i've been to, there has been a $5-15 entry charge to spectate, might be more at the "bigger" tracks

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Red North &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Next time you go ask if you can help out. That's what I did for a while. You get really close to the action and, for me, it was free and really great fun.</TD></TR></TABLE>

+1 for asking to help. u'll really get to see how things run and learn a little. the event coordinators and other workers will appreciate the extra help big time

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Red North &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Next time you go ask if you can help out. That's what I did for a while. You get really close to the action and, for me, it was free and really great fun.</TD></TR></TABLE>

When I went to Texas Motor Speedway, they used a cone setup and I offered to help there. No one actually hit the cones in my area, but being close was fun. Today I went to Texas Motorsport Ranch and they did not use cones, so I just stood along the barriers and watched. Its fun to watch cars drive around. It was free as well

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Safir &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">it's been said a number of times, but i figured I woudl reiterate:

i've never been to an AutX or HPDE wher ethe group putting on the event charged admission to spectate... some venues, on the other hand will charge (as tends to be the case at gingerman)

for any Road race i've been to, there has been a $5-15 entry charge to spectate, might be more at the "bigger" tracks</TD></TR></TABLE>

While the organizer probably won't charge anything, the track entry fee can still apply. It does at Willow Springs, $10.

 

all autocrosses I've been to are free for spectators, but some are on some very restrictive insurance plans that don't allow spectators. then, you've gotta basically say you're a crew member of someone who's racing and they usually don't blink twice.