im very interested in taking my car on a road course soon. I'm wondering where i'm going to be able to go, without knowing any members and without buying a membership. i am aware of event days, but i'd like to get some more time in. any help would be greatly appreciated, price would be a plus as well. I've searched and can't really seem to find that info

 

go to an autocross. learn the basics (car control, looking ahead, ect)

 

I assume you're looking for HPDE events, where the event includes track time, an instructor in your passenger seat, classroom sessions, etc. These events are the practice, where you learn how to go faster. In your first few events, you'll be on the track driving with other novices, none of whom have much if any track experience. You don't need to practice beforehand - this isn't a race! Everyone will be learning and having fun together.

If you want more time behind the wheel, sign up for more events. This is the way to learn in a safe environment.

 

Dont even think about the street... Verboten!
Track only, go out listen to the instructors and, have fun!

 

x45457567 These events require no racing experience or a heavily modified car (stock preferably first time out). The instructors will teach you ideal braking and line taking, you can even ask the drivers in the advanced classes for advice since everyone is there for the same thing. The best part of all money to seat time ratio is a lot better for an hpde as opposed to an autox event.

 

I've just started to go to my local (3 hours away) track. I started by signing up with one of the local car clubs that rent the local track (Portland International Raceway). This is a good, low cost way to start out. The car club's usually get to set their own price per "racer" after they pay the insurance, rental and other fee's. I haven't joined any of the car clubs yet. Like people have said previously the begining classes (Drivers Training courses/HPDE) usually include 4 or so hours of classroom teaching and then a day at the track with an instructor. Then after one or more of those sessions you can "get in" on the HPDE lapping days where you are in your car by yourself and on the track with other cars. I've participated in many AutoX events in San Diego, CA (Qualcomm Stadium) and my local AutoX events in Oregon. They are deffinently fun but you don't get the same experiance as you do with a "open road course" and an instructor ridding along with you. (The instructor usually only rides along for the first session untill he/she feels that you can "go" on your own)

 

i think street racing is retarted. couldn't agree with you more

 

FREE --> http://www.myautoevents.com/pls/mae/...event_id=10819
if there's no snow or serious lakes on course, after an hour or so sceminar, you'll likely be open track, but pace car in front. Typically very loose on the speeds though.
(if they're still accepting applications)

first HPDE - http://www.myautoevents.com/pls/mae/...event_id=11092

seconds HPDE - http://www.myautoevents.com/pls/mae/...event_id=11099

yes the HPDEs require a membership, but it's relatively cheap, plus anyone there would be happy to help you in any way they can. Myself included.

 

I would also suggest trying the Midwestern Council HPDE days. I do not believe you have to be a member (There is nothing in the GCR about it). Check the entry form once it's out to be sure.

You can do the Midwestern Council high speed autocross events. Totally different format than HPDE/track days (closer to solo events format), but still good practice and instructors are available. I know you don't have to be a member to attend those (although the entry fee is slightly higher for non-members).

 

I just checked last years HPDE MM form, no membership mention in the form at all.
It was a serious blast too.

 

I strongly STRONGLY STRONGLY recommend against signing up for any "open track" events (i.e. ones in which you are driving at speed on a racetrack without an instructor in the passenger seat) before you have driven in at least half a dozen (preferably more) HPDE events with instructors. If you go without an instructor when you still have little to no experience, there's a very good chance that you're going to develop some bad habits and incorrect techniques that will be much more difficult to un-learn later. (Not to mention the safety considerations.)

 

It's not even that when you're just starting out IMO. It's just plain dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. Flipping your car is not fun times.

I know when I first got on the track I couldn't believe how wide it was and how much room you have to work with to figure out the lines. This wide space obviously means you can go very fast through certain corners.

 

thanks for all the help guys. i'm definetely going to a number of hpde events this year, to get proper instruction and so that i don't risk the safety of myself or any other drivers on the course. much appreciated

 

i missed registration for the free event on the 20th by a day! that sucks..

 

I think it has been full for a while now. There will be another one next year around the same time.

The dedicated Autocross school (http://www.myautoevents.com/pls/mae/...event_id=10968) will give you one-on-one instruction, as well as prepare you for the format of HSAX events. This is how I got started. I took 2 of those Autocross schools (there will be another later in the year), autocrossed for 2 years, then started W2W racing. There is still plenty of room available. The only downside for you is that it would require membership in a member club, which you mentioned you wanted to avoid.