I'm going to be in Santa Clara for a business meeting which spans the weekend of Aug 16-17 (bastards). With a rental car

So I started thinking that running an autocross (or hanging out at the track) would be fun. Anyone know what's going on that weekend? How far is Laguna Seca and the other tracks in the area from Santa Clara? I'd love to even be able to get a ride at Laguna in the right seat

Thanks - I'm basically clueless about the area, so any help is appreciated.

Mike

 

Unfortunately, you'll miss the final round of the SFRegion Solo2 by a week. None of the other sanctioning bodies have an event except the American Autocross Series and that's going on way down in Atwater.

Its probably about 1.5hr drive from Santa Clara to Laguna Seca. Depends on your speed and traffic. Looks like this is going on that weekend:
http://www.montereyhistoric.com/
Ought to be a worthwhile trip to watch those historic cars.

 

You're kidding.

I remember some left coaster bragging that there were "about a dozen clubs" in the area and "you can autocross every weekend of the year".

Nothing at all going on?

Oh well, I'll have to settle for the Moterey Historics $35 for Sunday. I wonder if I can expense it

 

Are you challenging me!

It depends how hardcore you are about autocrossing. There is the AAS event at Atwater that most people will be at on account of it being a concrete site.

However I will be attending an autocross in Santa Rosa. The site is kinda small and the surface is alright but if you're only going to one event the "first timer's fee" is kinda steep. I do like the bunch of guys who run it and the shape of the site is "interesting".

Regardless, that's where I will be and I can send you more info about it if you want. I think the total entry cost (for a first timer) will be around $44-$57.


Modified by Geratol at 11:56 AM 8/6/2003

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Geratol &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It depends how hardcore you are about autocrossing. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Hardcore as in competition or how far I will travel? Pretty hardcore, I guess, on both counts. Let's see .... ruffle ruffle ruffle ... I've done 81 autocrosses since 1998. Is that hardcore?

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Geratol &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">There is the AAS event at Atwater that most people will be at on account of it being a concrete site.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Hmmm. 125 miles from Santa Clara. I could be up for that. Got to remember to bring my V1. What is the club is doing it? Got a website?

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Geratol &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">However I will be attending an autocross in Santa Rosa. The site is kinda small and the surface is alright but if you're only going to one event the "first timer's fee" is kinda steep. I do like the bunch of guys who run it and the shape of the site is "interesting". </TD></TR></TABLE>

103 miles. A little better. What's the club hosting that one? Maybe I'll see you there

Mike (who has never actually been a spectator at a race and prefers driving to watching!)

 

Hmmm just under 21 events a year... okay close enough

The event in Atwater is run by http://www.americanauto-x.com and the course will be fast with many National Championship oriented people. Perhaps 150 entries.

The Santa Clara event is run by the Empire Sports Car Club (no web page) and the course will be smaller but there will me several H-T members there (Myself, Austin, YodaIsGod, and others). About 50 entrants.

If you're looking for a serious autocross with very competitive drivers AAS is the way to go. If you're looking for an autocross to hang out at on a smaller level then Santa Rosa. (I like Santa Rosa because if I bring my race tires I stand a chance at TTOD )

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Geratol &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If you're looking for a serious autocross with very competitive drivers AAS is the way to go. If you're looking for an autocross to hang out at on a smaller level then Santa Rosa. (I like Santa Rosa because if I bring my race tires I stand a chance at TTOD )</TD></TR></TABLE>

LOL! damn TTOD.

I'll be chairing the event along with Austin, and another ESCA member who is not on this board.

1st timers pay....
$10 one time intial fee
$18 one membership ($9 after 7/1)

Then every driver pays $25 to run.

The way I have the course set up so far, we should have 2 runs (4 laps) for both groups in the AM. 2 runs (4 laps) per group in the PM. But if everything goes smoothly, and it's not TOO hot, I'll try and squeeze in an extra run or two.

BTW...why the practice lap? Well....if you are running slicks, to DOT tires, you'll get those tires a bit sticker for your timed lap. Us on street tires doesn't do us awhole lot of good.

Gate opens at 8AM
Start at 10AM
Registration closes at 11:30AM
Ending between 3-4PM.
Out of the area by 5PM