I am entertaining the thought of tracking my 2014 Corvette, I am 53 years old decent driver but have never done a road or quarter mile track and would love the experience of driving a track, I want to push the car and myself I do not want to push it to the edge. Where do I start? do I join or follow SCCA? I am located in Norther Illinois.

Jack

 

Are you A6 or MT?

 

Manual, I just love the feel of shifting.

Jack

 

Look at your local track’s event calendar.

 

I am looking at that, they do have an event in late April that invites beginners. Thinking about it, also thinking about asking my brother in law he has a nice Dodge.

Jack.

 

Im in the cedar rapids area and our local corvette club host several local amateur races and events you're welcome to enter

 

Congrats on takung the plunge. It looks like you’re not too far from Road America, Blackhawk, and the Autobahn Club. I would try those first. Here are a few links to get you started.

https://www.motorsportreg.com/calend...o%2C+IL%2C+USA

https://www.autobahncc.com/drive/ind...l-experiences/

https://www.roadamerica.com/experien...rack-days.html

http://nasagreatlakes.com/

https://pca-chicago.org/cms/drivers-education

www.clubregistration.net

Don’t forget track prep. For the car And track insurance.

 

There are several organizations that offer track days.
PDE near me, SCCA began to run Track Nights last year, Driving schools are around many areas.
I was 67 when I went to Corvette Owners School. Age doesn't matter unless you have a medical condition.

Before I took my own car on a track I did the owner's school and an open wheel school with Skip Barber.
I couldn't believe how fast one of the Skip Barber guys could drive a 15 passenger van around a road course as he showed all of us the proper racing line. Those guys are good!!

Most of the open track days have instructors/coaches that will ride along with you in the first session or two.
You'll get four or five sessions in a day so eventually you drive alone and novice groups are well controlled.
Some even have helmets available to borrow/rent.

Try it...Beware - its NOT recommended to track a wet sump vette - read the owners manual....Otherwise, prep your car accordingly with the proper oil, brake fluids, wheel lug torque, air pressure, etc.

 

Look for track Night in America Events nearby sponsored by SCCA. They are economical and very well organized.
For instructed driving look to HPDE events sponsored by NASA.

 

The wet sump is perfectly fine... especially for beginners with the stock tires.

Fair warning: track driving is a very additive hobby - get out there and enjoy your C7 in its natural environment

 

I did my first track event at 58. It was exilarating to say the least.

To begin, you should be looking for anyone running an HPDE (high performance driving event) at a track near you.
They should have a seperate novice only group which requires an instructor to be in the car with you at all times and mandatory classroom sessions as well.

I've never been to SCCA track nite in america but I think they do not generally provide for in car instructors . I have been to a number of SCCA PDX over the years and found them more geared toward drivers with some track experience.

If you are not inclined to make the financial commitment to a full weekend event. many event organizers offer a Hyper drive, or similar option which allows you to participate in one classroom session and one track session with an instructor at a very reduced cost. Just have to ask

Whatever you decide, as a beginner, you need no special preparation other than a well and properly maintained vehicle and the proper attitude with access to an approved helmet. You should be there to listen to and learn from the instructor. Assume that you will be the slowest guy on the track and don't be discouraged by the number of point bys you will be giving to Miatas, Mini Coopers and many others. You are there to learn the basics and enjoy the experience.
Do it right, and you will come back again and again.
Welcome to the addiction!

 

You might want to watch what the other's do at the track, before you jump right in, especially the 1/4 mile. It's can a bit tricky staging and launching at the beginning.

 

And for some real entry level laps, Autobahn Country Club has a Cars N Track show each month where they let anyone in the show do 20-30 minutes of paced laps after the car show.

 

Good advice! I would just add that swapping brake fluid is about the only thing you need to do to prepare the car. The owners manual has info on fluids and tire pressure so you should review those recommendations.

As for preparing yourself - I've instructed people of all ages and backgrounds. As quoted above just check your ego at the door, you might be the slowest guy out there but its still a ton of fun.

 

No ego (okay I keep it mostly in check) just want to have some fun and push the car around some corners. Things I want to do on the street but am old enough not to (mostly).

Jack

Thanks everyone for the advice.

 

On the motorsportsreg.com web site I did a search on your city with a 180 mile radius and then selected BMW club. That got me this link:
https://www.motorsportreg.com/events...019-cca-734424

I don't know most of the clubs listed in the broader search that was provided a few posts before this but I am familiar with BMW Club events and instruct at those events. They are well run and the instructors are trained to provide a certain level of competent instruction. Have no idea how far it is away from you but I would recommend starting with a group like this.

I didn't find SCCA Track Night to be a very good selection for novice drivers. The one I went to with my neighbor provided a 20 minute lead follow around the track with all of the novice students following an experienced driver. Then the novices were put on the track and let run. Nobody in the car (not even allowed unless also a paid participant) and nobody watching them like happens at SM. Just jump into the deep end of the pool and hope you can swim. As far as I could see there was absolutely no feedback unless somebody totally screwed up and then it was too late.

PCA may also be a good group but some chapters can be a little picky about participants. BMW club lets everybody in but they do give preference to members first. Their membership is $50 a year and you get the monthly periodical Roundel which is one of the best auto magazines on the market if not the best. Slick, well done with excellent writers. Yes, BMW oriented but good writing is good writing.

Bill

 

Check out Laps, Inc. They offer one stop shopping to most local track events and a newsletter with a listing.

 

Look for a HPDE (High Performance Driver Education) day at the nearest track...
The ones I have attended go through performance driving basics and track safety in a classroom setting, followed by on track instruction by an instructor then practice laps solo...

 

First time out run with the BMW CCA or the PCA (Google is your friend). Both have very qualified Instructor Corps with well run programs. New people will have an instructor with them all day plus classroom sessions in between. If you and the instructor don't mesh, simply find the Chief Driving Instructor and ask for a different person. No one will be insulted. Their goal is to help you learn the car, the track, and improve your skills. They will teach you a "school line" if the "racing line" is deemed dangerous for new people in order to keep the shiny side up. Passing zones are well defined and via point-by.

Having said the above, accidents can and have happened so listen to what you're being told and don't show up thinking that because you have a Corvette you should be passing everyone on the track. You can pick them out of the crowd....brand new high hp car, clean and pressed driving suit, etc. After watching a lap or two it quickly becomes apparent there's too much car and not enough driver.

 

The group I instructor uses this format... seems pretty standardized. Different clubs use various ways to progress up to the higher levels. It can very formal with paper work & signatures required to more causal where you can just request to be bumped up as you get more confident.

I do agree with Bill Dearborn - I wouldn't recommend any rookie or novice driver going onto any track without a coach or instructor with them. You really do need feedback from that second seat because track driving is so different then street driving. Heck I used an instructor for my first three events before I really felt comfortable out there. Sensor overload often occurs!