Anybody here been to a COM event? According to the website, the 1st day looks like any other driving school/HPDE. So my guess would be on the 1st day you get over an hour (two?) of track time. However, the 2nd day is a timed competetive day. I gather there is a practice session that day. But then the cars go out one at a time for three timed laps... Sounds like a whole lot of sitting around and not much driving. I'm not interested in trophies (yet), I am more interested in getting track time.

I guess if some one had a schedule or post what a typical COM event is like, I would appreciate it....

-Bill

 

The first day is four 20 minute track sessions with 3 class room sessions inbetween. There isn't much sitting around. I've been to the Lime Rock events twice now, and you need to go out and fill the gas tank before the day is over or you'll run out.

You ride with an instructor in the car to begin with. It's possible for the instructor to sign you off after the first day for you to solo on the second day. On the time trial day there's open track time for practice. After you've proven capable to multiple instructors and multiple tracks an instructor can recommend you for a full COMSCC license after which you won't have to have an instructor in the car, sit in on the class room sessions or have the first day be mandatory for you to participate in the second day. That COMSCC license is recognized at tracks like NHIS, so after you have the license you would be able to run at NHIS on Thursdays when they have open track days.

The second day during the open practice you establish a "time" for yourself. After the practice the cars are grouped based on your time and multiple cars are sent out spaced by that time and track length so that no one should over take another car. The time trials are cool because you're garanteed open track without the chance of overtaking a slower car. If you do over take the car infront of you you have the option to rerun your 3 time trial laps.

It's a great learning experience.

 

If a COM event interests you, you might also want to check out SCDA (www.scda1.com). They run track days as well. No time trials, only lapping sessions and class time. They're a bit more expensive than a COM event but they usually run a pretty good show. I've done 2 (both @ NHIS) and plan on running more this year.

 

Bill,

I just joined COM, if you want I can foward you the emails I received from COM. I am like you, I am not interested in trophies, but legal drive time without the worry of a ticket. To me $300 for a weekend is a lot better than 2000. If it does not turn out to be for me then the $30 for a years membership is no big loss.

The only problem I have at the moment is you have to have your own helmet since they do not have any to loan out. I do not know anyone who can loan me one for a weekend in April so I am going to have to buy one for $150. So if I like it I will regret not having purchased a better helmet. If I dislike it I will end up selling the helmet on ebay.

If you get into the sport you will need to change your brake fluid.

Stuart

 

COMSCC is a lot of fun. Definitely buy a helmet, because you will want to do it again and you can also use it for autocross, drag racing, whatever. You can do one or two day events.

 

I can't recommend doing events with COM enough. They have great instructors, give plenty of track time, and have time trials for the competitive guys.

I ran SSB with them a couple years back in a 1994 Miata R.

The down side to such a well run organization is that another member had me convinced to get into a spec miata and go club racing.

As I no longer live in the Northeast, I have moved on to instruct at NASA events, but i'll be COM's summit point event if all things work out.

Regards,
Tony