2020 MT.net West Coast Track Day Organizer Showdown
 

With the disappearance of Miatas@Laguna Seca, we've only somewhat talked about what we're going to do next year in order for a west coast mt.net track day. That's what this thread is about.

I think the current talk is a day or two at Thunderhill. It seems to be a decent split between people coming from up north and people coming from the Southern areas of California. Anyway, I hope I see all you fuckers next year, discuss!

I've never been able to make any of the Laguna Seca events due to the event dates, but always wanted to go. I'm assuming you are thinking of co-opting an event that will already on their schedule?

Yes.

Two main options: rent a run group from a track day org

OR

just join a track day as normal.

Is anyone aware of a group that runs like Skip Days where it's just open track time all day?

Maybe some of the local guys can chime in on the 2nd option. But yeah, I'm definitely not looking to organize a day, that sounds like a massive headache lol. I'd much rather just have us all pile on to someone else's trackday.

Agree, I'm not renting a run group, don't care that much.

In reality I'm more about going and hanging out with you guys and driving, than finding the best track time ever. Looking for a cheap group that is pretty lax on passengers and stuff like that.

My only experience at T-hill is with TMR, and I like them (they let me instruct too :D).

Ian probalby has the most experience up there.

Sub'd one the chance of me maybe having a car to run.

Agreed, that's why I love Skip Day since there's like no structure, so we could swap cars or ride along or whatever.

I'd be good with TMR tho.

We might be up for a trip in from AZ, depending on the track and circumstances... a full weekend would make the travel more worthwhile. We would love a Miata event at Sonoma, but I've heard it's difficult and expensive to put events on there. We're also watching closely to see where the reunion goes next year.

Anyway, following with interest. :likecat:

I know of one group that does "open test" format (track goes green at 9, go out when you want, come in when you want, 1 hour for lunch, checkered flag at 5). It's an awesome format, but has a few downsides. It's not friendly to people with less experience who aren't comfortable with open passing, and since they have to limit attendance to avoid overcrowding it usually winds up being a day with a higher raw entry fee. Think like $450 vs $200 for a normal "4 run group, 5 session" track day. IMHO that additional cost is worth it because of the quality of the track time, but that's a personal decision.

Personally I'm not a huge fan of TMR and the way they run events, in my experience they tend to be very crowded both in the paddock and on the track. One of my favorite groups is the Golden Gate Lotus Club (GGLC) -- they have low cost events with only 3 run groups, so you get a ton of track time. They usually have two Thunderhill events per year, one in the spring (March, April, May) and one in the fall (September, October). Hooked On Driving also puts together a very well-run track day, they tend to be a bit higher cost but are very organized and have a good instructor program for less-experienced drivers.

--Ian

Gratuitous Thunderhill video from a week ago :)

Yikes, yeah $400/day would be a non-starter for most of us I expect. In Oregon with Skip Days they're typically much less than that.

GGLC sounds pretty good, and sep/Oct sounds pretty great........

perhaps we wait and see where MR will be this year and go from there?

Rumors say ATL.

GGLC sounds great Ian. I honestly wouldn't mind a spring track day. Especially Thunderhill.

Good point, spring wouldn't be bad.

The Thunderhill schedule for next year isn't out yet, so we'll need to wait a month or two anyway.

$450/day sounds really expensive, but (to me, at least) delivers better value. More time on track, more *quality* time on track, minimal traffic, not losing time due to tows or other scheduling issues, and amortizing the fixed costs of hotels, tow vehicle fuel, time off work, etc across a larger number of track minutes. It all adds up to a lower cost per minute of useful track time. It depends on what you're looking for out of a track day.

--Ian

Yeah, every mention I've seen is of the East Coast.

September would work a little better with my work schedule, but I can make October work as well, especially since it's closer which means less days off. Spring might be interesting too.

If it's in the PNW the weather gets shitty in late September so that's something to keep in mind.

Could all take over the Ridge .

Yeah, it depends on what track we pick. Thunderhill gets beastly hot in the summer, so Sep/Oct (or even Nov) is a good choice there, but for further north we probably want earlier in the year.

--Ian

I believe we all basically agreed we wanted to do Thill, right? PNW would be fun for sure but that's a helluva haul from socal... but I could about be convinced to go to ORP.

Yeah, I think Thunderhill would be the best middle point for everyone.

Plus... It's Thunderhill.

I'm in for Thunderhill or ORP. I'm over PIR.