Track Day at Pocono Raceway - Saturday, October 11, 2003

[VolperCooper]

I am arranging a track day at Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania. For those of you who haven’t ever done this, it is a lot of fun as well as informative. Basically, you show up at the track first thing in the morning for tech inspection and, as a novice, receive verbal instruction about the track, braking, steering, lines of travel, etc. You then take your car out on the road course with an instructor as a passenger in your car and proceed to learn and drive the track with input from the instructor. Each session lasts about 20 minutes and you can expect to have about 4 to 5 sessions per day. The track is a road course with turns in both directions, hairpins, straightaways, etc. You need a helmet. There are three groups, novice, intermediate and advanced. Newbies are automatically placed in the novice class and have the chance to move into higher classes as the instructors see fit. You really learn a lot about driving and specifically, your car. I urge all of you to attend if you can fit it into your schedule. You will be hooked!!

The track day is sponsored by Performance Drivers Association who I have run with many times before. The date is Saturday, October 11. The cost for the day is $205.00. There is also a Sunday, October 12 school if you can’t get enough. Pocono has many variants. It is a Tri-Oval with an infield section (See a track layout here http://www.pdadrivingschool.com/pages/poconoMaps.htm ). The Saturday school runs the East Course and the Sunday school runs the North course so those that want to stay and do two days will be on a completely different section. That is a really good option. The East Course was chosen for this group event since there are more turns making it a little more fun for MINI's.

If you are interested in attending, you can send your entry fee directly to PDA or to me. I will be signing up a group of people. If you wish for me to take care of the details, PM me and I will give you payment details. Make checks payable to "Performance Driver’s Association".

The school is open to all types of cars and space is limited so if you wish to attend, register asap either directly or through me.

Let's show them what MINI's can really do!!!

[VolperCooper]

I am arranging a track day at Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania. For those of you who haven’t ever done this, it is a lot of fun as well as informative. Basically, you show up at the track first thing in the morning for tech inspection and, as a novice, receive verbal instruction about the track, braking, steering, lines of travel, etc. You then take your car out on the road course with an instructor as a passenger in your car and proceed to learn and drive the track with input from the instructor. Each session lasts about 20 minutes and you can expect to have about 4 to 5 sessions per day. The track is a road course with turns in both directions, hairpins, straightaways, etc. You need a helmet. There are three groups, novice, intermediate and advanced. Newbies are automatically placed in the novice class and have the chance to move into higher classes as the instructors see fit. You really learn a lot about driving and specifically, your car. I urge all of you to attend if you can fit it into your schedule. You will be hooked!!

The track day is sponsored by Performance Drivers Association who I have run with many times before. The date is Saturday, October 11. The cost for the day is $205.00. There is also a Sunday, October 12 school if you can’t get enough. Pocono has many variants. It is a Tri-Oval with an infield section (See a track layout here http://www.pdadrivingschool.com/pages/poconoMaps.htm ). The Saturday school runs the East Course and the Sunday school runs the North course so those that want to stay and do two days will be on a completely different section. That is a really good option. The East Course was chosen for this group event since there are more turns making it a little more fun for MINI's.

If you are interested in attending, you can send your entry fee directly to PDA or to me. I will be signing up a group of people. If you wish for me to take care of the details, PM me and I will give you payment details. Make checks payable to "Performance Driver’s Association".

The school is open to all types of cars and space is limited so if you wish to attend, register asap either directly or through me.

Let's show them what MINI's can really do!!!

[GMINI]

O BOY!! Where do I get a cheap but effective race helmet????

[VolperCooper]

G,
I can't help you with that.

[GMINI]

Suprise me some more. Do you wear special shoes when you're driving?

[NEMINI]

Anymore info yet Volper? Anyone got helmet info? Can they be rented?

[VolperCooper]

The latest info is........
Go to PDA's website http://www.pdadrivingschool.com/ , print out and mail in the registration form with your entry fee.
I don't know where you can rent a helmet but I encourage you to call them to see if they can. A few people have already registered. My form will go in this week.

[NEMINI]

Thanks Volper. Took a brief look at their site right now and found this information useful

Quote:

Minimum requirements to participate in a PDA driving event :

? Be at least 18 years old
? Have a "SNELL SA-95" or "M" rated helmet (some loaner
helmets are available at
the registration office
when checking in)
? Wear long sleeve shirt & long pants while driving
? Have properly working seat belts on both driver and
passenger side
? ALL convertibles MUST have an approved roll bar (main
hoop should be made of .120 wall thick steel)
? Vehicle must pass tech inspection by your mechanic or
our staff and Tech Sheets must be signed by both driver
and inspector
? All vehicle safety related functions must be in proper
working order
? Exhaust must not exceed 90 DB (Except at Pocono !)
? Street tires must have no less than 5/32" tread or
race tires.
PDA Membership Includes:
( Membership in PDA is $35 and may be obtained by completing the application form)

? Window Decal
? Membership Card
? Newsletter
? Parts Discount
? Lower Driving School Fees

So I guess I'll have to call and see if I register for an event is there a way to guarantee loaner helmet availability

[koolmini]

do you need to pre-register?
or can you register at the track on the day of the event?

[coolmini]

This is a great track to play on!!! I have driven on all 3 infield tracks & my favorite is the 1.4 mi East course. It is the newest, & has great asphalt & grip. Downside is there is no banked turn so you don't get to feel that awesome racecar feel; however with relatively low horsepower, all you do on the banking is check your gauges & floor it.
On the1.5 mi North course, if I remember correctly, there used to be a large pothole on the right hand turn as you enter the tri-oval. Was'nt a big deal, since your weight transfer unloaded that tire.

[helix13]

Is it too late to register?

[tontobird]

Eric, I spoke with them today and they still have room. Go to the link in Volper's first post, print out the registration form, fill it out and bring it with. Since you didn't pre-register they ask that you bring cash for payment. Hope to see you there.

[lotoole3]

Quick question - what's the start time for this event? I'll be driving up the morning of and want to leave plenty of time to get lost, get gas, etc...

[VolperCooper]

See www.pdadrivingschool.com for additional info.

[lotoole3]

Yeah, but nowhere posted are start times. I'll give a call this afternoon...