Track day prices for you

[Ollieyoufool]

How much does it cost you for a track day at your local track? At my closest track its $100 for a minimum of 2 20 minute sessions, and $175 for 3 20 minute sessions. This is a half day. A full day is $275 for 5 20 minute sessions. Are these prices good compared to your local track or completely outrageous? I work for the man that owns it (Larry H. Miller) and he tends to jack up prices but I would get a 20% discount possibly. So 80 bucks for 40 minutes of track time... Is that Good?

[1996 328ti]

Miller looks to be a cool track.
I am paying $345 for VIR in Sept. Saturday we get I think (3) 25 minute sessions and on Sunday (4) 25 minutes sessions.

[larryn]

I'm heading up to le Circuit Tremblant this Wednesday for a 3 day event on Fri-Sun, sponsored by the Boston Chapter BMW CCA. Each day will have 3-4 sessions of 25 mins each. The 3 day price is $675. If you do just Sat and Sun, it's $475.

The track is AMAZING if you guys ever get a chance.

In comparison, we (Boston Chapter) also have a DE next month at Watkins Glen for $390 for a mid-week 2-day school.

Weekend track rentals are always more than weekday.

[mohaughn]

I pay anywhere from 300-350$ for an entire weekend. At the low side they are 3x30minute sessions each day.

On the high side 4x30 or 35 minute sessions with an initial 30 minute low speed no passing get familiar with the track session each day. So maybe 2.5 hours at speed each day.

I know there is another group, Chin motorsports, that gives you the possibility of getting almost 5 hours in one day for about 280$ at most tracks. You just have to run for 1 hour or more at a time. Kind of long for me. I've heard both good and bad reviews of this groups DEs.

[larryn]

I'm really weary of track groups, including venturing outside of my BMW Chapter's events. I've heard of some really messed up stuff that goes on at certain events, that I wouldn't even consider remotely safe (no, I won't name them). For instance, some clubs forego the "rollbar/cage for cabrios" rule that almost every other group requires. I've also heard of mixed groups that included racers running with novices, with passing pretty much anywhere...

My chapter costs a tiny bit more than others, but I have complete trust in the DE staff and how they run the events.

[mohaughn]

That is what I've heard on the bad side of chin. They have some open groups where people from all skill levels are out at the same time.. I run with PCA or BMWCCA, or the combined PBOC. They pretty much have all the same rules and I always seem to see the same instructors and people running the events.

PCA is much more active around here.

[DustenT]

I need to move to Germany. A year pass on the Nurburgring is only 900 Euro...

[pdxmotorhead]

PIR in Portland Oregon,

Most track days are ~ 150 (I got 6 sessions 20 minutes each last time....
Several school days are ~ 225

We are evidentially the bargain?

Dave

[Ollieyoufool]

Wow it looks like my prices are pretty good. Thanks everyone for your help!

[mohaughn]

I need to move to Germany. A year pass on the Nurburgring is only 900 Euro...

They have speed limits though... And you can't just go out an run lap after lap. You have to come back through the main gate and queue up to get back onto the track... I would still have a pass if I lived there.. :)

[DustenT]

They have speed limits though... And you can't just go out an run lap after lap. You have to come back through the main gate and queue up to get back onto the track... I would still have a pass if I lived there.. :)

Yeah, but you need a break after a lap on that track! We I drove it they were doing construction in one of the corners, that was the only section that had a speed limit. That reminds me, I need to edit my Nurburgring video and put it up here!

[mohaughn]

haha.. That is true.. Two laps can almost be a 30 minute session depending on your speed. I doubt any of us not knowing the track will break the 10 minute barrier.. Wasn't it Top Gear where the guy was trying to break 10 minutes in a Jaguar and then they had the lady that drives the ring taxi hop in and she did it in low 9 minute territory?

Do you know how long it took you?

[DustenT]

haha.. That is true.. Two laps can almost be a 30 minute session depending on your speed. I doubt any of us not knowing the track will break the 10 minute barrier.. Wasn't it Top Gear where the guy was trying to break 10 minutes in a Jaguar and then they had the lady that drives the ring taxi hop in and she did it in low 9 minute territory?

Do you know how long it took you?


I was so nervous about having a video camera in the car (illegal on that track) that I forgot to time myself. I was just winging it until a Mini S came up on me, I gave him the point by and tailed him. HE knew what he was doing and provided a great line for me to follow. My Audi S-line A4 diesel (6 speed) kept up nicely, but the tires started to get really sloppy about 3/4 of the way around the track.

[larryn]

Wasn't it Top Gear where the guy was trying to break 10 minutes in a Jaguar and then they had the lady that drives the ring taxi hop in and she did it in low 9 minute territory?

That would be the amazing Sabine Schmitz... I want her job.

Check this one out, where she takes a diesel Ford Cargo van out on the ring to break 10 minutes in that thing.

Lg4a1rc4Xjk

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Lg4a1rc4Xjk

Can't get it to embed. oh well...

[DustenT]

Can't get it to embed. oh well...

Fixed it for you.

For $100 she'll drive your car at the Wisconsin BMWCCA event. I almost sh1t when I read this:

Sabine Schmitz, known to Nurburgring aficionados as the fastest taxi
driver in the world, will join the BMW-CCA Badger Bimmer's annual
driver's school, OktoberFast, as an instructor. Ms. Schmitz, a
professional race driver, currently competes in the Porsche Supercup
Series in Europe and has logged over 17,000 laps at the Nurburgring,
the famous German 14 mile track.

Oft cited as the most experienced driver at the legendary Nurburgring,
she takes passengers for BMW at their Driver's Center in a current
production M5. Ms. Schmitz drives her fare paying "riders" a bit
quicker than your average cabbie. Her heavy foot and blistering
driving style results in the BMW factory destroying the M5's due to
metal fatigue after 6-8,000 miles of use. Physics defying power slides
are the rule rather than the exception during a typical lap with Ms.
Schmitz.

Known for her quick wit, she upstaged the acerbic Brit car critic,
Jeremy Clarkson, in a Top Gear Video that pitted Clarkson's time at
the Ring against Sabine in a basic Ford Transit Van. To view the video
go to http://www.youtube.com and search under Sabine Schmitz.
Clarkson won the race but not before viewers got a chance to witness
Schmitz dry wit and jaw dropping car control.

Sabine and her Super Cup co-driver, Klaus Abbelen, will be on hand for
in-car driving sessions at OktoberFast driving your vehicle. Sessions
will be with either driver (they're both within tenths of a second in
Race Qualifying) and will be conducted in the student's car for 4-5
laps. Sabine and Klaus will also give personal driving instructions
and may also elect to have the student drive. To participate you
should sign up using the on-line registration at www.badgerbimmers.org
for a once in a lifetime opportunity.

[larryn]

Thanks Dusten for fixing that link!

I dunno about having her drive my car, if she pisses through new M5s in 8k miles!! YIKES!!