SoCal Track club recommendations

JFIV · 01-08-2023, 01:57 AM

So I’m finally hitting my 1200 mile marker and ready to get some track time in my Base M3.

This will be my first time tracking my M obviously but also my first tracking within the SoCal area.

My prior car was a GTR and S2000 that I roughly did 25-30 track days and a little more with auto crossing. All mostly with PCA group in the northeast area (NJMP, Pocono Raceway, etc..) who were a stand up group full of respectful drivers.

With that said, I’ve also done track days with other groups that were unorganized, drivers who didn’t respect the track and pretty much just a sh#t show.

As I’m looking to avoid that. If anyone has recommendations for clubs to run with and to avoid I’d much appreciate it.

Also, if anyone within the LA area regularly tracks and doesn’t mind that I caravan with on future track days drop me a message.

wowwitsgau · 01-08-2023, 04:17 AM

Yo, I have an s2000 as my current track car and try to make it out to Buttonwillow (sort of the gold standard SoCal track) as often as I can. Speedventures is a local org with a history of being well organized and on schedule, and usually hosts a decent group of drivers. They also offer a discounted rate (50% off track fees) in exchange for instruction (2 sessions, first-timer run group) so I like to take advantage of that

Haven’t taken the G80 to the track yet but I’d be interested in trying it out sometime. Feel free to hit me up if you’re looking to go

Pekingduck · 01-09-2023, 10:57 AM

I like speedventures as well. Going to sow on the 1/21. I also use xtremespeed but everyone does whatever they want so it can be frustrating

calbears · 01-09-2023, 10:50 PM

The San Diego and Central Valley BMW CCA chapters will hold a HPDS at Buttonwillow I believe in mid May. Focus is on safety and you're divided into run groups based on experience. You'll have an instructor with you at all times in the car unless you are signed off solo.

pinky_chi · 01-10-2023, 10:30 PM

I found that SCCA/TrackNightInAmerica is very organized but only run AutoClub Speedway interior. Speedventures is pretty good, lots of different run groups and relatively safe. Only downside is they can have large groups and they are slightly more expensive than others. I've ran with Extreme Speed a few times and did not like them but they are cheap. My favorite group is San Diego SCCA but they only run Chuckwalla. I've been autocrossing with them for a few years, very friendly club. I've heard the pros all run with Socal Drivers Club.

jmg · 01-12-2023, 03:19 PM

I haven't run with Socal Drivers Club yet, but I want to check them out. I've done Speed Ventures and Speed District. Both are good organizers, but there can be big groups, but I think that's more of a problem for beginner and intermediate groups, which tend to be bigger.

Extreme Speed is kind of hit or miss. They are cheap, but I heard a lot of not so good things, in the past. Since taking new management/ownership they have improved a bit. If they are hosting a two day weekend, I think that spreads the crowd out and you can get plenty of clean laps in with less traffic, but their price point really does attract a lot of people.

For really small run groups and insane amount of track time I've gone through two organizations: Fast Toys Club and Driven By Apex. In fact, they sometimes co-host events. The price point is kind of high, but they are both a more intimate track day with very little drivers. After lunch, they sometimes just run open sessions where there are maybe 2 or 3 cars on the track and you can pretty much space out hardly get any traffic. The organizers are all experienced, safety is a priority and disrespectful behavior on the track is swiftly resolved. They run beginner groups with street cars to advanced groups with full on race cars, so it's always a good time.

Auto Club Speedway is closing this year, so if you want to experience it before it's gone, go soon!

20220514 - SCCA TNIA - Edit_100 by JMG, on Flickr

pinky_chi · 01-12-2023, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmg

I haven't run with Socal Drivers Club yet, but I want to check them out. I've done Speed Ventures and Speed District.

How has your car been coming along? Any track days planned soon?

jmg · 01-12-2023, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinky_chi

How has your car been coming along? Any track days planned soon?

Actually, I’m trying to decide between Streets or a Autocross at Angel stadium on 1/21. Haven’t done much else as far as mods since Track Nights In America. You?

Pekingduck · 01-15-2023, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmg

Actually, I’m trying to decide between Streets or a Autocross at Angel stadium on 1/21. Haven’t done much else as far as mods since Track Nights In America. You?

I sign up for street 1/21 as soon as I saw clear sky

JFIV · 01-16-2023, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pekingduck

I sign up for street 1/21 as soon as I saw clear sky

Well picked up new helmet, gloves and shoes over Sparco today. Just need to get my brake fluid swapped for some Castrol and I’ll be good to go.
Schedule is a bit busy next 2-3 weeks so I’ll look for a track day end of Feb as well as maybe an Autocross ahead of time to get in touch with the car.

Looking forward to hopefully meeting some of the track rats here on the forum.

Pekingduck · 01-17-2023, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JFIV

Well picked up new helmet, gloves and shoes over Sparco today. Just need to get my brake fluid swapped for some Castrol and I’ll be good to go.
Schedule is a bit busy next 2-3 weeks so I’ll look for a track day end of Feb as well as maybe an Autocross ahead of time to get in touch with the car.

Looking forward to hopefully meeting some of the track rats here on the forum.

Same here excited about going and hopefully I get a good time.

jmg · 01-18-2023, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JFIV

Well picked up new helmet, gloves and shoes over Sparco today. Just need to get my brake fluid swapped for some Castrol and I’ll be good to go.
Schedule is a bit busy next 2-3 weeks so I’ll look for a track day end of Feb as well as maybe an Autocross ahead of time to get in touch with the car.

Looking forward to hopefully meeting some of the track rats here on the forum.

I signed up for an autocross this saturday. It's close to where I live and I've always wanted to try this org. I'm looking for a full on track day in Feb as well.

ibimmer954 · 01-20-2023, 01:58 PM

PCA SDR (San Diego region) does several track events a year. They rotate around Chuckwalla, Streets of Willow, Big Willow, and Buttonwillow. Those tracks are just as close to L.A. as they are San Diego. If you want to continue tracking with PCA, check out the SDR events. Great group of guys and gals.

pinky_chi · 01-23-2023, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmg

I signed up for an autocross this saturday. It's close to where I live and I've always wanted to try this org. I'm looking for a full on track day in Feb as well.

Haven't done a track day in a while, my last was buttonwillow in like September? Looking to do one in February as well, also streets. LMK if you sign up for one.

JFIV · 01-23-2023, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinky_chi

Haven't done a track day in a while, my last was buttonwillow in like September? Looking to do one in February as well, also streets. LMK if you sign up for one.

I signed up for Willow Springs 2/25 with Speed Venture for the BIMMERCHALLENGE.

Also on the waitlist for 1/28 Buttonwillow.

Goal is to make 9 events to compete for points. We will see how that goes with a baby and lady in school.

pinky_chi · 01-23-2023, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JFIV

I signed up for Willow Springs 2/25 with Speed Venture for the BIMMERCHALLENGE.

Also on the waitlist for 1/28 Buttonwillow.

Goal is to make 9 events to compete for points. We will see how that goes with a baby and lady in school.

Nice, I am considering running BimmerChallenge as well but in my Mini Cooper. Gonna set aside the G80 as mostly a daily with maybe 1-2 track days a year and turn the Mini into a dedicated track car.

JFIV · 01-23-2023, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinky_chi

Nice, I am considering running BimmerChallenge as well but in my Mini Cooper. Gonna set aside the G80 as mostly a daily with maybe 1-2 track days a year and turn the Mini into a dedicated track car.

Nice. Best way to go.

Unfortunately I only have a 2 car garage at our complex. But once we get a house and own garage the plan is to build a dedicated track car out of a E92 M3.

Till then I’ll rack up the abuse on the G80.
I work from home and live in Santa Monica so most of my miles will be to, from and at the track.

JFIV · 01-26-2023, 12:52 PM

Got off the waitlist for this Saturday at Buttonwillow with Speed Ventures.

If anyone from here is attending would love to meet up. As well, I’m out in Santa Monica. So if you’d like to caravan dm me.

01-08-2023, 01:57 AM	#1
JFIV Save the Manuals 402 Rep 284 Posts Drives: '23 M3 Base Alpine White Join Date: Nov 2021 Location: Santa Monica iTrader: (0)	SoCal Track club recommendations So I’m finally hitting my 1200 mile marker and ready to get some track time in my Base M3. This will be my first time tracking my M obviously but also my first tracking within the SoCal area. My prior car was a GTR and S2000 that I roughly did 25-30 track days and a little more with auto crossing. All mostly with PCA group in the northeast area (NJMP, Pocono Raceway, etc..) who were a stand up group full of respectful drivers. With that said, I’ve also done track days with other groups that were unorganized, drivers who didn’t respect the track and pretty much just a sh#t show. As I’m looking to avoid that. If anyone has recommendations for clubs to run with and to avoid I’d much appreciate it. Also, if anyone within the LA area regularly tracks and doesn’t mind that I caravan with on future track days drop me a message. Attached Images
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01-08-2023, 04:17 AM	#2
wowwitsgau Private First Class 181 Rep 139 Posts Drives: S2000 x2, 2022 M3 Comp Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 Honda S2000 CR [0.00] 2007 Honda S2000 [0.00] 2022 BMW M3 Competi ... [10.00]	Yo, I have an s2000 as my current track car and try to make it out to Buttonwillow (sort of the gold standard SoCal track) as often as I can. Speedventures is a local org with a history of being well organized and on schedule, and usually hosts a decent group of drivers. They also offer a discounted rate (50% off track fees) in exchange for instruction (2 sessions, first-timer run group) so I like to take advantage of that Haven’t taken the G80 to the track yet but I’d be interested in trying it out sometime. Feel free to hit me up if you’re looking to go Attached Images
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01-09-2023, 10:57 AM	#3
Pekingduck Enlisted Member 23 Rep 41 Posts Drives: F80 Join Date: May 2021 Location: Walnut iTrader: (1)	I like speedventures as well. Going to sow on the 1/21. I also use xtremespeed but everyone does whatever they want so it can be frustrating
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01-09-2023, 10:50 PM	#4
calbears Colonel 4251 Rep 2,488 Posts Drives: 2018 F80 M3 CS,2017 F87 LBB M2 Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 M3 [10.00] 2017 M2 [10.00] 2018 M3 CS [10.00]	The San Diego and Central Valley BMW CCA chapters will hold a HPDS at Buttonwillow I believe in mid May. Focus is on safety and you're divided into run groups based on experience. You'll have an instructor with you at all times in the car unless you are signed off solo. __________________ 2018 F80 M3 CS 2017 M2, LBB, DCT, exec, car play, MPE, diffuser 2011 E90 M3 ZCP Past: E90 328i, F10 535i, F80 M3 (murdered)
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01-10-2023, 10:30 PM	#5
pinky_chi Private 172 Rep 99 Posts Drives: G80 6mt Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	I found that SCCA/TrackNightInAmerica is very organized but only run AutoClub Speedway interior. Speedventures is pretty good, lots of different run groups and relatively safe. Only downside is they can have large groups and they are slightly more expensive than others. I've ran with Extreme Speed a few times and did not like them but they are cheap. My favorite group is San Diego SCCA but they only run Chuckwalla. I've been autocrossing with them for a few years, very friendly club. I've heard the pros all run with Socal Drivers Club.
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01-12-2023, 03:19 PM	#6
jmg Lieutenant General 18708 Rep 14,115 Posts Drives: G82 M4C X-Drive Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2022 G82 M4C X-Drive [9.85] 2018 F80 M3 CS [9.87] 2019 i3 BEV [0.00]	I haven't run with Socal Drivers Club yet, but I want to check them out. I've done Speed Ventures and Speed District. Both are good organizers, but there can be big groups, but I think that's more of a problem for beginner and intermediate groups, which tend to be bigger. Extreme Speed is kind of hit or miss. They are cheap, but I heard a lot of not so good things, in the past. Since taking new management/ownership they have improved a bit. If they are hosting a two day weekend, I think that spreads the crowd out and you can get plenty of clean laps in with less traffic, but their price point really does attract a lot of people. For really small run groups and insane amount of track time I've gone through two organizations: Fast Toys Club and Driven By Apex. In fact, they sometimes co-host events. The price point is kind of high, but they are both a more intimate track day with very little drivers. After lunch, they sometimes just run open sessions where there are maybe 2 or 3 cars on the track and you can pretty much space out hardly get any traffic. The organizers are all experienced, safety is a priority and disrespectful behavior on the track is swiftly resolved. They run beginner groups with street cars to advanced groups with full on race cars, so it's always a good time. Auto Club Speedway is closing this year, so if you want to experience it before it's gone, go soon! 20220514 - SCCA TNIA - Edit_100 by JMG, on Flickr __________________ 2022 G82///M4 Competition X-Drive - KW-HAS, EBC Bluestuff, Millway Race Camber Plates, Cup2 Connect, PSI High Flow Midpipe, Lightweight Front Lip, M Perf Flow Through Wing Previous • 2018 F80 ///M3 CS • 2016 F80 ///*M3 IG: Raging_G82
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01-20-2023, 01:58 PM	#13
ibimmer954 Major 138 Rep 1,424 Posts Drives: '23 i4 M50, '15 M3, '18 911 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: San Diego, California, USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW M3 [9.75] 2023 BMW i4 M50 [0.00] 2018 Porsche 911 C4S [0.00] 2019 BMW X4 M40i [0.00]	PCA SDR (San Diego region) does several track events a year. They rotate around Chuckwalla, Streets of Willow, Big Willow, and Buttonwillow. Those tracks are just as close to L.A. as they are San Diego. If you want to continue tracking with PCA, check out the SDR events. Great group of guys and gals.
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01-26-2023, 12:52 PM	#18
JFIV Save the Manuals 402 Rep 284 Posts Drives: '23 M3 Base Alpine White Join Date: Nov 2021 Location: Santa Monica iTrader: (0)	Got off the waitlist for this Saturday at Buttonwillow with Speed Ventures. If anyone from here is attending would love to meet up. As well, I’m out in Santa Monica. So if you’d like to caravan dm me.
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