Which track do you guys like better and why? I just went to my first track day in Dec at SOW and now im hooked!! Trying to decide on a track day with a couple of my buddies for Jan. Looking to go with Speedventures on either JAn 8 (SOW) or Jan 29 (Big track). I really liked SOW in that there were alot of turns and speeds were fairly slow. How much faster is the big track than SOW. Will it be too much for a newb like me? Is the big track just more sweeping turns and long straights? It just seems that may get boring after 2hrs... Also which of the two would you guys think the e36 M3 would do the best against S2ks. 2 of my friends drive S2k and I have come to notice that S2k owners are damn cocky about their cars. I have much respect for that little honda but at the same time i freakin hate that car! Blowing by them is going to feel sooo good. I'm thinking they would have an advantage at SOW? cuz of the tight turns. Anyways, just looking for some input as to which track day I should goto. If anyone knows of other track days in Jan please let me know! Hopefully there will be a big turn out of BMWs at whichever day I goto.

Which track do you guys like better and why? I just went to my first track day in Dec at SOW and now im hooked!! Trying to decide on a track day with a couple of my buddies for Jan. Looking to go with Speedventures on either JAn 8 (SOW) or Jan 29 (Big track). I really liked SOW in that there were alot of turns and speeds were fairly slow. How much faster is the big track than SOW. Will it be too much for a newb like me? Is the big track just more sweeping turns and long straights? It just seems that may get boring after 2hrs... Also which of the two would you guys think the e36 M3 would do the best against S2ks. 2 of my friends drive S2k and I have come to notice that S2k owners are damn cocky about their cars. I have much respect for that little honda but at the same time i freakin hate that car! Blowing by them is going to feel sooo good. I'm thinking they would have an advantage at SOW? cuz of the tight turns. Anyways, just looking for some input as to which track day I should goto. If anyone knows of other track days in Jan please let me know! Hopefully there will be a big turn out of BMWs at whichever day I goto.

First of I haven't been to SOW. I have head it is a little slow, but still fast, autox style -- therefore technical.

Big Willow is the shit. Do you like going fast? -- that is my nut! Willow Springs didn't get the name fastest road in the West for no reason. Because it is so fast, it does not get boring even though its only 9 turns. You feel like doing 130+ on a race track? That is what you will be doing if not faster around turns 8,9 and at the end of the front straight. Big willow isn't that technical, but you should go out with an instructor to have them help you at first obviously.

I am honestly not that worried about ever going to SOW. Too slow for me.

Goto Big Willow and take your balls.

big willow is fun!!!!!!

i love going 120+ into turn 8, and then the car starts to hit those damn little bumps, really gets the adrenaline pumping!

but i do have to say my favorite part of the track is turns 4-6, especially coming into 6 then on to the back straight.

willow springs is not a very technical track. Not very hard on brakes. HP rules. it does take balls to go all out in turn 7/8. Especially if you have alot of HP. streets is a fun course. Most of their turns are banked and lots of elevation change. It favors smaller more nimble cars.

Hey guys, new to the whole auto-x but was wondering how or when you know there are events at willow springs? I joined the cal club/scca thinking it was an organized organization (plus they own willow springs) but never heard anything about it. Any info would be appreciated thanks...

I've been to SOW once and had a terrible time, I've been to willow once and had a soso time

I've been to buttonwillow twice and had a blast.

I think it had to do with the group I was with at willow than the actual track.

but at SOW I just had a terrible day.

willow springs is not a very technical track. Not very hard on brakes. HP rules. it does take balls to go all out in turn 7/8. Especially if you have alot of HP. streets is a fun course. Most of their turns are banked and lots of elevation change. It favors smaller more nimble cars.

Turn 7 is the SHIT. If you can drive it right, you can pick up some SERIOUS speed/time. I was driving my freightliner 5-series, and Celica GT-S's and WRX's were having to let me by, just because I could hold better speed in the big sweepers. Turn 8 is important to hit right, gotta have good speed coming past that apex cone and track out all the way, or you're gonna get walked on the front straight.

Hey guys, new to the whole auto-x but was wondering how or when you know there are events at willow springs? I joined the cal club/scca thinking it was an organized organization (plus they own willow springs) but never heard anything about it. Any info would be appreciated thanks...


www.nasaproracing.com

Check out the HPDE/Time Trailing

I am hoping to run a part of the Time Trial series next year.

Thanks for the responses guys. So I take it that most of you prefer the Big track over SOW. My friends all want to try SOW first because its gonna be their first time, so I'll probably be at the Speedventures event on JAn 9.

I've done two trackdays at SOW on my bike and three in my car. I've never done the Big Track. So I'm a little biased toward Streets. I'm also more into eating guys up in corners than having a drag race down the straights. It's so much more fun.

www.nasaproracing.com

Check out the HPDE/Time Trailing

I am hoping to run a part of the Time Trial series next year.


Thank you...looks like the organization I saw run at Cali Speedway last weekend.

If you are a beginner, you should stay away from the big track.....If its your first track day then do streets of willow. Being on a track is completely different than the streets. If you have never been on a track then you are a beginner...regardless of how well you think you can drive on the streets.

Turn 7 is the SHIT. If you can drive it right, you can pick up some SERIOUS speed/time. I was driving my freightliner 5-series, and Celica GT-S's and WRX's were having to let me by, just because I could hold better speed in the big sweepers. Turn 8 is important to hit right, gotta have good speed coming past that apex cone and track out all the way, or you're gonna get walked on the front straight.

I think you got the turns mixed up =)

turn 8 is the flat out 120+ turn...7 is the one where you can get some air like those rally cars if you carry enough speed through there.

I'd stay away if you're a beginner....spinning at 80mph is bad...spinning at 120mph is REALLY BAD.....

I think you got the turns mixed up =)

turn 8 is the flat out 120+ turn...7 is the one where you can get some air like those rally cars if you carry enough speed through there.

I'd stay away if you're a beginner....spinning at 80mph is bad...spinning at 120mph is REALLY BAD.....

Exactly.

I did streets of willow first, a GREAT course. My only gripe was that its only 1.6 mile course, big track is somewhere around 2.2 miles. Big track is a bit boring due to lack of many technical turns. It has lots of big sweepers and long straights in which 120 is easily achievable. I'm not much for high speed, I'd rather go through elevation and turns on SOW. I also spun on turn 1 on Big Track at around 90mph. Overcorrected when the rear started coming out due to early apex. 2 mistakes and I went off road. Definitely soured my Big Track experience. After that, high speed sweepers just dont feel the same.

If you like high speeds and high speed turns, BIg track is good. If you like medium speeds with more turns go with SOW.

So who wants to go SOW on Jan 8th with speedventures.net

I'm going....anybody else?

i'm also gonna try to go jan 29th to big track willow...let's hope it doens't rain