Just wondering what other venues are available for racing in the southwest (besides BMWCCA)? Hallett is becoming less desirable for a few reasons, namely because i want more than 12-15 minutes on the track per session.

Where does NASA and SCCA race? I'm looking at driving no more than a max of 6 hours from southwest Oklahoma, close to Lawton. Tracks I know of.....MSR in Fort Worth, TWS in central TX, Eagles Canyon opening later this year, or Heartland Park in KS. Any other suggestions?

Every month we autocross up in OKC...not racing though, which I'm sure that's what you're really looking for.

yea, i autox'd for about 5 years. i'm looking for venues for wheel to wheel racing.

Hallett is becoming less desirable for a few reasons, namely because i want more than 12-15 minutes on the track per session.


Why the short sessions? Are the events scheduled that way, or is it due to incidents or poor execution? Any particular groups, or is it just specific to the track?

Thanks,
Cliff

how far are you from Salt Lake City? Miller Motorsports Park is a awesome place to race.

i'm way way far from Utah.

Hallett sessions are always short. they race spec miata, open wheel cars, legends, closed wheel GT class cars, and "high speed touring" or open tracking all on the same day, 15 minutes on track for each group, 5 sessions (assuming no delays from wrecks, oil, etc). it's just too little time to drive, i just barely get warmed up before it's time to come in again.

any club racers going to respond?

Joseph,

There is a decent NASA schedule down in Texas.

http://www.nasatx.com/main.asp

There is also some good NASA events in the Midwest region but that might be pushing your distance a little. Gateway, Mid America, etc.

It would be fun to road trip up to Miller or perhaps to one of the East tracks too - something we could all think about and plan ahead for next year?

i checked out NASATX and will have to seriously think about that series. i think Sean Garrity and Chris Gant have thought about doing NASA events. i would also be up for a long range drive to a well known track if we can all get it together next year.

Hallett is a great starting place, but the short sesssions and the unpaved paddock and ROCKS are starting to wear me down. :)

Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, AL wasn't TOO far away. I think it would be well worth the drive. I'd also really like to check out heartland park.

Yeah, I think NASA is about the only other option, but would be a great filler betwen CCA races if we can get all the IP cars out there. Same tracks, (which could be good or bad, depending on how you look at it. :D ) lots of cars to pass, and very laid back. I think the CCA license will get you a provisional in NASA, so it's just a matter of buying the membership, and getting an approved dyno sheet.

IP cars are perfect for GTS3 in NASA.... you can take all the ballast out, use any parts you want on the car and will generally run in front of the pack. I definitely want to run the MSR and TWS events with them next season.

Barber is another option, but it's a 12 hr tow, and is freaking HOT unless it's late fall. Nice track, but no garages... no shade.

thanks Chris, I'll look into NASA next yr. Barber is just too far to go on a regular basis.

Joe,

I'd definitely do some NASA GTS3 stuff, I've run NASA a few times and I enjoy it. Agreed that Hallett's run groups for a COMMA event are a little too short. I'm going to run O'Fest, then I'm going to head back to Mid-O for the BMWCCA race there at the end of October. I have some business in PA in Oct anyway, so I'll just leave my car and truck there for a few weeks. If Eagles Canyon gets finished (I'm guessing the bad Texas weather this year has put them behind), then I'll definitely do the Nov BMW race there. I'm also planning on Barber unless something comes up that prevents that. Doesn't look like NASA has any races this fall, but I only looked at TX, not any other regions. I may do some long road trips next year, combining them with some vactions - I'm hoping to do Sebring in January (love that track), and VIR in April.

On the plus side, COMMA is cheap and local, but if that is the only venue that you do on a regular basis, then it would get old. For a "local" and "home" track, it is not too bad though. My old home track, BeaveRun, isn't nearly as good as Hallett, so we are fairly lucky out here.

How's your car by the way?

Vern

Thanks Vern, car is good. front end body panels are entirely new. i got some new suspension that i'm trying to fine tune now.

i'll take all the advice about NASA and probably try to get to some events next year. maybe i'll be able to make one or two long trips too.