Looking for a road course in DMV area

[Matticus91]

Does anyone here have any recommendations for road courses in the DMV (DC, MD, VA) area? Looking for a fun place where I can mess around on a track once in a while and not break the bank.

[Ric in RVA]

Summit Point West Virginia through NASA or BMWCCA should make you happy...

http://summitpoint-raceway.com/



New track near Fredericksburg that I am reserving judgement on before I go there. WAY too many walls WAY too close.

[SkullV]

Summit point is fantastic. I have run both the main and Shenandoah circuits in my old CTS-V. Not sure if MVP Track Time still runs events out there but I have always run with them.

[NorthernDancer]

I trust you understand no newbie with little/no track experience and no tech inspection (ESP brake flush) is going to get out on a track by himself. There is a proper way to go, and "you have to pay to play".

[Ric in RVA]

Originally Posted by NorthernDancer

I trust you understand no newbie with little/no track experience and no tech inspection (ESP brake flush) is going to get out on a track by himself. There is a proper way to go, and "you have to pay to play".

And your insurance won't cover it and a boosted 135 is the wrong "first " track car to learn anything..but you will go real fast.

[Hops128i]

There's a new track in Virginia 'dominion raceway', but it's not yet ready.

[YearOneOne]

Originally Posted by Ric in RVA

And your insurance won't cover it and a boosted 135 is the wrong "first " track car to learn anything..but you will go real fast.

What's the right "first track car?"

[SkullV]

Originally Posted by YearOneOne

What's the right "first track car?"

Something NA with a small(er) engine and a tight suspension. Miata is a fan favorite for a cheap track car.

Edit: I started with a 2005 CTS-V back around the time when they came out. It was a bad choice, NA and very tight suspension was great, but the high HP and stupid heavy weight was no good.

[Hops128i]

There's also New Jersey Motorsports Park about 2.5hrs from DC. I did a scca track night there, really enjoyed it. It's $150 for 3x20 min. sessions.

[Matticus91]

Thanks for the suggestions guys I'll have to make a couple rides to check these places out. Looking for a track where pressure is low, they tend to have less wrecks

Originally Posted by Hops128i

There's also New Jersey Motorsports Park about 2.5hrs from DC. I did a scca track night there, really enjoyed it. It's $150 for 3x20 min. sessions.

That's where I used to go, but it's too far now at about 3hrs from my home. That's 6 hours of driving just to get there and back for a day.

Originally Posted by NorthernDancer

I trust you understand no newbie with little/no track experience and no tech inspection (ESP brake flush) is going to get out on a track by himself. There is a proper way to go, and "you have to pay to play".

Originally Posted by Ric in RVA

And your insurance won't cover it and a boosted 135 is the wrong "first " track car to learn anything..but you will go real fast.

Yes, I've been through all the technicalities.

[Ric in RVA]

Originally Posted by YearOneOne

What's the right "first track car?"

Reliable, with new brakes, tires, bushings. RWD, Manual, ABS, but NO traction control, Skinny tires. Simple basic maybe even "slow" with predictable approachable limits.

Mine was a 318is, then a 325i, then a Spece30 325i. Had bilstein sports and HR sport or race springs and not much else at first.

But Miata, E36, E46 all Heck an older 128i would be a hoot. ( I may ust get that opportunity)

Modern driving nannies, huge tires and gobs of HP will make you go real fast and maybe save your ass but you will not learn how to drive with them on.

If you want to go fast you have to learn to play in the little envelope of slip angle and rotation and wheel input and throttle control....without Hans and Franz intervening from Germany electronically.


It is still hilarious fun even with all that stuff working though.

It is more fun living at the edge of the slip angle envelope....IMO

[squidge]

The 128 is a pretty fun track car. Just saying...

[Ric in RVA]

Now is your chance to go watch what goes on....Just south of Fredericksburg

They will be racing and having drivers ed.

http://www.nasaracing.net/july-23-24-2016-dominion/

[greenthumb]

Track Night in America is always a good deal. You can also add a helmet to your registration package for around $200 which is a steal if you need a helmet.

https://www.tracknightinamerica.com/...ginia-august-9

[Matticus91]

Originally Posted by Ric in RVA

Reliable, with new brakes, tires, bushings. RWD, Manual, ABS, but NO traction control, Skinny tires. Simple basic maybe even "slow" with predictable approachable limits.

Mine was a 318is, then a 325i, then a Spece30 325i. Had bilstein sports and HR sport or race springs and not much else at first.

But Miata, E36, E46 all Heck an older 128i would be a hoot. ( I may ust get that opportunity)

Modern driving nannies, huge tires and gobs of HP will make you go real fast and maybe save your ass but you will not learn how to drive with them on.

If you want to go fast you have to learn to play in the little envelope of slip angle and rotation and wheel input and throttle control....without Hans and Franz intervening from Germany electronically.


It is still hilarious fun even with all that stuff working though.

It is more fun living at the edge of the slip angle envelope....IMO

I'm not looking for lap times, I just like to go fast and get sideways without running the risk of hitting people on the street! Track fun varies from person to person.

[Ric in RVA]

Originally Posted by Matticus91

I'm not looking for lap times, I just like to go fast and get sideways without running the risk of hitting people on the street! Track fun varies from person to person.

You will do fine!!! Definitely check out Summit Point,