Dennis K

For those of you in NorCal interested in trying a track day, the PCA Diablo region is putting on a driver's ed event at Thunderhill in a couple weeks.

I instructed at their last track day in May and I can recommend this group w/ no hesitation. It's a perfect event for beginners - the group is well-organized, with plenty of instruction and the track has plenty of runoff room. Rich S was one of my students at the May event and we had great time on the track.

Here's all the info:

-----------------------------------------

The Thunderhill Porsche of Fremont Driver’s Education Event
Notification and Open Invitation

Thursday, October 5, 2006

Sponsored by Porsche of Fremont, a Fletcher Jones Company



Summary: This Driver’s Education (DE) event will be a non-competitive single day outing at Thunderhill racetrack, run under PCA National Drivers Education Guidelines expressly for PCA members and Porsche owners. The objective of the event is to provide the opportunity for Porsche Club members, especially those having little or no track experience, to safely learn the techniques of driving a high speed road course while operating under expert supervision and instruction. Alternatively, the event will offer Club members and Porsche owners with prior track experience the opportunity to refine or remediate their driving skills at technically challenging Thunderhill. http://www.thunderhill.com/index.html Please note that only Porsche cars can be used by event participants, although Event Instructors are exempt from this requirement.
This event has been moderately priced, primarily as an inducement to first timers. The Admission Fee per driver will be $185 for those who register and pay before September 30. After that, the registration fee will increase to $200. Lunch is included in the fee for the day’s event. The Admission Fee for PCA Event Instructors will be $85, with lunch included. Registration for drivers will be taken on a first come, first served basis. There are limitations on the number of drivers that can be accepted, so early registration is recommended. The registration form follows.

Featuring: This DE event comprises three rotating run groups to include the traditional Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced Run Groups. The format for the day will have the Novices split into two groups such that a select portion of Novices will be mixed-in with the Intermediate Run Group.

The Novice Run Groups Two Novice groups (Groups C1 and C2), with no more than 18 drivers per group, will alternate throughout the day. All Novice Drivers will be paired with an Event Instructor/s until such time as the Novice has demonstrated the skill sets necessary for solo track driving. There will be at least 20 Event Instructors available on site. A mandatory ground school for Novices will occur in the morning prior to the day’s event as will other training and guidance required for all groups per PCA Guidelines. Only street registered Porsches (i.e., no racecars) will be permitted to run in Novice groups.

The Intermediate Run Group (Group B) will not exceed 25 drivers, not counting Event Instructors. The Intermediate Run Group will not permit passengers unless they are Event Instructors. A limited number of Event Instructors may drive in Intermediate Group, or they may ride and coach at their discretion. Only street registered cars will be permitted on track in the Intermediate Run Group. The Event Chairperson may grant an exception to this rule on a case-by-case basis.

The Advanced Run Group will not exceed 20 drivers, not counting Event Instructors. The Advanced Run group will have Event Instructors, either driving solo, or alternatively Event Instructors may take student passengers, provided their car is adequately equipped for such.

Instructors Are Needed. Applications from interested and qualified Instructors are solicited now. Instructor applicants may submit their driving and/or instructor related resume or bio directly to the attention of the Event Chairperson or Chief Instructor. Event Instructors will enjoy a concessionary price for the day’s event.

In accordance with PCA Guidelines, “the car owner must certify that their car is safe to run on the track and that the car has been inspected by a regionally approved person or shop within thirty days prior to the event. A regionally approved person need not be in the business of commercially preparing cars, but must have recognized skill in the preparation of cars that he/she inspects.” With many thanks from our Technical Sponsors, we are making arrangements to offer a hosted Technical Event and a special price technical inspection service in September. The full list of participants has not been finalized, but includes Porsche of Fremont, Kahlers of Dublin, etc. Greater information on the Technical Events and Tech Services will be forthcoming soon.

Please direct comments, inquiries, and suggestions back to the Event Chairman or Chief Instructor via e-mail, if at all possible, to the attention of: warrengardnerjr@comcast.net

Event Chairperson – Warren Gardner 510-440-1269 warrengardnerjr@comcast.net

Chief Instructor - David Ray 925-683-1991
info@hookedondriving.com

Instructor Co-Chair – Chris Corcoran 707-246-7955
chriscorcoran@pacbell.net

Technical Inspection Co-Chair – Robert Tam 510-206-5648
roberttbmw@aol.com


Thank you very much, and we look forward to seeing you there

Dennis K

Bumping thread to the top.

Video of Thunderhill from the last time I was there.

Richard S

Are you instructing again Dennis? So far I haven't signed up....many things to do next month...I'm still on the fence. I know Tom can't make it this time.

If anyone is considering a DE track day in NorCal, this is the one to go to. Very low key, no pressure, great group without any speed-demons to intimidate. This is geared toward those with little or no track experience, with instructors available for every driver. And if Dennis is there, you can have your very own personal 928 track Guru to teach you! I think the cost is $185 by Sept. 30, which is a great deal. (must be a PCA member btw)

Here's my write up from the April event https://rennlist.com/forums/928-forum/265141-track-day-update-with-pics.html

Rich

Dennis K

If 928 folk sign up, I'll instruct!

Nicole

That sounds like fun. It'll be a couple more days until I know, if I can do this. I dread I might want to upgrade my car after driving on the track...

Richard S

Nicole....YOU MUST DO THIS! You will have a great time, and get to know your car better. And don't worry, Dennis will be right there next to you helping you out the entire time. Heck, you may even be able to show the famous Swedish race car driver a thing or two when he returns. BTW, you can rent helmets at the track, or borrow Ann's if it fits you.

Rich

Andre Hedrick

My PCA-DIA membership has long lapsed, and I need to find a battery hold down thingy. So I have two things that are barrier to entry, or just one on a technical item on the check list?

Dennis K

Nicole - It'd be great if you can make it out. It's always better to be a driver than a passenger.

Andre - I think you do have to be a PCA member. Just sign up on the PCA website and you'll be set. And I'm sure someone out there has a battery retainer available . . .

IcemanG17

Dennis-Rich
Okay since I am a complete Novice....I would have to attend a drivers training on wed the 4th along with the track day on the 5th? It does sound like fun......assuming I don't break my 928!

Richard S

Brian, Diablo does not require the ground school class like Golden Gate region does. You just sign up, show up, sign in, get inspected, put Dennis in the right seat and drive! Wow, looks like there are a few 928 driver interested. Last time I was all alone! I'll have to check my brakes this weekend, probably bleed them as well as change the oil and do a general once over before deciding if I can make it. Man it would be great with a few other 928's there!

Rich

SharkSkin

Better hurry, Brian, rainy season's coming....

Robert_H

Hey gang,

Don't forget to contact Warren (the contact for the event) regarding the Tech inspections.

Rob

Richard S

The tech inspection form is pretty basic. It requires a "qualified" person to tech your car. I think most everyone on here is "qualified" enough to do their own tech inspection. Nothing too complicated on the form. I had Devek fill mine out, but in reality the organizers weren't too concerned about that. I think it is more geared toward the owner that never turns a wrench, has the dealer do all the oil changes and service, etc. Let me know if anyone has any questions about it.

Rich

Richard S

I just re-read the tech form. It does state that a pre-approved shop or individual must inspect the car, and self inspection alone is not permissible. There isn't a space for the shop/individual to sign, but rather has the following statement above your own signature: "My car has been inspected by a qualified individual and to the best of my knowledge it is track-worthy".

But again, everything on the tech form is basic enough for you to check on your own, which should be done anyway.

Sorry for my previous post with some mis-information.

Rich

Dennis K

Brian - I think there'll be a gathering for dinner on the 4th but it's not mandatory, it's more of a social thing. There'll be plenty of instruction on the 5th. Besides in-car instruction, there'll be a few classroom sessions while the other groups are on the track. There's a head instructor for each session who'll lead a discussion and answer any questions. This group does a good job with teaching the basics.


Rich - How's the shoulder feeling? Hope it's healing up well.