Otto Mechanic

Hi all -

I'm nearing completion on a car I've been building, a 1989 Porsche 944 S2 I'm using as a platform to create (to the best of my ability) a tribute to the Firestone Firehawk winners of the era, also known as the "Super 7".

I'm at the point I'd like to start working the car up in practice. It isn't ready for full on racing but I think it's almost ready for HPDEs and I'd like to get into a crowd that has similar intentions and I might learn the finer points from.

I'm mostly in Paso Robles CA (on the coast north of San Lois Obispo, west of Taft). I like to drive Buttonwillow and Laguna Seca. Are there any clubs out there anyone could recommend?

fatbillybob

look at the calender for the track you want to run and the dates. It will tell you who is the organizer. If you have the right credentials you can run with anyone just ask them. One of the advantages to having a race license is you get zero hassle from HPDE groups. You literally can go anywhere. There are levels of race licenses too and those open many doors.

Otto Mechanic

Thanks Billy, I'm really asking about clubs that might have a few 944 enthusiasts I could pick up tuning tips from. It's not so much a matter of qualifying, I'm mostly interested in common goals?

Regards,

ProCoach

Probably a little too new for CSRG (Classic Sports Racing Group), but VARA (Vintage Auto Racing Association), SFR-SCCA (San Francisco Region-SCCA) Vintage program and HMSA would be a good place to start. Also, SVRA now has a late spring event at Laguna Seca now. Generally, that is the most wide ranging vintage club. SOVREN in the Pacific Northwest is fun, too.

Cory M

It's not vintage specific, so there is a mix of new and old cars, the Porsche Owners Club (POC) offers really good driving programs that include free instruction. Check out http://www.porscheclub.com/ there is a Performance Driving Series (PDS), Time Trial Series, and Cup Racing. They offer PDS and racing clinics a couple of times a year. Great Club. The San Diego PCA has a good time trial program too with tons of track time and a nice atmosphere.

Mahler9th

I think you have gotten some great advice so far. My highest recommendation is to join the PCA. I have been a member for 30+ years, and started with the 944 platform. And I have been track driving and racing for about 30 years.

I am not too familiar with the PCA group down in your area, but I am pretty sure they have some track events at places like Buttonwillow. Of course you can run any PCA region's events as a member.

As far as racing goes, I would check into some of the vintage groups already mentioned, and also consider keeping an eye out for special "vintage events" put on by groups like the SCCA from time to time.

While not truly a vintage racing group, the Checkered Flag Racing Association, an invite-only group, has a really great program with DE's and what I will call "friendly run what you brung" races.

POC is a great organization with a great history as well.

Mahler9th

Here is something else that may be helpful:

The 1985 Firestone Firehawk co-champion was Jon Milledge. Jon raced a 944, and in later years a 951. He is highly knowledgeable about those cars and is considered on of the top experts on these cars in the world:

http://jonmilledgeengineering.com/

His business is in Los Osos.

When I moved to CA in the early 90's, he was a member of the PCA Golden Gate Region. He moved to MA for quite a number of years, and moved back to CA perhaps in the last 10 years.

Jon helped me many, many times when I was running a 951 back in the day. He put together a group of components for my last 951 performance engine build around 2000-- a process which was chronicled in a couple of Excellence magazine articles.

I am pretty sure that Jon also has collaborated with others racing the 944 platform, perhaps notably the folks at Kelly Moss Racing in WI. They ran S2 and 968 cars for a few years in Firehawk.

I suggest gaining perspective on 944 oiling system mods that can help the rod bearings survive on track

And most importantly that you learn about the factory aluminum control arms and their weaknesses. For example, there is a difference between what PAG shipped on street cars and what they shipped on Escort Series and Rothman's cars.

Back in the day, I was the first ever customer for the famous aftermarket "Charlie Arms." Jon sold them to me-- he helped design them. And Charlie made them here in CA (I think he had an Escort Series 951 at the time).

I have a friend that has a Rothman's 951 car that was later raced my Milledge in Firehawk. Very, very cool car. Carlsen Porsche was a major sponsor.

In case you need/want some data acq., Veracity Racing Data is right in Paso Robles. Great PCA friends that I met, drove with and raced with back in the day. Great people.

My strongest recommendation is to get as informed as you can, and learn the craft from true experts-- and realize that most don't get on these Forums. Try to learn to do the right things the right way from the right people.

Feel free to send me a PM for additional perspective and best of luck!

Mahler9th

One other thing: I recently learned that the PCA San Diego Region has an extensive program with AX, DE and time trialing. That type of system, when leveraged properly, can be the best way to gain experience, develop skills and so forth. In my experience with this hobby, those that leverage this kind of structured step-by-step approach can be the best drivers, and have the driving/racing culture that I prefer.

mclaudio

Otto Mechanic

Peter -

Thank you, it seems you've covered the spectrum so I'll work out a short list from there I'll probably not get involved outside of the Central California area right away though.

Best Regards,

Otto Mechanic

Free instruction! That's a real deal maker! I thought the PCA HPDE program was pretty reasonable but it isn't free...

Thanks, I'll very definitely check that out.

Regards,

Otto Mechanic

Mahler -

All good information. I ran into Jon Milledge at Buttonwillow a few years ago, I think he was volunteering as Director of the PCA Central Coast region's Club Racing program? Not certain. He did invite me to join and if I can find him again I will . I expect to ask his opinion of any vintage racing program I end up with since he has so much experience with the 944 and even with the S2 Firehawks, but I thought it would be a good idea for me to at least do a little homework before engaging him. He's a bit of a legend around here and one doesn't just casually present ignorance in his presence if you know what I mean...

Best Regards,

Otto Mechanic

That's exactly the sort of thing I'm looking for, I wish the base was further south, Seattle (almost the town of my birth but not quite) could present some logistical difficulties for me since I'm on a budget with this project. The more local I can get the cheaper it gets usually, but that's not always true. I've found metropolitan areas (SF, SEA, LA, etc.) generally a bit more pricey that the Boondocks (Paso, SLO, Taft...), and they add transportation costs.

Best Regards,

Gary R.

Uhhh, It's unlikely POC is free, just that the fee covers instruction for novices the same way PCA does. I could be wrong, but highly doubt it.