Anyone here frequent LRP?
 

More specifically, it's been over a decade since I've been able to play at the track (children got in the way) but have a new toy for that express purpose. Way back when, the DE events I attended were with the BMW CCA. First in an E36 M3 and more often later in two different Mini Coopers. The new car is obviously very different, so my mentality is that I'm really starting from scratch again.

This time around, my plan is to run with CT Valley Region or others during their events, but I'm open to suggestions if there are better groups to run with. I'm primarily looking for a group with as little ego as possible that will be there to learn and improve.

If anyone is local and wouldn't mind offering up some advice on groups and/or talking me through getting back into the hobby (habit?), I'd really appreciate it.

P.S. Is winter over yet?

You can also look into SCDA. Great group.

Hudson Champlain Region, Metro NY PCA regions are also good groups to run with at LRP.

Hudson Champlain and Hudson Valley regions are doing a joint 2 day event in mid-August.

NCR has 2 full days this summer.

You should also check out CVR's autocross group. It's a great group of people. I believe they do an autocross once or twice a year at LRP during one of the DE events.

The regular location used to be a parking lot in Hartford. Not sure if it still is.

I live minutes from Lime Rock, in the past four years I've mostly run with CVR and the remaining with MetroNY when at LRP. In my time in Green and all the way through up to White I've never experienced any ego or dangerous aggressive driving by anyone when running with CVR. Their instructors are top notch and keep people in check, there also seems to be more accountability with them when people do stupid things(intentional or not).

Im not sure what run group you'll be re-entering in or if you were a solo driver when you stopped but CVR has a tendency to put drivers who are in Blue or White from other regions with an instructor for a observation session, if they show good skills, safe driving etc. they'll probably get signed-off to solo in Yellow or White for the day. I've been told that a good number of solo drivers from other regions have been offended by this and choose not to drive with CVR. If one's ego is so fragile they can't handle having a simple check out ride then maybe it's for the better they stay home.

I've never run with them but have heard good things about SCDA as well. Two more months and we're green flag!

Welcome back to the habit. I second the recommendations for CVR PCA and SCDA. I've run with SCDA more than any other group. Good mix of cars of all types, and good people. LRP is their home track, so they have tons of DE events there every season. Also, they run a car control clinic at LRP a few times a year, often in conjunction with a DE day--car control in the morning, and DE on the track in the afternoon. A good day of fun as long as you don't ruin your tires during the car control morning. :p The car control clinic utilizes LRP's infield wet skidpad and small autocross circuit. It's a great way to get comfortable sliding the car and exploring its limits safely. Probably a really good idea in order to get a feel for the new car and shake your cobwebs out. And my couple of times with CVR have been amazing. Probably one of the best-run groups I've encountered.

I've had mixed experiences with other groups at LRP. BMW CCA was frustrating. I'm all about safety, but they were almost smothering in their nannying, IMO. The other extreme was NY's Ferrari Club chapter--it was a real mess. On one hand multiple people refusing to give point-bys, and on the other, at least one hothead in a 360 Modena track car who took it upon himself to openly pass with wild abandon. I was passing a car on the front straight at about 110mph (with a point-by) when this guy came up behind us both and tried to go three-wide without a point-by. If I hadn't seen him in my mirror sweeping to the side of us, he would have plowed right into the back of me. I believe one of FCA's instructors is here on rennlist, and he was alarmed by that behavior--he said he would mention it to the group.

Hooked on Driving is another good option, as is Chin Motorsports if they run at LRP. My experience with Chin events at Watkins Glen and other tracks has been excellent.

Here's an old video of sliding my 2011 M3 around the LRP infield autocross circuit during an SCDA car control clinic. Good times and toasted tires at the end. Pardon the poor resolution of the RaceKeeper camera setup.

NNJR-PCA Mid April event. (April 17-18). Good group. Come out and see us.

SCDA usually has at least one unmuffled day at LRP as well. I haven't run with them since Elvian has taken over, but he was always Ian's right hand man.