
10-29-2004, 02:11 PM
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Location: Vista, CA
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2005 Track Schedule
I finally got some track dates for 2005. They are all for Willow Springs so far. When I have more, I'll post them. Here's what I have:
Jan 8 & 9, Big Willow, TT & race
Feb 5 & 6, Streets of Willow, Driving School
Sep 3 & 4, Streets of Willow, Driving School
Oct 22 & 23, Big Willow, TT & Race
We have also requested dates at Buttonwillow (2) and Laguna Seca (1). However, Laguna Seca will be doing some work on the track next year so the prospects for holding an event there don't look great. Everyone please cross your fingers, maybe we'll get lucky.
__________________
Bruce Colby
Competition Director, AROSC
'65 Sprint GT (TS race)
'69 1750 GTV (TS street)
'71 Jr. Z (special occasions)
'89 E30 (the dark side)
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'69 1750 Spider (sold  )
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10-29-2004, 02:42 PM
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Will all have intro?
Jes
__________________
87 Milano Verde - daily driver - Juliet
87 Milano 3.0 Motronic - budget race car - Roxanne
87 Milano 3.7 24v - race car
(Repeating what I suggest or do is at your own risk - be critical)
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10-29-2004, 04:42 PM
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by AR4me
Will all have intro?
Jes
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Jes,
We almost always run Intro Group when we run TT & Race but there is no Intro Group at the Schools. I say almost always because there are occasions when we don't run Intro Group, like when we run an enduro for example. Your best bet will be to check each event as it comes up. We post event flyers on our website prior to the event but you can also request them by email from Terry Watson.
__________________
Bruce Colby
Competition Director, AROSC
'65 Sprint GT (TS race)
'69 1750 GTV (TS street)
'71 Jr. Z (special occasions)
'89 E30 (the dark side)
----------------------------
'69 1750 Spider (sold  )
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10-29-2004, 07:42 PM
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Ok, my plan is to attend first the intro group and then the driving school soon there after - figure it would make sense with the intro group first?
Jes
__________________
87 Milano Verde - daily driver - Juliet
87 Milano 3.0 Motronic - budget race car - Roxanne
87 Milano 3.7 24v - race car
(Repeating what I suggest or do is at your own risk - be critical)
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10-30-2004, 11:03 AM
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by AR4me
Ok, my plan is to attend first the intro group and then the driving school soon there after - figure it would make sense with the intro group first?
Jes
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Jes,
They are pretty different experiences. Intro Gp at our next event will on the big Willow Springs track. It's 2.5 miles around with some fairly long straights and high speed turns. On Saturday Intro Gp drivers get a 45 minute class room introduction to track driving, then about 45 minutes on the track following an instructor around on the "racing line". This starts out relatively slow but the speeds pickup through the session as you gain experience. Sunday consists of another class room session where you learn more about track driving, then it's back on the track for another follow the leader session at somewhat higher speeds.
In Performance Driving School, you learn much more about car control, braking, cornering, etc., than you can in Intro Group. The facility is different at the school and there is much more time. The schools are held at the Streets of Willow which has a much shorter, much tighter track than Big Willow but it also has a skidpad. In the Street Performance Driving course, you start with an hour of classroom instruction, some of which would be a repeat of what you learned in Intro Gp. Then the class spends an hour at the skid pad learning/practicing car control. From there you move to the track for an hour. There is some follow the leader time in the first track session but mostly you’ll be on your own. However, there are plenty of instructors available if you’d like one to ride with you and offer advice. They can also drive your car with you in the passenger seat if you’d like to see how something is done. This schedule is repeated in the afternoon but with additional skills and concepts covered as you progress. Sunday is a repeat but you learn even more. Oh, and just to keep it interesting, the skidpad gets wet down on Sunday.
Intro Group is probably the most fun you can legally have for $20. Street Performance Driving is even more fun because you spend more time in the driver’s seat and you learn a lot more in the process. But beware, this can be addictive.
__________________
Bruce Colby
Competition Director, AROSC
'65 Sprint GT (TS race)
'69 1750 GTV (TS street)
'71 Jr. Z (special occasions)
'89 E30 (the dark side)
----------------------------
'69 1750 Spider (sold  )
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11-05-2004, 10:21 PM
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I need to get a helmet for these events. Any suggestions on what and where to buy? Any good (=affordable) sources? I'm looking for quality as I expect to use it long-term.
Any other items to get ready for the intro and driving school? Does the driving school require 5-pnt harness?
Yeah, done all the wet skid pad stuff back in Denmark - a blast.
Thanks for any pointers,
Jes
__________________
87 Milano Verde - daily driver - Juliet
87 Milano 3.0 Motronic - budget race car - Roxanne
87 Milano 3.7 24v - race car
(Repeating what I suggest or do is at your own risk - be critical)
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11-05-2004, 10:47 PM
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Location: Ventura, CA
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Jes,
If you're in the Los Angeles area, try the Simpson Store in Torrance, they have a great selection of safety gear.
http://www.simpsonraceproducts.com/c.../torrance.aspx
__________________
Gifford
'72 Super, '67 GTV --> SOLD
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11-06-2004, 12:14 AM
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Location: SF Gay Area
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I can't wait for the next event. I'm currently selecting next season's tires, most likely the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup (due to their longevity, better value than Kumhos). I plan to go to 3-4 events. Would love to try Buttonwillow. But since there is an convention in Seattle, I may drive up there instead, who knows....
AR4ME,
For cheap and good harness, try http://www.racerwholesale.com/ . Look for G-FORCE camlock setup with the extra long (75") rear strap.
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11-06-2004, 09:58 PM
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Jes - I personally believe it's best for you to sign up for the upcoming AROSC Driving School to be held at the Streets of Willow. As Bruce states above, the speeds are lower, and since it's not a competitive event the pressure is only to get better at getting to know your equipment's capabilities, and more importantly, your own.
Once you get a taste of it, you will - without a doubt - want more. The initial investment in the harness, helmet and gloves will carry through most of your track time career so buy something comfy.
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11-06-2004, 10:41 PM
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Thanks for the pointers and suggestions!
How much is reasonable to spend on a helmet (for long-term usage)? And, do they all typically meet the AROSC minimum requirement?
Jes
__________________
87 Milano Verde - daily driver - Juliet
87 Milano 3.0 Motronic - budget race car - Roxanne
87 Milano 3.7 24v - race car
(Repeating what I suggest or do is at your own risk - be critical)
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11-06-2004, 11:37 PM
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by AR4me
How much is reasonable to spend on a helmet (for long-term usage)?
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I would spend as much as it would take you to feel comfortable. Everyone's noggin is different. AROSC accepts motorcycle helmets (e.g. Snell M2000 rating) as well as specific automobile-racing helmets. I've had my Shoei helmet from my CBR 600F days, and later updated it to meet age requirements. I would recommend a helmet with a face shield, though.
This is because during track events, both your front windows MUST be open in case they need to simplify your extraction from the wreckage Seriously though, because of this safety requirement, a face shield is nice to have, especially on colder track days - lap after lap of freezing 100mph wind really beats you up.
As for the 5-pt harness, I highly recommend the camlock variety for its ease of use. They are typically $30 more than the non-camlock style harnesses.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by AR4me
And, do they all typically meet the AROSC minimum requirement?
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There is a rolling n-year requirement for helmets. I.e. Snell M90 helmets, I think, are no longer in-spec. I'm implying that n=10, but only Bruce can confirm this. Same goes for your harness too.
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11-07-2004, 09:22 AM
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AROSC Helmet Requirements
Quote:
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Originally Posted by nizam
I would spend as much as it would take you to feel comfortable. Everyone's noggin is different. AROSC accepts motorcycle helmets (e.g. Snell M2000 rating) as well as specific automobile-racing helmets. ...
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As of 2005, AROSC will require Snell SA2000 or M2000 helmets for Time Trials and Race. A Snell 95 helmet will be acceptable for Intro Group or Street Performance Driving School. BTW, as I understand it, the SA rating involves impact tests that are like those that might occur in an automobile accident while the M rating is directed towards motorcycle related impacts.
I agree with Nizam that you should buy one that is comfortable. The fewer distractions you have on the track, the better. I would strongly recommend going to a speed shop and trying on several different mfgr/model combinations before making a purchase. One big question will be "full coverage" vs. "open face". Full coverage helmets provide more protection for your face but they are a bit more difficult to put on, especially if you ware glasses, even sun glasses. If you plan to ware glasses, take them with you when you try on helmets. On the other hand, full coverage helmets make some people feel "closed in" plus they make it harder to communicate if you have someone else in the car, an instructor for example.
__________________
Bruce Colby
Competition Director, AROSC
'65 Sprint GT (TS race)
'69 1750 GTV (TS street)
'71 Jr. Z (special occasions)
'89 E30 (the dark side)
----------------------------
'69 1750 Spider (sold  )
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11-07-2004, 04:46 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Ventura, CA
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by AR4me
Thanks for the pointers and suggestions!
How much is reasonable to spend on a helmet (for long-term usage)? And, do they all typically meet the AROSC minimum requirement?
Jes
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There is nothing as important as your head. The dollar amount shouldn't even come into the discission when it comes to your safety. I agree with the others on the fact that it must feel right on your head. Some helmet are better than others, offerring better visability than others. Try on several different ones from different manufactures. I reccomended Simpson earlier only because I've had nothing but Simpsons in the past, and I got a slight discount because I also bought my driving suit from them, as well as the shoes, gloves, and when it comes time to replace the belts in the car I will probably go back to them.
And one of these days, I'll get back on the track, hopefully in January.
__________________
Gifford
'72 Super, '67 GTV --> SOLD
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11-07-2004, 10:16 PM
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Seems like going to a shop makes sense. Any of you (SD) guys know of a good shop further south than Torrance that you can recommend?
Jes
__________________
87 Milano Verde - daily driver - Juliet
87 Milano 3.0 Motronic - budget race car - Roxanne
87 Milano 3.7 24v - race car
(Repeating what I suggest or do is at your own risk - be critical)
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11-09-2004, 12:20 PM
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Location: San Diego, CA
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by AR4me
Seems like going to a shop makes sense. Any of you (SD) guys know of a good shop further south than Torrance that you can recommend?
Jes
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Jes,
There's a nice shop down here in San Diego called Dave Turner Motorsports. He carries Simpson, Bell and Bieffe helmets and has various models you can try on. I bought my Bieffe Predator from him 5 years ago and I'll be buying from him again this year to replace the helmet since it's Snell95. Dave is a really nice guy, he likes Alfas and his prices are fair. His website is http://www.daveturner.com but it looks like his domain expired so the site isn't coming up. 
San Diego might be a little far south for you though.
__________________
Chip Mutza
[URL=http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/showthread.php?t=16221]'87 Milano 3.0L 24v[/URL]
[url] http://www.fastalfas.com [/url]
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