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Welcome
to one of the best driving events in the Northwest! Our club has a proven
program that continues to exceed our member’s expectations. Our events are
well known as being great events that are well structured, safe, and fun.
Our goals are simple; share our knowledge of driving at a level not
readily available to the masses. After drivers' education in school, most of
our learning comes only from our daily driving. Through the club events,
drivers are given the ability to take their learning further than they ever
thought possible, at facilities that provide a controlled environment.
Improving real-world driving is our focus, and creating better drivers is the
key.
The schools are designed not as race driver training, but as an avenue to
learn how to become better, safer drivers. Drivers learning the limits of
their car and their driving abilities, in a safe and controlled environment
are our schools purpose. We take great pride in creating a program that is
valuable to all levels and types of drivers, from those that are interested
in just learning more advanced driving skills to our members whose goals are
to join the club’s summer High-Performance Driving Schools. We also offer
avenues for those who are truly hooked and eventually want to go racing,
through our Club’s affiliation with the local Northwest-racing league, International Conference of Sports Car Clubs
(ICSCC).
We have great members who love BMWs and love their club. We
look forward to having you out with us.
Below you’ll find information on all our events. Additional topics will be
added as we move forward. This will be a living document designed to provide
you with an overview of our programs, as well as topics available to add to
your driving experiences.
Car Control Clinic - CCC
Attending a Car Control Clinic (CCC) is a prerequisite to attending a High-Performance Driving School,
This is an interim step as you build your skill level.
It begins with a series of drill stations. Each station is designed to
focus on a specific car control skill, offering students the opportunity to
gain practical skills which they can immediately transfer to their every day
driving. Stations include slalom, braking, skid pad, and a handling oval.
Instructors will ride with students and coach them at each drill station.
Drivers will learn the limits of their car and how to keep their car within
those limits.
During the afternoon, drivers will have the opportunity to be exposed to
the road racing track surface at Pacific Raceways.
The objective of the school is to make the student a safer and more
confident driver. The driver will have a blast and have a whole new
appreciation for their BMW! If you have ever been curious why they call these
'The Ultimate Driving Machines’--spend a day with us and find out what German
Engineering is all about!
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High-Performance Driving Schools - HPDS
Our High-Performance Driving Schools are designed as a way for drivers to
continue their skill building. The intent behind these events is to offer
further driver-skills education. These events are skill-building days to
enhance the car control training. A drivers learning does not stop with the
first school, but rather accumulates over time with each additional event
attended. As with all our schools, these events are fully staffed with an
ensemble of instructors available for our drivers all day – you cannot beat
that! We are fortunate to have a consistent, dedicated group of instructors
that donate their time all year so drivers can pick their favorites and learn
from them all year.
Drivers who have not driven Pacific Raceways should not miss this
opportunity. Pacific Raceways is very challenging and exciting to drive. The
track offers driving variety, from elevation change, to hairpin turns, to a
challenging chicane.
To be eligible, drivers need to have attended our car control clinic or an
equivalent program. Email the Driving Events Chair
if you have any questions on eligibility.
Registration for each event will open five to six weeks prior to the event
date.
All registration is done though www.MotorsportReg.com Register early to ensure a spot.
For the list of this club’s events for the year and additional driving
opportunities visit the motorsport
calendar. There are plenty of events to attend in addition to ours!
Requirements -
·
All events require pre-registration.
·
Spots will not be held prior to registration opening.
·
Participants must be at least 18 years
old.
·
Participants must be club members or members of a partner club.
To join the club, visit our national club web
site www.bmwcca.org and
choose the Puget Sound Region as your chapter. Members will then begin to
receive the national club publication, The Roundel, in addition to our local
chapter publication, Zündfolge. Club members will
receive the full details of our events through the Zündfolge
and therefore can stay most informed of events and registration
information. We also accept PCA PNWR, BMWACA, BMW
CCBC, NWARC, and PSMINI members.
Prerequisites -
·
Car Control Clinics
None. This is designed to be a starting
point for your education behind the wheel.
·
High-Performance Driving Schools
Drivers must have prior experience to attend
these events, either having attended our car control clinic or have prior
experience from an approved program. If you have questions regarding your
eligibility, please contact the Driving Events
Coordinator for additional options available to obtain your training.
Questions? -
Please contact the registrar: registrar@bmwpugetsound.com
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GENERAL DRIVING EVENT
REQUIREMENTS -
Listed below are several requirements to help drivers prepare for our
events. Upon confirmation to any of our driving events drivers will receive a
confirmation email with explicit details for that event. Items not covered
here will be covered in this email.
Convertibles
Convertibles are allowed at Car Control Clinics.
·
High-Performance Driving Schools
In the interest in the safety of our students and
instructors, convertibles are not allowed at our High Performance Driving
Events. There are local Clubs that do allow convertibles and will honor
your BMW CCA membership. Please contact the Driving Events Chair for help finding a venue to drive your convertible.
Car Technical Inspection
·
Car Control Clinics
Tech Inspections are not required for Car Control
Clinics.
·
High-Performance Driving Schools
A technical inspection will be required for every
driver’s car in advance of a track event. This inspection consists of a
thorough examination of the driver’s car by a qualified ASE certified mechanic. Inspections focus on
engine compartment condition, brakes, tires, suspension, steering, etc., in
an attempt to ensure that cars have adequate systems before they are driven
on the track. This driving activity and the speeds being driven dictate that
drivers cannot afford to be casual with the safety of their car. To ensure
the safety of all our participants, we must insist on a proper safety
inspection being carried out by a qualified individual. This is for the
drivers benefit and safety as well as for the safety of other drivers on the track.
Tech Forms: Upon being confirmed for EACH event, a confirmation
packet will be sent out that will include a link to the Technical Inspection
form. All technical inspection forms must be completed in their
entirety and clearly signed and stamped by a certified ASE mechanic at a known and reputable shop.
·
Just one (1) annual tech inspection required, student must bring a
copy of the inspection with them to each 2011 track event with club.
·
For shops, which do not use a stamp, drivers must attach a copy of the
receipt for work completed.
·
Technical inspections will not be performed at the track.
·
Drivers checking in without a tech sheet at the track – means no track
time, no exceptions.
·
The following shops have offered to provide this technical inspection
for a reduced rate of $35 for our club members. Although this is not an
extensive list of shops covering all the area in which our drivers reside, we
hope this offers some assistance. These shops are not mandatory, if you have
another choice of shop please continue to use them as long as they are ASE certified.
Discounted Technical Inspections provided by -
Auburn Foreign Car - Auburn (253) 833-8161
Boyles
Foreign Car - Lakewood (253) 588-8669
Bristow's Automotive
- Tacoma (253)
471-1663
BMW
Seattle - Seattle (206) 328-2300
Car
Tender - Seattle (206) 324-0345
Eastside
Bavarian - Issaquah (425) 391-1990
European
Auto Clinic - Federal Way (253) 874-3870
Group 2
Motorsport - Seattle (206) 378-0900
Haury's Autobody - Seattle
(206) 365-1565
KD Motorsports - (425) 351-6401
Olympic
Automotive - Lynnwood (425) 742-1355
Rolling Bay Automotive – Rolling Bay, WA (206) 842-7678
Strictly
BMW - Bellevue (425) 747-6044
TC
Motorsports - Auburn (253) 887-0500
Helmets -
·
Car Control Clinics
Helmets are not required for Car Control Clinics.
·
High-Performance Driving Schools
Helmets are required for High-Performance Driving
Schools
Current helmet requirements for CCA events require Snell ratings of 2000
or 2005. No earlier models will be accepted. Snell 2000 rated helmets will be
eligible through 2011, which includes a one-year grace period after the 2010
helmets have been introduced into the market. Therefore, Snell 2005 helmets
will be acceptable through 2016. Motorcycle helmets are also acceptable as
long as the M rating conforms to the Snell rating for the appropriate period.
When shopping for a new helmet we recommend drivers try helmets on prior
to purchasing. Although catalog and Internet shopping are great resources for
compiling information about helmets, it is not always the best way to
purchase. All helmets, even those from the same manufacturer, can fit
differently. Just sending in measurements will not guarantee a helmet will
fit you correctly.
There are several local shops where drivers can shop for a helmet and
gather some great hands on advice. Below are a few:
Armadillo Racing, Bremerton and Pacific Raceways
Location
www.armadilloracing.com
1-888-211-9129
425 Motorsports, Bellevue
www.425motorsports.com
(425) 747-0777
Speedware Motorsports,
Redmond
www.speedwaremotorsports.com
425-869-5680
Driver Qualifications -
·
Age of drivers (and passengers where applicable) - minimum age is 18
with a full driver’s license.
·
All drivers and instructors shall have a full operator’s license that
shall not be suspended or revoked.
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Directions
and Track Maps (.pdf, 56kB -- includes: Pacific
Raceways, Portland Int'l Raceway, Spokane Raceway
Park)
Don't have Adobe Acrobat Reader? Download your free
copy here.
Pacific Raceways-
website - www.pacificraceways.com
Detailed
tutorial of the BMW School line at Pacific Raceway (850KB .pdf file)
Previously known as Seattle International Raceway, this well known track
returns to its original name, Pacific Raceways. Pacific Raceways is not new
to racing though, having hosted races since the 1960s. Although the location
of the track is the same (Kent, Washington)
that should be about all that will be familiar to us as we move forward over
time. We have been given glimpses of what the future will hold for our local
road course and it looks extremely positive! The energy behind this effort is
very high and the owners of the facility have a goal to make our track the
premier motorsports facility of the Northwest. Goodbye Seattle International
Raceway and hello Pacific Raceways! It will take time to implement all the
changes so do not expect completion all at once. For most of us I know we
will be happy with the simple improvements at the beginning – i.e., suitable
bathrooms!
Portland
International Raceway-
website - www.portlandraceway.com
Spokane Raceway Park-
website - www.spokaneracewaypark.com
California-
We've found an excellent source for guides to California
tracks at:
http://www.pca-ggr.org/ttvenues.html
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How do I register and how much do the events costs?
See Registration Section for details. Prices
will be announced for each event during the registration period.
What happens if I need to cancel?
Driver confirmation letters will specify the date on which cancellations
will be taken with refunds and the final deadline for which there are no
refunds. This is typically a week prior to the event.
What should I wear?
Comfortable clothes are a must. Loose fitting pants, shirts, sweaters,
etc. Closed-toe shoes are required. Flat soled shoes like any type of sneaker
are fine. Bring umbrellas and layers of clothes so that you are prepared for
all types of weather.
What items should I bring to the track?
The list of "good to have" items for the track include glass
cleaner, paper towels, brake fluid, oil, tire pressure gauge, rags, snacks, a
container to stow your gear, a lawn chair, waterproof gear for you and your
things (trash bags or a small tarp work well). Drivers should arrive at the
track with a full tank of gas and tires inflated to the manufacturer's
specified pressures. It is important that drivers check tire pressures in the
cold weather. The ambient temperature has a significant effect on tire
pressure.
What if I bring a different car than I registered?
Drivers must attend with the car in which they were confirmed. If a driver
needs to change cars, they need to notify the Registrar as soon as possible.
What if I can’t make it but want to give my spot to someone else?
Available spots are first given out to those drivers on the waiting list
and any open spots will be filled through the Registrar prior to the track
event.
Is my auto insurance in effect at driving schools?
There is a growing trend of insurance companies specifically excluding
anything that happens in a closed-course facility, and this includes our
driving schools. If this concerns you, you should check with your
carrier if your auto insurance is effective or not at driving schools.
Our legal counsel, Rich Milham, has written an
excellent article on the subject. Please follow this link
to read it.
What should I do when I arrive at the track?
Registration can be a bottleneck to the start of our day. Getting through
registration and coming prepared will help us get everyone started on time.
Specific details are provided in the drivers
confirmation packet for each event.
What if it rains?
We run rain or shine. If it does rain, do not despair. Drivers can learn
more about car control in the rain than any other time.
How do I get to the track?
Directions for each track can be found under the Tracks
Section.
Can spectators and friends come out with me?
Yes, but everyone on the site must check-in and sign an insurance waiver.
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Our chapter can only run a limited number of events per season due to the
difficulty obtaining track days and overall staffing requirements, but there
are opportunities to attend other clubs events so there is plenty of track
time to be had. Our drivers are invited to attend the local Alfa, Audi,
Bremerton Sports Car Club, and the Porsche Club driving events. Dates will be
published in the following calendar as they become available.
Those drivers who have completed a season with us, should consider heading
down to Portland International Raceway (PIR)
for events with the BMW ACA club or over to Spokane Raceway with the BMW CCA,
Inland Empire Chapter.
PIR is practically in our own
backyard, so what a treat for our members to travel down and drive on such a
great and well-groomed track. PIR
offers new and different challenges than Pacific Raceways and is a hoot to
drive. Refer to the below calendar for Portland
dates and contact information.
Spokane Raceway is another popular venue for our members. You will see
many of our very own instructors assisting the BMW CCA, Inland Empire Chapter
with their driving programs. Many of our drivers have discovered what a great
track Spokane
has and what a terrific group of people they have East of the mountains. You
can check-in with Scott Adare for details regarding
their school programs. Contact information is provided below.
There's a full Motorsport Calendar here
Contacts -
BMW CCA, Inland Empire Chapter (Spokane) - www.iebmw.org
Scott Adare, sadare@aol.com
BMW ACA (Portland)
- www.bmwacaportland.com
Greg Meythaler, gmeythaler@bmwacaportland.com
Alfa Romeo Club - www.nwalfaclub.com
Track Event Registrar, competition@nwalfaclub.com
Bremerton
Sports Car Club
Dave Ely, de2mr2@msn.com
Larry Paulson, (360)
830-4030
PCA PNWR - www.pnwr.org
Driver Education Chair, DriverEd@pnwr.org
ProFormance Racing School – http://www.proformanceracingschool.com/
Don Kitch, DonKitchJr@cs.com
(253) 630-5130
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ADVANCE ONTO RACING!
Our club, BMW CCA, Puget Sound Region, has an affiliate association with
the local racing league, International
Conference of Sports Car Clubs (ICSCC). Within this affiliation, our
track programs curriculum has been accredited as a valid program towards the
introduction to racing and accepted by ICSCC. Although our on-track driving
programs are not designed as race schools, they do prepare a driver with the
basic skills of high performance driving.
For drivers who have an interest in accelerating the process they can also
apply for a race license in Conference by attending and receiving a
certificate from a professional race school. Local venues for such events
would include ProFormance
Racing School at Pacific Raceways or Conference’s local racing
organizations, International Race
Driver’s Club (IRDC) at Pacific Raceways or Cascade Sports Car Club (CSCC) at Portland, all three hold one-day
programs for certification. IRDC and Cascade information can be found from a
link on Conference’s web site www.icscc.com.
Conference holds an average of 12-15 races from April through October at
Pacific Raceways, Portland International Raceway, Spokane Raceway Park, Mission
Raceway in Canada and even
at Thunder Hill in Northern California. If
you want to see or participate in some great racing and follow some of your
fellow BMW club members in action than come on out and join the races. The
race schedule, once confirmed, will be posted on Conference’s web site, www.icscc.com. For information about the
racing organization and how you can get involved visit their site. See you at
the races!
HOW ABOUT TURN WORKING?
Not everyone has the time, money, or inclination to drive on the
track, but if you love the sport, there’s another way to be involved!
Please consider being a turn worker on track days.
Please contact the Driving Events Coordinator if you are
interested in helping.
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