Public race track in Nor Cal.?

Question

Im looking for a public race track in nor cal or anywhere that does time trials. Also is laguna Seca open to the public?

Answer 1

Race tracks are not open to the public in the sense that anyone can drive up at anytime and use them.  Some tracks have open test days that work almost like that, but those usually are once a month if the track has them.

However, if you are looking for time trials and open track events, all of the tracks in Northern CA host such events (just sign up with the organizing group).

As for Tracks - Laguna Seca:  fun track though not especially technical, and even with the recent resurfacing, traction is still a problem.  Between scheduled racing, Skip Barber classes, and club events, the track is in use every day of the year (recent construction has somewhat limited that and made club dates less available, but none is scheduled this year).  Due to the high demand and low availability of dates, events here run on the expensive side with most dates coming in the $300-400/day range.

Infineon/Sears Point - A great track... but very technical to drive and not a good track for a beginner.  Like Laguna Seca there is a resident school (Jim Russell in this case), and a steady schedule of pro and amateur events that limit the number of club days.  Cost for events here are similar to Laguna.  Most club dates for both here and Laguna will normally land in the late Oct through early March range, with the prime parts of the year filled with races and clubs with long standing relationships with the track.

Thunderhill - probably the best of the group for a beginner as there is a nice mix of elements, and there is quite a bit of run-off space around the track.  Thunderhill has recently been managing to book all of it's schedule, but time is much more available as there is no resident school, and while there are many SCCA and NASA races here, the only notable race is the 25 hour enduro that comes around each year.  Also, Thunderhill does often have open test days (Laguna and Infineon do not), and it used to be once a month.  The track is located north of Sacramento in Willows.

While Thunderhill does offer an open test day, you would be better off going with a Driver's Ed/Open Track event that would have instruction (since you're asking about this, I am guessing it's something new for you).

Other tracks in the typical range of a day's drive for people in Northern California:  Reno-Fernley, Button Willow, Spring Mountain, and Willow Springs.

Clubs:  All of the major manufacturer based clubs seem to have track days (PCA, BMWCCA, Shelby, etc), as well as organizations like Trackmasters, NCRC, and Green Flag.

Answer 2

FunnyStyler.com --Cheap FSAS Music Racing T-shirt Shop

F1-WRC.com --- Now Promotion Patches Badges Pin