Track Day at Willow Springs? [Archive]

Draxas

11-19-2001, 01:14 PM

The event will take place February 22nd, 2002. The cost will be around $100 per vehicle, and will be limited to 35 cars. I am inviting Focus, Contour, and Celica guys as well. I also know some import owners who would like to come, but Im not inviting their whole car club.

The closer we get to the max of 35 cars the more likely we will be right at $100 per car. If only 25 cars show up, then it will cost closer to $140 each. So if you have friends that want to come for the day, get them to go, as it will lower your cost.

Everyone riding/driving in a car, needs to be wearing a helmet, a long sleeve shirt/sweathshirt, and long pants. Convertibles are allowed ONLY if they have a roll bar installed.

So far we have the following people who want to come, a dollar sign ($) means I have received your deposit:

SoCal NECO:

Nikolas $
Ed $
Irwin

Team Unison

Ray$
Charles Fann $
Wes Laytham $
Brian C. $
Mike Blum $
Rich Sus $
XxAlex Rodriguez $Xx Canceled
Chris $
Erik Olson$
Jason Mohr $$
Eberhard Ojong ??
Jermaine ??

Contour.org

Jason Holmes (Stinger00) $

FocalJet

Lorin Mueller (OmniFocus) $$
Focus Racer
Nader Assemi
Nazar Kitch
ukchup
Peter Vanderpas
Andrew Gillis (Dru232) $$

VWVortex.com

Nathan Lloyd $
Ben $
Carlos Flores $
Michael Potter $$
undertwosted
ABTGOLF
padfan1(Branden)

MR2Pages.com

Bates (Edwin)
Spectre
Mr. A
Slick33(?)

ClubSi.com

David Melendez $
Jeremy (PRKiller) $$ Acting as Instructor

Privateers

Bill Janewicz (1989 325is) $
Jeff Oliver $$
Chuck Zwilling $$
Dennis Vandenberg (1997 BMW M3)$
leo hsiao $
sung choi $
ken yeh$
Joshua Salaets $ (1995 SHO)
Charleston Ong (Civic) $
Tony Pettis ?? (1994 Accord Hybrid)
Jeff Sloan $$ (Civic Hybrid) Acting As Instructor
Kevin Winter $$ (Civic)
Matthew Anderson $$ (1990 Talon Tsi)
Hal Pemstien ??
Raphael Quiroga ??
Ali Argyleh ??
Terrence Yue ?? (Porsche 996 Cabriolet)
Garry Summers ??
Frank Lin $$ Acting as Instructor

Please make checks/money orders out to:

Nikolas Malechikos
40201 La Cota Drive
Palmdale, CA 93550

(Send at least $50 to reserve your spot, or pay in full. If you only pay the deposit, the balance will be due the day of the event. If you make a deposit, and fail to show up for the event, the deposit is not refunded. So be sure you are serious about doing this.)

Home Phone is: 661-274-7669

You can always email me with questions if you need to: Chezterr@Yahoo.com

Nikolas

BigKat

11-19-2001, 02:48 PM

I might be interested in going...

what exactly is it that we get to do at willow springs? do we get full-on solo runs? that would be COOL if my tires won't give out so easily. I don't want to mindlessly cruise behind 30 other cars in a parade lap.

Draxas

11-19-2001, 03:19 PM

The way most Track Days are run, is with groups of 5-10 cars on the track at any given time. For maybe 20-30 minutes of driving. Then the next group heads out for their turn. and the cycle continues throughout the day.

Generally some people will leave early or just stop driving, so those that stick around, will get more track time at the end of the day.

on track rules are simple: there is no passing except on the front straight of the track, no contact is to be made or you will be immediately kicked off the track, and you must obey all flags, including the flag that tells you to let the person behind you pass. IF you go off track, you need to come into the pit area and have the car inspected quickly to see if you are still fit for driving. If not, there is a garage you can take your car to for quick maintenance.

we will be given a 'garage' of our own where we can do minor work on cars with some floor jacks and basic tools. ( if you want to take off your mufflers, change filters, change tires, etc.)...

we can bring a BBQ and some coolers and set it up to cook some food so we dont have to drive in to town and waste track time.

All in all it will be a great time. even if you just want to come and watch.

Nikolas

BigKat

11-19-2001, 03:59 PM

sounds pretty cool!
so about how many runs (on the average) do you get in a day?

Draxas

11-19-2001, 04:36 PM

well, Willow Springs is a 1.5 mile road course... so there arent really 'runs' but laps.... throughout the day, you will prolly get close to 100 laps around the track, which is alot of track time....

Willow SPrings (http://www.willowspringsraceway.com)

go there and check out The Streets of Willow..... that is the track we will be on, not that big 2.5mile road course.... the big course requires extensive safety equipment due to the high speeds. On the Streets of Willow, you will probably only get up to 70-80MPH on the front stretch before needing to slow down......

Nikolas

TheChauffer

11-19-2001, 05:23 PM

I Believe you already know my answer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hell Yes!!!!

bzcat

11-19-2001, 07:29 PM

ditto.

just make sure Mike's Mustang is weighted for extra horsepower just like NASCAR.

TheChauffer

11-20-2001, 03:11 AM

weight i say we just slash his tires they are korean junk anyway we would be doing him a favor

Draxas

11-21-2001, 05:31 PM

Okay,

I just got off the phone with Willow Springs, looking for a Friday we can go to their track. I wanted to do it in February or March, but the only Friday out of those two months that is still available is February 22nd. April is completely booked as well, May only has one day left, the 17th. I dont want to wait until May to do this either.

I also checked on Mondays: Feb., March, & April dont have any Mondays available.

So it looks like we will have to go on the 22nd of February.

That gives you guys 3 months to plan for this, save money, and buy a helmet.

The deposit of half the total is due 1 month before the event. That deposit will be around $1100 or so. The more people I get to pay me in FULL the better, but you will at least have to pay me $50 up front by the end of the year. Keep in mind, that if we cant get 35 cars registered, the price per car will go up from $100/car....so that each person pays for an equal piece of the total price......

Please PM me if you want to go to this and participate... I will get a running total of commited people...

I have invited the Focus guys, the Contour Guys, and the New Celica guys as well. we are also open to your friends and family. Just let me know they want to come, and have them send me their money....

Nikolas

Draxas

11-26-2001, 12:29 PM

ttt

TheChauffer

11-30-2001, 11:47 PM

Hey nik my buddy with the vw is for sure in ill have his money when you need it:)

Draxas

12-01-2001, 02:02 AM

Ed,

Cool...the more the merrier...i just hope we get at least 5-7 Cougars show up and participate.....right now we have 3-4 or so that want to do it...... I just dont want to have to cancel the event for lack of participation....

Nikolas

TheChauffer

12-06-2001, 09:40 PM

hello this is a cool thing why is noone else signing up.?:eek: Hey Nik how is the enrollment looking in the other boards?

Draxas

12-06-2001, 10:34 PM

Ed,

I am updating this thread with names of people from other boards. Look at the very first post i made. I will separate people by car club affiliation, this way everyone has a good idea of what kinds of cars will be showing.

As for NECO participation, i REEAALLLLLLLYYYYY hope that we can get more people than 3 or 4..... if we don't have close to 10 cars there..i will be pretty disappointed.....

Nikolas

Xero

12-07-2001, 05:16 AM

Is there a deadline that we have to let you know if we are going or not? I have a feeling that a lot more people will sign up closer to the feb 22 Date. People want to get closer to that date to see what their schedules are like. I am really interested, i'll let you know ASAP. Are there any restrictions for types of cars that can go on the track (i.e. FWD/RWD/AWD? Etc..) for my friends' cars that might go... I'll keep you updated..

Draxas

12-07-2001, 11:37 AM

Everyone has until January 15th or so to get me their deposit of at least $50.....Because I need to give the $1000 deposit to the track on the 22nd of January......and I cant front all that money myself....

As far as cars go, any make or model and year is welcome. if it is a convertible or a roadster, they must have a roll bar installed (rules of the track).... I would actually like to see some big V8s in the house or some older little roadsters as well..... The better the variety, the more fun i think.....

Nikolas

Draxas

12-12-2001, 06:17 PM

We are nearing the One Month mark till the deadline and there are still plenty of spots open for this event.
I need to receive the deposit of at least $50 by January 15th.

If you have any questions regarding payment or on this event, please email me at Chezterr@yahoo.com

I hope we can get some good representation from SoCal NECO at this event. Right now we only have 3 cars...I know we can do better than that....

Nikolas

Draxas

12-19-2001, 08:04 PM

Looks like we will also be having a BBQ or 2 there for lunch and/or snacking. If we get 35 cars there, then the lunch and drinks will be included in the price of the day.

So for $100 you will get several hours of track time and be fed food too!!!! Cant ask for much more...

well.....some of you guys can...but were trying to run a respectable business here!!!!

;)

EDIT>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Just to give everyone an update, I have a list with 27 cars on it at this point. I expect more to contact me in the next couple weeks. I have yet to receive any desposits though.

If you want to do participate in this event, please contact me as soon as possible, and send your deposit in to lock your position.

Nikolas

Draxas

01-03-2002, 01:48 PM

anyone else interested in this? my list keeps growing longer, and I dont want any NECO members that really want to go get cut off by another person from a different club. Right now we only have Three NECO people who will be participating. If we can get that up to 6 that would be very nice.

Nikolas

jjennings

01-03-2002, 01:58 PM

I would go, but I already know that I have to be out of town that weekend for work. Damn, I would really like to do something like this too.

mprtklr

01-03-2002, 02:28 PM

hey, those of you from down here that are going? are you guys gonna drive back the same night or stay up there the night and come back saturday? or whats the plan? i think im gonna go, but i need to know how far away it is and such like that? thanx

Robert

PS is Nitrous allowed?? just curious ;) i may need to get a big one, no two of them, and put it in tonight :) ok, yes i bought the damn DVD and watched it too many times.

nic99cougar

01-03-2002, 03:40 PM

Come on guys, this sounds like so much fun and a great opportunity! Why are there so little Cougar members attending? I know more people besides myself, Ed, Nik, and Irwin want to do this. $100 or more is a small price for something like this. It's not everyday we get a chance to do this! And there has been plenty of time to come up with the money! Nik has pulled this together for all of us. Take advantage of it. The more people, the better! Not that I am not looking forward to seeing Irwin and Nik, but I hope to see more Cougar members as well! Let's make this fun - Nic :biggrin:

Draxas

01-03-2002, 03:41 PM

For those that have a long drive of 2+ hours to the track, you can always stay at my house the night before and the night after if you would like. I only have one guest bed, but 2 couches and several blow up matresses. You could save some money by staying at my house and it would be more convenient to wake up Friday morning and only have a 30 minute drive instead of a 2 hour drive.

Robert,

I need to buy that movie soon......but I know it will make me want to do more stuff to my car. But I also cant see how NOS will help on a road track....drag strip yes....but you would be out of NOS after only one lap around Willow......lol

Nikolas

mransr

01-03-2002, 03:46 PM

Nik, a whole bunch of years ago I worked for a guy that raced SCCA stuff at Riverside.......he had a cheater nitrous system he'd use to add 20 or so hp just for when he went down the back straight or when he needed a little extra to pass somebody :)

mprtklr

01-03-2002, 03:59 PM

ya, you can use a boost control to pump in a 20 shot every so often or whatever, and with 2 10lb bottles, that will last you all day.

Draxas

01-03-2002, 04:29 PM

Mike,

are you gonna make it out in your Stang? would be cool to see how it does in the Twisties......

Yeah, i didnt think of a small shot of NO2 for use only when you wanted to pass someone or for a small extra boost...

Nikolas

bzcat

01-03-2002, 04:44 PM

are they going to provide the helmets?

mprtklr

01-03-2002, 04:54 PM

so, back to my question, can i?

Draxas

01-03-2002, 05:03 PM

Nitrous is allowed.......

as far as helmets go, the last time I checked, they do not offer them. Everyone must provide their own. I bought one off eBay last year for $80. I checked today for them and found several for around $65. Just do a search for Snell Helmets and you are okay. Try not to get a Motorcycle helmet.......

Nikolas

Ripple

01-03-2002, 09:26 PM

What the tread wear limit too. I know that they have some rule that you must have so much tread on your tires. I know I need to get new tires for sure but some of the other guys might not be aware of this rule.

hashiriya13

01-04-2002, 01:13 AM

Hi I am one of the Celica guys that will be running and was wondering about the helmet requirements. What snell level will be required to be able to run? Thanks see you guys at the track.

Wes

Draxas

01-04-2002, 11:47 AM

Wes,

I sent you an email with the answer...

Ripple,

I will check into this as soon as I get back in town MOnday morning..... It cant be too high of a number. I know they allow full R Compound tires to be used, but I will chck for you...

Nikolas

Draxas

01-11-2002, 04:46 PM

Just reminding everyone that the deadline to get your deposit in to me is next Thursday.... You would have to put it in the mail no later than Monday to guarantee it gets to me in time. If you have any questions, please email me (Chezterr@Yahoo.com) and I will answer them ASAP.

THanks,

Nikolas

BigKat

01-11-2002, 06:09 PM

I wish I could go, but I recently found out in an empty parking lot that:

Pirelli SuperTouring tires = a buttload of understeer
and
worn brake rotors = very scary brake fade

I'll go if you don't mind me crasing into you at the first turn

nic99cougar

01-11-2002, 07:02 PM

Vince, you can go just not run the car! The more Cougars that show up the better. A support team would be nice. Being that a Cougar club started this and only 3 Cougars are showing is not so good. Especially when there are more of other clubs going to be there! So think about it. You can still have fun with others and not run!

Cisco35

01-11-2002, 08:29 PM

would it be alright if i showed up with my friend and his 98 Cobra. he saw the topic and he has always wanted to drive the springs of willow. i would take my car but it will be in the shop getting some stuff done.

Draxas

01-11-2002, 08:43 PM

Cisco,

That is more than okay. Its just that if he wants to run his car there, he needs to send a $50 deposit to me no later than next Thursday, so he actually needs to get it in the mail no later than Monday, unless he wants to use PayPal to pay me. as long as he knows the costs and what not, just tell him to get ahold of me, and I will add him to the list.....

It will be cool to have a big V8 running on the track with little 4 bangers....

Nikolas

MrFroge

01-12-2002, 04:28 PM

Hi Nicolas

I wish you luck with the track event.. I tried to get the cougar people in northern california interested in going for a day at thunder Hill and got no response after they found out it would cost them money .. :) If you don't mind, please let me know what your final participation figures turn out to be.

One thing, your people need to have their car in excellent condition.. I've done some days on the track and it isn't unusual to see mechanical failures such as radiator hoses, and other coolant and oil lines give out, along with tires.. They should also consider alternate ways home in case something happens to the car that disables it.. Come with a friend who is also driving their car.

Good luck to everyone and have a safe and fun day..:cool:

hashiriya13

01-12-2002, 09:47 PM

Chezterr, How many you hav in on this? you close to the max? JUst checking to see if you got the final price yet. thanks.

Oh and I live in El Cajon I have seen a few nice cougers (body kits) running around out here. Any of you on here?

Draxas

01-13-2002, 02:11 AM

So far I have only received 12 deposits. We need to hit 25 to make it $125 per person. any more than that and it will start getting too expensive. I had about 40 people tell me they wanted to come, so hopefully more will send me their deposits later this week. I hope we can hit 30 so it can stay $100 per car.....

Nikolas

maverick

01-13-2002, 03:30 AM

ANOTHER EL CAJON PERSON ON THIS BOARD !
WOW, we might be getting too big for our pants.
If you've seen a black Cougar in El Cajon, that's Justin.
Silver - Brandy
French Blue - Gary (me)
There is also a red one around town.

BRANDY

01-13-2002, 06:40 PM

OOOOH OOOOH Brandy thats me!!!!

TheChauffer

01-14-2002, 04:46 PM

So is El Cajon gonna come up and represent at the track day?

nic99cougar

01-14-2002, 05:49 PM

Yeah it would be nice to see you again Gary! Maybe you can bring your son. And Brandy would be nice to meet. Though I am this weekend!!!!!!!

But I wanted to say I think it's pathetic that Team Unison will have more cars to represent than NECO. NECO (Nikolas) started this whole thing, and so far we have 2 committed Cougars, and 1 who hasn't sent their deposit in (IRWIN)! For only 2 Cats to be there is really sad. I know we all don't want to look this bad. Do we? Ben's name is listed under SoCal because he is coming with Ed and I, but he is actually representing VWVortex due to the GOLF he's driving. So we really only have 2. If SD can join us, that would be 2 more, and if Gary brings his son we'll have another! Come on guys!!!!!!!!!!!! i/expressions/face-icon-small-cry.gif :eek:

mprtklr

01-14-2002, 09:05 PM

oh oh oh , brandy, nic, you guys gonna kiss???? puh-lease, them i'll go the track meeting

BRANDY

01-15-2002, 12:56 AM

Well I don't think Ed would like that Robert ;)

nic99cougar

01-15-2002, 03:10 AM

Actually he probably would, but I'm not about to kiss another girl just to get your a s s at Willow! You should want to come to show support for NECO and because you want too! Not to see 2 girls kiss! Besides, I've never met Brandy before. I like to get to know the woman before I do anything!!!!!!!!!!!! ;) i/expressions/face-icon-small-embarrased.gif

mprtklr

01-15-2002, 12:43 PM

brandy this is nic, nic this is brandy, NOW KISS!!!!

BigKat

01-15-2002, 01:58 PM

my God, someone get that man a leash!

Draxas

01-15-2002, 03:04 PM

So nobody else from SoCal NECO wants to come out to the track and partake in the event?

What about to at least watch?

nic99cougar

01-15-2002, 07:05 PM

That's what I'm saying! Just because you may not have the money to join, you can still come to show support! We definitely don't have enough Cougars yet! Come on people, I know we can do this. Please come to show support???????!!!!!!!!!!

Robert - I thought Jimmy was bad. I am not doing any kissing at this party, unless it is to kiss ED!!!! And that's that!!!!!!!!!!

mprtklr

01-15-2002, 07:48 PM

does this mean no kissing?

kittykatgirl33

01-15-2002, 07:49 PM

I might be able to come and watch, what times will you guys be out there? I work that day but if you are racing late I can come watch for a few hours and catch the end of it. It's only like an hour or an hour and a half away from me.

DEVIOUSDEV

01-15-2002, 08:24 PM

I can't commit to doing it cause as of Saturday, I will be a NorCalian, so I don't know if I'll be able to make it down or not.....but if I CAN, I will definately come to watch and laugh my ass off as Ed tries to wreck Nicole's cougar:eek:

maverick

01-15-2002, 10:24 PM

I won't be able to make it Nik. That is a work day for me and coming to WS from SD after work on a Friday? I'd be lucky to make it there before 8:00pm.

TheChauffer

01-16-2002, 02:20 AM

Hey man call in sick!!! I would!

oh and Devin i hope to have my olds but if i dont i will not try and wreck nic's car I Will wreck nics car!

maverick

01-16-2002, 03:34 AM

I thought about that Ed, but it's already a short work week. Monday the 18th is a Holiday.

nic99cougar

01-16-2002, 01:31 PM

Wait a minute......:confused: No one is wrecking my car without my permission! i/expressions/face-icon-small-biggrin.gif

And Devin, Ed's right, he wouldn't have to TRY and wreck it. He's pretty good at doing that on his own. How do you think I ended up with a Cougar???????????????????? :eek: :eek: :eek:

Ed - J/K!!!!! ;)

TheChauffer

01-16-2002, 03:05 PM

:mad:

nic99cougar

01-16-2002, 07:04 PM

Oh you know I'm kidding. I like the Cougar better than the Avenger anyway. Though I did like the body style a tad bit more, but over all I definitely like the Cat better. Plus We'd never have met all these lovely people had I not bought it! So Thanks for totaling my Avenger. You did me a favor. Love ya - Nic :biggrin:

mransr

01-18-2002, 02:02 AM

Nik, I was gunna ask you if I could invite my BMW driving friends that have doing the open track thing.......but it's too late one of them (Bill Janewicz), called me tonight to invite me :biggrin: ...he said he already sent his deposit in.....

it kinda freaked me out that one of my best friends heard about this even though I never got around to telling him about it....

Draxas

01-18-2002, 02:37 AM

Mike,

Yeah, I just got his payment this week. That is really wierd, but also cool at the same time.

Are you going to be joining us, or at least coming to watch? I think there is going to be another Mustang coming but I am not sure. As it stands right now, it will mostly be imports. Some V6 or V8 power would be nice to have on the track.

Nikolas

TheChauffer

01-18-2002, 02:46 AM

Hey mike so we have your friends money but where is yours?

Or is that roll bar not structural?

mransr

01-18-2002, 01:16 PM

it's not a roll bar...it's a "light bar".....it attachs to the door pilar so it probably provides some help but product liabilty laws won't let them call it a roll bar....

I may come out if I can get the time off work but I won't be running....Nik can just ask "Taco Bill" why I won't race ;)

bzcat

01-22-2002, 05:46 PM

b!tch... I just registered for my GMAT exam and it's on the 24th... that was the only time I could get in Feb for the testing center near my house... I guess this mean my chances of going just got slimmer...

nic99cougar

01-22-2002, 09:08 PM

So Nik were you able to collect enough money to put down for the reservation? Or did we cancel? What's the update? Thanks - Nic :shrug:

TheChauffer

01-29-2002, 03:01 PM

i think the lack of an answer means yes.

Draxas

01-29-2002, 06:09 PM

Sorry,,

yeah, we have enough people for the event. I hope to pick up some more as time passes. I may have 1 more "for sure" coming, but we will see.. If any NECO people are still waiting, you may even be able to show up the day of the event, or at least wait until the last week. I think we will be short of the 35 car max, but we will be VERY close to the 30 car goal I had..right now we are at 25.....

Nikolas

MOHRSPD

02-03-2002, 03:18 PM

Do you have room for a couple more? I would like to go and I may have a friend that would like to go.

MOHRSPD

Draxas

02-03-2002, 03:37 PM

MOHRSPD,

We have plenty of room for you and your friends. Just send me an email at Chezterr@Yahoo.com and let me know how many would like to come.

Right now, after picking up another 3 guys yesterday, we are at 29 cars. I still have yet to hear back from some other guys that are on the fringe....

The easiest way to pay the deposit would be with PayPal, just send it to Chezterr@Yahoo.com and state that it is for the Track Day...and I will add your name to the list. Or you can just put a check/money order in the mail and I will get it in a few days.

In your email, let me know what kind of cars you drive and if you have any track experience or not. We are breaking the groups up based on experience......

If you have any other questions, please feel free to post here, or better yet, email me.....

Thanks,

Nikolas

mprtklr

02-03-2002, 04:40 PM

im going to watch, what time do we have to be up there? and what about entry, is there a cost? and were are we all meeting?

robert

Draxas

02-03-2002, 05:58 PM

Robert,

I am getting to the track around 7am or so... the rest of the participants will be showing up between 7:30-8am.... we will be having our drivers meeting around 8am and hopefully we will start the first group out on the track around 8:15-8:30..... Ed and Nicole are spending the night at my house Thursday...so they will be getting to the track at the same time. If you dont want to arrive until later in the morning, since it is a long drive from where you live, then that is okay. They wont charge you to get in to the event, just tell the guy at the booth, if he is there, that you are participating in the private track rental....Only when they are having public events do they charge anyone..... If you dont mind coming up early, then everyone at my house can wait for you to show up and then we can all go...or just go straight to the track like i mentioned earlier..... I think when the day is done, I will invite everyone back to my house if they want to chill and hang out for a while. Maybe have a BBQ and some drinks.....

Nikolas

mprtklr

02-03-2002, 08:47 PM

wells its probably a good 2 hour drive for me, so ill just meet you guys at the track around 10 or so. i think im caravaning with Mike, haven't finalized anything yet, but thats the tentative plan.

Draxas

02-08-2002, 09:07 PM

Right now we have 33 cars that are signed up and paid for (or at least the money is on its way)....hopefully none of them back out at the last minute or just dont show. I have a feeling I may pick up some more drivers in the next two weeks, and some might even come straight to the track.

I have lifted the 35 car maximum after discussing the tracks capacity with previous organizers. The track can safely handle 15-20 cars on it at once. If you or any of your friends are still interested in the event, please contact me via e-mail (Chezterr@Yahoo.com). They can pay me through PayPal or just pay me that day, but I would like a heads up if they are just gonna show up that day and pay. I need an idea of how many cars to expect.

I hope other SoCal NECO members can make the drive out to at least watch, and then after the event come back to my house and hang out for a little while. I will be shooting video of the event both in my car and track side, so we can all watch at my house.

Nikolas