We're having our first Racer Factory Event of 2006 at Button Willow Raceway on Feb. 04-05. If you would like to join us, sign-up at http://racerfactory.com. I'll be there with my new set-up.

Novice class will be held on Saturday with professional driving instructors, for those of you who would like to learn how to safely drive your Crossfire on high speed road courses.

 

Would be interested in taking the novice class. Can you please provide some more detail on how this is run. Oh and how much to participate?

 

That would be great to have you with us... You can find out all the information at: http://racerfactory.com If you have any other questions, just PM me... We are going to be waiting till the last few days to decide if we are going to attend, because the weather could go bad... And I hate spinning in the rain all weekend!!!

 

Hope you're still interested in joining us. Buttonwillow Raceway is about 2 hours out of the valley up hwy 5 towards Bakersfield. It's a great 2.5 mile road course with a few technical areas. The instructors for the Racer Factory are total pros and will make you feel very comfortable. If the weather cooperates, it would be great to have you with us... We'll be the only Crossfires out of 50+ cars... All you need to get is a good helmet that is SA2000 or better and a comfy lawn chair for when you're not on the track...

I'll be there for the entire weekend, but feel free to join us on either day... Or, if you just feel like driving out to see how the whole thing works, that would be great too...

 

I'm going to try to make it out and see how it all works. Probably won't be racing though so the potential is to have 3 Xfire's at the track now.

Let's hope the weather is good.

 

Yes, im still interested. Just doing a "wait and see" on the weather before I sign up. Can you sign up at the last minute?

Also, can you recommend a place to buy a helmet. I'm in the Los Angeles / Mid-Wilshire area. I'll drive as far as OC or anywhere in the valley for it.

Do you do anything to your car to prevent from flying rock chips or debris?

 

berts in west covina sells a bunch of helmets.

 

We're waiting to see on the weather as well. I spoke with Richard (the coordinator) yesterday and told him I would be there, pending the weather... I think he's got the regular participants scheduled... About 50 cars... Mostly German autos... Great bunch of people...

Your cheapest bet for buying a helmet is online at http://www.saferacer.com However, if you're ever in the Burbank area you can visit my friends at WERKS II They own the premiere Porsche racing shop in the valley and they have many helmets in stock... Worst case scenario is I'll bring one of my extra helmets and you can use it for the day, just don't barf in it... LOL

As far as rock chips etc... I don't think you'll have a problem if you stay on the track... As a novice, you won't be crawling up someone's as*, who's kicking-up gravel. As a matter of fact, you'll only be able to pass on the straights... And Buttonwillow keeps their track very clean, so the only time you'll see any rocks on the track is if someone in front of you goes "off roading".

Many of my friends who have newer high-end BMW's MB's, AUDI's and the such will use 3" wide painters tape to cover the front end of the car while they're on the track... Not a bad idea and even though it looks a bit goofy, everyone expects it and will not fault you for the practice...

Here's some photos from our last event in Nevada...
http://d30-images.com/track/
http://d30-images.com/track/index2.html

Hope you get the chance to join us... It's really a great SAFE introduction to racing. And a great bunch of people... We're all GENTLEMEN RACERS... Except for the few women who haul ***... you'll see about 6 women who will amaze you...

 

That would be great ! You can find driving directions on the website http://www.buttonwillowraceway.com

The day usually begins at 8am with a drivers meeting, then we hit the track. There are three run groups that rotate throughout the course of the day, usually 20 minutes on track, then 40 minutes off track. The events end at sunset...

You won't miss me, I'm the only Crossfire that shows-up, we'll have a little base camp / pit area with chairs set-up and may have one of my camera crews with me... There's a cafe' at the track so you can have lunch...

PS: Watch your speed up hwy 5 when you get near the track. The CHP loves to ticket people there...

 

I know the track and the drill... I'm used to SCCA flagging there as well as Willow Springs.

 

Cool, look forward to seeing you there.

 

Thought I would post the track configuration we'll be running of the 4th & 5th, for those of you not familiar with Button Willow Raceway. Hope to see you there.

 

This event has been cancelled due to low registration. Must be a SuperBowl thing... I'll still be going to the track on Friday Feb. 3rd for a testing day and dyno and may stay thru Sunday if Les will open the track for testing all weekend.

 

Ok guys, here's the latest for Buttonwillow Raceway. It seems the SuperBowl became a thorn in the side of the RacerFactory weekend event on February 4th & 5th. Rich only had 16 participants and was forced to cancel the event.

However, I spoke with the track manager and he is willing to hold an open test day on Saturday the 4th. This is terrific because there will be very few cars on the track and we'll pretty much have the track to ourselves. You can probably expect at least 2.5 hours of track time for the entire day. Buttonwillow will charge $100 per driver and $75 per car. So, if you want to come out and play, We'll be arriving about 7:30 am.

Let me know if you want to come out and still drive your Crossfire on a track for the day.

 

I would go if the class part is still on. Was really looking forward to having an instructor being there so i can improve my driving skills. Dont really want to spend $175 just to be able to drive fast. Are they re-scheduling the event with the class for a later date?

 

Here's the link to The Racer Factory calendar for this year. Every event has a novice group that includes instructors... I don't blame you for wanting track instruction, it can get a bit hairy sometimes, especially when we do "TESTING" days without the guys from the Racer Factory reigning-us-in...http://racerfactory.com/modules.php?...howpage&pid=16

Would be great if you just want to take a drive out and visit, I'm sure I can convince the track manager let you take a lap or two for free... We have a few of my co-workers bringing everything from a Ferrari Modena to a new Ducati 999... Probably a half dozen of us from the "JOEY" show, including Matt LeBlanc with one of his SICK FAST Porsche's...

 

I'd still like to come and check it out. Around what time will you guys be driving around the track? I don't want to be late and miss it.

And if you guys, don't mind having a noob out there, i'll give it a shot. Don't want to end up just being a road hazard.

 

It would just be great to have another Crossfire on the track... Or even just to observe. Looks like the weather is going to be great 70+ and clear skies.

I'll have more info and logistics for you by Wednesday and keep you posted. Perhaps we can caravan-up with my other friends...

Send me your phone # via e-mail: derek@hollywooddigitalimaging.com