This is something I've wanted to try for a while now, but don't exactly know where to go.

I've done drag racing, I've done autocross. Drag racing has the thrill of flat out acceloration, while autocross can kinda satisfy my urge for some corners, however autocross is too slow. I want to go to a track where I can open it up for more than a 1/4 mile stretch, and be challenged by some high speed corners.

I've heard of Black Hawk Farms, my dad used to race there when he had a Formula Ford, however he keeps going on about how you need a full cage, and other safety equipment. More than just a helmet and safety inspection anyways.

Any true road courses near chicago that have a open track day or something similar?

 

Midwest Fbody (?) has rented RoadAmerica (Elkhart Lake, WI) for April 16, 17 and 18. That will be an awsome event. I am planning to head up with a few friends to check it out and maybe cop a ride with someone just to get a feel for it before I take my car up there.
Cost is ~350.
S-D
Sorry to hear about you cam. Did 3.8's comment about language mean we can't say golly and/or geewillickers?
I am partial to "consarnit" and or "dagnabit" (or it's southern version "dadgumit".......)

 

Here is additional information- Event does not seem to extend to the 19th. In addition, I see dates of 4-12 and 13 also. That needs to be clairifed on their site. I am not sure which weekend they are running.

Here is a link http://www.speedseekers.com/

S-D

 

Its all filled up. :*(

Even so, I can't afford to drop $350 right now. I'm chasing a set of heads so I can use my camshaft. Still need headers while I'm at it.

 

Gingerman raceway is probably a two hour trip from Chicago. They have $50 test and tunes on certain days of the week.

http://www.gingermanraceway.com/

It's in South Haven , MI. Pretty cool track.

 

I know at Blackhawk Farms you can run a street car. I'm not sure what the dates are, but give them a call. I have friends that do it. http://www.blackhawkfarms.com/

 

Gingerman requires a helmet only, any car is allowed, but no passing on turns.

 

That sounds cool, I can understand why they don't want you passing in turns and I could deal with it if it allows me to go full out on a track.

 

Yeah and they usually only get a few cars signed up so it's not a big deal at all with the passing thing. They are just trying to avoid wrecks. I highly recommend it, but wait till the summer. I say this because you go from 5:00 till dark for $50, so you get a longer day later in the summer.

 

i would suggest not even thinking about an event with passing allowed, until you have several track days under you belt. there is quite a bit to keep track of, just trying to get your own car around the track.

most HPDE events will only allow passing on the front/back stretches. (track dependent) unless you are in the more advanced/aggressive sessions.

i would def. do the HPDE you can get to localy first, before even thinking about going into anysort of OT event. remeber, in a car with no saftey equipment, one mistake at the wrong time and you might not walk away.

most local car clubs will put on the their own HPDE, i know here, the Porsche Club, BMW club, and Quattro Club all do 3-4 events a year, they get SCCA to provide trained corner-workers, and either provide their own, or get prof. drivers to work as trainers. you can useualy go these events in any car, you just have to be a member of the club (yes, i have a Porsche, bimmer, and quattro membership ).

on another note, if you do go to a road course event, a few things to remeber, 1) put NEW hi-performance brake pads on, just before you go. you WILL go through a whole set at most events. also, i suggest bleading the brakes prior to the event. some techs will actualy measure the water content in the brake fluid. it is a good idea, both for tech, and your own saftey to have fresh fluid in there, i would also make sure i fill it up with a fluid that has a high boilling point. 2) tires, this is up to you, but you will eat through tires in a hurry also. you might try to contact some of you local shops that sell race tires, many of them will have some used ones you could pick up for cheap, you might not want to put that wear on your everyday tires. but for you first event or 2, i would suggest regular street tires, you will learn alot more, without traction. and third, is have fun.

 

I'm not looking for a full out race, what I'm looking for is a full out track expereince where the straight is longer than 1/16th of a mile.

And if I sounds like I'm biting your head off, its because thats what your posts reads like above. Nothing personal I just decided to use the same tone of 'voice'. If you'd actually read and understand what I had asked for above then you'd notice that I asked for a track day, not a race.

 

This is what Gingerman does. works fine unless you have a 100 hp Triumph Spitfire that makes all of its time up in the twisties~