Learn tracking/drifting in CA ? - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

redwine · 08-02-2019, 02:19 PM

Hello,

Will be coming to San Jose in Aug (from Asia).
Will have a couple of weekend available.

Like to know if there is any possibility of learning to track or drift in CA (preferable in a 86/BRZ).
Is Sonoma track the nearest one to my location ?
(rather familiar with Napa Valley... for the wine)
Beside on the track, is there any legitimate place/location for drifting ?

Appreciate any advise
Old Newbie here

Many Thanks

LittleChuuChuu · 08-03-2019, 04:40 PM

Sonoma has drift days on Wednesday (will have to check to see what they allow for skill levels) but check out 86Drivechallenge.com for our NorCal track schedule. You can also look up 86DRIVE Challenge on Facebook for more information and easier/quicker to get the answers you want.

BigFatFlip · 08-03-2019, 05:43 PM

Which weekends? There are usually trackdays scheduled on the weekends. You've also got a couple other tracks (Laguna Seca and Thunderhill) that are not too far away, so chances are you can sign up for a trackday no problem.

CSG Mike · 08-03-2019, 07:18 PM

Are you looking for private coaching or just public track/drift events?

redwine · 08-04-2019, 11:25 AM

Hello,

Appreciate all the replies..
I'm be in San Jose for the 10/17-Aug weekend and maybe 24-Aug as well.
17-Aug weekend would be best. (done with the jetlag)

Been a daily driver in my BRZ for 2yrs,
I'm new to tracking/drifting,
So is interested to pick up some basic drifting skill or for someone to take me thru a typical track day. (Have a round or 2 on the track)

Thanks

Mr.ac · 08-04-2019, 07:24 PM

The only issue I see is finding a car to play with.

Not sure if NorCal has a track car rental, but there are some web sites that do.

Or.... rent out any sport car from rental store. Sure it's going to cost a tad more but it would be easier way. Not sure how nice they will be when you come back with roasted tires.

BigFatFlip · 08-05-2019, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redwine

I'm be in San Jose for the 10/17-Aug weekend and maybe 24-Aug as well.
17-Aug weekend would be best. (done with the jetlag)

A quick look at my trackday calendar shows nothing in Sonoma that weekend, but you might have some options if you are willing to go on a weekday or head to a farther track like Thunderhill (2.5 hrs north) or Laguna Seca (1.5 hrs south). As a novice, definitely try to get some form of coaching. I would also get track insurance, specially at Laguna. I would actually recommend you try Thunderhill since it has way more run-off and less walls to hit/be intimidated by.

Also, I think Sonoma has changed their policy and do not really allow groups to do instruction apart from their own (https://simracewaydrivingschool.com/) due to some terrible accidents involving coaches and novice drivers in the past. You'll have to check their schedule.

On the other hand, there's a drift class available on the 17th though: https://www.drift101.com/

Have fun and be safe!

sfruski · 08-05-2019, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigFatFlip

A

Also, I think Sonoma has changed their policy and do not really allow groups to do instruction apart from their own (https://simracewaydrivingschool.com/) due to some terrible accidents involving coaches and novice drivers in the past. You'll have to check their schedule.

The change in policy has everything to do with the new owners of the track. It has nothing to do with accidents. They want people to go to their son raceway school.

Currently the only organization allowing mentoring of new students is the National Auto Sport Association. www.nasaproracing.com

Private coaching is allowed at any time.

Source: Me. I've been coaching in Northern California for over ten years now.

BigFatFlip · 08-05-2019, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfruski

The change in policy has everything to do with the new owners of the track. It has nothing to do with accidents. They want people to go to their son raceway school.

Currently the only organization allowing mentoring of new students is the National Auto Sport Association. www.nasaproracing.com

Private coaching is allowed at any time.

Source: Me. I've been coaching in Northern California for over ten years now.

Thanks for the clarification. I always thought it was a bit drastic... pretty shitty I guess.

I also noticed that some groups like Trackmasters no longer do in-car coaching, which is too bad since I really had some great learning experiences with them.

svolo4 · 08-05-2019, 05:55 PM

Driftcentral has a rental drift spec lexus sc
Driftcentral.com
Try reaching out to them, see if they could get it rebted for sonoma drift wednesday

redwine · 08-11-2019, 07:32 AM

Hello guys,

Appreciate all the response,
Been really tired by the jetlag & shopping.
Age catching up, i guess

Ya, coaching looks to be the safer option.

drift101 have a 1/2days lesson (inc car) for $600,
but that's 4.5hr from my location.
Is that a reasonable rate ?

I'm a native Right-Hand driver,
Though i have considerable experience driving Left-Hand,
they are all auto transmission.

Regards

08-02-2019, 02:19 PM	#1
redwine Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Drives: BRZ Location: Asia Posts: 48 Thanks: 7 Thanked 7 Times in 5 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Learn tracking/drifting in CA ? Hello, Will be coming to San Jose in Aug (from Asia). Will have a couple of weekend available. Like to know if there is any possibility of learning to track or drift in CA (preferable in a 86/BRZ). Is Sonoma track the nearest one to my location ? (rather familiar with Napa Valley... for the wine) Beside on the track, is there any legitimate place/location for drifting ? Appreciate any advise Old Newbie here Many Thanks

08-04-2019, 07:24 PM	#6
Mr.ac [insert cool phrase here] Join Date: Aug 2015 Drives: BRZ Premium Location: Central Coast CA Posts: 2,369 Thanks: 709 Thanked 1,559 Times in 930 Posts Mentioned: 30 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	The only issue I see is finding a car to play with. Not sure if NorCal has a track car rental, but there are some web sites that do. Or.... rent out any sport car from rental store. Sure it's going to cost a tad more but it would be easier way. Not sure how nice they will be when you come back with roasted tires. __________________ New daily driver - Subaru BRZ Premium Weekend fun/track car - '91 MR2 Turbo Gen3 Old daily driver - '88 MR2 Supercharged

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08-03-2019, 04:40 PM	#2
LittleChuuChuu Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Drives: '15 DGM Location: PHill ;____; I need friends Posts: 89 Thanks: 0 Thanked 26 Times in 22 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Sonoma has drift days on Wednesday (will have to check to see what they allow for skill levels) but check out 86Drivechallenge.com for our NorCal track schedule. You can also look up 86DRIVE Challenge on Facebook for more information and easier/quicker to get the answers you want.

08-03-2019, 05:43 PM	#3
BigFatFlip sleep, drive, eat, repeat Join Date: Mar 2012 Drives: '13 BRZ, '12 Outback Location: Sack of Potatoes Posts: 4,431 Thanks: 2,630 Thanked 3,797 Times in 1,981 Posts Mentioned: 188 Post(s) Tagged: 4 Thread(s)	Which weekends? There are usually trackdays scheduled on the weekends. You've also got a couple other tracks (Laguna Seca and Thunderhill) that are not too far away, so chances are you can sign up for a trackday no problem.

08-03-2019, 07:18 PM	#4
CSG Mike Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: S2000 CR Location: Orange County Posts: 14,544 Thanks: 8,931 Thanked 14,192 Times in 6,840 Posts Mentioned: 966 Post(s) Tagged: 14 Thread(s)	Are you looking for private coaching or just public track/drift events?

08-04-2019, 11:25 AM	#5
redwine Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Drives: BRZ Location: Asia Posts: 48 Thanks: 7 Thanked 7 Times in 5 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Hello, Appreciate all the replies.. I'm be in San Jose for the 10/17-Aug weekend and maybe 24-Aug as well. 17-Aug weekend would be best. (done with the jetlag) Been a daily driver in my BRZ for 2yrs, I'm new to tracking/drifting, So is interested to pick up some basic drifting skill or for someone to take me thru a typical track day. (Have a round or 2 on the track) Thanks

08-05-2019, 05:55 PM	#10
svolo4 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Drives: FRS Location: Foster City CA Posts: 139 Thanks: 16 Thanked 21 Times in 20 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Driftcentral has a rental drift spec lexus sc Driftcentral.com Try reaching out to them, see if they could get it rebted for sonoma drift wednesday

08-11-2019, 07:32 AM	#11
redwine Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Drives: BRZ Location: Asia Posts: 48 Thanks: 7 Thanked 7 Times in 5 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Hello guys, Appreciate all the response, Been really tired by the jetlag & shopping. Age catching up, i guess Ya, coaching looks to be the safer option. drift101 have a 1/2days lesson (inc car) for $600, but that's 4.5hr from my location. Is that a reasonable rate ? I'm a native Right-Hand driver, Though i have considerable experience driving Left-Hand, they are all auto transmission. Regards

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