VIR CarGuys 8/13-15

[nova996]

Anybody here going? I can't take the whole day off on Thurs, so I'm driving down in the late afternoon, probably.

It will be my first time at VIR. (Not a big surprise since it's my first year doing any of this stuff). I'm pretty excited. I've been watching videos and studying the track map.

Do most of you just drive down 29?

[Jim Richards]

I wish I could take off. I have too much on my plate right now. :shock:

Have fun!

[Richard Curtis]

Going down US 29 through Charlottesville or down I-95/I-85 through Richmond is about the same... through Richmond might be a little bit quicker, but a lot depends on traffic. Figure 4 hours either way and you should be safe. Coming back on a Sunday, traffic is usually extremely -- and I mean extremely -- heavy from Richmond back to Fairfax. Enjoy the weekend; VIR is a beautiful and great track.

[Jim Richards]

I took a look at the CarGuys website. $675 for a 3-day DE? Yikes!

[cmartin]

I was thinking the same thing Jim. I'll stick with PCA and the Audi guys. Maybe someday I can run with the big boys. :)

Good luck at the event, I love VIR as well.

[Charlie Stylianos]

I took a look at the CarGuys website. $675 for a 3-day DE? Yikes!

They sent me a letter in the mail saying I could sign up for $500 if I responded. Non refundable. :shock:

Again, spoiled by the PCA.

[nova996]

Oh, I'm sure it's a ripoff compared to PCA. But it fits by schedule. And I'm thinking I'll get a lot more out of the Sept DE if I know the track a little. Or at least that's how I'm rationalizing it. I know I got a lot more out of my second DE at SP than my first.

I'm definitely curious to see what extra benefit you get at Carguys for the extra cost. Maybe the track will be nearly empty save for the idiots like me who pay $675 for a DE. :oops:

[Marc A]

FWIW, I would stay off 95. Recently I went dowm on a Sat and it took me 2 hours to get from the newington exit on 95 to Fredricksburg all stop and go.

I then cut over to 29 and had a great ride down to Danville. Always return via 29, 95 is the pits these days.

Always take the by passes, never the business 29 exits.

VIR is an outstanding track. You will enjoy it after a few times around. Lots of soft landing zones (don't ask).

Have fun.

[edevinney]

I took a look at the CarGuys website. $675 for a 3-day DE? Yikes!

More expensive per day, but you get 4 runs per day instead of 3. Consider - at a 3 day event that's like getting another PCA day in there :-)

At SP, you also get time on the skid pad. PCA is definitely the best deal out there, but CG isn't outrageous on a track hour basis - comparable to FATT I think, and the crowds are smaller.

[Jim Richards]

4 runs per day is nice. Skid pad's fun, too. Hmmmmm. 8)

[nova996]

Well, it was a lot of fun. Instructors were great, (but not any better than the PCA instructors I've had). The instructors I had teach with PCA and Audi, too.

We got about 120-130 minutes per day, which is better than PCA Potomac. The difference is that instructors do not pay for the event and only get one session in the morning and one at the end. So more time (and cost) for the students.

But on a per minute basis, it's not bad. And repeat students seem to get discounts (informal), which makes it work out OK.

[cmartin]

Thanks for reporting back. Sounds like a lot of track time!