[Shifted]

Can anyone recommend some other (non-PCA) groups or clubs to autocross with? Preferably within an hour's drive of Loudoun County. And especially where their format allows for a shorter day? The Potomac PCA's autocross format/itinerary/schedule just doesn't work for our family. I've autocrossed with the Chesapeake region a few times in the past, but their Bowie lot is a bit far for us.

Ideally, we want a group friendly to novices. My wife will be autocrossing for the first time in her 997. We don't care about classes or being competitive. Just looking for a fun group of like minded enthusiasts.

We're planning on trying this one: http://www.getfastevents.com/trackcross/

But, we have no idea what that group is like.

It's been a decade or two since I autocrossed with SCCA, the BMW club or the Corvette club. So, I have no idea what those groups are like these days.

Anyone have suggestions?

[racer]

SCCA has lost FedEx, so I am told

BMW club uses Summit Point.. maybe also Waldorf?

The loss of Capital Driving club means low key, friendly events are harder to find. Most are more structured or competitive.

Seems Summit is the only venue near Loudoun.

Maybe share your challenges with PCA structure.. the committee seems open to feedback. That said, maybe what you wish for may be hard to accomodate.. but if you dont ask, you wont know.

[Shifted]

Thanks. It's too bad about the disappearing venues. Who was it that used to run autocrosses at the Frederick minor league stadium? Was it Capital Driving Club? Real shame about their demise.

Rather than air my grievances with the current Potomac PCA program, I thought I'd try to get a read on other autocross options. I guess we'll just have to attend some autocrosses hosted by other groups and see how it goes.

Are there any private tracks around that you can buy memberships at? A friend is involved in setting one up in Ohio, and it sure sounded like a great arrangement.

[DrFraserCrane]

Originally Posted by racer

BMW club uses Summit Point

Correct, NCC BMWCCA Runs at Summit Point (2023 is scheduled to be 100% at Summit). The Events are run as 'doubles' so you can run either AM only, PM only, or all day. If you drive in the morning, you are done by noon-ish. If you drive PM only, arrive by noon, and usually done by 3:30/4:00 pm.

Schedule for 2023 is not published yet, but it will be available here: https://www.motorsportreg.com/orgs/b...ital/autocross

[Shifted]

That's perfect. Thank you!

[John Clay]

Crazy that I can't remember 3 months ago, but I'm pretty sure SCCA was at FedEx for most of their 2022 events, maybe 2021 as well.

If you are looking for a more "laid-back" group, I'd go with Mercedes Benz Club. I've done a bunch of their events at Summit Point the last couple of years.

BMW is good also, and the AM/PM signup gives really nice flexibility if you are short on time.

Both BMW and MBCA courses tend to be a bit shorter (and more straight forward to navigate) than PCA Potomac courses where we like to get at least 50 second runs.

And please, say what you don't like about PCA Potomac. If you don't want to go to one of the co-chairs, go to a committee member [like me].

[racer]

Originally Posted by Shifted

Thanks. It's too bad about the disappearing venues. Who was it that used to run autocrosses at the Frederick minor league stadium? Was it Capital Driving Club? Real shame about their demise.

Correct.. They used to run at Frederick Keys stadium and also Baysox Stadium in Bowie. IIRC, it was both a management and insurance issue that caused trouble for the club, then covid. Maybe they will be resurrected, but not counting on it.

Originally Posted by Shifted

Are there any private tracks around that you can buy memberships at? A friend is involved in setting one up in Ohio, and it sure sounded like a great arrangement.

Dominion Raceway i off 95 south of Fredericksburg (well, likely 1/2 way between DC and Richmond) https://www.dominionraceway.com/ offers memberships/track time.

Mercedes club is an alternative, though not sure how many events they put on per year.. a bit of ebb and flow as folks move into and out of the program over the years.

Venues are the hardest thing to come by.. and Summit is the closest and largest. Some clubs do run and event or two up at Ripken Stadium (North of Baltimore).. others out at Regency in Waldorf.. Neither very close to Loudoun. Chesapeake PCA has been using Bowie (or did last year).

If Summit can resolve use of the Potomac Circuit (the large lot outside turn 10) then it gives another choice than just getting put on Washington Circuit.

Not sure where you are in Loudoun, but Shenendoah PCA runs events down at the Augusta Government building.. down off 81 near Saunton. They are a laid back group.

[Modian]

I’ll also suggest NCC. The flexibility of only doing AM or PM is really nice. I did afternoon only with them recently, and it was great not having to get up stupid early or spend an entire day there. Got some runs in, worked the course, and done in a couple hours.

You only get 4-5 runs that count for points though with NCC. If you do AM/PM, you’ll do 4 runs in the morning for points, and then 4 in the afternoon for fun.

Potomac has more runs for points, but my issue previously with doing them was that it required all day and there were only two heats, so you either worked all morning or all afternoon, which was too much. It’s better now that they’ve switched to three heats.

I’ve heard good things about the MB club. Relaxed and friendly. It seems to be mostly Miatas and BRZs though.

I’m doing the Trackcross next weekend and looking forward to it. I think it should allow me to stretch the car’s legs better than autocross, which I haven’t really been able to do with the GT3 yet, and not require the time commitment of a DE. Also seems like it might be an easy/cheaper way to satisfy a track competition itch without needing a race / time trial car.

[mlytle]

SCCA has probably the largest and most competitive auto-x program around.

https://www.wdcr-scca.org/scca-autocross

[Shifted]

Originally Posted by John Clay

Crazy that I can't remember 3 months ago, but I'm pretty sure SCCA was at FedEx for most of their 2022 events, maybe 2021 as well.

If you are looking for a more "laid-back" group, I'd go with Mercedes Benz Club. I've done a bunch of their events at Summit Point the last couple of years.

BMW is good also, and the AM/PM signup gives really nice flexibility if you are short on time.

Both BMW and MBCA courses tend to be a bit shorter (and more straight forward to navigate) than PCA Potomac courses where we like to get at least 50 second runs.

And please, say what you don't like about PCA Potomac. If you don't want to go to one of the co-chairs, go to a committee member [like me].

Thanks. This is really good information. It sounds like they will be perfect for my wife and I. I'm going to sign up for the BMW club and register for an autocross once they post their events. I'll investigate the Benz group as well.

I would rather not be the squeaky wheel in PCA Potomac's Autocross program. Running the program is already a hard enough job with little enough thanks as it is. Obviously, many many people really like the program as is. It makes more sense if we just find events and groups that fit our style a little better. That's all.

Originally Posted by racer

Dominion Raceway i off 95 south of Fredericksburg (well, likely 1/2 way between DC and Richmond) https://www.dominionraceway.com/ offers memberships/track time.

Not sure where you are in Loudoun, but Shenendoah PCA runs events down at the Augusta Government building.. down off 81 near Saunton. They are a laid back group.

Thanks. We're in the far northwestern tip of Loudoun. Dominion is a little far, but I'll check it out and see if it works for us at some point.

I'll also check out the Shenandoah region and see if those could work for us.

Originally Posted by Modian

I’m doing the Trackcross next weekend and looking forward to it. I think it should allow me to stretch the car’s legs better than autocross, which I haven’t really been able to do with the GT3 yet, and not require the time commitment of a DE. Also seems like it might be an easy/cheaper way to satisfy a track competition itch without needing a race / time trial car.

Please let us know what you think of the Trackcross after you attend. It looks like an interesting blend. I was watching some of the YouTube videos of them at Summit, and it looked fun and well run.