[boi222]

Hi Everyone,

I was just wondering if anyone knew a place (around NY) where I can just step on my car all the way and maybe race some friends, nothing extreme and just for fun? Are there such places? I see mostly hardcore people doing this, but I just want to have some fun with my stock car legally. any ideas?

Thanks. =)

[BMWdrmz]

Based on your post I gather you are new motorsports/ performance driving. Unless you have a competition license, you will not be racing. If you are new to motorsports and just want to get an idea of what your car can do and learn some fundamentals I would suggest you try an autocross. There are lots of autocross clubs in the NY. And there is a competition aspect to autocrossing. If you are interested in high performance driving in a road course environment, I would suggest you sign up for a HPDE, note there is no racing in a HPDE (NASA, Track masters, BMCCA, PCA, etc.). If you have an itch for high performance driving, you should focus on learning to drive your car properly in a controlled environment with proper instruction, and less on racing with friends. Racing/ attempting to create a race like environment by an unexperienced person is a recipe for disaster. Just my two cents, FWIW.

[shimshimhada]

There's a video floating around where a bunch of beginners all race eachother during their own private track session. Oh man, I think like 99% of the cars either crashed or got all fours off.

Definitely get some HPDE sessions and you can eventually make your way into racing.

That being said, if you shell out enough money, you'll probably be able to rent a track for a day. Be warned though.

[boi222]

thanks...yea..the autocrossing looks like what I want to do... basically i just want a safe place to play around with my car....i'm not trying to do any hardcore racing...the thing with racing with friends, is there something like a straight road, where you just go straight for a 1 minute?..lol..oh well..safety comes first.

[shimshimhada]

Have you looked into indoor karting places? You don't use your own car obviously, but it's VERY competitive and tons of fun.

[boi222]

how do indoor go-karting work..i been to the outdoor ones, but there pretty cheesy, goes like 5 mph..lol

[shimshimhada]

Originally Posted by boi222

how do indoor go-karting work..i been to the outdoor ones, but there pretty cheesy, goes like 5 mph..lol

Good indoor places have the Sodi-karts that go up to 30mph. They usually have 6 or 9 HP engines in them. They are plenty quick. I'm not sure if there are any in New York though.

I know there's a place called F1 Boston in MA that has a nice facility, if you guys can make a trip out of it.

[stressdoc]

Two suggestions:
(1) Join BMWCCA, they have a lot of low key training events where you can learn how to drive safely and fast, no pressure, everyone is welcome regardless of skill, age, or anything else. It's only $40 year and you get a lot of benefits.
(2) Like others have suggested, try cart racing. It is very intense -- prepare to have your kidneys bruised and to lose your pizza lunch. I suggest trying it first with a mellow friend or sibling a few times to get a feel for the basics, then go with a group of your buddies. There must be a number of places in the NY area, try:
http://www.ovrp.com