Beginner Day!
Saturday, August 10th
Buttonwillow Raceway CW13
Beginner/First Timers - Women’s Beginner/First Timers - Almost Sub 2 - Advanced
Early bird registration open now!
Welcome to SoCal Drivers Club's Summer Training Camp! This exciting event is an opportunity for all individuals, regardless of their level of experience, to come and learn how to drive on the track in a safe and controlled environment. With the guidance of our highly experienced and professional race coaches, you will receive both on-track and classroom instruction, designed to help you improve your driving skills and reach new heights in your track driving journey. Safety is our top priority, and our coaches will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to navigate the track with confidence, while also ensuring you understand the importance of track safety protocols. Whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced driver looking to improve your skills, our Training Camp is the perfect place for you to hone your abilities and push your limits. So come join us for an event filled with learning, excitement, and, of course, driving! Are you ready to hit the track!?!?
Beginner Day
Head Driving Coach: Michael Ryan Johnson
Michael Ryan Johnson (@MJDrive22). Michael brings to our drivers a wealth of experience having coached at a number of schools including Palmer Sport in England and the Porsche Experience Center in Los Angeles. Michael’s coaching style is driver focused and data driven, utilizing data acquisition systems to establish where your driving is strong and identify areas of opportunity. Michael’s driving background includes everything from kart racing where he was three times national champion, to international formula car competition. Michael continues to race sports cars actively and recently finished on the podium in the 14 hour race at Daytona and the 24 hour race at Virginia International Raceway.
Driver Groups
A ) Beginner/First Timers (Green Group) - Drivers who have never been on track to drivers with 1-5 track days. This will be a coaching heavy day, with a gradual build up of speed throughout the day. Between each driving session will be class room sessions where the group will discuss different elements of safety, etiquette and the fundamentals of high performance driving. After this class, drivers should be ready to sign up for a regular track day and run safely and comfortable in the Beginner Group.
B ) Women’s Beginner/First Timers (Yellow Group) - Our new class for women led by women coaches. This group is for women Driver who have never been on track to drivers with 1-5 track days. This will be a coaching heavy day, with a gradual build up of speed throughout each session. Between each on track session will be classroom sessions where the coaches will discuss different elements of safety, etiquette and the fundamentals of high performance driving. After this class, drivers should be ready to sign up for a regular track day and run safely and comfortable in the Beginner Group to intermediate run groups.
C ) Almost Sub 2 Class (Blue Group) - Drivers who are comfortable on track but want to improve their performance and lower their lap time with sessions focused on driver development and targeting specific sections during each class room briefing. Drivers will get lots of track time and have specific targets and goals for each session. Do you have the goal to Sub2?!?! This is the class for you!
D ) Advanced (Red Group) – For drivers who simply want to lap, without class room sessions or coaching. This track time will be available because we will need extra time for classroom with the other groups.
Curriculum
Group A: First Timers / Beginner Groups (Green & Yellow)
A low speed, low stress introduction to track day driving with a focus on good driving technique, safety and learning the proper way to drive on the track while getting professional track coaching.
Session 1 – Low speed reconnaissance laps, Lead follow.
Classroom – Overview to track driving, safety, starting slow and building up speed
Session 2 – Braking exercises
Learning about our cars braking system, hard braking effort, feeling ABS
Session 3 –Driving Lines (lead follow session, including point by’s)
Driver vision & track awareness, point by’s, flags
Session 4 – Throttle technique, Using the throttle and weight transfer.
Session 5 – Car control, catching slides, what to do if things go wrong.
Session 6 – Open lapping
Group B: Almost Sub 2 Group (Blue)
Session 1 – Warm up, getting back on track, focused on vision and areas that need improvement.
Session 2 – Braking techniques, braking exercises
Session 3 – Throttle technique
Session 4 – Suspension and the relationship between our inputs and weight transfer.
Session 5 – Off Ramp & Cotton Corners
Session 6 – Bus Stop, Riverside & Phil’s Hill
Session 7 – Sweeper & Esses
Session 8 – Sunset
FAQs
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At minimum a Snell/SA approved helmet. We have Grid Partners helmet and track gloves package available for purchase and can be brought to the track. Long pants, close toed shoes, t-shirt or L/S shirt.
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Please refer to the tech form below & our Beginner Handbook. We highly recommend scheduling a pre track inspection from one of our partner shops.
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We will group drivers based on experience. Each group will have assigned professional coaches to work with. There will be staggered sessions through-out the day with alternating classroom instruction and on track lapping. A detailed email will be sent out prior to the event.
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General tools are helpful, such as a tire pressure gauge, torque wrench for wheels, lots of water & snacks. Please talk with the shops we have available to work with.
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Saturday August 10, 2024. 7AM-5PM @ Buttonwillow Raceway Park
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Check out the beginner handbook!