| Kitsune | 02-18-2004 08:28 PM |
Motorsports hotbeds in the US?
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Living in the suburbs of south Jersey doesn�t seem like the best place for me to be if I want to try making a career in professional motorsports. So, I am considering my options as where I should move to after I graduate college this spring.
Vermont is high on my list, because I'm often up in New England anyway for rallycross events and I have a relative in the southern VT area. Plus, there are a good amount of Club events along with Maine Forest and it is still not to far from STPR. It seems like a good place to start be if I want to get involved in rallying.
Though, rallying is my main interest, I'd be happy in any form of motor racing to be honest.
What I'm looking to know is, what parts of the country are the most conducive to specific motorsports? Rally, sportscar, open-wheel etc...
I'm well aware of how difficult achieving the sorts of goals I want are, however I am willing to work for it and believe I have the ability and knowledge to be successful. I do have experiance with autox and rallyx with promising success.
Hmm, this is starting to sound like a resume. Anyway, I'd like to hear your input on what you think is the place to be. :)
Vermont is high on my list, because I'm often up in New England anyway for rallycross events and I have a relative in the southern VT area. Plus, there are a good amount of Club events along with Maine Forest and it is still not to far from STPR. It seems like a good place to start be if I want to get involved in rallying.
Though, rallying is my main interest, I'd be happy in any form of motor racing to be honest.
What I'm looking to know is, what parts of the country are the most conducive to specific motorsports? Rally, sportscar, open-wheel etc...
I'm well aware of how difficult achieving the sorts of goals I want are, however I am willing to work for it and believe I have the ability and knowledge to be successful. I do have experiance with autox and rallyx with promising success.
Hmm, this is starting to sound like a resume. Anyway, I'd like to hear your input on what you think is the place to be. :)
| leecea | 02-18-2004 09:50 PM |
OK - first off, I've never raced, so this is only speculation, but here are some thoughts.
You'll probably have to start by trying to do well in a respected, but not too expensive, series. For example, I've recently seen articles about young drivers whose success in Spec Miata and FF1600 seemed to open doors. Anyway, pick a series and find where they race. Find a spot near a good practice track and within reach of the series' venues and move there.
Get the best paying job you can, because you'll need the money!
You'll probably have to start by trying to do well in a respected, but not too expensive, series. For example, I've recently seen articles about young drivers whose success in Spec Miata and FF1600 seemed to open doors. Anyway, pick a series and find where they race. Find a spot near a good practice track and within reach of the series' venues and move there.
Get the best paying job you can, because you'll need the money!
| Kitsune | 02-18-2004 10:16 PM |
Yes, but, what I am asking here is about location. Where in the US are motorsports a hotbed...in that popular enough that getting involved is made a bit more accessable and enjoyable.
| jmott | 02-18-2004 10:30 PM |
[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Kitsune [/i]
[B]Yes, but, what I am asking here is about location. Where in the US are motorsports a hotbed...in that popular enough that getting involved is made a bit more accessable and enjoyable. [/B][/QUOTE]
dallas is pretty good. they have a number of road courses there, and houston is building one, and TWS just north of houston is still around.
[B]Yes, but, what I am asking here is about location. Where in the US are motorsports a hotbed...in that popular enough that getting involved is made a bit more accessable and enjoyable. [/B][/QUOTE]
dallas is pretty good. they have a number of road courses there, and houston is building one, and TWS just north of houston is still around.
| nKoan | 02-18-2004 10:33 PM |
New England and the Pacific Northwest seem to be hotbeds of Rally breeding.
| Scooby South | 02-18-2004 10:39 PM |
depends on the racing your getting involved in...
roadracing....I would probably say..Georgia, Ohio, SoCal, Penn maybe...
dragracing... anywhere its flat and straight...Florida and Kansas come to mind...;)
off road/Rally....Pacific northwest, Northeast, Canada, Socal, Nevada believe it or not...
NASCAR...North Carolina and anywhere in the south..;)
My 2 Rubles..
Bill
roadracing....I would probably say..Georgia, Ohio, SoCal, Penn maybe...
dragracing... anywhere its flat and straight...Florida and Kansas come to mind...;)
off road/Rally....Pacific northwest, Northeast, Canada, Socal, Nevada believe it or not...
NASCAR...North Carolina and anywhere in the south..;)
My 2 Rubles..
Bill
| Kitsune | 02-18-2004 11:25 PM |
Rally is my main focus.
No Nascar thanks, I don't have the right inbreeding for that. ;)
No Nascar thanks, I don't have the right inbreeding for that. ;)
| Bonzo | 02-19-2004 01:50 AM |
You would be suprised and prolly quite challenged in many of the biger nascar teams. Don't discount that sector. It is very healthy now. Aero and engine development are areas they spend $$.
One other area in Indy for open wheel. Detroit has quite a few big shops. Panoz is near Atl. LA, CA also has some.
One other area in Indy for open wheel. Detroit has quite a few big shops. Panoz is near Atl. LA, CA also has some.
| TheMirror | 02-19-2004 03:53 AM |
Rally?
Northeast, and Colorado. Pikes Peak and all......
Northeast, and Colorado. Pikes Peak and all......
| Kitsune | 02-19-2004 08:44 AM |
Bonzo...its a joke man. :p
There would'nt be much need to move if I wanted a Nascar hierachy anyway...there is a dirt track (Bridgeport) about ten minutes from me and a short track (Flemington) less then an a hour. Alcyon would have been even closer, but they tore it up years ago. NJ used to have plenty of small dirt tracks but those days have been long over. The only actual tracks I know of that still exist are the two mentioned and Wall.
There would'nt be much need to move if I wanted a Nascar hierachy anyway...there is a dirt track (Bridgeport) about ten minutes from me and a short track (Flemington) less then an a hour. Alcyon would have been even closer, but they tore it up years ago. NJ used to have plenty of small dirt tracks but those days have been long over. The only actual tracks I know of that still exist are the two mentioned and Wall.
| Teh Legacy | 02-19-2004 10:24 AM |
[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Scooby South [/i]
[B]
NASCAR...North Carolina and anywhere in the south..;)
[/B][/QUOTE]
cue duelling banjos.
[B]
NASCAR...North Carolina and anywhere in the south..;)
[/B][/QUOTE]
cue duelling banjos.
| Scoobyslack1 | 02-19-2004 10:31 AM |
alot of teams are based in FL, the SCCA races there all year long
| jerseybrandon | 02-19-2004 01:34 PM |
Kitsune, if rally is your main focus you are in a good area. The northeast and the pacific northwest are the rally hot spots. Look at the entry list for any rally within 1000 miles of NY or NJ and see the caliber of drivers and cars from our corner of the country. As far as working for a prep shop that is totally random. Formerly AV now Tech sport is in AZ, TAD is in chicagoland area, Vermont Sports car is in VT, Cascade in WA, so if you want to work for a premier rally prep shop they are scattered. I worked for a primarily rally prep shop Union 7 motorsports in West Chester PA, there is also Rallispec right around the corner, Keaneys in NYC, Manhattan Eurosport in manhattan, Quattromotion in Newark NJ, K-fab in West Chester PA... So there are options if you want to stay local. I can show you probably a dozen fully prepped rally cars within 60 minutes of your place, so dont count out the Northeast. :banana:
Brandon
Brandon
| GarySheehan | 02-19-2004 02:13 PM |
For roadracing I would have to say California.
Lots of racetracks.
Starting from the Bay Area
Tracks within two hours:
[URL=http://www.infineonraceway.com]Sears Point Raceway[/URL]
[URL=http://www.laguna-seca.com]Laguna Seca[/URL]
[URL=http://www.thunderhill.com]Thunderhill Motorsports Park[/URL]
Coming Soon - Riverside Motorsports Park
Tracks within four hours:
[URL=http://www.buttonwillowraceway.com]Buttonwillow Raceway[/URL]
Tracks within six hours:
[URL=http://www.willowspringsraceway.com/home/home.asp]Willow Springs International Raceway[/URL]
[URL=http://www.willowspringsraceway.com/home/home.asp]Streets of Willow Springs[/URL]
[URL=http://www.californiaspeedway.com]California Speedway[/URL]
Tracks within twelve hours:
[URL=http://www.portlandraceway.com]Portland International Raceway[/URL]
[URL=http://www.lvms.com]Las Vegas Motor Speedway[/URL]
[URL=http://www.lvms.com]Las Vegas Derek Daily Track[/URL]
[URL=http://www.arizonamotorsportspark.com]Arizona Motorsports Park[/URL]
[URL=http://www.phoenixinternationalraceway.com]Phoenix International Raceway.com[/URL]
[URL=http://www.firebirdraceway.com]Firebird International Raceway[/URL]
Gary
Sheehan Motor Racing
[url]www.teamSMR.com[/url]
Lots of racetracks.
Starting from the Bay Area
Tracks within two hours:
[URL=http://www.infineonraceway.com]Sears Point Raceway[/URL]
[URL=http://www.laguna-seca.com]Laguna Seca[/URL]
[URL=http://www.thunderhill.com]Thunderhill Motorsports Park[/URL]
Coming Soon - Riverside Motorsports Park
Tracks within four hours:
[URL=http://www.buttonwillowraceway.com]Buttonwillow Raceway[/URL]
Tracks within six hours:
[URL=http://www.willowspringsraceway.com/home/home.asp]Willow Springs International Raceway[/URL]
[URL=http://www.willowspringsraceway.com/home/home.asp]Streets of Willow Springs[/URL]
[URL=http://www.californiaspeedway.com]California Speedway[/URL]
Tracks within twelve hours:
[URL=http://www.portlandraceway.com]Portland International Raceway[/URL]
[URL=http://www.lvms.com]Las Vegas Motor Speedway[/URL]
[URL=http://www.lvms.com]Las Vegas Derek Daily Track[/URL]
[URL=http://www.arizonamotorsportspark.com]Arizona Motorsports Park[/URL]
[URL=http://www.phoenixinternationalraceway.com]Phoenix International Raceway.com[/URL]
[URL=http://www.firebirdraceway.com]Firebird International Raceway[/URL]
Gary
Sheehan Motor Racing
[url]www.teamSMR.com[/url]
| Bonzo | 02-19-2004 02:51 PM |
[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Kitsune [/i]
[B]Bonzo...its a joke man. :p
[/B][/QUOTE]
:o my defenses went on full when I see motorsports ignorance. Here especially:p
[B]Bonzo...its a joke man. :p
[/B][/QUOTE]
:o my defenses went on full when I see motorsports ignorance. Here especially:p
| bcblues | 02-19-2004 03:18 PM |
Well, the midwest is great if you are into dirt-track oval racing. Does that even qualify as "motorsport"? :D I think that you can get into Hobby Stock class racing for about $200 and perhaps a case of beer. :D
| hillman | 02-19-2004 03:24 PM |
[quote]
For roadracing I would have to say California.
Lots of racetracks.
[/quote]
Chicago can beat that;
Tracks within two hours:
Road America
Blackhawk Farms
Gingerman
Coming Soon - Autobahn
Tracks within four hours:
Indianapolis Raceway Park
Putnam Park
Grattan
Indianapolis Speedway
Maybe Coming Soon - I-74
Tracks within six hours:
Waterford Hills
Gateway
Brainerd
Tracks within twelve hours:
Mid-America Motorplex
Lime Rock
Mid-Ohio
Watkins Glen
Nelson Ledges
Memphis
Summit Point
VIR
Oh hell, most of the rest that aren't out West.
For roadracing I would have to say California.
Lots of racetracks.
[/quote]
Chicago can beat that;
Tracks within two hours:
Road America
Blackhawk Farms
Gingerman
Coming Soon - Autobahn
Tracks within four hours:
Indianapolis Raceway Park
Putnam Park
Grattan
Indianapolis Speedway
Maybe Coming Soon - I-74
Tracks within six hours:
Waterford Hills
Gateway
Brainerd
Tracks within twelve hours:
Mid-America Motorplex
Lime Rock
Mid-Ohio
Watkins Glen
Nelson Ledges
Memphis
Summit Point
VIR
Oh hell, most of the rest that aren't out West.
| bcblues | 02-19-2004 03:46 PM |
Brainerd = 6 hours?
If you can AVERAGE 90 mph!
540 miles divided by 6 hours = 90 mph! :eek:
Leadfoot!
If you can AVERAGE 90 mph!
540 miles divided by 6 hours = 90 mph! :eek:
Leadfoot!
| GarySheehan | 02-19-2004 04:37 PM |
Hmmm...it's 65 degrees here. I might go up to Thunderhill Motorsports Park tomorrow to do some testing.
What's it like up in Chicago?
;)
Gary
Sheehan Motor Racing
[url]www.teamSMR.com[/url]
What's it like up in Chicago?
;)
Gary
Sheehan Motor Racing
[url]www.teamSMR.com[/url]
| BriDrive | 02-19-2004 04:57 PM |
Ohh the wit of those California dudes :lol: :lol:
| Pete 97 GS-T | 02-19-2004 05:18 PM |
There is a big-ass Evo tree in Yonkers. If you can find it, let me know!
I would love to live in central NH. There are events up there EVERY weekend. Good place to get started. Not to mention close to Tim O'Neil's rally school.
Pete
[url]www.onalimbracing.com[/url]
I would love to live in central NH. There are events up there EVERY weekend. Good place to get started. Not to mention close to Tim O'Neil's rally school.
Pete
[url]www.onalimbracing.com[/url]
| kfoote | 02-19-2004 05:38 PM |
VT is a good choice for a lot of variety if you don't mind a minimum 2 hr-drive to a track. In the area are NHIS, Lime Rock, Watkins Glen, Mt. Tremblant, (5-6 hrs), Summit Point (5-6 hrs) and Pocono. Other good areas for road racing are the San Francisco area, (Laguna Seca, Thunderhill, and Sears I-will-never-call-it-Infineon- Point), Southern California, and Central California. VT or OR are the places for Rallying, and you'd be surprised how big the NASCAR Busch North series is in New England, if you do suddenly realize you have sufficient inbreeding :D .
| Kitsune | 02-19-2004 06:11 PM |
aahh, lol.
Hey, thanks for all the good information people. As far as distance goes, I'm used to about a 6-8 hour drive for rallycross events and cutting down that time lag is a big factor for me.
I'm not really discounting the NorthEast, but I do want out of NJ for more reasons then just my motorspors aspirations. VT is still at the top of my list, it just means I'd have to sacrifice things like nice weather and human contact.
I've also been considering trying my hand at driving instruction in order to at least get my foot in the door. That is one idea I'm considering anyway...I'm trying to keep my options open as much as possiable in order to remain flexiable and be able to go where I need to be.
Hey, thanks for all the good information people. As far as distance goes, I'm used to about a 6-8 hour drive for rallycross events and cutting down that time lag is a big factor for me.
I'm not really discounting the NorthEast, but I do want out of NJ for more reasons then just my motorspors aspirations. VT is still at the top of my list, it just means I'd have to sacrifice things like nice weather and human contact.
I've also been considering trying my hand at driving instruction in order to at least get my foot in the door. That is one idea I'm considering anyway...I'm trying to keep my options open as much as possiable in order to remain flexiable and be able to go where I need to be.
| hillman | 02-19-2004 08:21 PM |
[quote]
Hmmm...it's 65 degrees here. I might go up to Thunderhill Motorsports Park tomorrow to do some testing.
What's it like up in Chicago?
[/quote]
A spring-like 45 today. I'm driving over to Michigan this weekend to run 16 w2w ice races. Have fun testing!
I've run 12 races, and 4 solo events already this year, so you're playing that weather card to the wrong guy. I took November off, but that's the only one out of the last 14.
Hmmm...it's 65 degrees here. I might go up to Thunderhill Motorsports Park tomorrow to do some testing.
What's it like up in Chicago?
[/quote]
A spring-like 45 today. I'm driving over to Michigan this weekend to run 16 w2w ice races. Have fun testing!
I've run 12 races, and 4 solo events already this year, so you're playing that weather card to the wrong guy. I took November off, but that's the only one out of the last 14.
| rupertberr | 02-19-2004 09:01 PM |
Colorado is growing in leaps and bounds in Rally.
For 2004:
2 Pro Rallys : Pikes Peak and Cog in Steamboat
11 RallyCross events scheduled. Averaged 58 entrants at the first two this year. Only SCCA RallyCross Divisional Championship in the country.
8 Colorado Hill Climbs with SCCA Rally Class. Jeff Zwart and Rhys Millen regular competitors.
30 registered ClubRally teams. 4 years ago there were 4 teams.
20 cars being built to Club standards.
Bridgestone Ice and Rally School in Steamboat.
All but one RallyCross are within three hours of Denver.
Other types of racing:
within 30 min of Denver
NHRA Bandimere Speedway
NASCAR Colorado National
Road Racing Second Creek Raceway (gone at the end of the year:( )
Rocky Mountain Speedway (dirt oval)
Two go-kart tracks
Open Wheel (CART) Downtown Grand Prix
Danny Collins Racing School
Go 4-it Driving School
with in an hour of Denver
Mountain View Raceway (road racing)
Georgetown Lake ice racing
within two hours of Denver
Pikes Peak International Raceway
Rainbow Falls Ice Racing
Pueblo Motorsports Park (road racing and drag strip)
Beacon Hill (1/4 mile oval)
within three hours
La Junta Speedway (Road Racing)
within eight hours
Topeka Solo II Nationals
Topeka Heartland Park
SCCA HQ
within twelve hours
Prescott
Phoenix International Raceway
Firebird
Vegas
...so I guess not a lot going on here!
:cool:
For 2004:
2 Pro Rallys : Pikes Peak and Cog in Steamboat
11 RallyCross events scheduled. Averaged 58 entrants at the first two this year. Only SCCA RallyCross Divisional Championship in the country.
8 Colorado Hill Climbs with SCCA Rally Class. Jeff Zwart and Rhys Millen regular competitors.
30 registered ClubRally teams. 4 years ago there were 4 teams.
20 cars being built to Club standards.
Bridgestone Ice and Rally School in Steamboat.
All but one RallyCross are within three hours of Denver.
Other types of racing:
within 30 min of Denver
NHRA Bandimere Speedway
NASCAR Colorado National
Road Racing Second Creek Raceway (gone at the end of the year:( )
Rocky Mountain Speedway (dirt oval)
Two go-kart tracks
Open Wheel (CART) Downtown Grand Prix
Danny Collins Racing School
Go 4-it Driving School
with in an hour of Denver
Mountain View Raceway (road racing)
Georgetown Lake ice racing
within two hours of Denver
Pikes Peak International Raceway
Rainbow Falls Ice Racing
Pueblo Motorsports Park (road racing and drag strip)
Beacon Hill (1/4 mile oval)
within three hours
La Junta Speedway (Road Racing)
within eight hours
Topeka Solo II Nationals
Topeka Heartland Park
SCCA HQ
within twelve hours
Prescott
Phoenix International Raceway
Firebird
Vegas
...so I guess not a lot going on here!
:cool:
| GarySheehan | 02-20-2004 12:30 AM |
Aaahhh, ice racing. The smell of burning rubber must be overwhelming :)
Gary
Sheehan Motor Racing
[url]www.teamSMR.com[/url]
Gary
Sheehan Motor Racing
[url]www.teamSMR.com[/url]
| LyveWRX | 02-20-2004 02:16 PM |
Wait a minute, I believe that michigan/northern Wisconsin is pretty good for rallying. (LSPR, SNO*Drift, lots of TSD (7events in Detroit region alone, not counting NeOhio, Minnesota is closeby and has a decent rally following) Not many (if any) rallyX in detroit area thou.....
nick
nick
| rupertberr | 02-20-2004 04:52 PM |
[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by GarySheehan [/i]
[B]Aaahhh, ice racing. The smell of burning rubber must be overwhelming :)
Gary
Sheehan Motor Racing
[url]www.teamSMR.com[/url] [/B][/QUOTE]
It's more like the smell of melting snow.:D
Here is a discussion and picks from last weekend's race at Rainbow Falls:
[url]http://www.clubwrx.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=51687&perpage=20&pagenumber=2[/url]
[B]Aaahhh, ice racing. The smell of burning rubber must be overwhelming :)
Gary
Sheehan Motor Racing
[url]www.teamSMR.com[/url] [/B][/QUOTE]
It's more like the smell of melting snow.:D
Here is a discussion and picks from last weekend's race at Rainbow Falls:
[url]http://www.clubwrx.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=51687&perpage=20&pagenumber=2[/url]
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