Dominion Raceway

[mikedamageinc]

Has anyone looked in to getting a track day at Dominion Raceway? They are taking reservations and supposed to be open in spring. The course is two miles and 14 turns, sounds like fun.

http://www.dominionraceway.com/

[Shane Irving]

Sounds like a blast. Id like to try my hand on a track either here or at vir since they are the closest.

[bobzdar]

If anybody wants to pool together and do a track rental, let me know.  I'd like to get up there early on for a day and see how it is.

[mikedamageinc]

I'm in as long as the price isn't too crazy.

[2forSolo]

I'm interested depending on price and date.

[gunny]

would be cool to do a circuit cross

[Marc]

FSR PCA is hosting a Driver's Education event at Dominion Raceway Oct 24 & Oct 25, 2015. Registration will open in July.

If you're interested in getting on the track before then, they also host an annual event each spring on the full course at VIR that several of us have attended. That event is July 11 & 12 and registration will open in April.

Info on both can be found here:
http://www.fsrpca.org/event.html

[Shane Irving]

How much does it usually cost and how welcome are 1st timers?

[whiteryder]

How much does it usually cost and how welcome are 1st timers?

If you're asking about PCA, I've gone to VIR with First Settlers, Potomac, and Zone 2 PCA groups.
In general, figure about $400 for a three-day event, less if it's only 2 days.

New folks are extremely welcome.  You'll be assigned an instructor who will ride with you and
help you get used to the track.  If you are already experienced, your instructor may sign you off
to go solo, but normally it takes more than one event to do that.  One of the reasons PCA (and
similar) events are so safe is that no one is allowed to go solo until the organization is confident
that they won't be a danger to themselves or others.

[johndej]

Just put a roll bar in my miata this weekend so I'd love to join.

[gunny]

The track days are so much fun!
Autocross is cool to but to unleash 400hp down the front straight at VIR is soooooo much fun! and then to trust the brakes into turn one! Awesome, makes me shake.

Gunny

[mikedamageinc]

Four events scheduled this year for SCCA's Track night in America!

http://www.tracknightinamerica.com/events?all=true&origin=22407&within=100

[mikedamageinc]

Well so much for DR, it looks like SCCA cancelled all "Track night in America" events. Sounds like there was a falling out, not just the schedule delay. Here is the email they sent:

Track Night participants,

As you may be aware, there has been a significant amount of work and effort put into potential Track Night events at Dominion Raceway in Northern Virginia. Despite those efforts, SCCA Track Night in America has made the decision not to hold events at Dominion Raceway in the foreseeable future. 

While the track has made great strides to accommodate groups like Track Night, the current configuration of the track itself is inconsistent with the philosophy and needs of Track Night.  For those of you who are interested in learning and experiencing the track, we recommend the Performance Driving Experience program offered by the Washington DC Region.

[johndej]

I was up there this weekend watching the NASA Mid Atlantic racing. The track was up and running but there's room for improvement. All the run off was dusty dirt and there were lots of area's where that dirt had not been graded up to flush with the track giving a few areas a 4-5'' drop off. The runoff and barriers also could use some adjustment in some areas. If you can stand the heat you can see a good 3/4 of the track from the roof of the NASCAR building. If you prefer cooler, the view from the 2nd floor bar/3rd floor windows isn't too bad.

random race video from the youtubes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39Ku2oP8ko8

[jloehlein]

Well so much for DR, it looks like SCCA cancelled all "Track night in America" events. Sounds like there was a falling out, not just the schedule delay.

Bummer - I was all set to go up there Thursday.

[mikedamageinc]

Me too. I emailed SCCA and I guess the runoff is the issue. They said it is more of a pro setup and not enough for novices that will likely go off course. The DC SCCA will still have PDX weekends there plus the NASA events so all is not lost!

[sjfehr]

I think TNiA is a bit upset about concrete walls inches from the sides of the track in several corners.  That's not really compatible with a "track your DD!" type low-risk event.

[BMW4Curt]

Gunny is right about the big track.  It is a BLAST.

The track days are so much fun!
Autocross is cool to but to unleash 400hp down the front straight at VIR is soooooo much fun! and then to trust the brakes into turn one! Awesome, makes me shake.

Gunny

[BMW4Curt]

What I don't understand is the track was designed by Chris of NASA.  Did he not run the design by anyone else to see if it would pass safety?

Curt

>SCCA Track Night in America has made the decision not to hold events at Dominion Raceway in the >foreseeable future.  

>While the track has made great strides to accommodate groups like Track Night, the current configuration of the track itself is inconsistent with the philosophy and needs of Track Night.  [/i][/quote]

[sjfehr]

The track layout is great- looks incredibly fun.  The problems are the concrete barriers, which are necessary in some corners for safety due to the position of the drainage ditches and proximity to the property line, and there not being any grass yet- every 2 wheel off created a blinding dust cloud.  There was a wreck last weekend during a spec miata race due to dust cloud blindness and may have been others.

[mikedamageinc]

Just wanted to dig this one up in case anyone is interested. I did a track day last year with the Apex Track Events group and one last month with Dominion's in house group and both were excellent! It is a very fun track and both groups run a great event, very friendly and helpful. There are a few sketchy spots but like anything, take it easy and listen to the instructor. If you haven't been there, check it out!