Open Track at SAAC-48?

[ShelbyBoss]

Hey y'all!   I've never been to PittRace BUT I just booked my hotel* and googled the track  .  OMG!  A 2.78 mile "boomerang" shaped track.  Not sure if we'll get the whole thing (there's inside roads that could shorten the length) but if we do there's at least 4 long high-speed straights.  My GT350R is hungry for this!  So my questions are:

1) When is Registration "projected" to be open?
2) Will there be an Open Track Event?
3) If there's is an Open Track, how much will it cost?
4) Any chance of a professional racing school / driving instructors?
5) Is the Open Track restricted to SAAC members, i.e. can a non-member "guest" get on the track?

* The "host hotel" (Pittsburgh Marriott North) is sold out for those 2 of the 4 dates I needed.  I don't know what the negotiated rate is, but the hotel's website was showing $475/night.  And it's 17.7 miles away from PittRace.  So I booked a hotel 12 miles away from PittRace that was $104/night.  Got to save somewhere ...

[98SVT - was 06GT]

They'll probably use the same layout as the Vintage Race - https://pvgp.org/drivers/schenley-park-race-circuit/

[gt350bp]

Will not be the Schenley Park street track for the Shelby Club. They will most likely use one of the layouts for Pittsburgh Motorsport Park in Kopel, PA.

Don
gt350bp

[JD]

Will not be the Schenley Park street track for the Shelby Club. They will most likely use one of the layouts for Pittsburgh Motorsport Park in Kopel, PA.

Don
gt350bp

+1

https://www.pittrace.com/_files/ugd/79c57f_ad551d151fd3467dbc016c0db0a5e037.pdf

[Cobrask8]

SB,

Yes, there will be Open Track on the Pitt Circuit. While registration and costs are not yet posted, you'll be able to register for them. The run groups will be divided into levels of driver skill as usual.

No, SAAC does not have instructors, so if you want or need coaching, I recommend you enroll in a school, such as NASA, CHIN, HOD, or other, which has instructors. I prefer you do, so you have some experience before the SAAC convention. I am a 18 year NASA instructor, so speak from deep experience, take a course before going solo. PM me if you have any racing school questions.

Will see you at the track, I'll be part of the track crew.

[ShelbyBoss]

After 19 Open Tracks (Watkins Glen, Lime Rock, Thunderbolt, Lightning, Pocono, Miller Motorsports, Indy, Charlotte Rovel, Road Atlanta) I think I'm up for it.  But I know I could get better and actively solicit the masters whenever I can.

[linderpat]

Really looking forward to this. I have a new to me 07 GT500, and is dialed in for the track. I ran Pitt Race last summer, and the car did great. That is a very good course (I have been running it for many years with both Mustangs and Porsches). It is more of a technical track, with our own little version of the famous Laguna Seca "corkscrew" (turns 3 and 4), which drops you down into Coyote Gulch. For those who have not driven this course, the definitive intro video was done by our local Track Guru Jack Neff (who runs a 66 GT350 each year at the Historics there at Pitt Race as part of the PVGP). Here's the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3o-J6gcdnM.

[JD]

Some in-car at the track from the last event

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiKPTNlUxlk

here is from in the red car
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFUFEC5NMjQ

[linderpat]

That was some fine racing! Outstanding!

[linderpat]

I saw a link on Facebook - registration is now open. Will be registering for the track for Friday.

[Cobrask8]

Latest Convention Schedule:

https://www.saac.com/events/saac-48

For all entrants doing OPEN TRACK, here is the SAAC page with all the information:

https://www.saac.com/48-forms

Please read EVERYTHING!!! Make sure your registration is complete, you have the proper registration credentials. Download and fill out all the forms before, so you have it, and will not be delayed. Read and note all the schedules, or else you will miss your time. Be Tech'ed early, so you are not last-minute. No Tech-No Track. Be at the driver's meeting ON TIME!!!!!!!!!!!

If you are not prepared and ready, the only person you can blame is yourself.

See you at the driver's meeting, and then False Grid.

[jenningsbcjj]

Hey y'all!   I've never been to PittRace BUT I just booked my hotel* and googled the track  .  OMG!  A 2.78 mile "boomerang" shaped track.  Not sure if we'll get the whole thing (there's inside roads that could shorten the length) but if we do there's at least 4 long high-speed straights.  My GT350R is hungry for this!  So my questions are:

1) When is Registration "projected" to be open?
2) Will there be an Open Track Event?
3) If there's is an Open Track, how much will it cost?
4) Any chance of a professional racing school / driving instructors?
5) Is the Open Track restricted to SAAC members, i.e. can a non-member "guest" get on the track?

* The "host hotel" (Pittsburgh Marriott North) is sold out for those 2 of the 4 dates I needed.  I don't know what the negotiated rate is, but the hotel's website was showing $475/night.  And it's 17.7 miles away from PittRace.  So I booked a hotel 12 miles away from PittRace that was $104/night.  Got to save somewhere ...

What hotel did you get for $140/night?