Simraceway Events Tag

What’s Happening in September at Simraceway

September means Labor Day and heading back to school, but it also means more time at Simraceway for track experiences, skill-building, racing, and lots more.

Here’s what we have on the agenda after Labor day:

Spend a Day Behind The Wheel of a KTM X-Bow

According to Road & Track’s Sam Smith — who drove a KTM X-Bow for a week last February under the guidance of Simraceway’s instructors — “The whole thing is just a gem.” The KTM X-Bow is one of the world’s lightest, fastest, most nimble track cars. 

The KTM X-Bow Experience has inspired a lot of five-star reviews on TripAdvisor like this one from an enthusiastic dad. If you’ve ever wondered what it would feel like to go around a two-and-a-half-mile road course in a sports car, the KTM X-Bow will answer your questions and more.

You’ll experience an ultra-light, nimble race vehicle for an unforgettable day.

Learn More, Lap More, Race More in Kart Racing School

There’s a reason karters say that Simraceway’s Kart Track is “Best in the West.” Simraceway’s karts are the fastest karts in the state on the longest track in the west. 

Simraceway’s karting begins with the Race Karting Experience, a half-day program that will show you the ropes of karting and racing. Move up to the Kart Racing School Stage 1 and 2. Kart Racing School Stage 1 is a full-day program that will give you more fundamentals of go kart racing. Move to Stage 2, which will build your skills and speed around the track in ROK-powered Sprint Karts. 

Once you complete both stages of the Kart Racing School, you’ll be eligible for your Kart Racing License. Drivers age 13 and older are eligible for karting programs. Karting is incredibly fun and it’s a fantastic intro to the world of racing. 

Open Kart and Moto Practice and T1 Karting Days in September

Take Simraceway’s National Pro karting track in reverse or conventionally on select weekday and weekend days in September. Turn 1 club members can take advantage of T1 Club Karting days reserved for T1 club members. 

Rent an Lo206 or a ROK-Tony Kart starting at $40 for a 15-minute session. Simraceway’s Performance Karting Center offers complimentary standard safety gear. Plan ahead: ROK-Tony Karts have to be reserved at least 48 hours ahead of your open practice or track day.

Advance Your Driving Knowledge, Learn New Techniques at Simraceway

The KTM X-Bow Racing School Stages 1 and 2 have open dates in September. After completing the KTM X-Bow Racing School, you’ll be eligible to compete in Simraceway’s KTM X-Bow Racing Series.

The Performance Driving Program continues in September with Stages 1 and 2 of the Performance Driving School and the Car Control Clinic. Bring your own car: in each stage, you’ll have opportunities to drive world-famous Sonoma Raceway’s track and receive in-class instruction and car control exercises, including on Simraceway’s skidpad. 

We make it as easy as possible for you to take part in any of our events at Simraceway. Whether you’re looking into karting for the first time or seeking to move up in racing skill, check out the September schedule at Simraceway. We want to see you at the track!

What’s Happening in August at Simraceway

August means more amazing track experiences at Simraceway.

If you’re interested in learning more about KTM experiences, performance driving, or driving education and go-karting, there’s plenty to look forward to on Simraceway’s August schedule. 

The KTM X-Bow Cup USA series and Simraceway Series Formula Car Cup continue in August, but we quickly sold out of teen safe driver training classes, so we’ve added the following dates:

Sunday, August 25th, from 9 am to 4 pm, at $695

Here are some other events and programs to explore:

August Spotlight: Check Out Simraceway’s Performance Driving Program and Control Clinic

Can you drive your own car on the track at Sonoma Raceway? Yes! Simraceway’s Performance Driving Program can take you and your car through three stages of practice, training, education, and on-track experience. 

If you have a car that’s fifteen years or newer with tires and brakes in good condition, you might be eligible for the Performance Driving program. Check with our staff at [email protected] to find out if your car is eligible. If it is, be sure to check your owner’s manual and insurance policy and follow guidelines to be ready for your Performance Driving session. Look for sessions throughout August, but don’t take too long — some sessions are already full!

Explore open dates for…

Performance Driving Stage 1, Stage 2, and Stage 3

Learn the Limits And Master Your Car: Car Control Clinic

Using the skidpad and autocross course, Simraceway’s Car Control Clinic shows you how to control your car under extreme conditions. You’ll learn how to correct oversteer, balance your car while drifting, make mid-corner adjustments, and properly rotate your car. Here, you’ll learn how to handle your car safely at or even slightly over its limits. Requirements are like the Performance Driving Program — check with our staff in advance to learn if your vehicle meets the Car Control Clinic’s specifications.

Car Control Clinic dates are currently sold out.

Before School Starts: Take Your Teen for Safe Driving Education at Simraceway

Simraceway’s Teen Safe Driving Course is one of the most highly-rated experiences on TripAdvisor and for good reason. The full-day course covers all the practical skills teens need to drive safely, including emergency braking, accident avoidance, proper steering techniques, and skid recovery. Teens age 15 1/2 and older with their permit or driver’s license will practice using fleet vehicles alongside Simraceway’s instructors. The Teen Safe Driving Course is eligible for part of the 60 hours of required pre-license driving time.

New session added on August 25th, from 9 am to 4 pm.

SCCA Racing School Options At Simraceway in August

If you’ve been thinking of getting your Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) license and going club racing, Simraceway’s Racing School continues in August. Held in KTM X-Bow cars, the 3-day program is available to drivers aged 14 and above. You do not need a driver’s license for this on-track experience and training. Can you bring fans, friends, and family? Sure can — and you might even rent a GoPro to record your performance.

These are a few more highlights in August at Simraceway. The KTM X-Bow Cup and Formula Car Cup continue with their August dates of practice and racing. The Kart Racing School also offers several August dates. T1 Club Members: You have some open days coming up in August, and Karting enthusiasts will see dates for Turn 1 Club Karting. Check out Simraceway’s August schedule now and take advantage of these great experiences at the track.

What’s Happening in July at Simraceway

The sun is shining on track all month long during July at Simraceway. When you’re not watching fireworks or barbecuing, you’ll find exciting driving experiences and racing throughout July at the track.

The spotlight this month is on Go Karts with the chance to practice on the Reverse Pro National Course on selected Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Turn 1 Club Karting is available on Tuesdays. Don’t miss the ROK Arrive and Drive Kart Racing Series on Saturday, July 13.

Go Kart Racing, Kart Rentals, Practice Days at Simraceway in July

Simraceway’s Karts run on California’s premier and longest Go Kart track. If you know an enthusiastic driver age 13 and older who’d like to try the excitement of Go-Karting at speeds of up to 70 miles an hour, they can sign up for the Kart Race School or try open practice on the Reverse Pro National Track. The fourth race in Simraceway’s 2019 Karting Arrive and Drive Series – which welcomes all experience levels, including first-time racers – is Saturday, July 13. 

Turn 1 Club members can schedule Karting time on Tuesdays throughout the month. If you want to schedule Karting time at the track, be sure to check the calendar: dates are filling fast and the Kart Track will be closed from July 25 through 28 for NHRA. You can rent an LO206 or ROK Powered Tony Kart, but be aware that the ROK Karts have to be reserved at least two days (48 hours) ahead of time.

July: A Great Time to Check Out Simraceway’s Performance Driving Program Series 

If you’ve wondered what it would be like to drive your own car in a track environment, Simraceway’s Performance Driving Program series offers a full day High-Performance Driving Experience (HPDE). The program takes place on Sonoma Raceway’s 2.52-mile track. All three stages of Simraceway’s Performance Driving Program are offered in July.

Stage 1 of the Performance Driving Program combines classroom instruction and in-car exercises along with car-control drills. After you complete instruction, you’ll practice on the autocross track before completing the day driving on Sonoma Raceway’s full track.

If you’ve completed Stage 1 or have comparable experience from another program, you are eligible to move on to Stage 2 of the Performance Driving Program. Stage 2 starts out with an autocross competition, then moves on to four 30-minute track laps on Sonoma Raceway. You’ll end the day going solo in open lap sessions, and then return to the classroom for targeted, supportive feedback from Simraceway’s expert instructors.

Stage 2 graduates and other experienced drivers can move on to Stage 3 runs all 5 of its sessions on the main track with instruction by radio from corners. This stage is designed to maximize your understanding of your car and capabilities as a driver. 

KTM X-Bow Experience And Other July Events at Simraceway

You can drive the incredible KTM X-Bow Competition R in July at Simraceway. This half-day experience offers the opportunity to drive the high-tech track car around Sonoma Raceway’s challenging course. 

As always, T1 Club members can take advantage of T1 driving days on select Tuesdays and Fridays during July. Prospective SCCA racers can sign up for the 3-day SCCA License School in the KTM X-Bow — but don’t delay — the F3 3-Day SCCA Race School is already full.

Alternate Title: Get Into High-Performance Driving and Karting Experiences at Simraceway in July

Meta Description: Go Kart Racing, Go Kart School, Karting Practice, Performance Driving Experience, KTM X-Bow Experience at Simraceway July 2019

June events at Simraceway are hot, filling fast

As temperatures in Sonoma rise, the events schedule at Simraceway is heating up. Simraceway offers a packed calendar of events and is operational 300 days a year at its base location, Sonoma Raceway. This month is no exception with programs from our Performance Driving, Safe Driving, KTM X-Bow, Karting and Racing School programs all on the slate. We also kick off the first three-day weekend of our arrive and drive racing series – Simraceway Series. This year KTM X-Bow Comp R’s join the line up in a new class ‘ X-Bow Cup” to complement our our existing Formula 3 class. Lastly, we have a Ligier LMP3 test day opportunity. Read below for full details and we look forward to seeing you on the track! .

KTM X-Bow Cup USA added to Simraceway Series

For the first time in an American spec series, the ultra-lightweight carbon-fibre monocoque KTM X-Bow will race. And if you want to take part in the KTM X-Bow Cup Series Package, all you need to do is put on your driving suit, helmet, and HANS device.

Friday, June 28, is a practice day for the Formula Car Cup and KTM X-Bow Cup. Saturday and Sunday are filled with additional practice, qualifying, and racing. The spec racing series will continue in August (Round 2 is set for August 23-25) and October (Round 3 for October 18-20).

Whether you’re a developing or experienced driver, the Formula Car Cup Package and the KTM X-Bow Cup USA Series are an exciting racing choice. Simraceway’s spec racing format allows driver skill to champion the day. Drivers receive coaching and mentoring by Simraceway’s professional racing staff members.

learn about our arrive and drive racing series and apply here

Test Drive the Ligier LMP3 at Simraceway

If you’re advanced track driver, maybe with some club racing under your belt, you may want to consider going to the next level and experiencing our motorsports team’s Ligier LMP3 race cars. Our pair of 5.0 liter V8, 420BHP, Ligier LMP3 prototype cars race with us in IMSA Prototype challenge. However a few days a month we open them up to non team drivers, interested to experience these extraordinary machines.

This month there is a Test days set for the LMP3 on June 28. Details here

Driving experiences for all ages

Do you know an aspiring teen driver? or young aspiring racer? There’s plenty of experiences for new drivers at Simraceway, such as karting and Teen Safe Driver Programs. Karters can sign up for the Race Karting Experience. Follow up with the first stage of the Kart Racing School to get your young driver even more wheel time.

Karting and Moto enthusiasts can enjoy open practice days on select Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Drive one of the top go-karting tracks in the U.S. in an LO206 or ROK-powered Tony Kart. (Note: ROK Powered Tony Karts must be reserved 48 hours in advance.)

Simraceway also hosts the full-day Teen Safe Driver Course to provide your new driver with plenty of skills for the roads. Students 15.5 years old or older will learn about weight transfer, distraction avoidance, and emergency manoeuvres at 65 mph. Give your child all the skills and information they need to safely drive in any condition.

There’s always something amazing to experience at Simraceway. While June is flying by fast, there’s plenty more to still left on the calendar. Check out all of Simraceway’s events here

Lights, Camera, Action!

Watch The Motorhead Traveler on MAVTV.com tomorrow at 9 am/12 pm ET to find out what happened when Kevin Cullen and his team joined us at the Simraceway Performance Driving Center and Audi sportscar experience — and if you like what you see, come check us out for yourself!

IndyCar Lights Up Sonoma

The 10th GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma took place at our home track of Sonoma Raceway last weekend, with Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon securing his first win at the venue since 2007, following a chaotic climax to the race. As life gets back to normal here in beautiful Wine Country, the IndyCar Series season marches on to its conclusion on Saturday at Auto Club Speedway. We wish the best of luck to all drivers.

Ever wondered how it feels to pilot an open-wheel racer? Check out our range of courses featuring our industry-leading Lola SRW F3 car, or find out about our low-cost Formula 3 series, where you can race for as little as $1,295!

PDC Rules the Track!

There was a distinctly Simraceway flavor to the weekend’s racing with uber-talented PDC alumni Dane Cameron (TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, GTD class) and Gabby Chaves (Indy Lights Championship) both securing significant victories. The wins leave Cameron tied for the lead in the Drivers’ Championship and hands Chaves his first ever Indy Lights title. Congratulations to them!

If that wasn’t enough, the weekend also saw an impressive second-in-class (behind Cameron) for Jeff Westphal and a P3 for Greg Liefooghe (Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge, ST class), both from the PDC’s world-class pool of instructors.

To follow in the foosteps of Dane and Gabby, check out our current courses and programs now!

Celebrate 50 Years of the Mustang at Simraceway’s Online Racing World

The iconic Ford Mustang is 50 this year and Simraceway‘s Online Racing World is marking the occasion by letting players race its 1969 and 2012 Boss 302s and its 1965 2+2 Fastback completely free-of-charge all weekend. Head over there from 8 am PST (5 pm CET) to saddle up and celebrate the ‘Stang’s half-century!

Silicon Valley Converges on the PDC

The PDC hosted ConnectedCarSV’s latest drive day on May 22. Over 50 Silicon Valley founders, VCs and tech execs enjoyed the group’s latest Sonoma outing. Head to connectedcarsv.com to view photos from a successful day out.

Superkarts! USA Returns to Sonoma

SKUSA headed back to Sonoma in style last weekend with the Simraceway Performance Karting Center hosting Round 4 of the California ProKart Challenge. With over 130 entrants, including 25 S1 Class drivers, and hundreds more watching, two beautiful Californian days saw a host of fiercely-fought, exciting contests. Read on to find out more!

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How to Get Around COTA…Fast!

Simraceway Performance Driving Center instructor Matt Bell is one of a select group: a driver who has taken on Circuit of The Americas twice. In fact, in March of this year the Californian got up-close-and-personal with the Austin circuit twice in one day—once in a Chevrolet Camaro SS GS.R, and once in an Audi R8 LMS.

So who better than the expert GT racer, who has placed second in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Series Driver’s Championship (GS Class) two years in a row, to guide us through a lap of COTA in our R8 LMS ultra–as Simraceway players battle to record the quickest times with that same car/track combo and qualify for the 50th Sunday Race-Off?

Read on to benefit from his video and guide, which is also available to download as a PDF.

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Circuit of The Americas Comes Full Circle

Simraceway and Circuit of The Americas have always enjoyed a close relationship–we even managed to launch our version of the course three weeks before its real gates swung open–so, on the eve of its second US GP, we’re naturally delighted that the first purpose-built Grand Prix facility in the U.S. has been such a hit in its first year.

Read on to find out more about COTA’s successful first twelve months–in both the virtual and real worlds!

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