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NEWS FLASH:
PITTSBURGH OPERA and ARPCA invite you to
La bohème
Saturday, March 29, 2014 at 8 PM
Benedum Center
ARPCA Members and guests can take advantage of
special prices for their evening at the opera:
Section A seating for $125
Section B seating for $85
Pre-show reception (7 PM) for $20
For more information, contact Randy Adams
412-281-0912 x 213 or radams@pittsburghopera.org
Order Tickets
Filed under: Events, home 1, News by MichaelSkowvron
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Attention New Members: This is a great opportunity to meet other Porsche enthusiasts from the Allegheny Region and win door prizes selected just for you… and, if you were a new member in 2013, it’s free!
All other members, come out and use the All Member Dinner as one of your first opportunities to get the car out of storage and on the road.
Date: Saturday, April 5, 2014
Time: Cash Bar opens at 6:00 pm, Dinner served at 7:00
Where: D’Impirio’s Restaurant - 3412 William Penn HwyPittsburgh, PA 15235 412.823.4800
Filed under: Events, home 2 L, Social by Admin
Join us Sat May 24th at PittRace (just 20 minutes from Cranberry) for the annual ARPCA Car Control Clinic. This is the PERFECT opportunity to learn more about you and your car in a very safe environment. We will use the SIX-ACRE Vehicle Dynamic Area (VDA) to provide a complete educational experience! The Car Control Clinic is hands-on, in-car training that consists of a classroom discussion of vehicle and human dynamics followed by four hours of in-car instruction in accident avoidance and defensive driving maneuvers.
The Clinic can teach students what typical driving schools can’t: what to do when something goes wrong in the car – and provide opportunity to practice these maneuvers in a safe environment.
Drivers will use the VDA to learn and practice three key skills:
- Smooth steering on a Slalom course – Understand how to navigate your car smoothly through a set of cones. Recognize where you want your car to go. You will learn how to drive where the cones aren’t!
- Threshold Braking – Learn how to control your car in an emergency braking situation. You will understand more about your car’s capabilities and how to manage them. Learn how to successfully maneuver around obstacles (just as if you have a deer in the headlights) while slowing your car.
- Skid-Pad Activities – Drive on a skid pad where you will have the opportunity to experience your car breaking traction and learn how to regain traction in a safe environment. Feel the balance and learn how to steer your car with the throttle.
 Running on the Skidpad All types of vehicles welcome! Bring your special vehicle or your daily driver. All that is required is a valid state inspection and valid driver license.*
A bit Nervous? No worries. Our club excels in making sure your experience is safe and enjoyable. You will be paired with an experienced instructor who will be knowledgeable in driving your type of car.
This is a great opportunity for new drivers! A students take and fun pix from a prior year Car Control Clinic
Register For the 2014 Car Control Clinic: Here
Make it a weekend – Come Run our first AutoCross Sunday!
On Sunday, May 25th, ARPCA will be holding our autocross at PittRace’s VDA – Sign up to put your new skills to work. Autocross Registration: Here
*** Under 18 Years of Age ***:
Particpants under age 18 are encouraged to attend and to participate MUST have a signed parental consent form. If your custodian will NOT accompany you to PittRace Saturday AM to sign the Parental Release Form, you must come with it already signed. Download a Copy Here
Filed under: Drivers Education, Events, home 3 L, Track by Admin
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Run with us at some of America’s greatest tracks!
The 2014 season is here. Come and experience what performance driving is all about. We’ll be managing 3 drivers education events on some North America’s most beautiful tracks. Events are Saturday & Sunday with a invitation only “lapping day” Friday for instructors and highly experienced students.
Click here for more information on what an ARPCA DE is and what it entails.
Click here for great read by our own Ralph Gaudio explaining why you SHOULD do a DE!
We are returning to 3 favorites: Watkins Glen, PittRace, and Mid-Ohio and NORPCA invites us to participate in their Nelson Ledges event.
These DEs along with 4 Auto-Cross (solo) events and a Car Control Clinic will keep us very busy!
Support Material for Track events (such as Participant Guide, Track map, run-group assignments, etc when published) can be found here: 2014 DE Supporting Materials
Our 2014 Dates by venue are:
About each track:
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Watkins Glen (May 9-11)
Watkins Glen International (nicknamed “The Glen”) is located near Watkins Glen, New York, at the southern tip of Seneca Lake. Long known around the world as home of the United States Grand Prix, which it hosted for 20 consecutive years (1961–1980). The Glen has been home to road racing of nearly every class for over 50 years, including Formula One, World Sportscar Championship, Can-Am, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and IndyCar Series.
We run the 3.4 miles Grand Prix configuration which is enjoyed by both new and experienced drivers. Friday we host lapping day for instructors and very advanced students. DE runs Sat and Sun.
Our spousal aux will arrange activities for those who are not interested in being at the track.
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 Watkins Glen Track Map |
Nelson Ledges (June 13-15)*
In June we combine forces with NORPCA to run at Nelson Ledges in Garrettsville, OH. This will be a two day DE. Friday is “944fest” – people running 944′s on track can participate. Nelson Ledges is a 1.82 mile, seven turn road course, with a rich history of sports car and motorcycle road racing.
* Event is hosted by NORPCA – contact Skip Wolfe directly with any questions.
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Pitt Race (Aug 9-10)
Pitt Race (formerly known as BeaveRun) is just 20 minutes north of Pittsburgh International Airport and is a welcome addition to the Western PA region. It’s North Track, a 1.4 mile course and the Vehicle Dynamics Area (VDA), 5+ acres of pavement for auto-crossing and car control PIRC caters to new drivers as well as seasoned professionals.
This venue and event is perfect for first time participants! For all “newer” DE divers we structure the event to include a combination DE and Car Control Clinic. In addition to time on main track we include specialized, in-car instruction with activities on the Skid Pad, Slalom Course and Threshold Braking on the VDA.
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 Pitt Race (PIRC) Track Map |
Mid-Ohio (Sept 5-7)
A road course which is one of the great auto racing facilities nestled in the rolling hills of Lexington, OH. This 2.4 mile technical road course is enjoyed by drivers of all skills.
Put this on your calendar now! Mid-Ohio is beautiful early-September. Friday we host a lapping day for instructors and very advanced students. DE runs Sat and Sun.
Our spousal auxiliary will be arranging activities for those not interested in being at the track.
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 Mid-Ohio Track Map |
All types of vehicles are welcome!
In addition to Porsches, we have Audis, BMWs, Corvettes, Lotuses, Mazdas, Minis, Subarus (just to name a few) come participate. All that is required is you have valid state inspection and a safety inspection completed by your local mechanic.
Registration Process
Driving event registration is conducted online through MotorsporReg (MSR) at http://arpca.motorsportreg.com. We use MSR to manage the events and communicate with you about up-coming events as well as specific details about events for which you have registered. If you have not used MSR before there is a 2 step process:
- Create a username, password and a profile which includes information about your cars and driving experience,
- Register for specific events
The earlier you sign up the better we are able to plan – there is limited downside. When registering for an event you will be asked for a credit card. We will not charge your credit card for the event until approximately 60 days before the event. Due to significant track deposits, each event has a specific cancellation policy which can be found in the MSR registration.
Keep your data current! It is important that we have a current valid email address for you. Please remember to update your information in the future should there be any changes.
What happens if the event is sold out? You are put on a wait list. Both Instructor and Driver applications are accepted on a first come, first serve basis, provided all eligibility requirements have been met. There are a limited number of Student spaces available for our events. This number may vary from one venue to another. The event registrar will inform you of your status (confirmed or waitlist) before the event.
Maintain your Driving Resume in MSR
In order to place you in the correct run group we need you to maintain your “Driving Resume” in MSR. ARPCA maintains in our online log book all driving events you have participated in since 2009. We need you to supplement this with any other driving experience that you have had “at speed.” Include:
- Other Drivers Education Events you attended with other organizations.
- Professional schools attended (such as Bertil Roos, Skip Barber, Porsche, etc.)
- Club Racing (BMW CCA, Porsche Club Racing, etc.)
- Any specific coaching sessions,
- Autocross and time trial experience,
- etc.
A recommended format is shown to the right.
Note: There are differences between SCCA and NASA racing and Performance Driving at an ARPCA DE. We evaluate the total body of driving experience when placing an individual into appropriate run groups for the entire field. |
Filed under: Drivers Education, Events, home 4 L, News, Track by Scott I
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The ARPCA is excited to announce another year of Autocross for 2014! The 2012 and 2013 seasons saw great participation, a lot of fun, and gave drivers the ability to learn about themselves and their cars in a safe environment. Season three will again offer the ability to learn more about yourself and your car but, will expand on those abilities with the addition of new programs:
- PVGP Autocross School hosted by the Steel Cities SCCA (Saturday July 12 OR Sunday July 13)
- Autocross and Taste Of The Track Event coinciding with our August DE at PittRace. (August 10 at PittRace)
The Autocross School and Taste Of The Track events are aimed to help drivers (from novice to pro) improve their autocross skill and to have a better understanding of vehicle dynamics; braking, acceleration, cornering, throttle management, and understanding the best line through a course. In addition to the Autocross skill set taught at the AX school, the Taste Of The Track Event will allow autocrossers to test their ability and apply those skills on the track (with an ARPCA DE Instructor) and experience what a Driver’s Education (DE) is about.
This season we will also participate in and along with several other cars clubs (North Hill Sports Car Club, BMW Club, Mini Club and Steel Cities SCCA) in the Wounded Warrior Project October 11-12, 2014 to raise money through an autocross for injured soldiers hurt in the line of duty. The Wounded Warrior Benefit Autocross is a two day event and entrants can participate either Saturday, October 11 or Sunday, October 12 or both days if so desired. The Wounded Warrior Project is a charity dedicated to providing tangible, practical support for our wounded military – Helping them to heal both physically and mentally. We are truly excited to be part of this event for 2014.
Full 2014 AX Season includes:
(CLICK EVENT TO REGISTER)
Schedule:
- Gates open 8am
- Open Course walk 8:15-9:30
- Registration begins 8-9:15
- Tech 8:30-9:30
- Guided course walk 9:30
- Drivers meeting 9:45
- First Car off 10:00
- Number of runs will be determined by number of participants – There will at least be 4 runs per driver in the AM and 4 in the PM session
Cost:
- PCA Member: $30 per driver.
- Non-member: $40 per driver.
- On-site registration is $40.
Autocross School Tuition:
- Autocross School is $100. Students will participate in a one day (either Saturday July 12 or Sunday July 13) educational session on Autocross with an Instructor at PittRace. More details and registration info will be available and posted soon!
About Autocross:
AX is a great entry-level competitive driving event that requires little car prep, time or money. Beginners are welcome and there are no pre-requisites other than a vehicle in safe working condition. Before each event begins there is a guided Course Walk that takes you step by step through the driving line and explains how to navigate through the cones. This is especially helpful for first-timers and those that want a second perspective.
Autocross courses are typically around a 1/2 to 1 mile in length and tend to place more emphasis on car handling and driver skill rather than on sheer horsepower. Autocross courses are set up using soft orange traffic pylons which will not damage your car. Events are run at speeds usually between 40-65 MPH, usually in 2nd gear. Autocross is a “performance driving event” and a safe way to learn how to drive your car at its limit. You not only learn how to handle your car at speeds that you drive daily, but you also:
- Gain confidence in your driving ability
- Learn the limits of your car’s brakes
- Learn correct seating, hand, and feet positions
- Learn the limits of your car’s tire adhesion
Finally, Autocross is a social gathering of new and old friends and LOTS OF FUN!
While the size of the field will determine the number of runs which occur last year we averaged 4 – 6 runs in both the morning and afternoon.
Filed under: Autocross, Drivers Education, Events, home 7, News, PVGP, Track by Rob H.
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All members are encouraged to attend the monthly Business Meeting. They’re casual meetings with light snacks and beverages provided by the Club. Emphasis is on events and programs conducted by ARPCA and fresh ideas are always welcome. Please attend and discover for yourself how much fun a business meeting can be.
| Date |
Location |
| Thursday, March 13, 2014 |
FASTCO – Fowler Automotive Street & Track |
| Thursday, April 10, 2014 |
Drake/Beth Core’s Office – Window Systems, Inc. |
| Wednesday, May 07, 2014 |
TBD |
| Thursday, June 12, 2014 |
TBD |
| Thursday, July 10, 2014 |
TBD |
| Thursday, August 14 |
TBD |
| Thursday, September 11 |
TBD |
| Thursday, October 9,2014 |
TBD |
| Thursday, November 13, 2014 |
TBD |
| Thursday, December 11, 2014 |
TBD |
Thursday, January 16, 2014 |
Sewickley Car Store |
Thursday, February 13, 2014 |
AutoPalace Porsche |
Meetings, as you can see are scheduled for 2nd Thursday of each month and promptly start 7:30PM (unless noted otherwise). Occasionally they move due to “competing events” such as Watkins Glen DE in 2014… but any moves are already noted so this schedule is final (until it changes – haha). Mark your calendars now and check back for location which will be posted at least 30 days in advance.
Minutes are published in each monthly issue of Rundschau. See you at the next meeting!
Filed under: Events, home 8, News by Scott I
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