Austin as a gearhead

So just debating the possibility of moving down to Austin from San Diego. Whats the Autocross/track situation like? Kind of spoiled with what is available here in Socal of course.

Surprisingly awesome. Locally you've got: The Driveway (old, small, very little runoff)

Harris Hill (new, bigger, way more awesome)

Circuit of the Americas (ridiculously expensive, keep changing their mind about allowing private trackdays)

Lots of random driving roads through the hill country, though I wouldn't recommend any of them due to deer/bicyclists/slow drivers

And Brianne Corn has a rally-x course adjacent to Harris Hill. Oh and Cobb HQ is here, if you're a Subaru fanboy.

Plus MSR in Houston and Texas Motor Speedway in DFW are a 2.5 hour drive.

Corky Bell's shop (BEGI) is about 1.5 hours away (mostly miata stuff)

Can't speak to the autox scene, I'll leave that to someone else, but I venture a guess it isn't very good.

I moved from L.A. six years ago and never looked back. BTW, Austin is full, stay where you are.

Edit: Texas World Speedway is also near college station, about 2 hours away, though I've never been.

Sorry, All full. No more Californians allowed ;)

www.spokes.org Best autocross club in the area.

There is more than a few national champions that are part of their ranks. Also, if you can handle a little disorganization, Texas AM runs at a retired air strip and they have some good courses.

For just regular driving, it really sucks around here though. Too much traffic and no infrastructure spending done in 6 years that isn't an over priced toll road. Not good when you are the fastest growing city for 7 years straight.

The hill country is cool but too many idiots on bicycles on roads with no shoulders. Or the other fun thing to find a deer or bull right around the next corner.

If you are into open road racing, there is the the big bend open road race every year in BFE west texas. Also, the Texas mile brings some interesting machines out there too.

For drag racing, little river north of town is more nostalgic drags where San Antonio Raceway is the current stuff with National level event in Houston and Dallas.

Lots of random driving roads through the hill country, though I wouldn't recommend any of them due to deer/bicyclists/slow drivers

Yeah, my advice on that is take a day off during the week and go when everyone else is at work. It's your best chance. The hillcountry is way too popular among motorcyclists (mostly big cruiser bike people) to not get annoyed if you go on the weekend unless you're just going for the scenery.

For just regular driving, it really sucks around here though. Too much traffic and no infrastructure spending done in 6 years that isn't an over priced toll road. Not good when you are the fastest growing city for 7 years straight.

Yup. As a lifelong San Antonian other than 4 years in San Marcos, i can say all my driving experience in the Austin area has been negative. All of it.

As far as the autoX scene, id like to add that my experience attending the SA-area club events (sasca.org) is that a LOT of people from the Austin area drive down to SA (~1hr drive) to attend the SA events as well. There are autoX fanatics in this area that average OVER 2 autoX a month between the two clubs.

And, while this may not be a big change from California, some people might be shocked to know that we put on Autox 12 months a year down here.

also, texas world speedway in college station. about an hour and a half to two hours.

MSR Cresson is 3 hours away south of DFW, and eagle point raceway is about 4 hours away north of DFW.

Corpus Christi has a nice auto cross venue (Navy touch-and-go airfield), which isn't too bad a drive from Austin.

http://stbrscca.com/

Sadly, I wouldn't want to live in Austin anymore.

icaneat50eggs wrote: also, texas world speedway in college station. about an hour and a half to two hours. MSR Cresson is 3 hours away south of DFW, and eagle point raceway is about 4 hours away north of DFW.

For clarity, that is Motorsports Ranch near Cresson and Eagles Canyon Raceway.