First I would recommend the "VARA University" program if getting to the West Coast in January ever fits your bucket list. Yes, Buttonwillow Raceway, Highway 5 and 58 in the Central Valley is almost in the middle of "no where" but it is only a little hour 2 hours from Las Angeles.
The attendee's are sorted into four groups, this being my second year I did move up one rung of the ladder. In addition to drivers from Northern and Southern California there was a group from Hawaii and Washington. The inventory of Mustangs GT's, Camaro's and Corvettes rented for the event was very large. But one of the high lights to this event is amazing collection of older cars that are there to be driven, as fast as the drivers care to drive them.
VARA is defiantly built around early race cars, the event had a great mix in each group with drivers getting seat time based on their skill level. One young man, at least 16 but south of 20 was out on track in a MG TF that had a Judson Supercharger. Something tells me his family has quicker rides as his ability increases. Another family had two Tigers out on track. One a BP race car and the other restored street car. As the event progressed and "passing" was allowed I did get around a Allard, just like one of the cars my dad crewed on in the '50's.
My car for the weekend was my 1994 BMW 325is. Preparation for the event had more to do with freshening the "stop" more than the "go". To that end I did put fresh tires on the front end, brake fluid flush, fresh brakes and rotors, fuel filter and an oil change. I can confirm that the rev-limiter is working great, the car survived and will be used again in a couple of weeks at another school. This time a BMWCCA event, again in the middle of no ware, close to Blyth CA. But I understand the "bbq" at a restaurant named "Rebel's" is worth the drive.
One last takeaway for me, I was in the correct group. Buy the end of the event I realized that a well driven V8 car was going to drive away from me in a straight line. A BMW Z3 will accelerate faster than my E36. But if I start close to the front of the line, your not going to stay with me in the corners. Thank god for all those years of auto crossing.
David
