I've been contemplating a move (back) to the greater New Orleans area. Since it's been a decade and I wasn't in touch with the car scene there, let's just pretend I'm going in fresh.
Looking at Mandeville/Covington and surroundings.
What car clubs are there? Do they autocross? Good shops? What motorsports/autocross opportunities in the area?
And, anything else about living there you want to add?
Abita Beer, Barley Oak on the Mandeville lakefront. If you have kids Mandeville school district is the best in the state.
I see quite a few ads from the area regarding race cars for sale. Big street racing scene still going on in Nola.
I miss it, I moved to DC 2 years ago. I don't miss the lack of education, narrow-minded views, but everything else is something else.
Even 10 years after you left.
yeah, I know it's on the west bank, but it's legit. They have autocross event there with the local clubs on the skidpad. They also have pretty regular track days. PCA, BMWCCA and NASA are the most pretty active and allow just about anything that will pass a tech inspection.
There is a pretty good drift club there as well. I have seen some smaller drift clubs run like a clown show but NOLA Drift seems to be pretty smooth. Even if its not your scene, it is a hoot to watch.
The karting track there is legit and they have a arrive and drive series for their rotax karts.
I miss New Orleans. I love being home in Atlanta, but the people are interesting, food is amazing and there is always something fun happening.
2 words - Hand Grenades
Rebirth Brass Band----- reason enough to move to New Orleans!
Mental wrote: NOLA Motorsports Park. yeah, I know it's on the west bank, but it's legit. They have autocross event there with the local clubs on the skidpad. They also have pretty regular track days. PCA, BMWCCA and NASA are the most pretty active and allow just about anything that will pass a tech inspection. There is a pretty good drift club there as well. I have seen some smaller drift clubs run like a clown show but NOLA Drift seems to be pretty smooth. Even if its not your scene, it is a hoot to watch. The karting track there is legit and they have a arrive and drive series for their rotax karts. I miss New Orleans. I love being home in Atlanta, but the people are interesting, food is amazing and there is always something fun happening.
Gee...someone named Mental, living in New Orleans...what could possibly go bad? 
I was told I was in New Orleans once and had a great time. I only remember Hurricane #1, the rest is fuzzy...
Mental wrote: NOLA Motorsports Park. yeah, I know it's on the west bank, but it's legit. They have autocross event there with the local clubs on the skidpad. They also have pretty regular track days. PCA, BMWCCA and NASA are the most pretty active and allow just about anything that will pass a tech inspection. There is a pretty good drift club there as well. I have seen some smaller drift clubs run like a clown show but NOLA Drift seems to be pretty smooth. Even if its not your scene, it is a hoot to watch. The karting track there is legit and they have a arrive and drive series for their rotax karts. I miss New Orleans. I love being home in Atlanta, but the people are interesting, food is amazing and there is always something fun happening.
And, FWIW, they've had a bunch of BIG karting events there. The Rotax World Finals was held in NOLA a few years ago, which was the first time it was in the United States (or the first time in a long time). They just had a national race there back in February.
-Rob
The Karts are huge there. And rightfully so, that track is awesome.
The delta region of the SCCA and Nola region of NASA are both very active.
It looks like a trip from Covington to NOLA Motorsports Park is roughly an hour, which seems doable on a monthly basis or so.
In reply to scardeal:
provided the Causeway is moving. You time that wrong and it goes to an hour just to get across it.
Having lived there for a year after I got out of the Navy in '91, I decided I'd much rather visit than live there. (Speaking of, last time was early Oct '01 with 9/11 still fresh and seeing armed soliders in the airport kinda freaked me out.)
I'm due for another visit. And gumbo. And coffee & beniegts(?). And more food... (not really a drinker.)
My wife made me red beans and rice last night and found some New Orleans Ice Cream company Creole Cream Cheese Ice Cream last night.
I was happy.
So, are there any mod-friendly/race shops I should know about? I can do some stuff, but unlike most of the forum here, I can't make a race car out of a few paper clips and a lump of iron ore.
In reply to scardeal:
If you do the Facebooking thing, I recommend looking for the local regions for SCCA and NASA mentioned above. See what they have to offer.
CENLA region runs autocross out of Gonzales right now. They've run out of Hammond Airport, which is a 30 minute run down the street from where you're talking about. From my understanding, Hammond Airport isn't lost to them, just indefinitely unavailable.
Abita is nice, Gnarly Barley is made nearby and the Korova Milk Porter is one of my favorites:
The Tammany Trace bike path makes for a pleasant ride - it runs from Slidell, through Lacombe, Fontainebleau State Park, Old Mandeville, then turns north to go right past the Abita brewpub, behind the Abita brewery facility, and then past the Covington Brewery.
Most of your unicorn shopping will take you to Houston. Local car prices seem a little high compared.
The Baton Rouge Cars and Coffee Facebook group is a great resource for finding a shop for whatever you're looking for. Vinnie's Exotics and Toussaint Customs tend to come up a lot there.
My inlaws are down there. I recommend avoiding them if at all possible. 
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