I went to canyon lake with this guy that owns a 330i, that drive is awesome! I was wondering if any of you guys have done it? I never knew it was going to be this much fun, i am planning on going to canyon lake again sometime real soon, seeing if any of you guys are planning on going sometime soon and i'd like to join. or if there are other places you guys like that have lots of curvey roads.

 

For the twenty bucks in gas it takes to get there and back you could do an auto-x and you won't end up at the bottom of a 200ft cliff when you mess up. I know you've had your car longer than I have and you haven't taken any corners yet? You should see that as a problem. Yes canyon lake is fun but you can't safely come near the limits of our cars out there with the blind corners and hauling rigs cutting the corners with a 35ft boat behind them. You don't have enough fingers and toes to count the number of accidents I've heard of out there on bikes and I'd have to imagine quite a few cars go off too.

 

well i never thought doing drives like this would be this fun.. ive tested my car on empty parking lots and had fun with it, but i think canyon lake is really fun.. of course its dangerous i know about the risks, but i think it's pretty challenging so i was seeing if anyone else wanted to join next time i go..

 

Have you tried going up South Mountain? If you take Central Ave all the way south it will take you into South Mountain Park. It is not as long as Canyon but it has some really fun sections, there are a couple blind corners but traffic is pretty low so you only have to worry about yourself. The tarmac isn't the greatest (a little rough) but it is still fun.

BTW, Re-reading my other post I was being a little rough. It's just it seemed like everytime a group of us went on a run out there on our bikes somebody would crash and ruin it. I have been out there a number times and I don't advise against it because I love it out there. You have to be careful though and I didn't want you to think it's a good place to learn how to push your car through corners.

 

Canyon Lake is fun, but the danger factor is rather high as there is no room for error. I've put my S through a couple of spirited rides through the twisties on the Canyon drive. What I like about the drive is the scarcity of "the man", especially past Tortilla flats, but what I don't like is the idea that crossing the limit might get me and my car killed. Just a couple of months ago, a motorcyclist was killed when he went over.
South Mountain is a great date cruise with the spousal unit or girfriend, but is not any place to consider trying out driving techniques. The entire mountain run is a park and is heavily used by hikers, bikers, and other cruisers.
If you have a need for speed and would really like to see what you and your S can do, consider joining a driving club like NASA and sign up for a High Performance Driving Event. If it is your first time, you can even attend a "ground school" before going out on the track with your instructor. Eventually, you can get out with the others and have a ball!

Have fun, but most of all be safe.

CB

 

Another good run is the Prescott to Jerome run, lots of great turns there.

 

AZ Stookies...
Here's a fun driving event. November 6 - 7th at Firebird.
There are only two S2Ks out there now, me and BRNRBR.
Come on out. I'll bring a mini-grill.

I know you'll love it!

CB

http://azsportsracing.org/?dest=nextevt

 

cbracer: I would like to take the novice driving school, just to learn how to better safely drive the S in a spirited manner, not to race. From looking at ASRA schedule it looks as tho the novice school in just on Sat ? Do we drive our own car? Is this the school you took? Thanks for your info. Marvin

 

HPDE (High Performance Driving Event) has four levels. If this is your first time, you would be in the HPDE1 group. You can elect to go from the ground up with a "physics" class and classroom on Saturday. You do get to go out with an instructor while you drive your car. Now, even on Sunday, you can have an instructor sit with you. HPDE 1 - 4 rules start with NO passing in corners and is very organized. There is no swapping paint in the street car class - esp with the HPDE1 group.
The HPDEs aren't really races. They allow you to get out with other street peeps and drive your car to the best of your abilities.
I was a bit concerned the first time too. I certainly didn't want to put my new S into a race where it is no holds barred. HPDE1 is very regulated and I do believe that you will enjoy the instruction and opportunity to chase your instructor around the track.
For more info, contact the local rep. I can't remember his name off the top of my head, but he was very helpful answering my questions before I went out a couple of months ago. I had a ball and I hope you and other S's come out.
I'm planning on bringing out the grill this time. It is an all day event.

CB

 

BTW,
Look at http://www.nasaproracing.com/
NASA and ASRA are combining functions. I joined NASA.
Here's the local contact:

Joseph Vaccaro
Vaccaro Motorsports
National Auto Sport Association
28019 North 115th Place
Scottsdale, Arizona 85262
480-216-1609 Phone

CB
(I am not a racer... I just came up with the username when my first choice was already taken. My S is my daily driver, and I absolutely enjoy my car!)