Since we don't have an accredited S2000 club, I need to join one of the other local car clubs to have access to organization track days (e.g. Alfa Club, PCA, IRDC, etc.)

I think Porsche Club of America would be ideal, but since you need to own one (technically) I don't think I will join.

Membership dues are a wash, but the perks aren't. I'm sure someone has done some analysis on this so I thought I'd try to save some work and see if anyone has any recommendations one way or another.

 

In most cases, you don't need to join one of these clubs to participate in their track days. At least I didn't with the lone exception of the BMWCCA to run at Spokane Raceway.

The bigger problem with PCA and Alfa track days is the overwhelming demand. As you would expect, they tend to grant priority to marquee members or previous attendees.

IRDC in no way requires membership, but again they grant priority to license holders and Novice license candidates.

Your best plan of action is to sign up for a track day as soon as registration opens. This is usually months in advance of the event. The guys that wait until the last minute usually come up empty.

 

I used to be a member of the BMWCCA. You don't have to own a BMW, you get the monthly national magazine (eh), you get the monthly local newsletter (often more interesting than the national, as well as shorter), you get access to the PCA and Puget Sound BMWCCA events (but not the Audi club events, and BMWCCA has a no convertibles rule at their HPDEs). You also get access to the Spokane BMWCCA events at member prices (roadsters allowed), and the Portland car club events (some of which have roll bar requirements).

 

I'm leaning towards the BMWCCA...

The only advantage I can see is running at Spokane and PIR if I join them...as well as running with PCA track days (they require membership with one of the established car clubs).

Also, looks like I may have an issue running at Alfa days, now.

http://nwalfaclub.com/track/track_rules.php
"Honda S2000 Convertibles require an SCCA approved roll bar or the factory hardtop to be eligible to attend NWARC events. (We recommend the Elda Engineering Roll Bar)"

My Crushco bar technically won't qualify :-(

 

And in my opinion it shouldn't. If I was performing tech on the car, I would reject that roll bar in nothing flat. It's more of a hazard that a safety benefit.

 

[QUOTE=jerrypeterson,May 13 2009, 11:40 AM] And in my opinion it shouldn't.

 

You already under stand the bends compromise the design to a large degree. Have you taken a moment to review how the cage is anchored? Did you notice the massive set of disclaimers painted all over the Cusco literature stating it is not a safety device? They call their "rollbar" and "cages" a "lifestyle" product or some such rot. In a roll-over that bar is likely to intrude into the passenger cabin with a potentially fatal result.

I have and will continue to refuse to instruct students with a Cusco installed on their car. Sorry if that hurts your feelings. That thing is a significant safety risk. You might get lucky and find some instructors too lazy or uninformed with the equipment to work with you. Odds are you are going to get bumped out of the event at tech if this is your only roll protection. If you aren't prepared for that possiblity, then at least acknowledge you were warned.

 

[QUOTE=jerrypeterson,May 13 2009, 01:31 PM] You already under stand the bends compromise the design to a large degree.

 

The bolted joints are not so much of an issue as they are outside helmet range. I've seen them in person multiple times and it didn't change my opinion one iota. And you are right, these were usually on the poseur cars complete with four point belts. <shudder> It sounds like you get the point though, you may have difficulty getting through tech. If it is any consolation, I won't get in a car with the BitterBar either.

I recommend installing a hardtop. The Tech problem goes away and it will qualify you for a lot more clubs in the region.

 

I looked carefully at the Elda/Harddog design and wouldn't pull the trigger on that one either. That's why I ended up having Doug Chase weld one up for me. (You can see it in the Chase Race ads that have been running in the banners on this site for a few months now.)