Hello Fellow Sports Car Group Member,

I have made arrangements again this year for up to 12 Lincoln Hills Sports Car Group members to register with Hooked On Driving at Thunderhill Raceway during their regularly scheduled track event on September 24th, 2011. Last year, for the first time, I arranged a similar session with Hooked On Driving that was attended by 12 of our members. This year's event will be much the same as last year's, although lunch will be included this year -- it was not included last year. We'll also have a few other non-Lincoln Hills cars on the track with us this year.

Our Hooked On Driving session this year lasts one full day, costs $285, and includes classroom instruction, plenty of driving time on the closed track, personalized instruction from coaches who ride along with the students, and lunch. Helmets are required and can be rented at the track for $25. Motorcycle helmets are no longer acceptable -- must be SA2000 or 2005 approved for auto racing. If you have a qualifying helmet, bring it along and save the $25.

A BIT OF HISTORY: We have had a scheduled and organized LHSCG visit to Thunderhill Raceway during each of the last three years. During those visits, we ate lunch, had a chance to see some "track action", and most of us had "demo" rides in any number of fast cars. I think everyone in attendance at those visits had a really great time. The sponsoring organization, Hooked On Driving, leases the track and conducts training sessions for people like you and I, helping us to learn how to better drive our personal sports cars. These are the track sessions that we have observed when we have been at the track with our LH Sports Car Group. Participation in one of those full-day track sessions is what we have in store for you on September 24th.

Just so you know, most of our past demo rides and most of the action that we have observed during our visits at the track have involved higher skill and class levels than the "beginners" class that we will register for. Our session will be an "A"-class or beginners class session -- much more subdued and more like some of our faster backroad jaunts with our sports car group. And remember, our track session is not a race. The activities are very well organized and passing is only permitted in certain areas of the track. HOD has only had three minor accidents and no injuries in six years of running their track sessions.

TO REGISTER for our track day: Go to the HOD website and register on-line for the Beginner "A"-class session on September 24th.
Go to this web page: http://www.hookedondriving.com/category.cfm?category=1 , then scroll to our event date (9/24/2011-Saturday Only), click on the "Register" button and follow the instructions. If the class is not listed as "AVAILABLE" (our 12 reserved slots will still be available until we use them all), please register manually using this form on the HOD website: http://www.hookedondriving.com/downloads/Registration_form.pdf . In either case, BE SURE TO INCLUDE A NOTE that says "Lincoln Hills Sports Car Club". You can include this statement in the box for "additional comments" on the on-line registration page.

In addition to registering for the session, you'll need to complete a Technical Inspection Form and bring it with you to the track. I've attached a copy for your use to this email message and you'll find a link to the same form when you register on-line.

Here's a link to more info on the Hooked On Driving website for your additional research: http://www.hookedondriving.com/first-timers . You can read about how Hooked On Driving operates, hear customer testimonials, and view an informative video.

IF YOU ARE ATTENDING THE TRAINING SESSION, you will probably wish to stay in Willows the night before the event (the night of Friday, September 23rd) as track activities start bright and early in the morning. We will caravan up on Friday afternoon in time to have a leisurely dinner and get a good night's sleep. I have blocked off a group of rooms for us at the Travelodge in Willows (formerly the Best Western Golden Pheasant). When you call to make your reservation, tell them you are with the Lincoln Hills Sports Car Group -- our rate is $50 per room plus tax. The phone number is 530 934-4603.

HERE'S A SUMMARY OF WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
1) Register for the class on HOD's website.
2) Make your motel reservation.
3) Fill out your "Tech Inspection" form (closer to 9/24).
4) Keep me in the loop as you do items 1) thru 3).

This is a great opportunity to learn a lot about your car and how you drive it. I'll be attending, and have already registered, so we only need 11 more cars and drivers to fill up our allotment of 12 slots. Everyone had a blast last year and several have already indicated that they're signing up again this year.

Please give me a call if you have any questions at all or would like to discuss the session at further length.

Cordially,

Ernie Drake
See LHSCG Roster for contact information