OctoberFast
OktoberFAST - Road America Drivers' School
By Mike Clemens
Aug 1, 2008

On behalf of the Badger Bimmer Chapter of the BMW CCA, we invite you to register for OktoberFAST, this year in September on the weekend of the 5th through the 7th, at historic Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.  Road America has fourteen turns, three long straights, and four total miles of winding track cut through the Kettle Moraine area of southern Wisconsin in Elkhart Lake. Not only is it one of the longest road courses in North America, but it is also one of the most exciting and picturesque racetracks in the world.

Registration for this event is open to all sports car drivers including new
drivers’ education participants. As in the past, registration is open only
to BMW CCA members. In order to maintain our status as a not-for profit
organization, we require BMW CCA membership of all participants at our events.  BMW CCA members who are not Badger Bimmer Chapter members can call the national office at 800-878-9292 and sign up for dual chapter membership in the Badger Bimmers Chapter.

Non-BMW CCA members need to call the national office at 800-878-9292 to sign up. Be sure to specify Badger Bimmers Chapter. The annual membership fee is currently $40.00. Your membership card will be mailed to you within three to four weeks with your membership number. Your membership card along with a valid driver’s license need to be presented at registration so make sure you join early enough to have your card before coming to the track. On-line registration is required for this event, as on-site registrations will not be accepted.

For drivers who have never been on a road course before, our high level of instruction will allow you to better learn the capabilities of your sports car within a controlled environment. Novice drivers who wish to participate in this event should return the completed registration form with payment as soon as possible as space is limited to 25 novices and this event is traditionally a sell out!  Cancellations within 30 days of the event date are subject to a $25 cancellation fee.  No refunds for cancellations within 10 days of the event.

Convertibles, including those with hardtops, may not be used in the
intermediate or novice groups at Badger Bimmer track events.  A full SCCA approved roll cage is required for an open top car to be used in the instructor or advanced group.  Check with Mike Clemens if you are not sure your car qualifies for the event.

Event Costs:

$250 Friday (Advanced students and instructors only)
$200 Friday Clinic for new instructors (Limited to 10 participants)
$400 Saturday and Sunday (Students)
$200 Saturday and Sunday (Instructors)
$30 Saturday dinner at Bruce's (per person)
$20 Extra event shirts (each)

Novice drivers will begin their weekend by attending classroom, followed by controlled car handling exercises.  All drivers' education participants will also be assigned an Instructor who will work with you throughout the weekend to help improve your driving skills. Your assigned instructor will contact you prior to the event to discuss any questions you may have, give you tips on preparing for the weekend and to get some idea of your goals. Therefore, it is imperative you sign up early so assignments can take place before the event and your instructor will have time to contact you.  Classroom is mandatory for all participants.  If you choose not to attend you will not be allowed on the track.

The format for Saturday and Sunday will include four run groups as follows:

Group 1 Instructors - usually, but not always, the fastest cars
Group 2 Advanced - most experienced drivers
Group 3 Intermediate – more than 6 schools or advanced slower car
Group 4 Novice - New participants and others fairly new to Road America

Each group will have 4 sessions on track on Saturday and Sunday.

Friday is reserved for advanced students and instructors.  There will be a
mandatory meeting for all drivers at 8am at the start/finish line.  The first
on track session will be at 8:30am.  There will be thirteen 25 to 40 minute session during Friday.

On Friday there will also be a clinic for new instructor candidates.  The clinic is limited to 10 participants.  Prior approval is required for the clinic.   If you are interested in attending send an email to Mike Clemens.

Before you arrive at the track, it is your responsibility to thoroughly check your car and complete a tech sheet. Although you may perform this tech
inspection yourself, we strongly recommend you consider using a mechanic familiar with what it takes to properly prepare a sports car for use on the track. In either case, please pay close attention to the specifics detailed on the tech sheet, especially concerning brake fluid and brake pads.

For Group 2, a five or six point harness with stock or race seat is recommended for the driver and instructor riding with you.  The same type of harness and seat must be installed on both the driver and passenger sides. This is a requirement for all student groups.

Mandatory clothing for this event includes:

SNELL approved M or SA 2000 or newer helmet
Long sleeve cotton shirt
Long pants and socks - made of non-synthetic material
Closed toe shoes

As a reminder, please check the date on your helmet now as it will be checked at tech inspection. Remember that if you do not pass tech inspection, you will not be permitted to drive!  For more information on safety equipment for the driver and vehicle please reference the 2008 tech inspection form.

The event registrar will assign car numbers prior to the event and all cars must display those numbers on each side of the car. Numbers will be provided in your packets at the track and must be put on your car before coming to false grid for the first time. If the corner workers cannot read your car’s numbers at speed, you will be black-flagged and not be permitted out again until your car numbers are acceptable.

Approximately two weeks before the event, participants will receive a
confirmation packet via email that will include a copy of the rules of
Road America. Please take the time to review them in detail before you
arrive at the track. As these rules are set by Road America it is important
that you and all of your guests are in full compliance.

There will also be track side mandatory driver’s meetings on both Saturday and Sunday mornings for all drivers.

Regarding safety, we ask all participants to provide some personal medical information as part of the registration form. The Badger Bimmers believe in taking a proactive approach to your personal well-being and this information will be made available only to the track physicians in the remote possibility it is needed. All medical information will be destroyed following the event.

Space for this event is limited and we recommend that you register early.
Notification will be made by e-mail of acceptance by the registrar so it is
important you provide a correct email address on your registration form.
Other information pertinent to the event will also be disseminated via email.  

If you are planning to attend this event, this would also be a good time to make your room reservations as many of the hotels in and around Elkhart Lake will fill up.  A listing of places to stay can be found on the website or the Road America website.  Please note that we do not have a block of rooms reserved at the Osthoff Resort but have reserved a block at the Siebken's and Victorian Village in Elkhart Lake and at Baymont in Plymouth. Mention the Badger BMW Club if you call them.

Siebkens                         
$118  
284 South Lake Street    
Elkhart Lake                    
(920) 876-2600
Reserve by 8/4              
                                                                                                              
Baymont                
$94                       
678 Walton Drive  
Plymouth               
(920) 893-6781     
Reserve by 8/4  
                                                                      
Victorian Village
$125
Victorian Village Drive
Elkhart Lake
(920) 876-3323 or (877) 860-9988
Reserve by 8/20

For those driving on Friday, September 7th, registration will begin at
6:30am in the Registration Building at Road America.  On Friday from 6:30 pm until 8:30 pm, registration will be held at Siebken's lower bar.  Registration for all other drivers will be at the Registration Building from 6:30 am on Saturday, September 8th.  Please try to register Friday night at Siebken's. Be sure to bring your helmet to Siebkens so that it can be checked for the correct Snell specification (2000 or later).  

All drivers must present a valid driver’s license and a current BMW CCA
membership card at registration. We will also be scrutinizing your helmet. No cars will be allowed on the track without the run group sticker that can be found in your registration packet!  It is to be placed in the driver’s side upper corner of the windshield.  Car numbers will be provided and need to be on your car before you go on track, no exceptions.

Electrical hook-ups will be available for $20. These fees are payable directly to Road America. Road America has instituted 2 new procedures this year.  One covers storage of vehicles and the other covers registration and usage of "pit"vehicles.  If you plan to store a vehicle at Road America outside of the school dates (9/5 to 9/7) or have a "pit" vehicle send an email to Mike Clemens so that the appropriate materials may be forwarded to you.

Please note that the track gates will close promptly at 7:00 PM on Sunday, September 7th, and everyone must vacate the property prior to that time. All property is to be taken with you when you leave. Anything left behind will be subject to a disposal fee.

The registration fee includes an event shirt. Please indicate your shirt size on the registration form. Extra shirts, at $20 each, may be pre-purchased if payment and size are indicated on the registration form. A very limited supply of shirts will be available for purchase during the event.

If you have questions regarding this event, email Mike Clemens.

Instructors must contact Mike Clemens about your participation in this event and to get the code required for registration.  If you received the instructor code in an email then its not necessary to contact Mike.

If you are hesitant to put your car on the track but are curious about the
event, join us at the track. A great way to learn about any Badger Bimmer event is to volunteer to help out. We are always in need of volunteers. At track events, helping out in registration, at exercises, or on the grid is a great way to make new friends and see lots of great cars. Email Mike Clemens if you are interested in volunteering your time at this event.  WE ALWAYS NEED HELP!

Links

Road America's track map.

OktoberFAST online registration.  Registration for the event is being handled through motorsportreg.com.  Download this PDF for more information on the registration process.  If you don't want to register online a paper registration form is available.  Send an email to Mike Clemens to request the paper registration form.



© Copyright 2006 by Badger Bimmers