About this event
Thunderhill Driving School
Date: December 7 and 8, 2024
Course: Thunderhill East at Thunderhill Raceway Park
Early Bird Discount Available!
Join the BMW CCA Golden Gate Chapter on December 7 & 8 on the 3-mile east course of Thunderhill Raceway Park in Willows, CA. With the early bird discount, the entry fee is $650—yet with all the GGC features you have come to expect. Our High Performance Driving School (HPDS) and Advanced Data Coaching (ADC) programs receive rave reviews from driving enthusiasts every year. Thunderhill East is a beautiful and challenging 15-turn race track, making it a great place to learn the art of high-performance driving from our dedicated team of instructors. You’ll go home with skills you can use on the roads every day as well as some great memories of laps at this twisty racetrack.
Our focus is on safety and learning. Every student is assigned an in-car instructor or a data coach for the duration of the event. The price for this two-day event is $700 for BMW CCA members, with early-bird pricing ($650) for those who register by July 7. For our intermediate and advanced-level students, we also offer single-day registration (Saturday or Sunday) for $400, or $375 for early birds.
Beyond in-car instruction, GGC can provide individualized coaching based on data acquisition. Data from your track session is captured, analyzed, and then turned into feedback and goals for the next session. The Advanced Data Coaching (ADC) option is available to intermediate and above drivers, subject to availability.
Our solo program, Group S, is available for a select group of enthusiasts who want to take the HPDS experience to the next level. In addition to classroom sessions, Group S devotes a few laps to on-track exercises to build skills beyond lapping—using the whole track, sharing the space, being fluid in traffic. Be sure to note your experience and qualifications for entry into Group S. ADC is available to all Group S drivers at no extra cost. Just opt in during registration.
|
D Group |
C Group |
A&B Groups |
Group S |
|
Beginner/novice |
Intermediate |
High Intermediate |
Elite driving skills |
|
In-car instruction |
-In-car instruction |
-In-car instruction |
-Solo |
Important COVID-19 information:
We encourage all persons attending this event, participants, guests and staff alike, to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including the bivalent booster. Vaccination is encouraged, but not mandatory. With the exception of Group S, all students should expect to have an instructor in-car at this event. Masks are encouraged indoors, including in cars with passengers.
COVID-19 policy is based on currently available information and the policy may change at the time of the event based on prevailing public health recommendations.
Important information about the waiting list:
- If the registration form indicates that the event is sold out when you attempt to register, please sign up anyway: you will be waitlisted automatically, but we expect to accept a large number of students from the waiting list. We start with a conservative student count, and pull students from the waiting list as more instructors sign up for the event.
Event requirements
You must be a licensed driver, 17 years of age or older, and you must be a BMW CCA member to be eligible for enrollment. Non-member registration includes a one-year BMW CCA membership. Please be sure to include or update your experience and your emergency contact info in your MotorsportReg profile when you register.
Car Control Clinic: Attendance at a GGC Car Control Clinic is strongly recommended. Working with a coach at a GGC autocross is another recommended form of preparation.
Waivers: We are using an online waiver system—SpeedWaiver. You must provide a mobile phone number in order to receive SMS text messages from SpeedWaiver that provide a link to the waiver to be signed electronically. If you are under 18 years of age, you must fill out and sign a separate minor waiver and a parent/guardian must sign a parental consent form at check-in. If a parent or guardian cannot be present at check-in, the consent form may be signed ahead of time, but the signature must be witnessed by another adult. You can find the minor waiver in the event documents folder; it must be printed in color.
Helmets: Snell certified (M, SA or EA) helmets are required for all track events. We no longer accept Snell 2010-rated helmets; they must be 2015 or later. Please bring your helmet with you for inspection when you check in at the event.
Sharing a car: If you would like to share a car with another student, please contact the Registrar by clicking the “Send a message” to the registrar link at right before registering.
Tech Inspection: All cars that go on track must pass a tech inspection before the event. The inspector must complete and sign the Tech Inspection Form, which will be collected at event check-in. The inspection must be performed no more than 30 days prior to the event.
- The sound limit for this event is 103 dB. Mufflers are required.
- Most convertible and T-top cars are not allowed. If you wish to bring a convertible or T-top, contact GGC to learn about the restrictions and the requirements. trackschools@ggcbmwcca.org
- If you have four (or more) point harnesses, please contact the organizers for special requirements. trackschools@ggcbmwcca.org
Additional important information, a FAQ, a program overview, and the required GGC BMW CCA tech form are available in the event document folder.
