Pineview Run recently released their non-member pricing. Let’s do the math on the various options.
Day Pass
Pineview charges $300 for their day pass, but is it worth it? I think so. I’ve driven or raced 26 tracks so far, and when the asphalt repaving is complete on the track extension, Pineview will rank in my top three favorite tracks. It’s a driver’s track, one that tests your skill rather than how much money you spent on your car. I understand that doesn’t appeal to the majority of people, but for those of us who are students of the game, this is the boss level.
If you’ve driven the track extension already, you know it was very bumpy, and there was a significant dip on the back straight. What happened was, Pineview got shafted by the people doing the asphalt. Core samples around the track showed the thickness was only half of what was contracted for in various locations. That’s being fixed now, and then a final sealer coat will be applied in the spring. And when that’s done, if you’re a driver looking for a driver’s track, a $300 day pass will seem fair.
Compared to other track day organizations, the day pass pricing is right in the middle. On the low end you have Mass Tuning, which goes to a lot of tracks for $249 (including Pineview on 7/27-28). And towards the upper end are clubs like SCDA, who charge $439 for every track they visit (including Pineview on 6/29). And so a day pass is right in the middle of what other organizations charge. (I should mention that when you drive with other groups, you won’t have to use a Raceceiver, and you also won’t need to pay for a checkout ride with an instructor to be in a point-by group.)
But if you’re a bargain hunter simply looking for better deals, there are tracks that have $200-250 days. Off the top of my head, there’s Canaan, Nelson, Waterford, and in Canada you have TMP, Great Bend, and I believe Shannonville has some cheaper days. But these are all several hours away and often mid week.
I haven’t seen Track Night in America’s pricing for 2024, but they should also get you on track for under $200. The main drawbacks being you only get three sessions, and the drivers are generally one step below (the Advanced drivers are actually Intermediates, the Intermediate drivers are simply Novices with faster cars). And there’s a lot of driving to get to each track, and driving home at night.
Season Track Pass
The Season Track Pass costs $2300 plus a $50 day use fee. So if you drive the track 12 days, it’s about $280 per visit. That’s a minor discount on the day pass, but if you’re a track rat and come 20 times, it works out to $165 per visit, and it’s difficult to beat that.
The Season Track Pass gets you in on Fridays and you can also attend the motorcycle events for free, and there’s discount pricing on the Challenge Cup. I don’t think many are going for this deal, but in the future people may look back on this and call it a bargain.
Weekender Track Pass
The best deal in motorsports is the Weekender. At $1200 plus a $50 use fee, you’ll beat the day pass pricing after five visits. If you come a dozen times, you’ve now cut the day use price in half, at just $150 per day. Or if you’re a masochist that can manage 24 track days, you’ll do that for just $100 per day.
The caveat is that you don’t get any other events, so if you want to race in the Challenge Cup, you’ll pay the full $2500. Or if you’re a motorcyclist, you’ll pay extra for Two Wheel Wednesdays and the Evolve GT events. You also won’t get any weekdays.
But for those wanting the most weekend track time for the least coin, is there a better deal in motorsports? No.
Once word gets out on how good the long track is, I think you’ll see Pineview transition to a Monticello model; if you’re not a member, you won’t get in. As a member already, it won’t affect me. But the 2024 Weekender pass might be the swan song for public access.
Before this offer expires, I’m looking squarely at my autocross friends who will gladly pay $60 for 6 runs and do work in between. You’ll get more track time in one day at Pineview than you’ll get in an entire season of autocross. If the competition aspect is the most important thing to you, we’ll start a Pineview leaderboard with SCCA classing. It’s this year or maybe never. Fuggin do it.
Occam's Racer 