With the Speedhunters team out in full force at the Spa 24H and Linhnbergh shooting rally antics at the XGames, I decided that my Speedhunting weekend should take on more of a grassroots direction. On Saturday morning I packed up the camera, a few cold drinks and made my way to Buttonwillow Raceway.
Speed Ventures was hosting an open track day, and I knew that we were long overdue for some of this coverage here. Not a sanctioned race or time attack event, but a typical weekend track meeting.
After all, it's these grassroots gatherings that really expose the automotive culture of a given area. This is people out enjoying their cars at the most basic level.
Despite typical summer weather in California's Central Valley, with afternoon highs passing 100 degrees farenheit, there were still plenty of drivers who came out for a weekend of action of the famous Buttonwillow 13 configuration.
The funnest thing about attending a track day has to be looking over the machinery. There was a huge variety of cars in the paddock, from track day favorites like the BMW M3…
…to this radical looking (and sounding) pro-touring style '69 Camaro.
Could you have a track day without the Mazda Miata? Absolutely not.
The same goes for any of the recent offerings from Lotus. Track days are part of their DNA.
Other entries weren't quite so typical, this Volvo for example.
A GC8 Impreza bakes in the sun following its track session. Even with the uncomfortable weather, it didn't seem like many cars were having problems with the heat.
Here in California, Porsches will never overcome that midlife crisis stigma. Hey, If this is part of getting older, I'm not complaining at all.
After tinkering around with my own S30 project for a little bit, I was happy to see this L-powered 240Z out there. Inspiration!
The S2000 is another one of those track day standbys. Here's one wearing one modeling a Mugen hardtop and set of Emotion CR Kais.
Yes I have a terrible case of automotive ADD. I might have an old Datsun that needs some loving attention, but that doesn't keep from me from thinking about how fun it would be to own an M3.
E36 or E46 – it's all good.
GT500 at speed across the featureless landscape of Buttonwillow.
A very clean example of the second generation Honda CRX suited up for track duty.
Is this the world's most aggressive looking Miata? Very likely.
Another one of the many tuned S2000s out at the track. No useless modifications here.
This AE86 seemed a little "loose" around certain corners. Sometimes you just can't help it I guess.
This all-business Porsche is a fine point to close out part one.
I'll be back very soon with more from the Buttonwillow wasteland.
-Mike Garrett
OFFICIAL SPEEDHUNTERS SUPPLIERS
It is so nice to look at theses pics and imagine all the possibilities for a track car... The Volvo says everything is possible!
I spot a hidden WRX SW in the pic with the 2 M3s!
WTF is up with the wing of that Miata, looks like serious overkill to me :/ That 240Z look svery nice and clean.
You should've come out to the NASA event at Cal Speedway this weekend. Hot, then rain, then hot! There's nothing like taking the banking at 120mph in the rain!
"The funnest thing about attending a track day has to be looking over the machinery."
.
False. The most fun thing about a track day is driving your car on track. Then riding in someone else's car. Then hanging out with the homies and maybe then, looking at the cars
Hellafunctional, not hellaflush.
@ Carnage
When your miata weighs less than 2000 lbs and has 400+ hp, I think he has a right to do as much as possible to keep the car planted. I also have a feeling he doesn't care about whether you think the wing is overkill or not considering that he regularly competes in Super Miata, NASA, and Time Attack events.
I need to go to one of those track days at Buttonwillow. Only problem is that it's 2 hours away from LA so I'd have to wake up pretty early.
Trackdayhookey's miata with the wing, last i heard was around 400hp. Endplates seem about right to me.
Any more pictures of the period correct late 70s early 80s brown Porsche 911 SC on clean Fuchs-alloy from the first picture (number 5 on the back)? I really love that car. Wish I could afford to own one.
Too bad the USDM got the short end of the stick when it came to the E36 M3. It was basically a spiced up 328i. Didn't even have the S50 motor. Had different brakes, suspension, transmission, diff. Heck, even the chassis was different!
Lovely FD3S. Nice and simple.
Nice S30 as well...
That Miata's spoiler is CRAZY! Anyway, if ever you do decide on getting an M3 once the project is over, definitely an E46, Mike.
The lurking brown IB is the coolest by a long shot
We were baking that day.... Great time though! See you guys at Autoclub Speedway?
Do you have any more shots of the Volvo?
Volvo 242 Turbo is a BEAST
boo i didnt make it on:[
god i need to get back on the track soon! my first time in my slow-as-hell NA fc. and was more fun than i could have imagined. I cant wait to get the fd out, its been 3 years.. thanks for the post, it was some good inspiration. especially with the opening shot!