November – 2020

Hi NCRCers,

Whatever you’re thankful for this month, we hope you’re able to spend time with friends and family, whether that’s in person with your social bubble or virtually with a broader group. It’s been a challenging year, but we’re glad that we’ve been able to spend some fantastic days at the track with our enthusiast family.

Speaking of which, NCRC’s only dates at Buttonwillow this year was a full weekend that closed out October and happened to also fall on Halloween. Not much trick-or-treating happening at Buttonwillow – or anywhere else really – but attendees were certainly not scared off by the eight (8!!) sessions per day they were able to enjoy on the track. It was an amazing weekend and we were reminded that while Buttonwillow can seem somewhat out of the way, it’s convenient for both Northern and Southern Californians, and it remains one of our favorite tracks in a state with many great ones from which to choose. Let us know if you’d like to see more NCRC dates at Buttonwillow in 2021!

Up next on our calendar we’ve got a Thunderhill West 2-Mile weekend coming up on November 14-15. Surprisingly, there are still a lot of Thunderhill regulars who haven’t driven the 2-Mile on its own. If you’re one of these, you’ve been missing out and we encourage you to come out. It’s a fun, tight, and more technical track that’s challenging to get right, but leaves a smile on your face when you do. And it’s an NCRC weekend, with all the paddock fun on Saturday night that it entails.

After that, we’ve got the Thunderhill 3-Mile on Monday, November 30, and our second to last date of 2020. What better way to finish digesting your Thanksgiving dinner and extend out the long weekend than a day at the track?

Lastly, please review this reminder that Snell SA2020 helmets are starting to be released and next year helmets older than 2010 will not be accepted. Updating your helmet semi-regularly is important, as the padding gets compressed by use and it becomes less effective in the event that it’s needed. Please check your helmet’s rating and pick one up if needed. Maybe even treat yourself for the holidays!

As always, thanks for your continued support of NCRC and our track partners. We’ll see you at your next track day (from a minimum six-foot distance)!

Paddock Profiles are brief profiles of NCRC drivers and their vehicles. At events we will be going around and asking if people are interested in being profiled, and if you are, you may find yourself here!

Although the recent Unlimited Sound Weekend had a choice of exotic (and did we mention loud?) machinery, one car stood out as a great mashup of vintage and modern go-fast, and you know that means it will get a spot here. Greg Esakoff’s early-gen De Tomaso Pantera took advantage of the iconic 70’s wedge design that still holds your eye today and cranked that up to 11, or maybe even 12, with the addition of modern aero, including a deeper front lip and splitter combo and a big rear wing. And sitting on top of the passenger compartment is a air scoop that Greg fabricated to feed the individual throttle bodies of the mighty 6.7-liter dry-sump Ford motor that you’d normally find in a Sprint car.

Greg has owned this Pantera for 25 years and he’s been tracking it for 20. In that amount of time, he’s built a formidable track beast, and he trailered it all the way from the car’s home-base in Utah to uncork it at Laguna. Greg is considering selling the Pantera, so it could be the best way to enjoy a fast ride from an iconic car that’s stayed true to its roots.

NCRC’s Social Distancing Policy

The Mentor Program is suspended until the end of the year.
The meetings that will still need to be held in person will be outside as much as possible. Any meeting held indoors, including driving school, will have strict physical social distancing.
Masks are required until further notice. You will not need to wear a mask while driving. If you do not have a mask or face covering you will be required to leave and no refund will be given.
If you are sick, stay home. If you are sick on site, you will be asked to leave and no-refund will be given.
If you are considered at high risk for coronavirus, due to underlying conditions or for any other reason, we strongly recommend staying away from events for the time being.
While overall our sport is solitary in nature, please understand that we cannot guarantee no exposure and we encourage you to practice heightened social distancing and to be mindful of vulnerable individuals after you leave an event.