BMW Ottawa/Patroon Calabogie July 17/18/19

[carboy88]

This past weekend I was up at Calabogie for the driving school run by the BMWCC Ottawa chapter. I've been looking forward to this for a long time, and told myself that if I only did one event this year, this track would be the one. My first time there, and it didn't disappoint! Such a beautiful track, right in the middle of gorgeous cottage country.

The initial forecast was rain all weekend, but it turned out to be OK. It came down pretty good during one session, so everyone got a chance to learn how to be very smooth in the wet. The track dries quickly and the tarmac is perfect... no concrete patching or anything.

And what a track it is! So many turns (20+) and blind apexes, elevation changes. It took me 3 sessions and a lot of mental imaging just to get comfortable with "what's next" before really focusing on a good line. Can't put it into words, you have to experience it (the guys who've been there know what I mean). Not as fast or intimidating as Mosport, but longer and more technical.

As usual with the BMW club schools, the organization was top-notch and everyone was very well behaved. There were a few offs but no damage done, and it's a relatively safe track. The facilities are excellent (the best I've been to so far).

Couple of amateur pics:

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu351/carboy88_pics/2009%20Track%20Days/IMG_7846.jpg
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu351/carboy88_pics/2009%20Track%20Days/IMG_7821.jpg
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu351/carboy88_pics/2009%20Track%20Days/IMG_7847.jpg
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu351/carboy88_pics/2009%20Track%20Days/IMG_7830.jpg
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu351/carboy88_pics/2009%20Track%20Days/IMG_7820.jpg
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu351/carboy88_pics/2009%20Track%20Days/IMG_7828.jpg

[carboy88]

Some track pics... final corner complex into the pit and front straight.

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu351/carboy88_pics/2009%20Track%20Days/IMG_7840.jpg
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu351/carboy88_pics/2009%20Track%20Days/IMG_7839.jpg
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu351/carboy88_pics/2009%20Track%20Days/IMG_7834.jpg
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu351/carboy88_pics/2009%20Track%20Days/IMG00334.jpg
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu351/carboy88_pics/2009%20Track%20Days/IMG00332.jpg
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu351/carboy88_pics/2009%20Track%20Days/IMG00331.jpg

[carboy88]

And some of the cars there...

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu351/carboy88_pics/2009%20Track%20Days/IMG_7827.jpg
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu351/carboy88_pics/2009%20Track%20Days/IMG_7842.jpg
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu351/carboy88_pics/2009%20Track%20Days/IMG_7832.jpg
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu351/carboy88_pics/2009%20Track%20Days/IMG_7831.jpg
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu351/carboy88_pics/2009%20Track%20Days/IMG_7825.jpg
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu351/carboy88_pics/2009%20Track%20Days/IMG_7824.jpg
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu351/carboy88_pics/2009%20Track%20Days/IMG_7822.jpg
http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu351/carboy88_pics/2009%20Track%20Days/IMG_7819.jpg

[fayraree]

hot pics, thx for sharing!!! hate the front of the new z4 :sick:

[carboy88]

hot pics, thx for sharing!!! hate the front of the new z4 :sick:

I kinda like it now, it's growing on me, especially in the AW. I like the proportions and the stance... and no slouch, either.

[Qreus George]

nice Peter..I so wanted to attend this event.

car's looking good as always

[webbie]

Wish I could sneak out and join you. Great pics.

Where did you stay? And how was it?

[carboy88]

Wish I could sneak out and join you. Great pics.

Where did you stay? And how was it?

Peter, I stayed at a small B&B right inside Calabogie village, only 10 mins drive from the track. Accommodations were excellent, and very good price. The owner was a track marshall and two other guests were instructors at the event, doesn't get any better than that! :thumbsup:

[STALKER]

Great pics.
How long was the drive to the track?

[PCV]

Glad you had a great time. Too bad Calabogie is so far from T.O......getting away for a couple of days in a row is pushing what the wife would allow for essentially driving aimlessly in a circle going nowhere and wasting gas and time (in her words).......

One of these days, I will drive on this track.......

[carboy88]

How long was the drive to the track?

It's a good 4-5 hours depending on traffic leaving Toronto. There is a section of road on CR511 between Perth and Calabogie that's just heaven. Single lane, smooth asphalt with some nice twisties, through some very thick forest. Reminded me of driving through New England country roads.



Glad you had a great time. Too bad Calabogie is so far from T.O......getting away for a couple of days in a row is pushing what the wife would allow for essentially driving aimlessly in a circle going nowhere and wasting gas and time (in her words).......

One of these days, I will drive on this track.......

There's a very nice resort on Calabogie lake... just put the family there and they can play on the water while you have some real fun on four wheels. Must do!

[STALKER]

It's a good 4-5 hours depending on traffic leaving Toronto. There is a section of road on CR511 between Perth and Calabogie that's just heaven. Single lane, smooth asphalt with some nice twisties, through some very thick forest. Reminded me of driving through New England country roads.




There's a very nice resort on Calabogie lake... just put the family there and they can play on the water while you have some real fun on four wheels. Must do!

I didn't think it was so far, but Im sure it is well worth it.

[webbie]

Peter probably got there in 3hrs, but he just don't want to admit it on a public forum. secrets

Joke aside, this is what one of the track owners said about Calabogie.



The difference between Calabogie and Mosport is that Calabogie takes a day to learn, but you stop scaring yourself
after 20 laps. Mosport takes 20 minutes to learn and then you start scaring yourself more and more and more as you get better at it - you
will love that place, it has some of the fastest corners you'll ever do.

[GeoS]

Awsome Peter. Looks like a great time.

It is a great track. Like a cross between Mosport (elevation changes) and Shannonville (technical sections). It has been a while since I was there. My wife came up with me and hung around the hotel / village while I was at the track. Maybe we could have a trip with the significant others so everyone has company? :)

[glenspeed]

great pics and badass cars...is that a Noble?

yah, Calabogie is a first class track and now with the clubhouse and garages even more so. It's nice to see what a private track in Canada can be.

26 turns....I remember when George and I were at one of the first track days there...it takes a full day to figure out which turn is coming up next, let alone the proper line...great views, great scenery, great rolling sections, offcamber turns, blind apexes...this track is fantastic to drive on anyway you do it.

distance, yah distance wise it's actually not that far, but because you have to turn off the 401 to get to Calabogie, it's very slow going after that on 2 lane 80km/hr max road.

definately spend the weekend or overnight there. Calabogie Peaks resort is very nice and affordable in a Whistler CP hotel style and level, although I suspect rates may have gone up now from a few years ago...

[carboy88]

great pics and badass cars...is that a Noble?



Yes, an instructor's car. Some lucky student!

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu351/carboy88_pics/2009%20Track%20Days/IMG00330.jpg

[jaym3smg]

Mmmm, I wanna go! Next time for sure!

-J