Fri, Aug 21, 2026

Friday at Blackhawk Farms Raceway

About this event

A mid-summer day at another nearby racetrack. What a fun way to spend your Friday away from work. You'll get four 25-minute on track sessions to acquire, practice and enhance your high-speed car control skills. In-car instruction and classroom-style workshops will be provided for drivers who are new to the sport. Our event staff and instructors have over 40 years of experience providing fun and safe events. Learn from the pros. Enjoy relaxing and socializing with your fellow participants in between driving sessions. You'll drive your own car. Bring your European, Asian, American, etc. sports car / sports sedan. Experience safely driving your vehicle under conditions of higher speed, with higher lateral g-forces and heavier braking loads than you encounter on the highway. Learn how well your car can perform and how to control it under these more demanding conditions. This exciting event is hosted by the folks of the Windy City BMW chapter of the BMW CCA. We look forward to driving with you at Blackhawk on August 21st.

You do not need a BMW to attend.

If you don’t want to drive there on Friday morning, make your Thursday night reservation soon. Blackhawk has a discount deal with the South Beloit, IL, Best Western hotel. Call the hotel directly at 815-269-4330 to get their discount.

Highlights -

All day in your car on a racetrack with ALL run groups having four 25-minute scheduled on-track sessions
Each driver will slot into one of three skill level groups - novice, intermediate, or experienced/solo
Each group has controlled passing rules since the HPDE is not a race but a totally fun teaching/learning experience
Individual instructors will be assigned to novice drivers to help them to acclimate to the event and learn the basics
Individual instructors will initially be assigned to intermediate drivers to help them bring up their skill levels

Click here to watch a video of Blackhawk Farms Raceway

Pricing for the Event

Instructors - $149.00 Instructors will have an assignment in only one driver group
Drivers -

$249.00 when you register on or before July 18, 2026

$299 starting on July 19, 2026

$349.00 after August 8, 2026

Click here for the Event Schedule: Friday Track Schedule

The $60.00 fee to become a CCA member is "non-refundable" regardless of the date of any cancellation

Event requirements

Required items to bring with you when signing in at registration

Completed Tech Inspection form.
Helmet to be checked.
Must be 18 years of age at the time of the event.

Dress Code for Drivers and Instructors

You need to wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt while on the track at Blackhawk

Vehicle Technical Inspection

PLEASE DOWNLOAD THE TECH SHEET AND HAVE IT FILLED OUT AND SIGNED PRIOR TO THE EVENT--THERE IS NO TECH PERFORMED AT THE EVENT--NO SIGNED TECH SHEET MEANS YOU GO HOME--(NO REFUND)

BMW CCA HPDE regulations no longer allow chapters to sponsor pre-technical inspections for track events. The tech sheet is required to be signed by the inspector and the participant and handed in at registration. You can take your car to be inspected at your dealership or your favorite independent shop.

Complete the inspection no earlier than 4 weeks prior to the event. Remember cancellation deadlines apply.

Click here: TECH INSPECTION SHEET 2026

Track Damages
You will be held personally responsible for damages to the track that may occur. For example, if you spill oil on the track or damage a tire wall or concrete barrier, Blackhawk Farms Raceway will bill Windy City BMW CCA for these damages. We will, in turn, have you reimburse us for this cost. This applies to any charges incurred for the use of tow trucks or ambulance above what we have agreed to in our contract with Blackhawk Farms Raceway for the event.

Helmets

Snell-Rated Helmets. Snell helmets must be rated to the current or prior Snell standard. Snell SA2015, SA2020, M2015, and M2020 are allowed as of the date of this event.

If buying a new helmet, note the coming end of the use of “M” rated helmets so only purchase a Snell SA2025 helmet. Helmets must be rated to the following Snell or FIA standards. With the current standard as Snell 2020, helmets meeting the Snell 2015 standard are allowed through the grace period (the eleventh year) until the end of calendar year 2026. SPECIAL NOTE: Snell Motorcycle (M) Helmets. Upon the release of the Snell 2025 standard, “M”-rated (motorcycle) helmets will no longer be allowed. M2020 helmets will only be grandfathered until 12/31/2026. FIA-Rated Helmets. FIA standards are generally updated every 8 to 10 years. · FIA 8860-2010 helmets are accepted until 12/31/2028 · FIA 8860-2018 and 8860-2018APB helmets currently do not have an expiration date. · FIA 8859-2015 helmets currently do not have an expiration date.

Cabriolets (convertibles)

Per BMW CCA track event rules convertibles must either be equipped with an SCCA approved roll cage and attached hard top, or come from the factory with a retractable hard top--which must be up during the event. For example the 2009-2016 E89 Z4 and the 2007-2013 E93 3 Series
Please email HPDE@windycitybmw.com for prior approval or questions.

Race Prepped Cars

Working mufflers are required.

Hotel

The Best Western Hotel at 5910 Technology Dr. in South Beloit, IL, offers a reduced rate for those attending an event at Blackhawk. Contact them directly by phone (815-389-4211). Do NOT use the BW 800 number or any booking site like Expedia, etc.

Recommended Items to bring with you to the track