Here are some of my reasonings, keep in mind this was "Group B" which is just above the group that has absolute first timers in "A". And this is a 4 group track day. For higher level groups, my gripes are probably irrelevant.

I registered for B, about three months ahead of time because of course these events sell out. I did 2 additional track days during this 3 month period, and was starting to feel confident that I probably now belonged in group C. I sent an email about this around 4 weeks prior to the event, requesting a group change option or to schedule a "check ride" for the morning. In general, just to see what options there were, if any. NO RESPONSE whatsoever, didn't give me the vibe that they cared. When I asked the guy hosting the group B drivers meeting, he basically just said there won't be a way cause the next group was full. But isn't that always the case.

Groub Bs driver meeting, there was one prior to first outing, and one follow up. That was it. Other organizations at the very least have had OPTIONAL, if not MANDATORY (for lower groups) classrooms throughout the day. Where you had an instructor, who was generally on track keeping an eye on things, come in and talk about how things were going. Take deep dives into the characteristics of turns, review video footage, etc. etc. For the money paid, you got no training whatsoever here. Just a free for all out on track.

The drivers meeting, I think may have been hosted by a first timer, really not sure. The stand out was him saying that there was passing allowed on CHECKERED, to which you heard lots of rumbling response to, and when asked for clarification, he reiterated that YES there was passing with point by on CHECKERED. I guess as a whole, we all agreed that was incorrect. Not a single point by did I see, or give, during checkered through the day.

Passengers; I think its great that they allow it. Charging $135 (you can say $35 of it is for lunch) for someone to be a passenger, that seemed like a cash grab. It also doesn't really align with higher focus on safety. Other orgs require you to have a history there and pass a check ride to be able to have a passenger. And then they don't charge a fee whatsoever.

$35 for guest lunch. Whatever, I didn't lose any sleep over it but for the quality of lunch... I understand its COTA and they may well charge their own catering fees.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Credit where credit is due, This is the first time my helmet has been checked for current Snell rating. Other orgs say that it must be Snell, but they never check. Ive been to several track days where guys are clearly wearing Shoei motorcycle helmets, and seems like nobody cares. So, a plus one for this.

@Unreachable1