A Day at Blackhawk Farms: Central Wisconsin PCA Track Day
There are few pleasures in the Porsche world quite like driving your car the way its engineers intended — on a proper road course with a ribbon of asphalt unwinding ahead.
That opportunity arrives this summer when the Central Wisconsin Region Porsche Club of America hosts a track day at Blackhawk Farms Raceway.
Event: Central Wisconsin PCA Blackhawk Farms Track Day
Date: Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Location: Blackhawk Farms Raceway — 15538 Prairie Road, South Beloit, IL, 61080
Gates Open: 7:00 AM
Mandatory Drivers Meeting: 8:30 AM
Track Sessions Start: 9:00 AM
Track Closes: 4:30 PM
Register here: https://www.motorsportreg.com/events/pca-central-wisconsin-blackhawk-farms-track-day-raceway-448185
This is a Porsche Club of America members–only event, limited to just 20 drivers, which means generous track time and plenty of room to enjoy the circuit. Blackhawk Farms Raceway itself is a classic Midwest road course: 1.95 miles, seven turns, rewarding smooth driving more than brute power. Built in 1967 on farmland near the Wisconsin border, it remains one of the region’s most engaging and approachable tracks; just under an hour from Madison.
Importantly, this is not racing. It’s a high-performance driving event (HPDE)—a controlled, safety-focused environment where you can explore your Porsche’s capabilities and improve your driving skills. Drivers will be divided into two run groups based on experience, and no prior track experience is required. Everybody is going in the same direction and we will have a point to pass system in place on the longer straights.
You will need a Snell SA2020 helmet, long sleeves, and long pants (jeans). Your car will also receive a brief tech inspection before going on track to ensure everything is safe and secure.
Bring your own lunch, bring a full tank of enthusiasm—and perhaps the one question every driver eventually asks:
What exactly happens at a track day?
Let’s answer that.
Track Day 101
The Top 10 Questions (and Answers) About Our Blackhawk Farms Event
1. Is this racing?
No. Think of it as enthusiastic driving with rules. Passing is controlled, run groups are organized by experience, and the focus is on learning and enjoying your car safely.
2. Do I need track experience?
Not at all. Many PCA drivers attend their first-ever track dayat events like this. We divide drivers into groups based on experience so everyone can run comfortably at their own pace.
3. What kind of Porsche can I bring?
Almost any road-worthy Porsche is welcome. You’ll see everything from classic 944s and air-cooled 911s to modern Caymans, Macans, and GT cars. If it’s mechanically sound and passes tech inspection, it is ready for the track.
4. Will I damage my car?
When driven responsibly, track days are surprisingly gentle on machinery. Most participants drive their cars to the event, run on the track, and then drive home afterward. That said, brake pads and tires will age a little faster—consider it a badge of honor.
5. What safety gear do I need?
The essentials are simple:
- SA2020 helmet — the club has helmets to loan out. We will provide details after you register.
- Long sleeves (cotton T-shirt) and pants (jeans)
- Closed-toe shoes
Your car will be inspected for basic safety items such as secure battery mounting, lug torque, brake pad thickness and overall routine mechanical condition.
6. What does a day at the track look like?
The rhythm is simple and addictive:
- Arrive early and pass tech inspection
- Attend the mandatory 8:30 AM drivers meeting
- Run multiple sessions throughout the day
- Relax in the paddock between sessions, talking cars and your experiences with fellow Porsche club enthusiasts
Each session is a chance to refine braking points, smooth out corner entries, and find that perfect lap.
7. How fast will I go?
That depends on the car and the driver, but speed is not the point. The joy comes from linking corners together smoothly, feeling the chassis settle mid-turn, and discovering just how balanced a Porsche really is.
8. What makes Blackhawk Farms special?
Unlike giant modern circuits, Blackhawk feels intimate and technical. The track rewards rhythm and precision—exactly the traits that make a Porsche shine. Repaving took place in 2025, smooth as silk.
9. Should I get track day insurance?
Most insurance companies will not cover a track day, even one as safe as an HPDE. While not required, drivers are strongly encouraged to obtain a one-day HPDE insurance policy, often available through specialty providers like Hagerty.
Many participants consider it inexpensive peace of mind.
10. Why should I do this?
Because many Porsche owners wish to experience their car on a real road course at least once, reaching speeds that are illegal on our highways.
After your first session, something shifts. You begin to understand the car differently—the weight transfer under braking, the way the steering talks to you, the moment the tires hook up coming out of a corner.
It’s the difference between owning a Porsche and driving one the way it was meant to be driven.
Join Us at Blackhawk Farms
Our Central Wisconsin PCA track day is intentionally small, relaxed, and welcoming. With only 20 drivers, the paddock feels more like a gathering of friends than a large motorsports event.
If you’ve been thinking about trying a track day, or just want to see what your car is really capable of, this is an ideal opportunity.
And if you’ve done a few before—well, you already know why you’ll want to come back.
Because somewhere between Turn 1 and the back straight at Blackhawk, the world gets wonderfully simple: Just you, your Porsche, and the next corner waiting.
Have Questions?
Contact Chuck Allendorf at chuckallendorf@gmail.com
Or Dave Cooper at davecarrera4@gmail.com
