Complete N00B questions

[Z0_o6]

OK, so I know that this is a question that some of the more seasoned guys may think is retarded, but what I am trying to figure out, is how do you get started into a Road race sport such as Time Attack? I know that when I am finished with my current STi project, it should be more than capable to compete (although I will obviously have to turn it down power wise to compensate for my driving skills.)


The question, more or less, is now that I will be building a car I feel could be competitive in the low end of Time Attack, how do I get registered, and started into the sport? Do I just hold out and wait until they hold like an HPDE event at Road Atlanta, pay entrance fees and register for the novice class? I am very interested in trying to learn, improve, and become competitive in Time Attack, but I'm a little lost on the course of action I should take. What's first? Where do I sign up? Is there a racing school I should look into before trying ANY event? I guess to sum it up I'm just looking to some of the more experienced road racers for a way to get into the sport. Any advice is appreciated!

[Elbow]

For Redline Time Attack they don't really require any license or anything to my knowledge. Register at www.redlinetimeattack.com

For NASA, they require a license. You get this through HPDE I believe. As you work your way up you can become eligible for the license. OR if you have experience elsewhere you can see if they accept you. Same goes for SCCA time trials.

If you want to ROAD RACE, it's a different story. You will need a cage, a race seat, harness, fire, battery cutoff, and lots more. Some time trial series also require some of that, so READ THE RULE BOOKS.

Road Atlanta is a tough track, especially for beginners, you don't want to be out there for the first time in a group like NASA TT. There is open passing and they will pass you and come up on you so hard you will probably just quit lol. I suggest running the time attack October 3 at Little Talladega, or doing track days there first. Redline runs on some pretty safe tracks as well.

Look into doing NASA HPDE, they will give you an instructor and work your speed up, it's a great cheap way to learn without spending thousands on a racing school. Plus, you get to use your own car.

Check out:

www.redlinetimeattack.com
www.nasaproracing.com
www.atl-scca.org

SCCA has a PDX session at Road Atlanta for Atlanta Region events. It's like HPDE, just shorter, but only $100. They offer an instructor as well and you start in a beginner class and move up. Complete many of these and NASA will probably let you jump up a HPDE class or two depending on experience and logbook.

You get a logbook which says events you run, and your instructor signs it with notes or info on your driving.

Hope this helps, anymore questions just ask.

[Z0_o6]

that is EXACTLY the information I was looking for. Thank you very much. I will end up asking more later as I think of them, I'm just going to sift through some of that information first though lol!

[TireBoi]

pretty much summed it up. The PDX program is every good if your on a budget, and in SCCA you can get away with one weekend membership when doing PDX, but your second time around you will need a membership. And deff agree with Simon RA is a tough track for people just starting out.

[dazn]

just get a FIA license. apparently its really easy.

[EJ25RUN]

just get a FIA license. apparently its really easy.

After a few sessions of time attack....apply for the super license.

[Elbow]

The basic FIA license I forget the grade is easy.

[matthewAPM]

The basic FIA license I forget the grade is easy.

Yep. FIA license (no not your F1 license or anything) is easy.

sorry for the thread jack

[Elbow]

Dazn have you ever even tried to get it? You piss me off with these cheap shots, it's a damn application, do a few events have some history and you will get it. Obviously a higher license isn't so easy, or cheap.

[dazn]

Dazn have you ever even tried to get it? You piss me off with these cheap shots, it's a damn application, do a few events have some history and you will get it. Obviously a higher license isn't so easy, or cheap.

lol. get your panties out of your cunt. do you really get pissed off about internet jokes from someone you dont even know? Really?
chill, its gonna be ok. there is life outside of the interweb and IA. go outside occasionally, talk to other people without typing, maybe even meet a girl instead of just dressing up like one.
I realize its easy to get low level licenses. FIA has a very wide range of motorsports that it covers so getting a "clubman" level card is kinda like SCCA, PBOC, and NASA here.
have you not realized that I just like fucking with people on IA?
if you want, Ill just ignore you from now on so I dont make you go psycho then snap and kill me

[Elbow]

lol. get your panties out of your cunt. do you really get pissed off about internet jokes from someone you dont even know? Really?
chill, its gonna be ok. there is life outside of the interweb and IA. go outside occasionally, talk to other people without typing, maybe even meet a girl instead of just dressing up like one.
I realize its easy to get low level licenses. FIA has a very wide range of motorsports that it covers so getting a "clubman" level card is kinda like SCCA, PBOC, and NASA here.
have you not realized that I just like fucking with people on IA?
if you want, Ill just ignore you from now on so I dont make you go psycho then snap and kill me

DO YOU NOT REALIZE THAT IA IS LIFE?!?!?!?! THERE IS NOTHING ELSE, WHAT THE FUCK DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND MOTHER FUCKER?!!?!?!?!?1?1?1?

I take jokes, I always fuck around on here that's why I love it lol, I was just saying though from the previous thread no need to make me seem like a dumb ass when I'm not, the motorsport people on here should be one big loving group, of three.

BTW were you at RA yesterday?

[dazn]

DO YOU NOT REALIZE THAT IA IS LIFE?!?!?!?! THERE IS NOTHING ELSE, WHAT THE FUCK DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND MOTHER FUCKER?!!?!?!?!?1?1?1?

I take jokes, I always fuck around on here that's why I love it lol, I was just saying though from the previous thread no need to make me seem like a dumb ass when I'm not, the motorsport people on here should be one big loving group, of three.

BTW were you at RA yesterday?

nah, what was there? private test day? L1(DP02) cars? i heard comprent was doing some testing but not sure where

I will probably be there next wed. have some issues with the works car that needs to be smoothed over.

[Elbow]

Naw Formula Mazda, didn't know if you did anything on those or not.

[Tracy]

Play nice girls.

[dazn]

Play nice girls.

ROFL, this is coming from who??????

nah, no FM this year. i only did FM in 06-07. its a good car and good series, I just got tired of putting a corner on a car after almost every session.
i like working in a series where I can concentrate on setting the car up, not replacing parts all weekend.

[Elbow]

We are now mam, we hugged and made up.

[Elbow]

ROFL, this is coming from who??????

nah, no FM this year. i only did FM in 06-07. its a good car and good series, I just got tired of putting a corner on a car after almost every session.
i like working in a series where I can concentrate on setting the car up, not replacing parts all weekend.

Yeah, I can definitely understand what you mean about that lol, I lost count of how many went off.

[Tracy]

Dan. You sush. I am a nice girl, now. I don't have to go to the shop anymore, so it is all different.

[dazn]

We are now mam, we hugged and made up.

I did no such thing. thats just gross.


and Tracy, cant say Ill miss the yelling and fighting, lol.
"quick, grab a wrench, get under that car, Tracy's on a rampage."

[StraightSix]

To the OP: Simon summed it all pretty well. Although, there is another option for getting through NASA's HPDE program on a budget. NASA-Southeast offers a work for credit program where one works two events and then may drive an event for no entry fees. More information about NASA-SE can be found at http://www.nasa-southeast.com.

If you do events with us (NASA), we will start you out in HPDE 1 unless you have prior verifiable track experience.

FWIW, Doug Wind, who is currently campaigning a SRT-4 in the Redline Time Attack series, did a lot of Time Trial events with us before getting into Time Attack.

[Tracy]

I did no such thing. thats just gross.


and Tracy, cant say Ill miss the yelling and fighting, lol.
"quick, grab a wrench, get under that car, Tracy's on a rampage."

LOLZ! Things are a lot different. I haven't been to the shop in MONTHS and it was MONTHS before that and so on. If you go by you'll notice. It's a lot messier now

[Z0_o6]

To the OP: Simon summed it all pretty well. Although, there is another option for getting through NASA's HPDE program on a budget. NASA-Southeast offers a work for credit program where one works two events and then may drive an event for no entry fees. More information about NASA-SE can be found at http://www.nasa-southeast.com.

If you do events with us (NASA), we will start you out in HPDE 1 unless you have prior verifiable track experience.

FWIW, Doug Wind, who is currently campaigning a SRT-4 in the Redline Time Attack series, did a lot of Time Trial events with us before getting into Time Attack.

I may have to look into that as well! I am always down to help out just for the fact it would give me an idea of how things work at the events before just going out there and jumping in headfirst. I appreciate everybody's input, the main reason I like the idea of Time Attack so much, is because my car is pretty much going to be set perfectly into the Street Class when I get done with everything, and I would think after doing all the novice and rookie class stuff that I can, I might actually be able to compete. I just don't want to dive into something that would require me to be all over the country all season to be competitive since I DO have a full time job lol. Basically what I have gathered though is to start checking into HPDE novice events, and instructed on track stuff, etc. so that I can get my feet wet and see where I want to go from there.


Thanks again!

[Drew]

One other suggestion is the Porsche Club of America drivers education. From what I understand, you do not have to own a Porsche to do the education, but do however if you end up racing. Compared to NASA (which Im a member) its cheaper for a weekend and you get to be around Porsche's for a couple days. There are many clubs like that that might interest you. I would recommend though that you consider working an event. It helped me when I was just starting to do road racing to see things from the flaggers point of view. Just a suggestion.

Heres a link to the PCA calender.
http://pca.org/Calendar/PCACalendar.aspx

-Drew

[Elbow]

PCA is good, but BMWCCA is even better! No offense lol. Lots of track time and some die hard track day cars.

If you do work NASA, let me know, I work for Road Atlanta for all of the events maybe you can work with me.