I was at a roadcourse event last week in michigan and got to sit copilot in a car, and the entire time i was there I couldn't stop thinking about how much fun it would be if I were driving in my car. So i'm curious about how to get into racing. Where to start.

I'm not looking to do it in anyway professionally, simply as a hobby, a day here or there on a weekend. There are a few roadcourses in my area watkins glen, limerock, etc., i'm curious how I would go about getting started into it.

The course I was at last week was 60/driver, it was in sets of 5, just a standard test/tune just go out, have fun, and then wait your turn again. Much like test/tune at drags. Is there a special license I need to be able to do this, is there a specific day I have to look for...

any information/advice/guidance is more than appreciated. Thanks.

Matt

 

Real road racing is found with the Sports Car Club of America. They sanction the best schools, best track workers, and safest insured road racing in the US. Other groups have racing but with very limited insurance and workers who are not that well trained. So find your local region thru www.scca.com and get a set of rules, go to the races and decide what class you would like to compete in, talk to drivers who race a few classes and ask lots of questions so you get a good idea of what it takes financially and time-wise. I think that the showroom and touring classes are among the easiest with minimal car preperation and fewer breakdowns. They also have cars, both new and used, that fit most price ranges from used hondas up to C6 corvettes. find out when the local region has a drivers school and sign up. You may need a tow vehicle and a trailer and some good friends who can crew for you and some tools. Also buy a few spares, like at least 2 sets of wheels so you have spare tires and rain tires, oil filters, stuff like that. If your heart is set on running your 350Z and its not a 2005 track model, plan on spending another $12k to 16k on updating and some racing parts allowed in the T-2 rules package. Two sets of Kumhos at $200 each tire, a set of rains at a little more and youre all set to go racing. Good luck.

 

An alternative that you may want to look into is the High Performance Driver's Education (HPDE) days that happen throughout the country. There you can get instruction, progress, move on to solo driving while honing your skills, and then perhaps be able to make a better decision of whether or not you would like to persue a racing hobby.
I'm sure several here would answer the question of what HPDE days are available and coming up in your area.
Welcome to the wonderful world of track driving.

 

get a go kart!!!

 

To start actually RACING, you really need MUCH more money than sense... like was mentioned above, you'd be much better off working your way into it. Take a year and attend a half-dozen or so autocrosses with two or three on-track HPDEs (WITH INSTRUCTION !) to get a feel for what goes on... plus, you don't need any special license for these events, wheras you DO need a racing license from the santioning body to go racing. The fast-track to head-to-head racing would be to choose between SCCA or NASA and start there in their HPDE programs.

 

Another alternative is the SCCA's new Time Trials program. It's held throughout the country and is halfway between road racing and Solo II. You do get instruction as a novice and good track time without going door-to-door all the time. Besides, you won't need a full cage and all the safety equipment that is required (and needed) in racing. Check SCCA.com for a link with details.

 

I used to live in new england. BMWCCA runs driving events at both of the tracks you mentioned. They're a good place to start.