12 replies to this topic

[Tom Hampton]

The scca model doesn't seem to cutting it in the southwest. All the other schools in Texas cost 2.5+ times normal track time @ $2000+ for a double or $1000 per single.

The latest division report says that membership is declining due to zero new members. Not a big surprise given the cost of entry.

Compare this to the nasa hpde model @ $200 per day or $300 pet weekend. Total cost is the same but it amortized over a longer period of time, spread across multiple tracks, and progressive based on your own development.

I had to abort my own plans for unrelated reasons. But, i was unaware that the super school has already been cancelled. Once I stated to try and come up with a plan B this is what I've come to. Hmmm....

Maybe I buy some ra1s and spend next year in nasa.

[dmathias]

Check with your SCCA division, they may accept a NASA competition license.

[HoneyBadger - BrianW]

Tom, you will find in our region is that NASA is a more friendly place for new drivers. I personally did the 3 day school in Houston MSR (which was good), it was a bit expensive but it does give you a regional SCCA license and not a provisional. If I were to do it again, I would go the NASA route. Get your NASA license and a few races under your belt and you will be able to get an SCCA license based off your then current NASA license.

With the tire change next year, NASA running the Toyo's and SCCA running the Hoosiers, many people are going to be picking either one or the other. If I am forced financially to pick a group to run with, it would be NASA hands down. I prefer the format of the racing better and the environment is much more friendly. Dave Ballingit took over the NASA region last year and has done a great job with it.

[Jerry Cabe]

Check with your SCCA division, they may accept a NASA competition license.

Most regional races will allow any of the sanctioning body competition licenses listed in GCR 3.1.5 (which includes NASA Full Competition License). However, each region that is putting on a regional race can specify what licenses they allow by defining them in the Supplemental Regulations for their event. It would be to the benefit of the hosting region to allow as many as possible, but that is their choice.

I'm a little suprised in the cost of the Drivers School, but again, that is up to the region or division that is putting on the school, and what their cost model is at the facility being used. You might look at traveling a little in order to reduce the school entry cost. About 7 years ago I traveled about 400 miles to Gateway to do the St. Louis Double Driver School. Cost then was $400-$450 IIRC.

[Matthew Wolfe]

Our “Two Cool School” in Colorado is under $400. Basically the same cost as a double race weekend. Our next School will be the last weekend in April at High Planes Raceway if you want to travel.

Matt

[Keith Andrews]

Check with your SCCA division, they may accept a NASA competition license.

You can also just apply for a SCCA regional license with your NASA license. I don't like to reading supplements so I went this route.

It sounds like NASA maybe a good group in your area as well. I sure liked the transition from the HPDE3-4 passing rules to racing. (passing in corners with/without point by)

[Mike Collins]

Fly out to Summit Point in March. All in one double. Cost about $550, and I can rent you a car for the school.

[dmathias]

"Make it easy, make it fun."

[wheel]

There is a new SCCA non-traditional drivers's school in the system for next season. Your Division's Chief Driving instructor or Divisional License Chairman can certify an instructor to take you through ground school and a track day/test day, and sign you off as having completed a school. If you have previous experience, and do a good job, you can be waived for the second school. We did this in Midiv (it has been done elsewhere, including the NP Division). Our two students took the ground school by email and at our Race Group social meeting. They took all of the GCR and flag tests by email. On the Fast Friday, open track day at Mid America Motorplex, they entered the track day and were observed and coached by their instructor, yours truly, and at the end of the day were waived to race in the Regionals on Sat and Sun.
wheel

(dmathias you can remove the big laugh face from your post, now)




This is a description of what it is about
The primary purpose of this type of drivers' school is to help novicedrivers with prior racing, PDX, Solo and coaching experience, to complete theirschool requirements when they are unable to attend traditional schools.However, it may be used to give an inexperienced novice credit for a singleschool completion. This type of school may not be workable in alldivisions nor at all tracks. Chief Driving Instructors and DivisionalLicensing Chairmen should coordinate with the Divisional Executive Steward andthe Chief Steward of the event to insure that the prospective student has hadthe proper ground school before the event and the right attitude andcapabilities to complete the program. This is especially important fornovice drivers with little or no prior experience. Look for the new rules in Fastrack.

[Qik Nip]

"Make it easy, make it fun."

As a crossover racer, here's my take ... SCCA is wasting a great opportunity to make hay. The club faces a competitor who has a reasonably fixed cost offering, one registration portal, and a fixed (but flawed) two race group format and a winshield sticker that obviates the need for pre race tech inspections.

The club on the other hand offers a bizantine range of offerings ... Send registrations in by mail, email, via Motorsports reg, ect. Pre race tech varies from "show me your helmet sticker, to drag every piece of safety gear to the table, post race impound varies from weights only, to "impound all" for thirty minutes. The lack of consistency in SCCA's offering is a problem that should be fixed.

Truth is the SCCA race package is better in terms of classes (versus NASA's two) and the lack of HPDE makes it a more racer friendly enviornment , but the club needs to capatalize on it's strengths and move to lessen it's weakenesses if it wants to maintain it's supremacy.
Rick

[Tom Hampton]

Dave at nasa tx was very helpful. What a difference from the folks at scca tx-where the answer was "nope. "

Guess its toyo next year.

[Tom Hampton]

Dave at nasa tx was very helpful. What a difference from the folks at scca tx-where the answer was "nope. "

Guess its toyo next year.

Although, both offers from colorado and mike are interesting. hpr looks like an awesome track.

[jigou]

Tom, based on the scheduling conference call that Midwest Division held last night, there will be a double driver's school at Hallett early in 2012. I would expect those registration fees to be reasonable.

Jarrod