28 replies to this topic

[stillentwint17]

Also, I forgot to mention that I dont have a truck or a trailer so the car i would plan on starting out from would need to be street legal... Yah, that ones kind of a douzie...

I do however have a 300 mile tow from AAA.

[Johnny D]

Hi David,

I would love to read a book on this. What is your book? I actually went to tons of book stores trying to find some guidance on how to start this path.

Here's the book.
http://www.advanced-...&products_id=42
J~

[Johnny D]

FYI, If i was to go the 6K route for a car, i would just buy a stock miata and go that route...

Search this site. use the search box upper right, lots of discussion on buy or build.
In short, cheaper to buy but maybe don't know what your getting.
DIY, you know what you did, takes longer, cost you more.
Do some research like Dave said.
A lot of info here.
J~

[Johnny D]

And on the downloads up top, there's "SM set up guide", Blogs, Classifieds, etc. ^^^
NASA is at Sonoma (infineon) this weekend, Ron may be there. HPDE, TT, Races
I'll be down at Laguna Seca on Sat.
Good luck.
J~

[Ron Alan]

And on the downloads up top, there's "SM set up guide", Blogs, Classifieds, etc. ^^^
NASA is at Sonoma (infineon) this weekend, Ron may be there. HPDE, TT, Races
I'll be down at Laguna Seca on Sat.
Good luck.
J~

Whats at Laguna?

[Johnny D]

USTCC / NCRC, Alberto, and the boys are going down. I signed up for Sat but missed it before it was full for race or open.
Still not done preping for next year but wanted to get some seat time and check my car out after the crash.
But I was rushing, better I didn't run it. But I'll be there for cheap entertainment.
J~

[FTodaro]

Hi Keith,

I was thinking of taking the same path. I have been contemplating going to Skip Barbers 3 days class before i even bought a car... If you were to do it again, would you spend the 4K for Skip Barber or should i use that money for a car. I currently have a limit of around 10k to get me started. I could use 4k for the training and 6k for a car or 10k for a car and complete skip barber next year...

FYI, If i was to go the 6K route for a car, i would just buy a stock miata and go that route...

What would you do?

Thanks again,
Colin

Well I know what I would do. Skip
Barber and other coaching is important but in my view, with your budget, I would focus on a car and then get seat time.

[dchamp]

My goal is to eventually get into Spec racing but did you, Tom and Keith use a spec car for your licensing? As it will take me probably 2 years to get through my license I'm a bit unsure if it is wise to purchase a miata and turn it into a spec car or purchase a spec car right off the bat. Decisions decisions. All i want to do is race, so many decisions.

If you have some Solo / autox experience and you've done some track days, if you get ready to race (or something you can bring up to spec over the winter), there's no reason you can't go to a SCCA driver's school (or something they accept like Skip) and be racing in the spring. SCCA school is not hard. Racing is fun. Start having fun now.

If you don't start racing right away (and that's fine) start going to some of your local SCCA races to see what it's about. Go out and work flags or something. It's a great learning experience.

Here's a site that tells what it takes to go club racing.

http://www.goaheadtakethewheel.com/

[CARacer]

dchamp said what I was going to say. If you wanna race, you don't need to wait two years. You might consider renting a car for driver's school in the spring. You'll learn a lot about the car and the club, and then no matter what you decide to do you've got the license out of the way and have more options. Plus, it's a ton o' fun.

As for the tow vehicle, you don't need it. It's just a Miata. Several of us drive it to the track and it's really not a big deal.