25 replies to this topic

[bmarshall1]

Hi All,

 

New guy here and just bought a SM .  I have always wanted to 'race cars' and currently own a 99 street miata (10AE).  I have sold off my motorcycles after a pretty bad wreck and decided I did not want to be sitting in my recliner at the age of 80 saying 'I wish I would have bought a race car'.  I will be 50 in April and figure why not, better late than never and I'm not getting any younger.  My wife fully supports my endevour and is looking forward to track weekends.

 

I started this process last summer but since then have bought and sold a house and relocated to Charlotte, causing delays.  The first go around I met many, many, helpful folks and hope to meet many more.  Any advice is appreciated and welcome as I am starting from ground zero.  I have been on the SCCA and NASA website and they are not the most user friendly for ferreting out information.  I would like to hear from folks who have already gone through the process and can give recommendations, I know 'search is my friend' and I have used it a lot recently,  but some threads are overwhelmingly long.    The car was purchased as a complete '99 SM so it (should) be ready to get on the track.  I will likely attend some HPDEs prior to getting into side by side competetion, is this a good way to start or should I jump in feet first? I am a open to all suggestions and would also like to meet some local racers

 

Things I am interested in learning:

Is it better to get a NASA license then petetion for SCCA, or...

Go straight to a SCCA license and where to find a school (big $$ though)

I need spare wheels and used tires, any recommendations

I  personal safety gear recommendations

Spares list for track days

Anything else a first timer would need

[Bench Racer]

Marshall, congrats on your purchase. Find a person to be your mentor. He/she doesn't need to be a current racer as long as their idealy Miata specific. They know the info bits that make the car work and they could school your driving. I jumped in the CRAZY pond 12 years ago at 60.
Remember, Have Fun.

David

[davew]

You should become good friends with Mike Rosinni at Rosinni Engines, Dan Tiley (Ti-speed) in Mooresville and/or Tom Fowler at OPM (AKA Advanced Autosports south) in Atlanta. They are the local gurus in your area. All 3 are great guys who will keep you on the right path.

 

Read and understand the rule book and purchase a copy of my book.

 

If you want to race, go race. Any of the 3 guys above can point you in the right direction. My personal opinion, HPDE groups create bad habits if your goal is to race.

 

Be carefull on used tires. Often they are not as advertised. Spend the money on new RR (NASA) or SM7 (SCCA) and know they are good.

 

The pro-shop at VIR usually has a good selection of gear that you can actually try on.

 

Read this website. It won't take long to figure out who the smart guys are and who the idiots are. Ignore most of the BS, we really do like each other.

 

As my buddy "Bench" said, Remember, Racing is Supposed to be FUN

 

Dave

[LarryKing]

Panic Motorsports in SC is a great resource too. Super helpful.

[Alberto]

Hi All,

 

I have been on the SCCA and NASA website and they are not the most user friendly for ferreting out information.  I would like to hear from folks who have already gone through the process and can give recommendations, I know 'search is my friend' and I have used it a lot recently,  but some threads are overwhelmingly long.    The car was purchased as a complete '99 SM so it (should) be ready to get on the track.  I will likely attend some HPDEs prior to getting into side by side competetion, is this a good way to start or should I jump in feet first? I am a open to all suggestions and would also like to meet some local racers

 

Things I am interested in learning:

Is it better to get a NASA license then petetion for SCCA, or...

Go straight to a SCCA license and where to find a school (big $$ though)

I need spare wheels and used tires, any recommendations

I  personal safety gear recommendations

Spares list for track days

Anything else a first timer would need

 

Q: "Is it better to get a NASA license then petetion for SCCA, or..."

 

I'll give you the same advice that Juan Pineda gave me when I posed this question.  He said to go to the SCCA school b/c you'll learn a ton in one weekend, learn how SCCA does things and meet a lot of great people who will become your close friends and competitors.  He did not lie.

 

I don't remember the SCCA licensing school being big $$ in my region.  Whatever the cost was, it was totally worth it.

 

Regarding licensing school, yeah the websites aren't the greatest but the people at either organizations are probably more than willing to direct you to the correct people.  Get on the local region web sites and call/email.  Your region should be: http://www.ncrscca.com/

 

Q: "I need spare wheels and used tires, any recommendations"

I got through my first season on set of tires and wheels.  I ran a regional class that allowed the Toyo RA1 which are very long lasting.  Contact your local chapter and see what your options are. 

Given you're a motorcycle racer, chances are you'll be faster than I was in your first season so if you do want a spare set of wheels and tires, find the local supplier.  I'm sure your SCCA or NASA contacts will direct you to the appropriate source.  Given all that, Phil's Tire Service is on the east coast and can hook you up with specials on tires and wheels.

 

Q: re: gear

Try some on locally if you can as Dave mentioned.

 

regarding spares, I wouldn't worry too much.  Until you are further along.

[Todd Lamb]

Welcome to SM! Good choice.

 

Make sure to go to the MSX show this weekend in Charlotte. You'll meet plenty of people from this forum and learn a lot.

[ChrisA]

Q: "Is it better to get a NASA license then petetion for SCCA, or..."

 

I'll give you the same advice that Juan Pineda gave me when I posed this question.  He said to go to the SCCA school b/c you'll learn a ton in one weekend, learn how SCCA does things and meet a lot of great people who will become your close friends and competitors.  He did not lie.

 

I don't remember the SCCA licensing school being big $$ in my region.  Whatever the cost was, it was totally worth it.

 

Regarding licensing school, yeah the websites aren't the greatest but the people at either organizations are probably more than willing to direct you to the correct people.  Get on the local region web sites and call/email.  Your region should be: http://www.ncrscca.com/

 

I’m having that debate myself. I spoke with the NCR-SCCA last fall and was told they have not offered the Comp. School for a few years. I believe the WDCR-SCCA only offers it once a year, in early spring, and my car won’t be ready for it. Plus, they have a reputation of being a little more “touchy-feely”, i.e.: contact friendly than my anorexic budget could likely handle. NASA Mid-Atlantic offers the Comp. School at most/all their events, which is good. However, their SM fields are smaller (approx 15 cars) and mixed with other classes. This has pluses & minuses. The SCCA-SEDiv has a decent SM field and some excellent drivers; this also has its’ pluses & minuses. At the moment, I’m leaning toward NASA, because of the flexibility in scheduling when I attend the Comp. School. I also have a couple friends running with them, but they are thinking of switching to SEDiv for the larger SM fields. So I’m uncertain of my course. I’d like to settle which route to go, so I can order the appropriate tires for this season.

[Neil O]

Dc School is only $199 this year, it's the end of this month.

Marrs series has been a great place to race the last couple years. Nothing to be afraid of.

[LarryKing]

If you have contact at a driver's school I'm certain the chief steward will make your acquaintance.

[bmarshall1]

David, thanks for the advice, glad to know others are in the 'crazy pond' with me

 

DaveW, thanks for the names and advice, I had planned on getting your book, I am looking for a drivers school; I might as well jump straight in...

 

RG - Panic Motorsports, got it, thanks!

 

Alberto, thank you,  when I was looking at schools they were in the $2000 - $3000 range (Skip Barber etc...), maybe I was looking at the wrong places?  I'll call my local chapter to get better info.  THanks for hte tires/spares info as well.  My thought is I would hate to go to a race weekend and not be able to compete if I didn't have rain tires of a spare spindle, maybe i'm over thinking it.

 

Todd - Thank you, I may be calling you one day to get some coaching

 

Chris - thanks for the school advice. 

 

Neil, are you saying track school to recieve a SCCA license is ony $199 in the DC area?  That is VERY reasonable

 

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome, any advice is appreciated and I look forward to many years of racing!

[LarryKing]

BMarshall, I'm sensing that you may not be clear on driver's school. Many SCCA regions hold sanctioned drivers school. The WDC region school at Summit Point is particularly handy because you can meet the rookie license requirements in one weekend instead of two as is the case at many region's schools.

 

I think a spare set of wheels/tires makes sense. If you break a rim or bust a sidewall you're done without a back-up. Note, tires do not need to be compliant to SM rules. When I did my school I bought a set of Kuhmo Victoracers and left them full tread so I could use them in all conditions (Most schools are in Spring so you'll see all conditions) Remember you can't 'win' drivers school - you just want to get your novice permit signed-off.

 

The best thing you can do is contact your local region.

 

Handy websites:

http://www.sedivracing.org/

http://www.ccrscca.com/

http://www.ncrscca.com/

http://www.wdcr-scca...10/Default.aspx

[Todd Lamb]

If I can coach Mr. Daytona, aka Scott Russell, I think I can work with your motorcycle skill set

[davew]

Do not confuse a "driver education " day as a school. Often called DE, HPDE, Time Attack, or track days. These are basicly practice days and do not count towards a race license.

 

"PRO" school (Skippy, Bondurant, Russell, etc) require you to write a check and that is about it. They supply suit, helmet car, food,etc. Usually week days at tracks all over the country. The check is big. $2000+

 

Sanctioning body school (SCCA, NASA, MC etc.). Usually only done once or twice a year. in your geographic area. Most often in the spring. Cost is only $200-$300. BUT, you supply suit, helmet, car, crew etc.

 

Please note that SCCA has changed their school requirements. As of Jan 1st, you only have to pass one school, not two.

 

My recomendation is to do the school of the sanctioning body you plan to race with. Learn their methods and procedures.

 

My second recomendation is to hire the local shop for you school weekend. It will be the best money you can spend.

 

Dave

[Johnny D]

Big +1 on Daves 2nd recommendation. If the format is the same as mine, you just don't have time. You need a guy at a minimum to help as crew for the car.

You're either on track or with your instructor, bathroom break and a drink of water is about it before it repeats.

J~

[Alberto]

Alberto, thank you,  when I was looking at schools they were in the $2000 - $3000 range (Skip Barber etc...), maybe I was looking at the wrong places?  I'll call my local chapter to get better info.  THanks for hte tires/spares info as well.  My thought is I would hate to go to a race weekend and not be able to compete if I didn't have rain tires of a spare spindle, maybe i'm over thinking it.

 

Neil, are you saying track school to recieve a SCCA license is ony $199 in the DC area?  That is VERY reasonable

 

 

 

DaveW answered the question well. 

 

Regarding spares, there are a few schools of thought from what I have observed:

1. You have a reliable, sorted car so your race weekend is uneventful and you don't need to spend time wrenching or replacing parts.  Unless you wreck or have an off-road excursion due to accidental spin or something.  this is usually me.

2. Maybe the car isn't as well sorted or requires some deferred maintenance that you don't know about so it is desirable to have 'spares' to deal with it. 

3. Some people are too aggressive and don't know when to exercise restraint resulting in damage to their car - and sometimes other's.  They need spares and lots of them. 

4. Some people just like being prepared.  They have lots of spares but don't always need them.  I buy stuff from them when I screw up at the track and don't have the broken part in my spares box.

 

This will obviously vary by the personalities in your region.

 

I typically carry spare rotors, brake pads, oil, brake fluid, the long bolt for the rear lower control arm and few other odds and ends.  

 

I did once puncture a tire and was forced to swap to my spare set of wheels which I thankfully had in the truck.  We are lucky that AIM Tire and other Hoosier dealers are usually on site so we usually have tires available if needed.  It's always better to have a spare set of wheels and tires but I wouldn't let that be the deciding factor about whether you participate in a weekend or have to skip a weekend b/c you have to decide between 'spares' and a race weekend.  Heck, some people in our region will gladly lend or rent you their spare tires if they know you well enough to trust you.

[Keith Andrews]

Welcome to SM we are very lucky here in the SE.  Lots of great tracks and lots of SM people.  You are getting great advice from very knowledgable people.  

 

From a local perspective check out http://www.carolinamotorsportspark.com Turn 1 does lots of track days that are very informal and lots of track time.  They have instructors if you want or you can just go around on your own.  Depending where you are Kershaw, SC is about 1:30.

 

This is the SCCA SE go to web site for schedule information etc.   http://www.sedivracing.org  

 

NASA vs SCCA in this area will depend on you.  I would try both if you can and decide what is right for you.  

 

Unfortunately the SE drivers school was a couple of weeks ago at Roebling Road.  If you can you might want to try getting to the DC School.

 

 

[htron435]

Great to see you here!  Great advice from a lot of smart people!

 

Hit the DC school if you can -- sounds like a great bang for the buck. 

 

Find out what data system the SE guys use, buy it and share data.

 

Establish a relationship with one of the local shops and have them set up & go over your car -- you'll be glad you did.

 

Enjoy!

[ChrisA]

Dc School is only $199 this year, it's the end of this month.

Marrs series has been a great place to race the last couple years. Nothing to be afraid of.

 

Sadly, I don't think the car will be ready by them, it's looking like middle/late April before I'll have things buttoned up. Even more sadly, I'm not sure I'd be ready. I haven't been in the car for the past year and a half (and it's changed) and never driven SP. Would probably be wise to get in at least 1 DE there before going to the Comp School. When I saw Mike's announcement for the school and was wishing it was a wee bit later & at VIR. I'd been in like Flynn. 

[Glenn Davis]

Welcome to SM.  The WDCR school is a special price this year ($199) and it enables you to enter a few early races at the same $199 price!  You may never see this again.

 

Event though your car is not ready, I would consider renting a ride for the school.  RP Performance, Meathead and Windsor are the major renting groups in DC.

 

Driver School is not contact friendly at all, and the only contact that is "sort of" ignored is drafting contact.  You will not likely be subject to any contact with the big rookie stripes on your car, and a quick hand wave will prevent any drafting contact.  Hard drafting contact in view of an official, or any side contact in view of an official will likely lead to a visit to the tower.

 

Good Luck!

[LarryKing]

Maybe telling you stuff you already know but get a head start on the paperwork for your novice permit. You'll need a medical and vision exam. Looks like there's a SCCA drivers school at Daytona in mid-April. Now that would be a hoot.