Help me out - need TRACK TIME

[mikahb]

I'm a competitive Solo 2 (SuperStock) driver and am going to head to Nationals for the first time this year. But, I see Autocross as skill development for my true love - Road Racing. I've been instructing at the local track here for a couple years, and now I'm ready to branch out some more - hopefully travel some this year to other tracks in the (Nashville, TN) area.

So - my question to the group is:

What's a good next step as far as developing track skills?

My goal would be to eventually run a T1 car, but new baby plus finances make that a couple years out yet. I've heard some rublings about NASA Time Trials. Any other series that y'all know of where a harness bar is enough to run?

Thanks!

[wtknght1]

If your goal is to come to T1 (and I hope it is), then you need to get to the race tracks - period. Check out all the schools at www.trackschedule.com and find schools near you...and do them...lots of them. There's no substitute for seat time.

Some tracks 'reasonably' close to you would be: Memphis, Putnam Park, Gateway, Mid Ohio, etc.

Once you do a few schools, see if you are competitive with the guys on track in similar cars. If so, go buy a good T1 machine and come on out.

You should also come on out and watch the T1 guys race. I'll be racing at Memphis in Late May for instance (SCCA National). That's a great place to learn this and see if it's for you.

We'll be looking for ya!!

[wallyman424]

hey, i've started on the track time part of that equation. where does it go from there though? dont you have to get a comp license through the scca? or do you just buy a T1 prepped car and register? what sort of hoop jumping can i expect.

[David Pintaric]

dont you have to get a comp license through the scca? or do you just buy a T1 prepped car and register? what sort of hoop jumping can i expect.

Wally,

To get a competition license from either the SCCA or NASA, you must go through one of their schools, or an accredited "third-party" school such as Bondurant or Bertil Roos.

Typically SCCA schools are a weekend event, and a complete newbie to racing like I was is required to go through two weekend without any "muck-ups" (I used an M!! ).

Any race car will do, so you don't need a T1 Corvette...but it sure wouldn't hurt!

If you bought my car you could have participated in my region's school this coming weekend and I would have either instructed you or crewed for you.

[wallyman424]

David,

edit* i just checked the scca website, and to attend a drivers school you need to be in a legitimate race car. so for that, i think it'd be in my advantage to purchase whatever i intend to race, just to save me from rental fees and such. i'm going to have to make some decisions in the next month or so, and if your car is still available ill give you a call.

the biggest hurdle im facing right now is:

1. racing is more fun than ive EVER had... except for 1 thing... and even sometimes.....
2. i want more safety, i want competition, i want a proper setup
3. now heres my problem, i want to be able to drive this car on the street once in a while, just for kicks, and to test whatever repairs ive done to it and such.

i think removing the airbags is legal. i dont care about exhaust. im just looking at the seatbelt issue, so im going to talke to a local gas station that does state inspections and see if i can make some friends.

does anyone know if a T1 corvette can be street legal???

[David Pintaric]

does anyone know if a T1 corvette can be street legal???

Yes, a T1 car can be, and some are, street legal.

There is the practicality of the car, though, and sometimes the competitiveness.

[wallyman424]

Originally Posted by David Pintaric

Yes, a T1 car can be, and some are, street legal.

There is the practicality of the car, though, and sometimes the competitiveness.

i have no need for practicality (a/c, radio, heater, exhaust). the only thing is windows. now to sell my z... its no easy task

[wtknght1]

I still drive my Z on the street...it's registered, insured, has horns, and uses DOT racing tires. It doesn't have side windows so it's best not to drive it on the street in the rain...unless you just like getting wet.

If you are looking for a race ready T1 Vette, you'll find it hard to beat the Phoenix guys. Joe Aqualante and his crew builds some mean cars - reliable and fast...that you can register, put a tag on it, insure it, drive it on the street and race it too. Just about all the top runners in T1 have had Phoenix build or prep their cars. Their results speak for itself. I know Joe is selling one right now...for about $35K with lots of spares. You won't beat that deal.

Grab a good reliable car, get your SCCA schools and license, and we'll see you in T1!!!! Good luck!!!

[David Pintaric]

If you are looking for a race ready T1 Vette, you'll find it hard to beat the Phoenix guys. Joe Aqualante and his crew builds some mean cars - reliable and fast...that you can register, put a tag on it, insure it, drive it on the street and race it too

Chris,

I don't think that Joe likes to sell his cars with a title anymore. He and I were talking about it recently and his concern is with liability and expectations. At least that is what he told me...

[Subdriver]

Mikah,
I agree with Chris that the first step to prepping for SCCA T1 is just track time, which can be done in a stock Z06 at many tracks in the SE. The link he provided is a great source of info on the dates and times of those.

Wally,
SCCA licensing requirements include the requirement to attend two SCCA driver's schools, but...
Many private schools such as Skip Barber can be used to meet this requirement and the SCCA Divisional licensing director can waive one or both of these schools based on prior experience, which may include driver's eduction events. When I started SCCA racing in 03 I had both my SCCA driver's schools waived due to prior attendance at Skip Barber and Jim Russell schools and numerous DEs. The SCCA has some driver's schools that are "double" weekends, meaning if you have no prior experience you can still get your license in one weekend.

The SCCA has two licensing tiers, Regional and National. In general it takes four regional races to get a national license and I had to do these. But, it took me less than a month to do so as many SCCA race weekends have two races.

Complete info can be found here:
SCCA Club Racing

My best advice to anyone considering SCCA T1 (or any other class) is to join the SCCA to start getting their montly magazine, and go to a few regional or national races and watch, learn and talk to other driver's about the various classes. I went to at least three races, mostly watching Chris, before I jumped in.
The SCCA Club racing schedules can be found on the left on the link I posted above under Regional and National.

Finally, I agree that a track car and a race car shouldn't be viewed as the same car. A T1 car is sort of street legal, but as most have the airbags and stock seat belts removed, this is a real gray area. My car really isn't that street friendly. It has no radio, not that I could hear it anyways since it has no mufflers either, no AC, I have to climb over a roll car and slide into a deep sided racing seat, then buckle a six point harness, all making it sort of a pain... I've let my registration and insurance lapse on my car.

[mikahb]

Thanks for the input guys, maybe I should rephrase my question...

I know that track time is what I need (see title of thread). I'm curious if there are any type of organized, competitive opportunities on a big track for a non-cage car.

HPDE's are great fun, but there are no lap times, no real gauge of performance, and I'm not sure it's a good place to really push. Does anyone have any NASA experience?

I'm going to try to get down to Road Atlanta this year for sure. Should get an opportunity to instruct at Memphis and in North Carolina also.

[Subdriver]

ahhh...

No, I'm not aware of anyplace that you can go door to door without a cage, but then again, I'm not sure I'd recommend that either.