I want to learn how to race (more) responsibly., PCA, SCCA... ??? Where do I start? Options

[Dr. Roger]

So the car is getting done and now my next step is to learn how to race (more) responsibly. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wink.gif)

It looks like this involves joining a sanctioning body, figuring which class , I dont' know what else.

If you have a V8 914 and zero experience racing AX where would you start?

I'm near San Francisco, CA.

Thanks.

[Andyrew]

local autox.

then a DE, or a driving school/de

or an autox school

all of those are cool, the schools come around a couple times a year... and are a great bang for the buck..

Planning on comming to the wcc?

[DanT]

I would consider doing any of the Zone 7 PCA AXs to start.
Learn your car and you abilities to control it in a safe and lower speed environment, first.
After you have some skills, then graduate to a DE group like Coastal Driving School. This is another Zone 7 PCA group that runs excellent events, with expert instruction at every event.

[Dr. Roger]

QUOTE (Dan (Almaden Valley) @ Feb 15 2006, 12:08 AM)

I would consider doing any of the Zone 7 PCA AXs to start. Learn your car and you abilities to control it in a safe and lower speed environment, first. After you have some skills, then graduate to a DE group like Coastal Driving School.  This is another Zone 7 PCA group that runs excellent events, with expert instruction at every event.

Cool.

So I found pca.org and found all the paperwork including the doctors forms. Everyone does this??? I had no idea. Now I'm feeling the need to drop a few #'s... (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/cool.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smilie_pokal.gif)

Oh, is anyone here a SCCA member? Advantages/disadvantages?
i work with a guy who races his WRX with the SCCA and he says theres' more racing available. is this right?

[Mueller]

Roger....no dice with the PCA....no non-Porsche engine powered cars allowed for track events.

Sometimes they do allow conversion cars at the auto-x, but don't get too bent if you fail tech or are denied since it's totally up to whoever is running it and the techs....

SCCA auto-x has no problem, you'll just be in a class with other fire-breathing monsters but it'll still be fun.....

For big track events, there are few local run groups such as NASA, of course with NASA, no real "training"....the instructors are hard to find, not enough of them for the beginning classes and chances are you won't find one that knows your car....

The run groups that Trekkor runs with might be a good starting point, not sure if they have instructors or not....

Do you want to "race" or just run your car??

Huge difference (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smile.gif)

[LowGT]

Great info!

Being an ex-drag racer (stack of 300+ timeslips), I'm looking forward to getting the 1.7 out on the autox course. It should be a whole new world of fun. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/boldblue.gif)

[Dr. Roger]

QUOTE (Mueller @ Feb 15 2006, 01:07 AM)

Roger....no dice with the PCA....no non-Porsche engine powered cars allowed for track events. Sometimes they do allow conversion cars at the auto-x, but don't get too bent if you fail tech or are denied since it's totally up to whoever is running it and the techs.... SCCA auto-x has no problem, you'll just be in a class with other fire-breathing monsters but it'll still be fun..... For big track events, there are few local run groups such as NASA, of course with NASA, no real "training"....the instructors are hard to find, not enough of them for the beginning classes and chances are you won't find one that knows your car.... The run groups that Trekkor runs with might be a good starting point, not sure if they have instructors or not.... Do you want to "race" or just run your car?? Huge difference (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smile.gif)

you know mike, that is a damn good question.

i think i just want to run my car as fast as I can going thru straights and turns. i'm building it as a street car first and foremost. AX is just frosting on the cake.

QUOTE

local autox. then a DE, or a driving school/de or an autox school all of those are cool, the schools come around a couple times a year... and are a great bang for the buck.. Planning on comming to the wcc?

andy, are you a member of the pca or scca?
and, yes, i'm going to the wcc unless hell freezes over. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/boldblue.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wub.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wink.gif)

[9146R]

I have done a number of SF region SCCA autox...they are plenty of fun. Held at either Candlestick, Oak Coliseum or Marina...near Monterey...or Sacto. Go to SCCA check out the schedule. SCCA autox is a fine way to learn, then after a year of it - move up to some driver ed events on open tracks - once you know your car and your limits....let'r rip...and good luck.

Greg

[Andyrew]

we were a member of scca. Next year we probably will come back.. (I'll be having a mon-fri work schedule, and much more $$ flow.. new job..)

Currently a member of PCA.. worth it just for the Pano's...(magazines)

Keep in mind roger, the faster you push your car, the more you'll break it..

Found that out!

Now if mike will ever reply to my message I might have a solution to that one problem (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif)


Seriously.. look at the SCCA schedule for the zone near you. See when their next one is. Then take a drive to it. Dont take the 914.. got a family car? take it, secure the battery so it wont move, torque the lugs down, and empty it out.

Get an instructor, tell em your just getting the idea of autox.. do it at least twice.. When youve got the moving the hands down really fast down, and starting to work on "lines" then its time to move on to the 914. (friend of mine did this, had a blast..)

You'll apreciate the 914 more, and be much more ready in the event of a lift spin, understeer (which you will have plenty) and other things that could cause problems for your car..

You learn on a slow car w/ bad tires, then work up...

Andrew

[Dr. Roger]

QUOTE (Andyrew @ Feb 15 2006, 01:50 AM)

Get an instructor, tell em your just getting the idea of autox.. do it at least twice.. When youve got the moving the hands down really fast down, and starting to work on "lines" then its time to move on to the 914. (friend of mine did this, had a blast..) You'll apreciate the 914 more, and be much more ready in the event of a lift spin, understeer (which you will have plenty) and other things that could cause problems for your car.. You learn on a slow car w/ bad tires, then work up... Andrew

all i've got is my 4X4 Tacoma, my dirt bike and my gas powered, fur covered surf board. i think i'll start with the 914. LOL =-)

I realize driving technique is a heavy weighted aspect of speed. I cut my teeth road racing up in the berkeley hills on grizzly peak, skyline drive, and then Hy. 1 up and down the coast in my lowered dodge colt, my '63 ghia vert., and many street bikes.

OK, so SCCA it is.

Thanks a ton guys, as always. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/cool.gif)
U da' men. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/clap56.gif)

This post has been edited by rogergrubb: Feb 15 2006, 03:04 AM

[Andyrew]

you could try rallycross w/ the 4x4.. lol

Andrew

[Dr. Roger]

QUOTE (Andyrew @ Feb 15 2006, 02:03 AM)

you could try rallycross w/ the 4x4.. lol Andrew

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/huh.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/laugh.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/laugh.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/laugh.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/laugh.gif)

too funny. my 4X4 buddies and i did that many times going thru death and saline valley's. wash board at 80 with all 4 wheels driving is sooo much fun.

that's why i'll never go back to non gas struts/shocks.

[grantsfo]

QUOTE (rogergrubb @ Feb 14 2006, 10:54 PM)

So the car is getting done and now my next step is to learn how to race (more) responsibly.   (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wink.gif) It looks like this involves joining a sanctioning body, figuring which class , I dont' know what else. If you have a V8 914 and zero experience racing AX where would you start? I'm near San Francisco, CA. Thanks.

If you dont mind heading down to Seaside/Marina area NASA will be having an AX series at the Marina airport this year

Here is a forum that might help with AX events:

http://www.baautox.com/forum/index.php

[Porcharu]

NASA - They have a pretty good program in Norcal. They also have follow along and ride along instructors at the DE's.

[Mueller]

QUOTE (Porcharu @ Feb 15 2006, 11:34 AM)

NASA - They have a pretty good program in Norcal. They also have follow along and ride along instructors at the DE's.

I've done that before, it was a total joke.....we had like 30 students and newbies and about 7 instructors...it was my 1st time on a track (driving the wifes Volvo) and the instructor was more or less extra ballast and didn't teach or show me anything.....I talked to a few other students that were very put off by the lack of instructors and vowed never to participate with NASA again...my view is the same...totally irresponsible organisation.....

[seanery]

Touring Car Club is another option. They are based mostly out of SoCal, but when I was a member we did events at Laguna, Las Vegas, Parumph, Phoenix, Buttonwillow, Willow Springs, Fontana and some others that I can't remember. The student classes feature classroom instruction as well as on-track lessons.

Check with your local PCA region, we will allow non-Porsche engined cars to run in DE's, but not in club races. I am a member of the tech crew and we have a list of things to check and they would basically be the same whether it was a 928 or a 914 with a V8 in it.

[Howard]

I'm be glad to be in SoCal and have POC. A real treat. Good instructors, no BS, and they will take you from AX style events to full wheel to wheel racing if you want to stay the course.

It's amazing how few of our local members hear take advantage of this inexpensive ($150ish per weekend) venue. That's about half the price of a speeding ticket. In fairness, non Porsche engined cars run in exhibition class, so no trophies. But you get a transponder and your lap times are recorded and published.

Nice way to settle all those bench racing arguements (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif)

[nocones]

Roger,
Can't help you with DE/track stuff, but as for AutoX...
I've autoX'd for many years with the SF region SCCA and love it.
Bigger, faster tracks, more runs, and lots of interesting cars and very fast drivers. These will also be close to home for you.
Having said that there are several other alternatives...

As mentioned, some of the PCA folks will let you run but not for points or "official" times, just "fun" runs.

If you make a short drive up here to Santa Rosa you can run with Empire Sports Car Association. Six events or so each summer at the Sonoma County Airport, all on Saturdays. You must become a member before attending however.

My favorite however is the American AutoX Series.
These are mostly Corvette guys based around Sacramento.
Big FAST courses, the most runs, and some of the absolute fastest cars and drivers. Several National Champs.

It's been almost two years since I've run with them but I will certainly be back.
http://www.americanauto-x.com/

[Crazyhippy]

POC has run in Nor cal... I've been on Laguna Seca w/ them (in a SBC car) and had no problems. They usually have enough instructors too...

BJH

[Joe Ricard]

V-8 powered teener?

WELCOME TO E-Modified. Slicks are allowed for that one. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/mueba.gif)