Getting a 17-year-old started on track time? (have track-ready car)
 

Last August my 16-year-old son went with a close friend to a nearby very nice track and my son got the bug. We searched for and purchased a 99 Miata track car after a couple of months. Now my friend told me the rules have changed at that track and he has some limitations on taking a 17-year-old guest without a bunch of liability/insurance red tape. So I thought we would sign up for something else and I find out that the SCCA events also require age 18.

So we are kind of disappointed so far that he cannot seem to get access to a track. It seems as though we can do autocross through some of the events sponsored by the Windy City Miata Club. They don't have very strict requirements. Can anyone suggest other events for those in the other 18-year-old gap especially those that take place on a nice track? As you can tell by the Windy City comment that we are in Illinois.

Thanks in advance for advice.

Kevin

How do you page a member with their screen name?

MiataMan00 did a BUNCH of track days before he was 18, hopefully he will chime in.

I raced extensively as a minor. You just need to sign the appropriate waivers on his behalf as his legal guardian

At my last SCCA race in Daytona May 5/6th, I was paddocked next to a 14 y/o who was doing his first spec miata race. He was moving up from karting.

If you go the SCCA route, he will have to do a SCCA drivers school or through one of the approved private programs.

Of course, there will be some waivers for you to sign.

https://www.scca.com/

NASA will allow kids as young as 16 to race.

Lots of these discussions are around racing and thus drivers with race licenses. This might not be the same for track days.

Thank you everyone for your responses. I'm finding out that some events sponsored by the SCCA can be participated in even if 17 or under. So the answer is that it depends on the event. So we are just going to get our SCCA membership, get our gear ready and get educated about what the opportunities are.

I am certain that he can participate in the SCCA Track night in America program if it comes to a track near you.

You can also check out Chin Track Days | The Leader in High Performance Driving Education and see if they make it up your way. Great instructors with that group.

I started tracking when I was 16. 18 now. You (the parent) has to sign a minor waiver. Some organizations may require a notary. I had to get a notary for when a parent couldnt attend (which was basically all). Some organizations wont even accept a notary, so a paren't has to be present. Both NASA and SCCA allow minors on track if the latter is squared away. I hope that makes sense.