This seems like the fitting sub-forum. I think it would get lost in the media section, but if I'm wrong feel free to move it :P

My friend did a cool write-up on working his way through HPDE's and eventually his TT license. He runs TTB in his mildly modded NSX. A true gear-head and thinks like most of us on this forum.

On Track: HPDE to Time Trials (Part 1/3) | A Forward Motion

It's three parts, this is part 1. Part 2 is published and part 3 is on it's way.

Go like Forward Motion on Facebook! We have a few guys in Texas that love some Vipers and are suppose to cover a certain confused BRG NA . Most articles are based out of east TN.

 

Ughghhh....format of that website is painful.

Too many colors...too much blah for my eyes.

Maybe it's the bourbon.

Here's my how-to to get a NASA TT license.

Step 1: Buy safety gear, heck, get cheap ch*t for TT

Step 2: Go to SCCA Double School, rent someones humongous POS ITC car, run ch*t tires, should cost not very much

Step 3: Run double SCCA regional race, rent someone humongous POS ITC car, run ch*t tires, should cost not very much

Step 4: You have now completed SCCA regional license, good for NASA competition license and NASA TT license

You now have 3 licenses for the same amount of money as doing the 6 HPDE weekends to get your NASA TT license.

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PROFIT?

 

Less time on track for the same money? I don't like this plan.

 

That’s how I did it. Got an ICSCC license with one observation race as well running with the International Conference of Sports Car Clubs. Actually bigger than SCCA in the Northwest. No NASA up here until this year but did enough prerequisites to run the Thunderhill 25 with NASA all in one year. My wallet is shot and development work on my track beast or SSM car was halted but it was fun.

 

Was it the format of the whole website or just how the article was setup? Does it look much different when your bourdon-less? Feed-back is welcomed, I think some things are limited through word press though.


Renting a ITC car, going to SCCA school, and doing a regional race will definitely get you there(obviously). This article was geared towards people wanting to get their own car on the track and competing.

I'm thinking about going the route you did, once I have the money to do track events. I also know a guy who has access to quite a few ITC/ITB cars, so that'll help as well.

 

Where's part 2?

 

On Track: HPDE to Time Trials (Part 2/3) | A Forward Motion

 

An SCCA double school is a lot of track time.

And depending on what part of the country you live in, you'll learn a whole lot more doing a double competition school and two races then you will doing 5 or 6 HPDE events.

I'm not saying the guide posted is bad, or that the NASA system is sub-par. Honestly, NASA really stepped up the performance driving event system.

But, if someones end goal is to get a NASA TT license, doing it through NASA will take most people a year.

You could do my plan in about 4 weeks most places...



(PS - I did NASA HPDEs for ~2 years before doing an SCCA school and SCCA regional competition)

 

Well, since we are talking about this, I've got a question: I've been an SCCA TT'er and Hill Climber for a couple years, now I'm moving into NASA TT... will I have to do at least 1-2 days at each level (DE 1, 2, 3, 4) or can I possibly skip up more quickly with proof of experience and by demonstrating ability on the track? I don't mind doing a few track days to get my NASA TT license, but I've already been doing TT's (albeit, with point by passing... so they are probably more akin to DE 3 in NASA terms) for over a year, so starting over at the bottom isn't very appealing. If that's the case I'd rather just do a SCCA school.

Obviously this would be a question better answered by a NASA instructor, but since were on the subject...

 

Kind of where I was I had been doing lapping days and non sanctioned TT for about 10 years and also worked as a driving instructor for several HPDE groups. Didn’t want to spend a whole season running Novice races. Did the SCCA school in conjunction with a double regional and had a race full SCCA regional race license in a couple weekends. Actually won the first two road races I did driving a barrowed E30 BMW Pro3 car. From there I Got a ICSCC race license and a NASA license basically just by signing up.

The ICSCC license is a bit more involved to get if you start there but doing the school In Canada here can get you an FIA racing license.

 

I would just e-mail the NASA licensing person in your region. Send them your "driving resume" and explain to them your goals, etc.

 

Part 3 is published! He did a mini-questionnaire with SouthEast's regional director, Jeff England.

On-Track: HPDE to Time Trials (Part 3/3) | A Forward Motion

 

When I asked this question over on S197forums, you'll be able to sign up in a higher group.

From what I gather (I'll be shooting for my first NASA HPDE in June), you should sign up for 3. Get a check ride to go to 4. Get a check ride for TT.

You could likely get to TT in 1-2 weekends with your exisiting skill level.

 

I disagree with Jeff England on "not modifying your car". Put a radiator in it, oil cooler, brake cooling mods, and put good suspension on the car. Newbs should learn to drive properly set-up cars, not overheating ****-heaps.

 

While I will agree with the cooling and brake stuffs, I will disagree a bit on the suspension.

Being able to drive a "not properly set-up car" is part of the art. Eventually, as a driver, you'll want to have the ability to drive a bad car fast. Racing is always dynamic, and you can't always have a perfectly set-up car. If all you've ever driven and learned on is a perfectly set-up car then how will you cope when ch*t goes wrong?

Coming from a Showroom Stock background I think helps me as a driver. My first two years of wheel to wheel competition was in a strut FWD racecar with stock suspension, not nearly enough camber, and crazy rear alignment settings to get the car to rotate a bit. The car is loose on entry, and then understeers painfully from mid-corner out. It's a miserable race car, but it takes a certain something to go truly fast in one.

Learning in this type of car has made me a better driver. When you have a really good sense of a how a bad car feels, it helps you learn how to properly set-up a car and it will teach you how to keep doing fast laps when half way through a race something bad happens and all of a sudden your alignment is way the eff off and your car is barely driveable.

So no, I don't think the first thing someone should do is go spend $2000 on a set of XIDAs just to do some HPDEs or TT.

 

Socialist northerner post.

 

Sorry hussy, I agree with efini on this one. I also think Jeff was talking about power mods, suspension work, or anything that will add points to your car, lol.

Guess it goes to the good ole saying of "It's harder to drive a slow car fast!"

 

I don't see anything wrong with some upgrades.

I did all the suspension/brake work, but left my 1.6/open diff stock. Butterfly brace, Frog Arms, Sport brakes (1.6s needed rebuilt anyway, now I'm good for more power later on), Carbotechs, RComps, ART Hubs, etc.

But my previous track ride had 2 less wheels and 20whp more, and 1500 less lbs. The Miata seems pretty tame by comparison.

If I had some extra cash I'd buy some 18x10s, 285 take offs and proper pads and take the '13 GT with the Track Pack out this year.

 

The old saying is retarded. It's hard to drive a fast car, fast.

 

Driving a car with a bad alignment or bent suspension is different from driving a car that handles like ****.