Sorry to ask, but in the opinion of the RACERS here, which license (SCCA v. NASA) is the one to hold? My plans, for the time being, are to run the Honda Challenge next year, but I'd like to also do some club racing in the future, and ultimatly build up to open-wheel competition (formual atlantic would be ideal) So, what's the concensus, and can I race in a NASA series (i.e., WCHC) with an SCCA license, and, vice versa, can I run in an SCCA series w/ a NASA license?

I'd love to hear experiences from those that are either licensed by one, the other or both.

Thank you.

 

I got my SCCA liscense first because I qualified for it through Skip Barber. I never ran in a single SCCA race, I just used the liscense to obtain a NASA liscense and an EMRA liscense. I would think that the SCCA liscense is probably recognized by the most sanctioning bodies, but with the growth (and increased prominence) of NASA, I would think that a NASA liscense would get you in the door for most racing series.

Matt

 

So how'd you obtain the NASA license? Did you have to take another school, through NASA, or did the SCCA license pre-qualify you for the NASA license? I'm also planning on doing the Skippy school (for the SCCA license), so your input is appreciated with regard to the instruction you recieved there as well.

 

It seems like it would be best to get the license for the group that is most prominent in your area. For me, my home track is not (it used to be though, odd) affiliated with NASA and is my region's SCCA track... so it made sense to go SCCA. The nice thing is that I can apply for a NASA license with my SCCA license as they accept the requirements completed for a SCCA license. Which is what I am going to do so I can race in Honda-Challenge (hopefully this year).

that's what I'm doing, ymmv...

 

So, then you can get your NASA license (if you've got the SCCA) automatically? No additional instruction required?

*I don't mean to be dense (hence the redundancy in my question), but I just want 100% understanding before I choose one v. the other.*

Thank you.

 

The SCCA license gets your foot in the door for the NASA license. Having a NASA license is not specifically doing that for an SCCA license but will certainly stand in your favor for proven seat time.

As mentioned before, join whichever group is going to get you the most seat time and enjoyment within reach of where you are. You will be spending enough money racing with either group that paying the dues and getting a license in the other is going to be small change in your overall costs. The two have enough similarities at the entry level that you should go with whichever most efficiently gets you seat time.

 

...and be advised that, at the end of the day, it is a people-dependent situation: It will depend on you and on the person actually making the decision (licensing chair or whatever). There *might* be some politics involved to, depending on where you are. You really need to ask the actual humans involved before you can be sure you have an accurate answer.

Kirk

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bb6h22a &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So, then you can get your NASA license (if you've got the SCCA) automatically? No additional instruction required?</TD></TR></TABLE>

You know, I guess I thought I had read somewhere on NASA's site that you could get your NASA license from an existing SCCA Comp license just by paying the fee and submitting your logbooks. I'm going to go find that out for sure (and IM Grumpy)

edit: Well I haven't heard from Grumpy but I found this on the Honda-challenge.com website:

<U>NASA Licensing Requirements: </U>
....
3. SCCA National Competition Driver's License or SCCA Regional Competition Driver's License (not Solo 1, Solo 2, or Rally).

This satisfies ALL of the NASA driver school requirements. You may submit paperwork for a NASA National License.

4. SCCA Novice Permit with COMPLETED school requirements.

This satisfies ALL of the NASA driver school requirements. You may submit paperwork for a NASA National License.

Which is pretty cool because I meet the #4 requirements. I didn't realize this. I'll be submitting my paperwork ASAP. Now, if I can actually GET to a HC race is another story. F'in living in AR sucks for not being close to many race tracks...



Modified by uncleben at 6:21 PM 8/6/2003

 

In NorCal, holding a SCCA Regional doesn't mean you automatically get your NASA Competition License. In most cases, you will still need to do a license test consisting of a driving test & a written. What it will do is allow you to bypass the 'school' requirements. You will still be scrutinized (sp?) until after you complete your Provisional license requirements.

go hear to read the official word on licensing with NASA
http://www.nasaproracing.com/r...R.pdf

After reading the license sections ( 13 & 14 ), if you still have questions, email me. I am the NorCal WCHC leader. If I can't answer it or if I am unsure, I can find out for you.


added in edit: just saw what area you are from. best bet is to contact Ryan F. in SoCal. he runs SoCal (region & HC) & is the National Director of NASA.



Modified by civicrr at 7:32 AM 8/7/2003

 

Having an SCCA liscense automatically qualifies you for a NASA liscense, just send in the paperwork. I wish it wasn't that way, but it is....


Matt

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by speedracer33 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Having an SCCA liscense automatically qualifies you for a NASA liscense, just send in the paperwork. I wish it wasn't that way, but it is....


Matt</TD></TR></TABLE>

True....although the region licensing official has some leeway on how he/she runs the program.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by civicrr &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">True....although the region licensing official has some leeway on how he/she runs the program.</TD></TR></TABLE>

and the Honda Challenge Rookie Chief has some say about who runs with us and who doesn't. Somebody who has no experience other than an SCCA liscensing school does NOT race ECHC.


Matt

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by speedracer33 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

and the Honda Challenge Rookie Chief has some say about who runs with us and who doesn't. Somebody who has no experience other than an SCCA liscensing school does NOT race ECHC.


Matt</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

Pretty much what's been said already.

NASA recognized the SCCA license (must submit paperwork to obtain NASA license). SCCA does not recognize the NASA license.

Which one to get?

Both have differing approaches to obtaining a license. Both ways turn out good drivers for the most part. And both approaches occasionally let a not-so-good driver slip through.

SCCA - two comp licensing schools for provisional, then 2 regionals successfully completed for Regional. OR, complete any of the certified track schools (Skip Barber, Bondurant, etc)

NASA - obtain permission to attend comp school (AFAIK, permission granted based on previous track experience) for provisional, then 2 regionals.

I would do whichever you intend to race with first. The SCCA will waive your second comp school if you do well (must ask for waiver in advance), so doing NASA, then later getting the SCCA isn't going to pose any problems.

Both clubs have lots to offer. I've run with both and don't have any issues with either. Go to events hosted by both, see which you like, and have fun.

 

I was going to get an SCCA first, but since I was only planning to run honda-challenge theres no point in paying for 2 licenses and 2 memberships if you're only going to race with one group. So I got the NASA and if I ever actually need the SCCA one, I'll get it.

 

How many hpde's did you NASA liscense holders do before you got liscensed?