want to road race
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 362
Likes: 0
From: stockbridge, ga, usa
want to road race
hi guys, i am new to road race. i would like to get into it how would i start? the thing is i don't want to race around cones i want to really get on the road course like this.
if i have to start with cones thats fine. tell me if my car would be ok for this kind of race, what i have is a 98 integ gsr. i will list mods below.
98 integ gsr
t3/t4 turbo
9:1 je
crower rods
s-afc
rc440cc
msd 6btm
if i have to start with cones thats fine. tell me if my car would be ok for this kind of race, what i have is a 98 integ gsr. i will list mods below. 98 integ gsr
t3/t4 turbo
9:1 je
crower rods
s-afc
rc440cc
msd 6btm
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Woodstock, GA, USA
Re: want to road race (luckypon7)
Your car doesn't look legal for any road racing classes that I know of, but some other racers here on the board might know otherwise. I haven't been very active in club racing lately.
I always tell someone who is interested in going road racing to first find a team to crew with for a few weekends or visit the race shop to see if they are prepared to do all the work that is required to race. A team that has been around for a while can answer any questions you might have and show you the ropes much better than seeking all of the answers here. You will probably take things more to heart if you are actually involved in the program anyways. Also look into karting. Can't give you any advice with this since I was never involved in kart racing.
I first teamed up with E. Radatz Motorsports who had top notch cars and drivers in their stable (Grayson Upchurch-ITS 300ZX/Paul Reckert, Jr.-ITS 240Z) to learn from. I learned about the ways of the SCCA, loading and unloading for a race weekend, getting dirty under the car and when I expressed an interest in getting behind the wheel for some W2W competition, they provided me with a car and crew at a reduced rental price because of all the work I had done for them.
Go to some NASA HPDE days or a hi-perf driving school with brave instructors for some track time to see if you actually like it and have a little bit of a knack for it. Driving fast and concentrating for a half hour or so is more difficult than it appears on TV (actual quote from a couple of new drivers I knew). If you are hooked I recommend saving your money for a rental ride to see if you like W2W competition at a driving school. Some people like everything about the hi-perf driving experience, but become very uncomfortable in a competition environment. Others get bitten by the racing bug and become speed junkies
Good luck!
I always tell someone who is interested in going road racing to first find a team to crew with for a few weekends or visit the race shop to see if they are prepared to do all the work that is required to race. A team that has been around for a while can answer any questions you might have and show you the ropes much better than seeking all of the answers here. You will probably take things more to heart if you are actually involved in the program anyways. Also look into karting. Can't give you any advice with this since I was never involved in kart racing.
I first teamed up with E. Radatz Motorsports who had top notch cars and drivers in their stable (Grayson Upchurch-ITS 300ZX/Paul Reckert, Jr.-ITS 240Z) to learn from. I learned about the ways of the SCCA, loading and unloading for a race weekend, getting dirty under the car and when I expressed an interest in getting behind the wheel for some W2W competition, they provided me with a car and crew at a reduced rental price because of all the work I had done for them.
Go to some NASA HPDE days or a hi-perf driving school with brave instructors for some track time to see if you actually like it and have a little bit of a knack for it. Driving fast and concentrating for a half hour or so is more difficult than it appears on TV (actual quote from a couple of new drivers I knew). If you are hooked I recommend saving your money for a rental ride to see if you like W2W competition at a driving school. Some people like everything about the hi-perf driving experience, but become very uncomfortable in a competition environment. Others get bitten by the racing bug and become speed junkies
Good luck!
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 362
Likes: 0
From: stockbridge, ga, usa
Re: want to road race (itsprelude)
yea i was thinking i might have to change something with my car. in my my i was think of trading my engine with turbo for a b18c5 integra r engine. i have long time like road racing but never rally have any friends that are in it. they are all in to drag. but we'll see how it goes. but thanks for your opinion and advice for trying to help.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,194
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From: Houston, TX
Re: want to road race (luckypon7)
I would make sure the car is reliable enough for some schools and maybe skip autocross. Go back to autocross if you feel like track driving is not something you want to do. Sometimes people will go to their first event, see something bad happen, and never come back.
On the other hand, I've heard so many times that a lot of autocrossers develop habits that are a-no good on the racetrack. We all know habits are hard to break.
That being said, autocross is a fantastic place to learn a little bit about car control in a safe-ish environment, so I suggest really thinking about what you really want to do.
Aftermarket turbo kits are usually a "no-go" in any form of sanctioned road racing.
On the other hand, I've heard so many times that a lot of autocrossers develop habits that are a-no good on the racetrack. We all know habits are hard to break.
That being said, autocross is a fantastic place to learn a little bit about car control in a safe-ish environment, so I suggest really thinking about what you really want to do.
Aftermarket turbo kits are usually a "no-go" in any form of sanctioned road racing.
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Woodstock, GA, USA
Re: want to road race (luckypon7)
There are plenty of good teams in the Atlanta area and you shouldn't have any problems finding someone to answer questions or help you out. The next club race at Road Atlanta is on Labor Day and it will cost you only around $20.00 to get in the track as a spectator for the weekend. Go on up to the race and have a look around.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,062
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From: Charlotte, NC, USA
Re: want to road race (itsprelude)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by itsprelude »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">... The next club race at Road Atlanta is on Labor Day and it will cost you only around $20.00 to get in the track as a spectator for the weekend. Go on up to the race and have a look around.</TD></TR></TABLE>
to add to itsprelude's comments, odds are that you'll be able to chat with some hondacura folks down at the skidpad (the area of the paddock near Turn One) as there seems to be a good concentration there in my experience. Assuming that's what you are interested in.
to add to itsprelude's comments, odds are that you'll be able to chat with some hondacura folks down at the skidpad (the area of the paddock near Turn One) as there seems to be a good concentration there in my experience. Assuming that's what you are interested in.
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Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 362
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From: stockbridge, ga, usa
Re: want to road race (itsprelude)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by itsprelude »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">There are plenty of good teams in the Atlanta area and you shouldn't have any problems finding someone to answer questions or help you out. The next club race at Road Atlanta is on Labor Day and it will cost you only around $20.00 to get in the track as a spectator for the weekend. Go on up to the race and have a look around.</TD></TR></TABLE>i'll do that if i 'm not going to florida. what day is it exactly and direction of location?
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 173
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From: Woodstock, GA, USA
Re: want to road race (luckypon7)
Visit the Road Atlanta website at http://www.roadatlanta.com for info. From where you are at it is a straight shot up I75 to I85 to Braselton. About an hour drive or so.
The Labor Day race weekend is one of the best attended all year and would be a great weekend to check everything out.
The Labor Day race weekend is one of the best attended all year and would be a great weekend to check everything out.
New User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 8,960
Likes: 1
From: I hate, you
Re: want to road race (luckypon7)
Where do I start?
First of all lets tackle the different aspects of track driving since what you mention isn't real specific AND since the answer regarding your car can be naswered 2 totally different ways depending on what aspect we are looking at.
In the world of track driving you have 2 things:
HPDE (High Performance Driver Education): These are NOT racing events. They are schools. You drive on track at speed with your only limitations being controlled passing in selected areas. These events are not competition and the only prizes are a fun weekend, increased driving skill and taking you and your car home in one piece.
Road Racing: This is wheel-to-wheel competition. The requirements for the car and the driver are strict and lengthy. You don't want to do this in your daily-driven car because at any point you could destroy it and be left with nothing but pieces. No one is going to pay the bill but you.
HPDE is the starting point. Most will suggest doing this for several years before you step up to the world of road racing. The financial commitment, although fairly high is nothing in comparison to racing. You could still destroy your car in an HPDE and be left with the bill but it is a far more controlled environment. The safety gear requirements for the car and driver are much less strict as well though there are certain racing items (like rollover protection) which are always a good idea.
Do a search in the archives here for more in-depth discussions about these types of events.
Now on to your car. If you want to HPDE with it then have fun but the likelihood of you being able to race it are very slim. The work you have done will bump you out of most every class in the amateur ranks. If you pulled the turbo you would be in better shape but you really need to:
1. Decide what series you want to race in
2. Get a rulebook
3. Pick a class
4. Build the car for the class
One of the biggest mistakes people make is to build a car and THEN try to find a class to stick it in. It is very common to see someone build a car right out of viable competition because 1 or 2 mods either bump them to a ridiculous class that requires serious builds - or the mods bump them out of competition altogether (the SCCA for example will not allow you to run that turbo in ANY class - though a region may grant special dispensation to you in a catch-all class where you won't be competitive).
Racing isn't as simple as getting on the internet and grabbing some tips. It is a lengthy process that requires a great deal of time and crazy amounts of money. My advice to you would be to get a second dedicated track car - something cheap like a Miata or a CRX and start doing HPDEs with it. Build it over time while you go through your education and then, if you do it right you will have the car completed when you are ready to race in a few years.
Good luck!
First of all lets tackle the different aspects of track driving since what you mention isn't real specific AND since the answer regarding your car can be naswered 2 totally different ways depending on what aspect we are looking at.
In the world of track driving you have 2 things:
HPDE (High Performance Driver Education): These are NOT racing events. They are schools. You drive on track at speed with your only limitations being controlled passing in selected areas. These events are not competition and the only prizes are a fun weekend, increased driving skill and taking you and your car home in one piece.
Road Racing: This is wheel-to-wheel competition. The requirements for the car and the driver are strict and lengthy. You don't want to do this in your daily-driven car because at any point you could destroy it and be left with nothing but pieces. No one is going to pay the bill but you.
HPDE is the starting point. Most will suggest doing this for several years before you step up to the world of road racing. The financial commitment, although fairly high is nothing in comparison to racing. You could still destroy your car in an HPDE and be left with the bill but it is a far more controlled environment. The safety gear requirements for the car and driver are much less strict as well though there are certain racing items (like rollover protection) which are always a good idea.
Do a search in the archives here for more in-depth discussions about these types of events.
Now on to your car. If you want to HPDE with it then have fun but the likelihood of you being able to race it are very slim. The work you have done will bump you out of most every class in the amateur ranks. If you pulled the turbo you would be in better shape but you really need to:
1. Decide what series you want to race in
2. Get a rulebook
3. Pick a class
4. Build the car for the class
One of the biggest mistakes people make is to build a car and THEN try to find a class to stick it in. It is very common to see someone build a car right out of viable competition because 1 or 2 mods either bump them to a ridiculous class that requires serious builds - or the mods bump them out of competition altogether (the SCCA for example will not allow you to run that turbo in ANY class - though a region may grant special dispensation to you in a catch-all class where you won't be competitive).
Racing isn't as simple as getting on the internet and grabbing some tips. It is a lengthy process that requires a great deal of time and crazy amounts of money. My advice to you would be to get a second dedicated track car - something cheap like a Miata or a CRX and start doing HPDEs with it. Build it over time while you go through your education and then, if you do it right you will have the car completed when you are ready to race in a few years.
Good luck!
Trial User
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Plotting My Revenge
Re: want to road race (itsprelude)
Don't take this wrong because I'm about to give you the best advice you've had all month. Its going to come across harsh, but its what you need to recieve.
First of all, you are getting about 100 steps ahead of yourself. This is evidenced by the fact that you live in Atlanta but don't even know where Road Atlanta is located. This tells me that you really have no clue what you're asking about and may not even be a road racing fan .
Second... Forget about your current car. It isn't really legal for much of anything. And based on your comment about swapping the turbo for an ITR motor I'm guessing that the mental picture you have of what 99% of us are racing is totally wrong. The most popular road race car on this board... The good old 88-91 CRX Si with the D16 motor that came in it. No boost. No swap. About 115 furious horsepower and its a friggin hand full in a race.
So step back and take a breath young Jedi. You are a LONG way from racing.
Before you do ANYTHING else you need to spend a day at a NASA or SCCA race and see whats going on. You need to look closely at the cars and make friends with some of the drivers (offer them good, cold beer at the end of the day and believe me you can ask some questions while they're drinking it). Offer to crew for somebody... whatever. At the end of the day I PROMISE you you'll realize there's alot you didn't realize when you typed this post.
After spend your day uploading knowledge if you still feel racing is the road for you... Come back here and say "OK, here's what I think I should do" and get some feedback.
But right now man... you're asking about running and you haven't crawled yet.
First of all, you are getting about 100 steps ahead of yourself. This is evidenced by the fact that you live in Atlanta but don't even know where Road Atlanta is located. This tells me that you really have no clue what you're asking about and may not even be a road racing fan .
Second... Forget about your current car. It isn't really legal for much of anything. And based on your comment about swapping the turbo for an ITR motor I'm guessing that the mental picture you have of what 99% of us are racing is totally wrong. The most popular road race car on this board... The good old 88-91 CRX Si with the D16 motor that came in it. No boost. No swap. About 115 furious horsepower and its a friggin hand full in a race.
So step back and take a breath young Jedi. You are a LONG way from racing.
Before you do ANYTHING else you need to spend a day at a NASA or SCCA race and see whats going on. You need to look closely at the cars and make friends with some of the drivers (offer them good, cold beer at the end of the day and believe me you can ask some questions while they're drinking it). Offer to crew for somebody... whatever. At the end of the day I PROMISE you you'll realize there's alot you didn't realize when you typed this post.
After spend your day uploading knowledge if you still feel racing is the road for you... Come back here and say "OK, here's what I think I should do" and get some feedback.
But right now man... you're asking about running and you haven't crawled yet.
Member
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,381
Likes: 0
From: Springfield, Va, USA
Re: want to road race (luckypon7)
Wow! You are getting some excellent advice here. Here's my $0.02 worth.
Do some research and find out who runs HPDEs in the Atlanta area. Try this first. You can run your car as is, with maybe a change to better brake pads & fluid. HPDE, while not racing, will let you experience being on the track at speed, and teach you car control that will help you every day.
You may find that HPDE is enough for you. There are alot of very good, very fast drivers who get everything they want in an HPDE setting. It can also be a lot cheaper than racing.
If, after a year of two of HPDEs, you decide you have to go wheel-to-wheel, first talk to your HPDE instructors and ask if they think you're ready. Many of them will be racers, and won't hesitate to let you know if they'd feel comfortable on track with you.
At this point you have to decide what series to run, how to pay for it, whether to build a car or buy used, and a multitude of other things. It might be worthwhile to start researching this now, so you have a good plan when to time comes.
Welcome to the Go-Fast Crack Pipe fraternity.
Do some research and find out who runs HPDEs in the Atlanta area. Try this first. You can run your car as is, with maybe a change to better brake pads & fluid. HPDE, while not racing, will let you experience being on the track at speed, and teach you car control that will help you every day.
You may find that HPDE is enough for you. There are alot of very good, very fast drivers who get everything they want in an HPDE setting. It can also be a lot cheaper than racing.
If, after a year of two of HPDEs, you decide you have to go wheel-to-wheel, first talk to your HPDE instructors and ask if they think you're ready. Many of them will be racers, and won't hesitate to let you know if they'd feel comfortable on track with you.
At this point you have to decide what series to run, how to pay for it, whether to build a car or buy used, and a multitude of other things. It might be worthwhile to start researching this now, so you have a good plan when to time comes.
Welcome to the Go-Fast Crack Pipe fraternity.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 4,035
Likes: 0
From: Greensboro, NC, USA
Re: (George Knighton)
Uh, yeah. What they said. There is a LOT of racing experience and talent reflected in the advice above but my guess is that 99% of people who start this game won't follow it. Not surprisingly, about 99% of those who start racing quit before they have done it more than a few years. Be one of the few, the proud - the broke.
K
K
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,355
Likes: 0
From: Hammonton, NJ
Re: (Knestis)
You'll probably want to start with something else if you head down this whole road racing path... as in a car you can ball up and walk away from without
a. losing your life
b. losing your bank account
FWIW:
Autocrossing and trackdays are great places to get your feet wet. Like you I hated cone dodging, but after I learned what to look for and started doing better I found I really enjoyed this motorsport.
Do a full season of autocrossing, and ride with instructors. Have them help you learn the basics. It might surprise you how fast you can really get around a parking lot. This will translate well into road racing. Quite a few top road racers started this way... Roger Foo, Neal Sapp, etc. I don't know Mr. Foo personally, but I don't think he has very many "bad habits".
Then go to a few track days. There are plenty of places were you can get on the track with an instructor and get the feeling of what it's like driving at speed. If you can, ride with them. This will give you a better feeling of how really fast you can get around a track.
Best advice, take your time, get to learn really what Road Racing is. Join the SCCA and/or NASA and become part of it. Help. Work a race. Volunteer. What you get is valuable knowledge and maybe even a few friends that are willing help you in return.
Here's some sites to check out.
http://www.nerdsracing.com/links_where.htm
http://www.improvedtouring.com/
A fast car is only as fast as the driver.
Good luck!
a. losing your life
b. losing your bank account
FWIW:
Autocrossing and trackdays are great places to get your feet wet. Like you I hated cone dodging, but after I learned what to look for and started doing better I found I really enjoyed this motorsport.
Do a full season of autocrossing, and ride with instructors. Have them help you learn the basics. It might surprise you how fast you can really get around a parking lot. This will translate well into road racing. Quite a few top road racers started this way... Roger Foo, Neal Sapp, etc. I don't know Mr. Foo personally, but I don't think he has very many "bad habits".
Then go to a few track days. There are plenty of places were you can get on the track with an instructor and get the feeling of what it's like driving at speed. If you can, ride with them. This will give you a better feeling of how really fast you can get around a track.
Best advice, take your time, get to learn really what Road Racing is. Join the SCCA and/or NASA and become part of it. Help. Work a race. Volunteer. What you get is valuable knowledge and maybe even a few friends that are willing help you in return.
Here's some sites to check out.
http://www.nerdsracing.com/links_where.htm
http://www.improvedtouring.com/
A fast car is only as fast as the driver.
Good luck!
New User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 8,960
Likes: 1
From: I hate, you
Re: (luckypon7)
- 28 years in an SCCA road racing environment
- 15 year SCCA member
- SCCA Tech Inspector for 9 years
- Autocrossing for 12 years
- HPDE/Open Tracking on and off since 1994
- 1 year road racing
- 15 year SCCA member
- SCCA Tech Inspector for 9 years
- Autocrossing for 12 years
- HPDE/Open Tracking on and off since 1994
- 1 year road racing
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 1
From: I started it
Re: (luckypon7)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by luckypon7 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">how many years have you all been in road racing?</TD></TR></TABLE>
- First autocross in 1995
- First drove on a racetrack in August of 1996 at Bondurant
- Several full seasons of autocrossing
- First track event in the current car November of 1998
- Roughly 48 track weekends (schools, races, etc)
- Started instructing I think in fall of 2000
- Started my first wheel to wheel race in April of 2002.
- First autocross in 1995
- First drove on a racetrack in August of 1996 at Bondurant
- Several full seasons of autocrossing
- First track event in the current car November of 1998
- Roughly 48 track weekends (schools, races, etc)
- Started instructing I think in fall of 2000
- Started my first wheel to wheel race in April of 2002.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,200
Likes: 0
From: One by one, the penguins steal my sanity.
Re: (luckypon7)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by luckypon7 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">how many years have you all been in road racing?</TD></TR></TABLE>
SCCA spectator for 9 years
Autocross for 3 years
HPDE for 3 years
Club Raced for 1.5 years (then got layed off, went broke, and haven't started again)
SCCA spectator for 9 years
Autocross for 3 years
HPDE for 3 years
Club Raced for 1.5 years (then got layed off, went broke, and haven't started again)
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 362
Likes: 0
From: stockbridge, ga, usa
Re: (Crack Monkey)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Crack Monkey »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
SCCA spectator for 9 years
Autocross for 3 years
HPDE for 3 years
Club Raced for 1.5 years (then got layed off, went broke, and haven't started again)</TD></TR></TABLE>
man that sucks, hopefuly your get a new job and get back into it
SCCA spectator for 9 years
Autocross for 3 years
HPDE for 3 years
Club Raced for 1.5 years (then got layed off, went broke, and haven't started again)</TD></TR></TABLE>
man that sucks, hopefuly your get a new job and get back into it
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,200
Likes: 0
From: One by one, the penguins steal my sanity.
Re: (luckypon7)
I have a job again, the layoff was 18 months ago. Just haven't gotten around to getting the race car back into raceable condition. I'm content instructing for local clubs right now.
Trial User
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 7,722
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From: Plotting My Revenge
Re: (urbanlegend21)
BMWCCA Novice Student in 1995
Added Autocross and Solo 1 in '96
Won 4 Solo 1 championships. Set 8 track records.
Started DE instructing in '99.
Went wheel to wheel in 2002. Won a really big trophy.
Very few people go straight from having no experience whatsoever to wheel to wheel racing. The few who do this rarely do well.
Added Autocross and Solo 1 in '96
Won 4 Solo 1 championships. Set 8 track records.
Started DE instructing in '99.
Went wheel to wheel in 2002. Won a really big trophy.
Very few people go straight from having no experience whatsoever to wheel to wheel racing. The few who do this rarely do well.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,861
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA, USA
Re: (Catch 22)
Pre-1998: Couldn't care less about cars. Don't know spark plug from *** hole.
Sept 1998: Buy a GSR
Fall 1999: Start BMWCCA and PCA drivers schools.
2000-2001: Hard core track junkie
Fall 2001: ECHC starts
Aug 2001: Loose job
2002: Unemployed
2003: Find a job (50% pay cut, but more then $0)
Jan 2003: Sell old car, buy an H3 GSR.
Present: Work up to racing W2W (Finishing touches on car, buy suit, and work up to buying tow vehicle)
Sept 1998: Buy a GSR
Fall 1999: Start BMWCCA and PCA drivers schools.
2000-2001: Hard core track junkie
Fall 2001: ECHC starts
Aug 2001: Loose job
2002: Unemployed
2003: Find a job (50% pay cut, but more then $0)
Jan 2003: Sell old car, buy an H3 GSR.
Present: Work up to racing W2W (Finishing touches on car, buy suit, and work up to buying tow vehicle)
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,752
Likes: 1
From: Fayetteville, AR
Re:
I can't really give any "advice" on what's required or what not to do that's not already been covered, and this thread has such good info that I think a copy of it (or a link to it) should exist in the RR/AX FAQ. But I will give you one more perspective...
A (not so) Short story:
4 years ago when I wrecked an Accord sedan and picked up an Integra as a replacement, I had NO idea I would be where I am today. Even 3 years ago - I still had never watched racing, never been to a track, knew no one that had, and didn't even know that there was such a thing as non-professional racing at all. I didn't even know what Autocrossing was. All I knew was, that I had never seen myself as a "sports car type of guy" and the next thing I know, I'm enjoying the hell out of this rinky-dink Integra I've been thrown into. And of course, I was wanting more. I never was into drag racing, and the Integra was slow as crap, but it handled pretty decently I thought.
So about 2-1/2 years ago, while at a local import "speed" shop, I saw a flyer for a road-race track a couple hours away, that did HPDE/Track Days. I asked the shop owner about it, and he told me I should go out and give it a try. A month or two later I'm at my first HPDE and spinning my car 180 degrees on a no-look off-camber right hander in the middle of a pack of other HPDE drivers. The rest of the day was quite a learning experience - learning what my car could and couldn't do, and learning that I was just getting started in something that I knew I was immediately hooked on.
From there I spent the next 2 years doing regular HPDE's, I started autocrossing every month, and even started keeping up with autosports somewhat - watching World Challenge, F1, Rally, etc. on Speed channel. (and somewhere in here I wrecked the Integra and bought a Type-R from a fellow HT member). Anyway, I knew about a year ago (actually, almost to this day) that I wanted to do wheel to wheel road racing and took all the advice I'd gotten from Honda-tech and started making my plans. I bought a $500 wreck of a Civic (1990 Si) after discovering it was a decent car to have for the SCCA ITA class, and then spent the winter making it race ready. And while I thought I was a *decent* driver, I fully expected to lose and lose often when I started actually racing.
I started racing in a local race series at the track I had done HPDE's over the last 2 years. It has its own sanctioning body, (as well as the regions SCCA track) and that made it easier to get my feet wet road-racing, so to speak. It's a more casual atmosphere, and while I would say that the caliber of drivers/cars in the local series are good, and also dedicated, they're also not what I would call "on-par" with national competition. I am currently leading my series class in points, in a field of about 8-10 regulars out of 16-17 overall. I recently attended and completed my requirements for my first SCCA school and race too, so that part of my plan is complete as well. In the next month (maybe 2) when I have my official SCCA Club Racing license in hand, I will submit it to NASA for a NASA/Honda-Challenge license. I would love to be able to join some of my Honda-tech friends in a MW/ECHC race before the end of the year, but limited funds and a possible trip to Leguna Seca in September to watch a SWC race may keep that from happening until 2004.
The point of all that (and not a *short* story at all, I apologize, lol) is to say this. If you want something bad enough - you can do it, and do it decently well. I'm having the most fun of my life doing this, though there is a down side as you've already read. It's pretty damn expensive, and to do it every month is demanding not just financially but on the rest of your life as well. I even tried denying this to myself in the last few months, but damnit, when some of these weekends get towards $1000, it really makes you wonder WTF you are doing, lol!
So in conclusion - just stick to all the advice you can get, do some HPDE/Track Days, talk to everyone you can, and make a plan. Execute the plan, and have fun. Just have fun.
Good luck!
Ben
A (not so) Short story:
4 years ago when I wrecked an Accord sedan and picked up an Integra as a replacement, I had NO idea I would be where I am today. Even 3 years ago - I still had never watched racing, never been to a track, knew no one that had, and didn't even know that there was such a thing as non-professional racing at all. I didn't even know what Autocrossing was. All I knew was, that I had never seen myself as a "sports car type of guy" and the next thing I know, I'm enjoying the hell out of this rinky-dink Integra I've been thrown into. And of course, I was wanting more. I never was into drag racing, and the Integra was slow as crap, but it handled pretty decently I thought.
So about 2-1/2 years ago, while at a local import "speed" shop, I saw a flyer for a road-race track a couple hours away, that did HPDE/Track Days. I asked the shop owner about it, and he told me I should go out and give it a try. A month or two later I'm at my first HPDE and spinning my car 180 degrees on a no-look off-camber right hander in the middle of a pack of other HPDE drivers. The rest of the day was quite a learning experience - learning what my car could and couldn't do, and learning that I was just getting started in something that I knew I was immediately hooked on.
From there I spent the next 2 years doing regular HPDE's, I started autocrossing every month, and even started keeping up with autosports somewhat - watching World Challenge, F1, Rally, etc. on Speed channel. (and somewhere in here I wrecked the Integra and bought a Type-R from a fellow HT member). Anyway, I knew about a year ago (actually, almost to this day) that I wanted to do wheel to wheel road racing and took all the advice I'd gotten from Honda-tech and started making my plans. I bought a $500 wreck of a Civic (1990 Si) after discovering it was a decent car to have for the SCCA ITA class, and then spent the winter making it race ready. And while I thought I was a *decent* driver, I fully expected to lose and lose often when I started actually racing.
I started racing in a local race series at the track I had done HPDE's over the last 2 years. It has its own sanctioning body, (as well as the regions SCCA track) and that made it easier to get my feet wet road-racing, so to speak. It's a more casual atmosphere, and while I would say that the caliber of drivers/cars in the local series are good, and also dedicated, they're also not what I would call "on-par" with national competition. I am currently leading my series class in points, in a field of about 8-10 regulars out of 16-17 overall. I recently attended and completed my requirements for my first SCCA school and race too, so that part of my plan is complete as well. In the next month (maybe 2) when I have my official SCCA Club Racing license in hand, I will submit it to NASA for a NASA/Honda-Challenge license. I would love to be able to join some of my Honda-tech friends in a MW/ECHC race before the end of the year, but limited funds and a possible trip to Leguna Seca in September to watch a SWC race may keep that from happening until 2004.
The point of all that (and not a *short* story at all, I apologize, lol) is to say this. If you want something bad enough - you can do it, and do it decently well. I'm having the most fun of my life doing this, though there is a down side as you've already read. It's pretty damn expensive, and to do it every month is demanding not just financially but on the rest of your life as well. I even tried denying this to myself in the last few months, but damnit, when some of these weekends get towards $1000, it really makes you wonder WTF you are doing, lol!
So in conclusion - just stick to all the advice you can get, do some HPDE/Track Days, talk to everyone you can, and make a plan. Execute the plan, and have fun. Just have fun.
Good luck!
Ben