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Oh, awesome. I didn't know that. Thanks man.Optima ran at Road America within the past couple months.
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Oh, awesome. I didn't know that. Thanks man.Optima ran at Road America within the past couple months.
Thank you @Cobraaph and everybody for the responses. Seeing the SCCA schedule I've made the decision to go with the NASA Great Lakes Region HPDE/TT.SCCA has released their TT national schedule: https://www.scca.com/articles/2015680-time-trials-national-tour-2022-schedule-unveiled
That's awesome, Patrick. Love the stories.I agree with Bill…NASA is very structured. You might class yourself as HPDE 3, but I think to get started you still have to start at 1. The Mid-West region, which is oddly the region I started in seems to me to be more structured than the SE Region. Maybe it was just because they have written tests for progression. All common sense stuff, but still it connects the track with class and written knowledge…not a bad thing.
Progression can be a natural thing or very technical thing. My very first NASA event was at Topeka. First time at the track, raining, cold, vintage bias-ply slicks. Instructor got in the car and said “you on slicks”…yep…”alright, let’s go”. He signed me off for HPDE 2. He offered some very good technical advice, but followed it with “one thing is for sure, you can damn sure drive this car”.
I did my next NASA event at my home track Barber a couple months later. Very different experience…although still not so good weather. Instructor was afraid of the car. Wouldn’t even get in it. So he chose to do a lead follow. Rained right before our session. His only comment was I was too slow on the exit lap…. Ok. He also regretted he didn’t ride.
So my point is…I have done two NASA events and I am at HPDE 3. Am I that good? No, but I know how to handle my car, in traffic, at speed. It just depends on the driver, track, instructor…might take two events, might take twenty events. NASA is a very good ladder to climb. Their instructors are all top notch.
Once you get to 3 though, it’s up to you to progress. You have to ask for ride alongs and tests for progression. I suspect it gets tougher to advance beyond 3…at least I feel like it would be for me. My goal was to get to Vintage W2W…which I am now. I will probably still do NASA events at Barber since there is really only one vintage event there per year.
HPDE-3 | INTERMEDIATE
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Ahhhh, right you are, sir!Not at all…I was just pointing out how NASA is structured and how they start you regardless of past experience. Your experience level will show on the track and that is how you will be judged for class promotion. Some guys with obvious experience move up rather quickly. Others not so much…and that’s ok. Seat time is King.
+1 for the SCCA Time Trials event at Gingerman. By far, my favorite event. I also recently mentioned to them that they should get a Mid-Ohio event on the calendar as well.
Your car would be M2 for SCCA TT events. As said previously - glad your car is coming together, and you can now think about where you want to drive it!
I agree. I'm in a good geographic location to run in both clubs. I am going to focus more on NASA as there are more events within 3 hours of me. But, I also must drive Grattan and Waterford Hills this year. Grattan is close by and I'm excited to see how lap times and car feel will feel at Waterford since I've driven that track the most.You are in a great part of the Country and go to each Club you can ( SCCA or NASA ). You will have fun at both , learn at both, and decide where you want to land. The one reason NASA appeals to many Mustang Modders, is there is a lot more variance on what you can do since it is based on weight to HP ratio , similar to the race class rules. SCCA is based more on the Solo ( autocross ) rules , so it is not as flexible for many. Either way, go tear up some asphalt , listen and soak up all the instruction you can, and always feel free to ask questions here ---- sometimes we can help enough you won't make the same mistakes we have, ha!!