anyone race NASA here ?

Depends on the strength of your local NASA franchise, but here in the Mid-Atlantic region (Summit Point, near Washington, DC and VIR), that'll get you a LOT of racing! I worked with a driver in HPDE last weekend at NASA OctoberFast at VIR and the GTS3 race was easily on of the best ones. It always is.

I know that GT3S in PCA is a different class than GTS3 in NASA, so be careful that the car meets rules in each. PCA is a specific declared car spec, NASA is based on power (measured by a dyno, sheet required) to weight (measured at the event often) which insures greater parity, IMO.

Where NASA particularly excels is it's "cradle to grave" all inclusive accommodation for drivers at every level, from newbies in HPDE1 through Time Trials to wheel-to-wheel racing.

Good luck!

 

If you're in Great Lakes or Midwest regions, I can put you in touch with the right people.

NASA is a friendly and accommodating organization. I love it.

 

NASA is very accommodating - go to a local race and see what's going on, what groups are popular and talk to folks in the paddock. I am sure you can race that car in NASA.

I am a spec car guy for most of my racing, however and I recimmend that you consider one. Spec Miata, Spec Racer Ford, Spec Boxster, Formula Mazda, Formula Enterprises all have offerings. I am sure I am forgetting others.

By the time I practice driving, car maintenance, setup, prep and everything else, I really don't have time for car development needed to run up front so I prefer spec cars.

 

NASA-Southeast is a great group. http://nasa-se.com/

Jim Pantas, the Regional Director, is a great guy.

In 2011, three dates at Road Atlanta, two at CMP (an hour south of Charlotte), one at Charlotte Motor Speedway (worth it) and one at Roebling Road in Savannah.

Lots of racing not far from home.

 

Hah! Same here...

Spec cars (cars prepared to tightly defined specifications) allow driver talent (as opposed to depth-of-wallet talent) to shine through!

 

Come and join the fun, Ill be starting in NASA SE next year with a spec miata! Great group.

 

Anybody care to give a soundbite as to why NASA started? Did SCCA get too anal?

Dale

 

SCCA puts the Ferraris in up against Corvettes, (and Vipers) and they get slaughtered....if I understood the complaint correctly.

 

Mainly on HP/Weight, there is also an adjustment for treaded versus slick tires.

Dyno test has to be on an approved dyno and results "certified."

See the www.nasagts.com site for all the specifics. Check for any addendums for NASA-Southeast, too.

Spreadsheet here: http://www.nasagts.com/rules/GTS_Class_Index_Calc.xls

Has to be a German car from this list:
Audi
BMW (to include the new MINI)
Mercedes-Benz
Merkur
NSU (huh? an 1000cc TT-RS, maybe? Not!)
Opel
Porsche
Volkswagen

 

Good Lord, Dale. SCCA got too anal a LONG time ago!

More customer friendly, willing to find a place to race for most any car, schools, DE, Time Trials and racing all in the same event. Treat the entrants like they're wanted, trains run on time...

Jerry Kunzman started out in CA over a decade ago and it's spread pretty quick and thick since then by way of franchisors. They now even have a "National Championship" at Miller Motorsports Park and at Mid-Ohio. Several top-line SCCA National, PCA and BMW Club Racing and semi-pro guys run there. A real melting pot that seems to work.

 

is NASA sedan only, or do they do open wheel/spec racer cars too?

I've only seen sedans at NASA events, but admittedly that's only two or three events

 

Thanks. What about the safety issue? I've heard some complain that NASA's run what you brung attitude tends to create some problems. Not trying to start a flame war, just curious.

Dale

 

I have to say that beign at the NASA event where Brian Willis was injured, has turnned me off ... I was not at all impressed with the safety response & the poor communications on the track.

 

NASA safety scares me. Some of the cars they let past tech scare me.

 

NASA certified instructor and ex TTer here.

I've run with a pretty big range of groups; PCA, Mazda Club, Mustang club, CHIN, Ferrari Club, Turn One, Synergy, BMW CCA, etc. I can't do a direct comparison with SCCA because I've never run SCCA.

I've done numerous NASA events in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions. NASA, in general puts on a great event. I will have to say that NASA Southeast takes the crown for the best run events.

 

It's a great event and even better when you win it!

 

I run 90% of my races with SCCA. I like Rob's statement of "it varies from region to region". While I have not specifically experienced that my guess is that it would be true. Often it is the people that make the organization. For example to me FCA just plain sux in Socal.

When I first started racing with SCCA in socal ,by the second event the registration ladies knew who I was by name. I was welcomed like a long lost brother. Tech has always been respectful but firm. No cr@p is allowed on track. SCCA safety is second to none. Our CCRS have a "medical director" who is required to be an MD or something close to that who must not only be one site for races but sign off on safety gear in place before races can be started. CCR's require advanced cardiac life support ONSITE! Our safety crews are routinely trained in fire rescue and extraction. Calclub our local division of SCCA owns it's own tow trucks. Our corner workers are seen working at Long Beach GP and other pro events. Each of our corner stations are manned by two workers who look in opposite directions down the track so that incidents are not missed coming or going. There are more positives but those are the things that come to mind that are uniquely SCCA in our region.

I am well aware of the Ferrari 430C beating up on street modified vettes. I race one of those vettes in that T1 class. It was in issue that has righted itself. Every class has issues and the T1 class is no different. We all try and biotch a little for a little less weight and a little more HP than the next guy looking for any edge we can get cheap. But hey you show me any racer who doesn't have a little "ego" and I'll call BS on you.

Oh and at SCCA we sure do have a lot of low level pros and soon to be low level pros in our ranks...Dang those guys are fast.