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Need Racing License

Discussion in 'General Automotive Discussion' started by Christieland, Aug 7, 2007.

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  1. Christieland

    Christieland Rookie

    Apr 1, 2007
    4
    #1 Christieland, Aug 7, 2007
    Hi everyone,

    I'm a little new around here but was hoping to get some advice. I need to get my racing license by the end of the year, and there are two ways I know of right now to go about it:

    (1) HPDE days with NASA. I've done two of these HPDE days, Group 1 and then Group 2. With enough seat time in Group 4, I've been told, you can apply and be tested to get your license. The problem with this is needing to supply your own vehicle, and I'd prefer to avoid having to do a lot of track days in the daily driver.

    (2) Skip Barber three day racing school. At the end, if you "pass," you can get your SCCA license. I've been told by an instructor I know that "most people" pass, and as long as you're not a danger on the track or extremely uncomfortable behind the wheel or at speed. This is the way I'd prefer to pursue a license, and as much fun as the experience would be, I'd be disappointed to spend the money and the effort only to not pass. It wouldn't destroy me, but I'd be bummed.

    I've done 4 car track days, 15 motorcycle track days, and several motorcycle racing schools, if that helps add background info.

    Thanks in advance for your advice!

    C.
     
  2. senna21

    senna21 F1 Rookie

    Jul 2, 2004
    3,334
    Los Angeles, CA
    Full Name:
    Charles W
    #2 senna21, Aug 7, 2007
    Welcome to the forum. This question would have been better listed in the "Racing" section but, I'm sure you'll get some replies here. For number 1 you could do a rental and then you wouldn't have to run your own car on the track. That cost $$$.

    For number two it seems to me that if you're capable of racing motorcycles I doubt any Skip Barber program will give you any problems. But racing schools are $$$ so I hope you can afford them.

    If the amount of $$$ for either 1 or 2 give you pause you need to find another hobby. I used to race FF1600 with the Jim Russell program in England back in the 80s and then raced Shifter Karts in the 90s and both were expensive. To be competitive with a Kart back then you'd be spending about 10-15k for the season. I'd imagine these days you'd be adding quite a bit more on to that. That's just for Karts. Cars are much, much more expensive and it's awful tough to do on a budget.

    I guess what I'm saying is, often times it isn't if you have the talent it's really a question if you have the money.

    Good luck and remember to enjoy yourself.
     
  3. Christieland

    Christieland Rookie

    Apr 1, 2007
    4
    #3 Christieland, Aug 7, 2007
    Thanks! Actually my brother and his friends own a Nascar Grand National team that's done well on a shoe string budget - so well that they're in danger of losing their driver. If I'm driving, I can help add my own funds as well as help sign sponsorship funds. Skip Barber it is then!
     
  4. B R

    B R F1 Rookie

    Aug 31, 2005
    2,824
    Los Angeles, CA
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    B R
    #4 B R, Aug 9, 2007
    Hi noob, first off, you might want to add where you are located in your profile. That way people could make reccomendations that may be more geographically suitable, & will lessen confusion in any future postings.

    I was just going to say that I've participated in many NASA HPDE events, but only to have fun, as I haven't been trying to get any racing license. The So Cal events have been well run & safe. I haven't done anything with Skip Barber. Anyways, have fun, stay safe, & good luck.
     
  5. SRT Mike

    SRT Mike Two Time F1 World Champ

    Oct 31, 2003
    23,343
    Taxachusetts
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    Raymond Luxury Yacht
    #5 SRT Mike, Aug 9, 2007
    I did the Panoz 3 (or was it 4?) day race school. You race the actual Panoz cars (not your own) at Road Atlanta. I had already done a couple of schools before that, but at the Panoz school you can sign up to have your credits count to get your SCCA license. That's the route I'd go if I needed my lic. before the end of the year. Cost was around $3k for the school if I remember correctly.

    On a tangent note, I also did Skip Barber twice, as well as the Vette one in NV and a couple others and I found the Panoz school to be the most oriented towards actual racing vs. just giving a thrill ride.
     
  6. NRGMotorsportsInc

    NRGMotorsportsInc Karting

    May 9, 2005
    151
    Somewhere in the Sun
    #6 NRGMotorsportsInc, Aug 11, 2007
    What exactly is Nascar Grand National? A NASA Club license has nothing to do whatsoever with any sanctioned Nascar body or any affiliates of Nascar. Taking a Skippy school ain't gonna cut it either, nor SCCA, Grand-am, or anything purchased at Wal-mart.

    A check with enough zero's at the end of it can land you a ride in a Hendrick car if you want. But why?
     
  7. richard

    richard Formula 3

    Nov 3, 2003
    1,404
    Los Angeles
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    Richard Thompson III
    #7 richard, Aug 11, 2007
    The driving school or the racing school? If you have been through the skippy race school, and think it is just a thrill ride by the end of the 2-day course, you got short changed.
     
  8. Fred2

    Fred2 F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jan 2, 2005
    18,176
    nj
    #8 Fred2, Aug 12, 2007
    Am I the only one that thinks the BS factor on this one is off the chart?
     
  9. NRGMotorsportsInc

    NRGMotorsportsInc Karting

    May 9, 2005
    151
    Somewhere in the Sun
    #9 NRGMotorsportsInc, Aug 12, 2007
    I was thinking the same thing and posted in a politically correct manner. But come on..."where can I go to racing school so I can drive for my brothers successful NASCAR team that he and his friends own?" "I think I'll go to skippy skool!"

    BS factor is through the roof!
     

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