quote:

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Originally posted by racercosmo:
http://americanironwest.com/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=general

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I really like the Vids, those were pretty cool. I would like to do something like that but I think the road racing gig is a little more involved then I want to get, plus I would have to buy another car to strip down


Oh yeah I like the pics that are in Action!
 

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Posted by blind (Member # 3052) on :
 
you can have fun with a stock 5.0 / gt autocrossing, theres no law that says you have to go big or stay home...
 

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Posted by Mr JoCo (Member # 1549) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by blind:
you can have fun with a stock 5.0 / gt autocrossing, theres no law that says you have to go big or stay home...

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quote:

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Originally posted by 98slowhoe 'FIFTYLX':

quote:

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Originally posted by racercosmo:
http://americanironwest.com/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=general

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I really like the Vids, those were pretty cool. I would like to do something like that but I think the road racing gig is a little more involved then I want to get, plus I would have to buy another car to strip down


Oh yeah I like the pics that are in Action!

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Actually Road Racing, well Open Tracking isn't all about big HP, and flashy stuff. In the beginning levels of Open tracking its primaraly you learning your car, the abilities of your car, and yourself. With NASA (a organization I would recomend to beginners) They have 4 stages in what they call HPDE. High Performance Driving Experience. Notice it says nothing about racing. Thats becuase its not, You get to take your car, hit up a real road course, not some cone parking lot track, and get the chance to learn how to drive your car to the extreme limits while in a safe manor.

In Group 1, where you would begin they have an Instructor ride along with you to help teach you the correct line around the track. They will show you braking points, where to enter and exit the corners, and give you a complete rundown of how to get around the track the correct way. There is limited passing to only select straights to avoid having someone dive bomb you in corners and possibly hit you. Then afer every session you have mandatory download sessions where they get everyone who was out there at the same time with you together, and they discuss how things went, if people did something wrong or went off the track, they go over with them what happened, and how to avoid it happening again. Then as you progress out of 1 and into 2, you have the option of having the instructor with you or not. Passing rules are the same as group 1. To get into 3 you have to prove you can drive the line of the track at race speeds, and do it cleanly. In 3 passing is more open and it progresses to fully open by the end of the day. In 4 its closer to real racing, you have a full open track. Still in any group contact is takin seriously. Its not allowed, and any contact that happens has to be reported, so they can determine what happened. Plus since its a driving school, any accident that happens at the track can still be claimed through your insurance. Remember its a driving school, not racing school.


If you are interested Nov.13th, there is an event at thunderhill, we will be there. IF you want to go and try it out, we could help with any questions you may have or what not. Also, we give ride alongs sometimes.

Check out my site in my sig, its got all the info you should need. If you wanna try the event click on the date under upcoming events, and you can click on the track name for track website and info.
 

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Posted by darien87 (Member # 2022) on :
 
I apologize if this has been discussed before, but I am new to road racing and would like to give it a try. What are the rules and car requirements to Thunderhill and Buttonwillow? Do you need a driving suit and helmet? I assume they have gas there at the track if you need it?
 

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Posted by 1Sicgt (Member # 714) on :
 
Well at both tracks they do have gas available, I would suggest if you aren't on race gas, come with a full tank. Like I said in an earlier post usually a good organization to get into is NASA. They are probably one of the more organized groups you can run with. They have a great page to help clear up info here. I'm New. For beginners, you need a Snell 95 helmet or newer, preferably Snell 2000. Pants, closed toe shoes required, long sleeve shirt suggested. Suit is if you are in Level 4. But the forst 3 groups which take a few track events at least to get through you can slip by without one. They suggest you tech your car before you come. There are lots of places around the area to get it done. SOme of the ones we support, would be AlteredSpeed in French Camp, GNJ Motorsports in Milpitas, and I believe APEX Motorsports in Santa Clara now does it.
Here is a page telling about how to get your car ready. Prepping your car.
Heres a list of current tech locations too.
Tech locations
And when you goto a tech station you will need to print this form out and bring it with you.
HPDE Tech form
After that, just show up to the track, and there will be a morning meeting, and any questions beyond that, either and instructor, or an offical can answer them for you.
 

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Posted by mustanggt5091 (Member # 444) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by 1Sicgt:
Well at both tracks they do have gas available, I would suggest if you aren't on race gas, come with a full tank. Like I said in an earlier post usually a good organization to get into is NASA. They are probably one of the more organized groups you can run with. They have a great page to help clear up info here. I'm New. For beginners, you need a Snell 95 helmet or newer, preferably Snell 2000. Pants, closed toe shoes required, long sleeve shirt suggested. Suit is if you are in Level 4. But the forst 3 groups which take a few track events at least to get through you can slip by without one. They suggest you tech your car before you come. There are lots of places around the area to get it done. SOme of the ones we support, would be AlteredSpeed in French Camp, GNJ Motorsports in Milpitas, and I believe APEX Motorsports in Santa Clara now does it.
Here is a page telling about how to get your car ready. Prepping your car.
Heres a list of current tech locations too.
Tech locations
And when you goto a tech station you will need to print this form out and bring it with you.
HPDE Tech form
After that, just show up to the track, and there will be a morning meeting, and any questions beyond that, either and instructor, or an offical can answer them for you.

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thanks!
 

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Posted by mtbaughs (Member # 4052) on :
 
If anyone wants something a little more mellow than Nasa they can try http://www.norcal-saac.org/ or http://www.greenflagdriving.com/ I've run with both these clubs many times and really like the kicked back style. In these clubs you'll tend to find more of an older crowd with nicer cars. Nicer cars = folks driving extremely safe. Keep in mind these two clubs keep a very good safety record because they are very strict with on course conduct. Nasa is a great club and I plan on running with them but to be honest if I was open tracking a daily driver I would prefer these two clubs because you'll be driving with nicer cars and stricter rules. Nasa has many guys running beater cars and one is less likely to care about a beater car trading paint on the track. Just my .02
 

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Posted by 1Sicgt (Member # 714) on :
 
I'll be honest, my dad had someone come into contact with him at sears point. The guy moved over accrossed his fender. NASA took it extremly serious. Both of them were questioned in how it happened, we happen to run a video camera, and it caught it all. After footage was looked at they do what they can to make sure the responsible persons insurance takes care of it. In this case since the other driver was at fault, he was also suspended from NASA for 1 year. They don't take things as light as people think. Also things like that happen more often at Sears Point where they tend to draw larger groups. Places like Thunderhill, Buttonwillow, or Reno they are luck to even fill up each group. The other clubs are nice, but also tend to cost alot more per entry. Typical NASA event is about $150, where others can be $200-300. For the same amount of track time. Others also, don't work with Insurance companies in case of an accident. Just remember no mater what form of driving, accident can happen. Whether it be at a drag strip, auto-x, or open track. Motorsports are dangerous, and should be treated as such. Just a few things to keep in mind.
 

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Posted by mtbaughs (Member # 4052) on :
 
Very true, it's tough to beat Nasa when it comes to price for their track days. I know a lot has been done in recent years to avoid on course mis-conduct. I think you'll find some of the most experienced drivers running with Nasa and some of the best driving instructors around. I tend to think that they got dubbed as a paint trading club awhile back and it's taken quite a lot of effort to weed out those types of drivers. Another bonus with Nasa is they run tons of track days while other smaller clubs tend to brake for winter months.
 

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Posted by blind (Member # 3052) on :
 
a guy that lives in the house on the corner in my neighborhood has a NASA track only car, it looks like a wedge and is blue/red/white (mostly blue).

you guys know (of) him?
 

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Posted by 1Sicgt (Member # 714) on :
 
does the car have a roof or is it open cockpit?
 

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Posted by 98slowhoe 'FIFTYLX' (Member # 895) on :
 
1sicgt: thanks a ton for the info, I don't know if I want to run my current car in a course just cause of the fact it is in Great condition for a fox and I would Die even if I rubbed a front fender a tiny bit. I think this might be something I would really think about getting into next year and buy another fox speciefic for road racing. I love Drag racing a lot, but there is nothing like hanging a corner right on the egde of the cars limits, very exciting.
 

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Posted by 1Sicgt (Member # 714) on :
 
Hey its all good Frank. In group 1, you wouldn't even have to worry about it. But its cool. Just let me know when you are interested in going, and we can help you out.
 

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Posted by blind (Member # 3052) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by 1Sicgt:
does the car have a roof or is it open cockpit?

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its an open cockpit car, I also see a mini indy car type thing at his house from time to time, its light blue and open cockpit/wheel.
 

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Posted by 1Sicgt (Member # 714) on :
 
The first one sounds like it could be a radical. Hmmm, I'll look for it next time we are out when they are.
 

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Posted by darien87 (Member # 2022) on :
 
Sweet. Thanks for all the info!!!

FYI, there's no such word as "acrossed".
 

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Posted by jcm3man (Member # 3834) on :
 
Good info Jon...

Thanks for the plug with the tech inspection.

BTW I can help out with any events in NOV, DEC.

Let me know what your plans are.

Check out my website... some big news!!!
 

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Posted by SEMPERFI510 (Member # 627) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by 98slowhoe 'FIFTYLX':
Anybody know a good site that has really nice pics of some really nice road racers? I think road race cars make some of the best pictures for cars. They seem to always sit really nice to the ground with big ass tires. Looks good. TIA.

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Sticking to the original posters request:

Johnny
 

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Posted by kpl (Member # 1879) on :
 
that looks like Stan's old car....I always thought how much better those look without all the Saleen graphics.
 

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Posted by SEMPERFI510 (Member # 627) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by kpl:
that looks like Stan's old car....I always thought how much better those look without all the Saleen graphics.

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It is his old car which is mine now.
JOhnny
 

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Posted by mtbaughs (Member # 4052) on :
 
Cool lookin ride bud
 

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Posted by SEMPERFI510 (Member # 627) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by mtbaughs:
Cool lookin ride bud

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thanks
Johnny
 

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