This is topic T-Hill with NCRC - April 7&8 in forum Road Racing, Auto X & Drifting at Northern California Ford Owners  .


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Posted by straightliner1 (Member # 2679) on :
 
Buttoning up the last bit of stuff with my own car and I should be out there. Anyone else planning on mixing it up that weekend?
 
Posted by SydeWaySix (Member # 3596) on :
 
I'm considering this...

But then again, I'm also debating on going to NASA @ T-hill (4/14) and/or Shelby Club @ T-hill (4/28) as well. Decisions, decisions...
 
Posted by straightliner1 (Member # 2679) on :
 
It's only money... [Wink]
 
Posted by SydeWaySix (Member # 3596) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by straightliner1:
It's only money... [Wink]
HA! I wish it was "just " money. if you give me some I'll go! [Big Grin]
 
Posted by 1Sicgt (Member # 714) on :
 
I might make it out. As long as I can get some things buttoned up in time.
 
Posted by straightliner1 (Member # 2679) on :
 
New oil pan, pump, pickup and windage tray - check
New cam, rockers, lifters and pushrods - check
New power steering cooler - check
Axle seals replaced - check

I need to find and fix an engine oil leak and I'm good to go!

Who else is in? [Smile]

[ March 17, 2012, 04:03 PM: Message edited by: straightliner1 ]
 
Posted by straightliner1 (Member # 2679) on :
 
Oh, and I also managed to remove some dead weight - I lost 50 lbs since I was on track last.

w00t?
 
Posted by 9cobra7 (Member # 2812) on :
 
Hmm, might make this one.
Ian skip the Shelby club and do this, more track time.
 
Posted by SydeWaySix (Member # 3596) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by 9cobra7:
Hmm, might make this one.
Ian skip the Shelby club and do this, more track time.
I would really like to but my wife works this weekend so it'll be tough with the kids and all. I'm probably not going to run with Shelby club but plan to be at t-hill the weekend of the 14th with NASA.
 
Posted by straightliner1 (Member # 2679) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by SydeWaySix:I would really like to but my wife works this weekend so it'll be tough with the kids and all. I'm probably not going to run with Shelby club but plan to be at t-hill the weekend of the 14th with NASA. [/qb]
Boooo! [Wink]

[ March 18, 2012, 04:03 PM: Message edited by: straightliner1 ]
 
Posted by SaleenGirl (Member # 11156) on :
 
I may sign up for T-Hill NASA on April 14th. Just need to buy new back tires first.
 
Posted by need-a-cage (Member # 5415) on :
 
How about some pros and cons of running with NASA vs NCRC. I am not a member of either yet. I have only done one 20 minute session with NASA during their Hyperdrive at Sears Point. I do want to go back there, so it seems like NASA is the ticket to get back on the Sears Point track. However, they are more expensive and seem to have less track time. There were also a lot of cars on the track during the NASA events I saw. I also HATE that I can't do my own tech inspection with them.

I was thinking about going with NCRC when I decide to go to T-hill. I am just wondering if the instruction is better with NASA. I was thinking it might be better to start out with NASA and then go to NCRC. I really want fewer cars on the track, so which group would that be?
 
Posted by SydeWaySix (Member # 3596) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by need-a-cage:
How about some pros and cons of running with NASA vs NCRC. I am not a member of either yet. I have only done one 20 minute session with NASA during their Hyperdrive at Sears Point. I do want to go back there, so it seems like NASA is the ticket to get back on the Sears Point track. However, they are more expensive and seem to have less track time. There were also a lot of cars on the track during the NASA events I saw. I also HATE that I can't do my own tech inspection with them.

I was thinking about going with NCRC when I decide to go to T-hill. I am just wondering if the instruction is better with NASA. I was thinking it might be better to start out with NASA and then go to NCRC. I really want fewer cars on the track, so which group would that be?
Here is my opinion after running with NCRC once:

NCRC Pros
-less cost
-more track time (5 sessions)
-less cars on the track
-no mandatory download meetings after each session (also a con to some)

NCRC Cons
-no download meetings after each session - I've learned a lot from NASA's download meetings. It also gives the drivers a chance to point out issues that they saw during the last session
-they don't run at Infineon (closest I've seen is T-hill)


NASA Pros
-they run at Infineon very frequently which is the most convenient track for bay area folks
-lots of cool "race cars" to see at each event
-Nationally known organization (may not matter to some people??)
-free bbq after each event
-mandatory driver's meetings are very informational
-instructors are very knowledgeable!

NASA Cons
-too many run groups at each trackday
-'sometimes' too many cars on track
-cost more ($179)
-requires $50 annual membership
-mandatory driver's meeting (if you dont care to learn anything)
 
Posted by SteveL (Member # 1241) on :
 
I agree with that list. On track time, NASA is usually 80 minutes per day. NCRC is usually 105 minutes. The time between sessions can be excessively long with NASA.

NCRC offers an optional membership for $40 which saves you $10/day in track fees. So if you're going to run 4 or more days with NCRC, go for the membership.

One key benefit to NASA is the path to a competition license and the race groups. If you're goal is Time Trials or door-to-door racing either with NASA or moving to SCCA, NASA has the program.

There are other clubs besides NASA and NCRC and they all have their own 'personality'. I wouldn't say one is better than the other but it depends on what you're looking for.
 
Posted by need-a-cage (Member # 5415) on :
 
I have been to the downloads for NASA when I rode with my buddy in HPDE4. I like the downloads so that is a plus. I will never get into road racing. I don't want this car getting banged up. Well, maybe much later in life when the kids are out of the house and I can have a designated track car. For now, I just want to have fun hauling ass around corners without the risk involved with doing that on public roads. I also want to push the car harder than I feel safe doing on the street, so the open track events are all I will do for now. I think I will try to hit up NASA when they are back at Infineon. I definitely want to run there and it will probably be good for me to have one of their instructors with me. After I get signed off to ride without the instructor, then I'll try NCRC at T-hill. I really want to run with the group that has fewer cars on the track (or better drivers) to just reduce the risk of contact as much as possible.

Who techs your cars for the NASA events? I really HATE that I can't do my own inspection for them. Is there anyone in the Santa Rosa area? I am the only one that turns wrenches on this car so taking it in for anything makes me nervous.

Sorry for hijacking the thread!!
 
Posted by SteveL (Member # 1241) on :
 
Well, NASA probably has the most cars per group but it's still a good program.

In the HDPE groups across all clubs, car-to-car contact is rare. Incidences are usually just one car and due to driver error.
 
Posted by 9cobra7 (Member # 2812) on :
 
I'm in for the 7th
 
Posted by SydeWaySix (Member # 3596) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by 9cobra7:
I'm in for the 7th
Damn you Greg...I'm jealous man! I hope you go the following week with NASA as well!
 
Posted by straightliner1 (Member # 2679) on :
 
I'm wait listed for the 7th. : /
 
Posted by straightliner1 (Member # 2679) on :
 
Well, I survived! I never did make it in Saturday but ran all but one session Sunday. I developed a consistent power loss off idle that made decent and consistent lap times difficult. After checking injectors and changing my plugs, it turned out to be (best guess) a bad TPS. Being down on power by about 15-20% and a sluggish acceleration rate still netted me an average 2:22 lap. I'll take it... The upside, being down on power I was able to learn how to really drive my Hoosiers. They work best at the "edge" and I'm finally figuring out how far I can push them.
 




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