Frank 993 C4S

Yes - primarily because some of the rules and procedures are different. It's really no big deal to attend a 1.5 hour meeting, run the practice starts and have an incident free first race weekend.

GoatFarmer

Interesting. So DE drivers coming up through the ranks with PCA do not go through a formal school with on track exercises before getting a race license? The PCA Club Racing School is just a meeting?

The training I received before getting my NASA race license was pretty intense with side by side drills, many practice starts, random yellow and red flags, off track training, a written test and a final test race. Some students fail and have to try again if they prove to not be safe on track.

GoatFarmer

Looks like we posted in parallel Frank. I do remember seeing some practice start footage on YouTube while reviewing the recent Sebring race.

Veloce Raptor

Racers from other series get a "provisional" courtesy PCA license their first weekend. They attend Thursday night briefing (as have Pat Long, Wolf Henzler, Bryan Sellers, and many other top name pros) and run incident-free all weekend including practice starts. Easy peasy.

GoatFarmer

Excellent. Thank you guys. This is similar with NASA.

Frank 993 C4S

Theoretically, you come up through the PCA DE system and you need to get signed off by your PCA Region's Chief Instructor. For most Rookies, the Friday practice starts are the first time they ever do them. It's not a perfect system but it has been pretty successful for quite some time. The "no contact rule" wheeds out people pretty quickly. I think you will like it.

LuigiVampa

I'm a product of this system and believe many others are as well. As Frank stated the practice or "fun starts" on Friday afternoons before a race give rookie drivers the ability to get a taste of what races are like. It works out pretty well as there are generally a few experienced drivers who take part who mainly want more track time or need to test their cars further.

After driving DE for several years the most intimidating item for rookie drivers is the start of the race. For the first few races I made all the same rookie mistakes of not shifting and not accelerating hard but with time it gives you the confidence.

Rookie racers also get an "X" on the back of their car to let other racers know they are easy pickings they are a rookies and to take care of them.

If you attended enough DEs, and have good car control, racing is not so much of a scary thing as most people believe. To be safe is fairly easy - to be competitive takes practice and skill.

seanseidman

BMW Trillium Region offers a comprehensive 3 day race school, which I found incredibly helpful prior to racing wtw with pca.
I imagine other BMW CCA regions must do the same.

Veloce Raptor

BMW race school is exceptionally good

gbuff

http://www.gvc-bmwcca.org/BMW_CCA_Club_Racing