You are correct last year was the Green run group used to be Blue when there were four race run groups, race car attendance has gone down some which is a whole other discussion.
Rich

 

Yeah, you have to stay out of the run groups where the wallet to talent ratio is out of proportion.

 

Hahaha, gotcha, thanks!

 

Honestly, its all tolerance level and what you are looking for out of doing this (performance driving).

I got into PCA HPDE to actually learn how to driver, with the goal of becoming the best that I could be. I'm still peeling that onion. As a Black / expert level driver in PCA I had a lot of people telling me how good I was, but I knew that was all relative. I also was driving a road car even though I put in a race type suspension and a lot of other things like race seats and 6 point harnesses. I went thru the PCA Instructor Development Program with the region I selected as my home region (Rennsport), and truly loved instructing. That said, I wanted to continue to develop and progress myself and was spending more of each progressive year running some of the higher end open track events. At Road America in 2017 I really felt like I was at the limit of my 997.2 RS and also became more cognizant of the fact that I was over 140MPH 3x each lap with just a half cage that I thought that 1) I had a safety issue and had a false sense of security in my street car, and 2) that I was really ready for and ready for the next step in my personal progression to move into a factory built race car.

So, in 2018 I acquired a 2015 991.1 Cup and moved to doing open track events almost exclusively. It really took me some time to process how much differently driving an actual race car was. Fortunately, I also would get some time form Grant Maiman as a coach to help me here and there while he was working with a number of racers. That really was the difference in my taking the next huge plateau in my driving, to the point that I would set times that had me on pole or at the very front of the grid at places like the Glen and VIR and Road America and Sebring. Ive had a lot of conversation over the years from a lot of people that I should be racing. For me, there is a significant cost element to it. I can afford it, but is the extra expense going to provide me that much more fun ? I havent been able to reconcile or justify that.

Then I also see race weekends with sprint races that can turn quickly into being incident filled. I dont want or need a huge repair bill and also dont want to not be driving. Then even if not caught up in it, its still a 30 min sprint and 20 min is under caution. Like I said, I just havent been able to wrap my head around how I would be happier actually racing.

All that said, I have more friends that are racers than just DE participants. I'm very comfortable running with any of the racers. I just, personally, dont want or need the extra stress and drama, I can say though that I am close enough with folks that do race that I can honestly see the look on their faces and level of their enjoyment might actually be worth every penny and more, and that I probably should do it (race). Personally, I havent bridged that gap and so am caught in the no mans land between being very cautious in a DE, very comfortable in an open track event which are limited in number, and never being actually able to pull the trigger to race.

Its all personal preference. I would never tell you NOT to race. Then again, I wouldnt push you to it. Its all about what you are looking to achieve. Again for me personally, I'm happy that I'm as fast or faster than those at the front of the pack PCA racing. I'm certain that if what you want / desire if that feeling of the competition in the moment, that it wouldnt matter if you were 10th. While people want to win and lead, they race because of the environment that puts them in and how that makes them feel. To me the goal is to come home with an undamaged car. That should be the same in racing. Unfortunately there are some that race that dont have that priority even though the vast proportion do.

Build you car. Absolutely. Drive in some open track events and run with the race guys in class. Decide from there if you want to take the next step understanding who you are driving with. Mostly, enjoy the process. Good luck.

 

Eric and Dgrobs, yes I was inferring that Mike may want to get a 991 Cup after driving mine. And yes I have a passenger seat. Eric I’d love to see some of your reference laps. Chris Hall will be working with me so I’ll have some good laps from him also.

 

Nope I’m not worried about Mike wrecking my car. I’m worried about him having grocery $ after he buys a 991 Cup the following week based on his running my car one session. ;-)

 

Racing is a wholly different exercise than DE - and it sounds like you're well primed for it. Nothing will force you/allow you to develop as driver better than racing wheel-to-wheel. Turning a fast lap is just one tiny part of the race; catching someone is when the work (and fun) starts!

PCA will be hosting a webinar with Dion von Moltke on September 3rd that will examine the transition from DE to racing. Anyone curious about this next step may want to join ...

 

Buying another Cup car…. #Goals!

I’m also very interested to see what it would be like to try a 911Cup as well - just sayin’

 

I appreciate all the thoughts. One big thing for me is that like you my group of friends all race and we do DE's together. I've done a champcar race but those are with hoopties that nobody is that worried about rubbing, which is good and bad. It was incredible fun for me and I love that idea of being able to race against my group of friends in sensible competition. DE's are super fun for me as well, and that will still be the majority of my driving because I can't afford to do 8-10 races a year. My main concern will always be leaving with a car that can potentially be driven home, and maybe once I get into it I may see that the fun to risk factor doesn't work out, but I do at least want to give it a shot.

 

Excellent post, Eric, and great points you made! I had an opportunity to work with Eric at Sebring a while back, and it was a pleasure. His points are very valid, and Racing is definitely a major leap for anyone, for a variety of reasons. That said, if it is for you, it will definitely make you a much much better driver overall. That doesn't mean that you can't get to that level without Racing. Eric certainly has.

 

I have always felt racing is to a DE as a DE is to an Autocross, the adrenaline rush when you come up two by two to the starting green flag is amazing and never goes away 😀. Addictive too so beware!
Rich

 

If love to work with you again VR. Chris’s travel fee is a bit cheaper for me. :-). PM me a few months in advance of any Sebring event you are attending with any free time to pick up an extra coaching day.

 

Likewise! OK, I will. I am actually talking to an existing client now about doing some stuff together at Sebring, and he is very open to sharing with another driver, so that may work out! Do you have any particular events that you would prefer? I can aim him that way and see if there is a fit. thanks!!!

 

I’ve done a few races with the old track converted Boxster S. I didn’t find it that much more fun than a DE but probably because not many other cars in my class so I was mostly a backmarker. I also am nearing retirement and want to be a bit more careful with $. So up to now DEs scratch the track itch for me. But David Tuaty is coaxing me to join his FARA racing schedule. I may do one soon to try it again. Retirement funding is over rated after all. LOL

 

Ideal for me would be early 2025, Dave. I enjoy running with Chin but am open to most any group that works for you and your other client.