DrJupeman

Coming from Ron, a wildly successful club racer in his own right, I think this is a huge compliment!

I'm another who believes Keith Peare is one of the most talented guys in PCA. I've ridden with him and it is night/day different than anyone else I've ever ridden with. Riding with him makes you think, "this is what it is like to be in a real race car".

Think about what he's done: sub 2:00 at Watkins Glen in a 2.8L normally aspirated 914!!! If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes and compared my own hand-times to the official record I would not have believed it.

Fwiw, I had Keith ride with me once at a DE. He doesn't relish instructing because he doesn't like not being in direct control of the car. He barely said anything to me the whole time, but the one thing he did say has made me a far faster driver. It was simply this: "brake sooner".

On topic: I'd like to race, I have 172 track days, been an instructor/red run group for years, etc. I just don't think I can afford the exposure to my car. Someday...

mikew968

Again thanks for all the imput. I firmly believe and understand I have tons more to learn and a lot of skills to master. Most of this learning process will be "helped" with more seat time. I am installing a Mychron 3 to aid in judging my driving and comparing to other better drivers.

If I am uncomfortable by the fall before September Putnam Park I will simply delay until '06.

Thanks, Mike

Lothar

Mike,

I really enjoyed this thread. There was lots of great ideas from different perspectives.

Good luck with whatever you decide. Keep us informed of your decision and progress.

Edward

Great food for thought, all of it. Thanks, all!

Edward

RJay

Great minds think alike, except its Summit Point for me.

M758

I started racing after 15 track days and 2-3 years of autocross.

My first ever race was at my Home track (Phoenix international) and it went very well. In fact was surprized that I held my own just fine.


There are alot of guys talking about haveing 35+ track days saying you need that to go club racing. Well that is load of bull crap.

You don't need any number of track days or to be running in group xxx to venture into club racing. What you do need however is as Tony Kelly stated in page 1.

I completely agree with this. It may take you 5 day or 35 days to feel comfortable, but the key is that when out there racing you need to feel comfortable on the track. Comfortable that you can handle the car and place it where you like. You need to feel comfortable with cars around you. Once nice way to help this is to do your first club race at track you are familiar with. This way at least you will know your way around the track and that will be one thing less to learn.

Just don't expect to be on pace or even come close to passing anyone in class on the track. Set your expectations as making it througth the weekend smoothly and safely. Once you do that DE will never be the same again.

mmporsche

I agree with M758, you don't need gobs of DE's. More is better but I began club racing after I met the minimum requirements for PCA - I believe it was 12 or 14 days back in the fall of 2003. I have participated in a couple of SCCA races and about 15 PCA club races. I have never had an incident and I consistently finish in the top 3. You have to be confident in your abilities but you have to deprogram yourself from the DE mantality. I found this to be my biggest challenge. Again, I agree with being a good driver but I have seen people running 15 seconds off of the pace in a group. Does this mean they shouldn't be out there? Maybe, but you are never going to get better unless you try.

I believe PCA racing is an excellent program and they have placed a minimum on the number of DE days for a reason. I say go for it this Fall and have fun and be safe. That is what it is all about.