Larry Herman

No question, Norm. How many times does someone disappear from your mirrors, but you know they are there. It's even more important now with the restricted side view due to H&N devices and Halo seats.

bobt993

No, I think Colin is saying he doesn't like kissing his sister anymore...............

Bull

I thought he simply said he could tell the difference between his sister and a **** star.

38D

I have zero siblings. Anyway, the point was that once you've raced, DEs just aren't the same. At least that was the case for me. Others may have a different view.

Dave in Chicago

I'll go back to your original question and ask a question in return...

What is your definition of "successful club racing"?

Mine was simple when I started... Don't hit anything and don't get anyone mad enough at me to chase me through the paddock with a wrench.

I had no delusions of podiums and sought only to stay out of trouble (and other folks' way) until my skill level rose and I became skilled at the wheel-to-wheel bit.

I still have no delusions of podiums (yet), at least here in F-stock, but am having a blast running with similar cars and skill levels every where I go. Do I want to finish first? You bet your a$$ I do! But that's not my definition of "successful" just yet.

In the meantime, I've gotta get faster, make the car faster, and try to beat folks I respect. That's my current definition of "successful club racing" and it's working well and providing a ton of satisfaction.

bobt993

Bob, now I understand Colin better..... But if club racing has **** stars, they weren't at Summit in the rain, did they make it to Daytona???????

Boston, good to be enthusiastic, but have someone ground you and set realistic timeline/goals. I helped a client get into DE a year 1-1/2 years ago. I think he could club race end of 2007 based on his advancement. Were helping him find a car properly prepared over the winter. I think he will do fine, but the only reason he will be ready is seat time. Having retired early in life and plenty of time/funding on hand, he has managed double the average track time of most drivers. He also realizes how MUCH he still must learn/perfect/refine/........ His ego is now LESS inflated than his first track day and instead of buying a GT3, he picked up a low horse power car (instructors suggestion) and focused on learning skills this year.

One important note Colin mentions. You need "Chief Instructor's endorsement" to club race. This means you must be in his/her eye a top DE student/driver : safe, consistent, skilled, considerate.... and expect this endorsement to be taken seriously in their decision. Not knowing you, ask those who do, for an unbiased point of view of who, when, what, and why's of advancing. Knowing your very confident, ask for the most critical instructor to be paired with and having nothing held back or candied coated.

TD in DC

It's true. DEs are still fun . . . but it is not the same as racing.

Greg Fishman

Mine was don't make anyone remember you.. I certainly wasn't fast enough for anyone to remember me, just didn't want to wreck or wreck someone and be remembered for that.

What was cute was my 3 year old daughter looked at me when I went out for my first session in my first Club Race at Mid Ohio and said "Daddy, don't wreck my car"

BostonDMD

Pardon my ignorance, but could you elaborate?

BostonDMD

Colin, you still taking me for a lap in your turbo at Lime Rock next year right?

BostonDMD

My 5 y.o. girl who would say the same thing.

Robert Henriksen

Dave, that is just wonderful imagery.

Greg Fishman

Just F... Do It.

Don't over analyze if you are 100% ready or not. No one is ever 100% ready, listen to the advice Larry posted, practice in DE's techniques you would need for racing.

BostonDMD

TY (thank you)

38D

Sure