You know the more I think about the NASA thing the more I wonder why PCA would allow so many racers to leave the ranks instead of changing their,nationals, attitudes about club racing. I really like PCA Racing and would hate to be "forced" to leave so I could get some recognition for any accomplishments I may have.

 

Tim, just do both... it's the good racing that counts, no? 1/2 the guys around here don't even stay for the "trophy awards" anyway! Nice to see you posting BTW..

 

It's too bad we cannot run already prepped PCA cars in both series. I think there's enough demand that more cross promoting will drive up attendance in both series'. Who doesn't want to have access to more nearby races? Or who doesn't want to get the same number of races in but not have to drive/fly long distances to do so? Ideally it would be great for PCA racing to get to a level where it's broken into regions and each region visits their major tracks 2x per year.

The fragmented nature of the series sort of requires the racers to have big-ish dollar budgets. If there were 5-6 PCA races in each region wouldn't more people race PCA?

 

Chris, there isn't a great deal of difference between PCA and NASA requirements, at least for a G / GTS2 car. In fact the only thing (besides a required Dyno sheet) were for me to add a 2nd door bar and a diagonal to my main hoop. As it just made me safer I was happy to make the mods..

 

I think my cage also violates their main hoop bend rule. Mine has a kink in it so the hoop can run closer to the headliner = less roof crush.

What cage are you running? Custom or Safety Devices?

 

My experience with NASA GTS has been great. Most importantly it gives me an opportunity to do more races at my local tracks. The lbs/hp based classes ensure close, fair racing and the competition has been excellent in my region. Some of the other regions are still trying to achieve critical mass in GTS, but all it will take for that to happen is for a few PCA and/or BMW guys to show up. As you've seen from the other posts a lot of guys are planning on doing just that next year. I also like the opportunity to run for regional points, and run for a national championship. I have to say that the NASA Nationals the past two years have been the coolest events I've ever attended.

That said, I fully intend to continue racing in PCA, as I really enjoy the races I run with them. You can't beat the fields of 25+ F cars that you find at the larger PCA races.

 

Uhh, yes you can. Lots of guys including me do just that. NASA has a couple of extra safety rules, but that's not a problem for most cars.

 

Safety Devices. Thing is you can work with the head guy at NASA Northeast and they will actually work with you in order to get you racing with them.. It's not Black and White.

 

PCA in their infinite wisdom is no long going to keep track of track records WTF!!!! No trophys..... Now no records, Why do they bother to keep time????????????????

 

Cool. Thanks Gary.

 

I think racers who want to win something should try one of the Pro classes. I mean, if you're gonna spend the money, might as well see how good you are, and make the trophy really mean something. Honestly, a regional club racing trophy for each race?? Who cares? A year end plaque for 1st, 2nd, 3rd would be plenty IMHO.

I figure our reward is that the workers come out and allow us to play with our cars.
David

 

while valid and a great point (and several do), in a pro race you are really competing against full time drivers, for the most part, at least for a podium if even attainable (unless you want to drop an ungodly amount of money and have the pro drive for 99% of the race)... and believe me - THEY ARE GOOD. VERY GOOD - vs a club race is other dudes with day jobs, more of a true comparison of ones motoring skills for most of us imho.

in such races we usually end up holding on the the "door" prizes as if they are trophies, they just dont look as good. and getting a nice trophy made up for a 10th place finish just seems retarded.

lastly, while on the subject, a pro race is still appx 3x the amount of a club race.

 

Makes sense . . . until I think of my nephew who comes home with a nice trophy from a soccer game. Or my niece who garnered a volleyball trophy from winning a tournament. Neither of these kids are pros and neither of their parents spent 1/16th of the money I have for my car, my car's set up and my growth as a driver.

We don't race for the trophies nor do we live for the trophies; however, it's patently obvious that Tim Costa has ignited a subject that more than a few people have thought about and would like to have changed.

 

It's obvious that the vast majorty of racers what recognition for placement and time. What would it take to make PCA serve it's members? Is there any mechanism within the club to force the issue? Some of the powers to be read this forum, how do we pressure them to respect the members that make up the club? Do you think some type of on line petition would pressure them?

 

I think that the racers who don't want to win something are called DE drivers. Is there seriously a racer out there who doesn't want to win?

I'm not looking for a major trophy. I just feel it's really cheezy to give the winner of a race the same door prize that everybody gets just for showing up. At least give the guy something (anything) that indicates he was able to do more than just show up at registration.

It doesn't even have to be a trophy. How about a certificate saying something like
"First Place in E class at the Summit Point Sprint Race
Overall Time : 43:45.33 seconds
Fastest Lap : 1:35.44"

Obviously, the last couple lines would have to be written in by the timekeeping team.