Sean F

It will be my third race with NASA and I agree with the small fields with many classes but I've seen and been a part of way more contact with PCA.

Not looking to start a debate either....just had a different experience.

I will say that after the Glen, Mosport and Road America PCA races it seems like the carnage has been pretty significant this year (totally un-scientific observation).

Geoffrey

If you are referring to Rick Deman and group, it was my understanding that they were the ones that were hit, not the other way around. However I wasn't there and was not referring to that particular event.

Gary R.

I believe their rules and procedures are the same though aren't they? As long as SUV's and Audi wagons are allowed in an open-passing advanced run group i'll take a pass..

todinlaw

this is off topic but any one have an idea how far away summit pt. is from Columbus Ohio and what do you guys think of that track?

Mark in Baltimore

http://maps.google.com/

I love Summit and will love it even more after a quality repave.

Sean F

+1...summit is a really fun track. If the repave is good it will be a blast.

todinlaw

I see a debate coming. I have done one NASA DE this year, and allot of things they do i like and some I don't. For sure however, with the number of run groups they have, my 4 -20 min sessions were long layovers. My last run was at 6:20 pm got off the track at 6:40. I was thinking Night run.

FlyingDog

SUVs are not allowed by NASA-MA, but I don't know how they would class an Audi AllRoad. The basic rules are the same between regions. How they are enforced is different. Procedures are much different.
For example:
NASA-MA
HPDE 1 Novice with Instructor, passing in restricted straights with a point
HPDE 2 Intermediate with instructor and a few solo, passing in restricted straights with a point
HPDE 3 Advanced instructor by request, passing anywhere with a point
HPDE 4 Instructors, special guests, TT/comp evaluation students at non-VIR events, and occasionally highly advanced students.
The vast majority of racers must go through a full day competition licensing school (Fridays at VIR events) after proving themselves going through all levels of HPDE. Some licensed drivers from other groups must also go through comp school. A few people (me included) go through a comp eval which takes a full weekend, but is mixed with HPDE4.

NASA-SE and NE (varies slightly)
HPDE 1 and 2 combined, 1 is with instructor, 2 is solo, straights passing with point
HPDE 3 Advanced passing anywhere with point
HPDE 4 Instructors, Advanced students, TT, comp eval, open passing
Other sanctioning body licenses transfer directly into NASA regional licenses. No comp school. Comp eval doesn't have strict application requirements (and from what hear is rarely if ever failed).

Sean F

this thread is drifting

FlyingDog

I can get video if you would like to see otherwise. Rick Deman is definitely the one doing the hitting. The out of class victim took the outside line through 8 to allow Rick plenty of room to pass. Rick went completely across the track, clipped the car with his back end, then proceeded off track. His comment when asked about it "I knew I hit somebody I was passing but I didn't know who it was. It was just racing so it doesn't matter." He hit at least one other car that race and the black SU car with him hit another SU car (one of the tube frame ARCA? cars).

BTW: I have nothing against Rick. He seemed like a nice guy in person. I didn't meet anybody else in his group. I'd just stay away from him on track. I have the same opinion of a few people in my current class, cool in person but scary on track.

FlyingDog

Sorry.

NaroEscape

OK guys, before this gets into a "who's racing is better" arguement....

Sum it up by saying some prefer NASA, some prefer PCA, some prefer other racing. It's all what you get out of your experience and your expectations. It's like saying what color car is better, black or red. It's all in who's asking (oh crap, now I just started a car color debate...)

NaroEscape

I need to drive that soon. I'm told I will really like it with a well handling, decent power 914.

FlyingDog

My race car is red and black so it's the best!

I have no idea which one is better. I just think a lot of PCA people give NASA a bad rap because of rumors or perception of some regions. The same thing happens with PCA, BMWCCA, and SCCA.

If I was the OP and series points aren't a consideration, I would pick the track I wanted to drive. For me that would be the Glen because I've never been there. He's from NY, so maybe Summit Main on 1 month old pavement sounds better.

comatb

Just my opinions. I have raced in PCA for eight years. This is my second year in NASA. There is more track time at most East Coast PCA races as they usually don't include DE and have no Time Trial run groups . However I enjoy the 'Series points', at the track Dyno testing(not at every race) and the National Championships at Mid-Ohio that PCA does not offer. We are lucky to be able to pick and choose any or both of these race organizing groups. Both of which enjoy a cold one at the end of the day!