Hi all,

I'm looking for some advice from the wealth of knowledge that is this forum! Please forgive the poorly organized question that follows:

I did my first DE last August at Watkins Glen in a 993TT. Since then, I've done another 5 days at WGI and one at Thunderbolt (all with PCA). I'm thoroughly hooked/obsessed and want to get into racing. I don't want to build the 993TT into a track car as in my opinion 400hp. lets you be sloppy and make up for crappy habits. I'm not wedded to PCA club racing, but I'd prefer to drive a Porsche.

I suppose I'm looking for some advice as to where I should go from here? I want a dedicated track car that I can learn in and possibly race, but at the same time I've seen people's spouses/kids driving fully-built race cars awfully in the Green group and still going "fast." Basically, I want to drive something that will force me to drive well and learn from my mistakes, yet still be safe and suitably prepared for track-only use.

Also, does it make sense to go the DE -> Club Racing route, or should I be looking at the several-day racing schools (and where does one go from one of those schools)?

One last thought - what about Karts? I've been talking to the guys at SSC East about getting into the Rotax Max series. I could buy a brand new chassis, engine, and spares for <$10k and still be doing fast, exciting, wheel-to-wheel racing. How well does that sort of thing translate into sports cars?

Just about anybody can get into a racing series, but I really want to learn the right way and go from 993TT -> race car in the fewest number of car "steps."

Thanks in advance for any help/input!

 

I applaud your thinking about wanting to get into a car that will force you to be a better driver and not hide behind 400 horses...

That's what I started doing a few years ago. Learning to drive a "momentum" car i.e. one with relatively low hp will make it blatently obvious where you need to improve and will make you a better driver. After all, all cars are momentum cars to one degree or another...

If I were to do it over again now I would seriously consider getting into the spec boxster series that's gaining a lot of momentum (pun intended) all across the country. They're also relatively inexpensive.

Karts are also a great idea if that's what you'd like. Just ask any F1 driver.

 

Search, search, search.
Tons of useful discussion on this topic on this forum.
Commercial schools, Spec Miata, 944 Cup, SCCA, tons of options that will _make_ you drive the car.

 

Rent Spec E30, Miata, or 944 and do the NASA racing school to prepare for your first race. Get as much practice as possible at DE's prior. Consider buying a sorted race cars low HP ^^^^. You can short cut to racing by doing the SCCA race program, but your going to be better prepared completing some DE's prior with PCA and any other organization.

 

Charlie - you've done a total of seven track days, is that correct? I would put the $5K you would spend on two 3 day Skippy (or similar) courses and spend it on DE days and professional one-on-one instruction/coaching. Caveat - I would only do this if someone in the know said you have the ability or skillset to dive in so soon. You can buy a track ready 944 and trailer for $10K, learn to drive it a DE's, and see where that takes you.

 

9 days, not that it makes much of a difference. I'm really asking about the schools more as education/experience (as compared to DE), not just to complete 5 days at Skippy and go racing.

I'm asking these questions so soon as I know that I want to get serious about this "hobby" and I could make more out of my experiences by switching cars now, rather than 20 trackdays down the line.

 

FWIW from up here in the cheap seats....

Seat time, seat time, seat time.

Karts will definitely provide some of the lowest cost seat time / $.
That having been said, your first kart should definitely be a single speed TaG type...stay way from the 6speed/50hp (on a 200lb chassis) ICC/KZ2 machines....you'll likely break a rib on your first day out, assuming you stay on track....besides, they are a bit expensive to operate!

You can drive them year round (Florida Winter Tour is one of THE events of the winter) and around the country (you can do an arrive and drive if you don't want to trailer).

It is quite a physical workout, after which it will make driving most cars much easier.
It also does an incredible job of teaching you the meaning of 'driving by the seat of your pants' since you drive a kart with your rear end.
(my son got his license less than a year ago and even in normal dry conditions can 'feel' the car moving underneath him before I even notice it).

It is a nice supplement to full size racing, since you can do it almost every weekend when there isn't an auto race and if you get really hooked, there are several very large national races and series (the Robopong is currently running at Mark Dinsmore's New Castle track and attracts pro drivers from open wheel and tin top/NA$CAR).

 

I would run as many DEs and autocrosses as possible, after you get the feel of the car, the professional schools will be a lot more valuable.

 

Charlie, what is your goal?
I did the racing school route for gaining the proper basics then I bought car a ready to go race momentum car, (older 911) did one year of DEs and then went club racing.....
If you are thinking pro it also depends on your present age......

 

Obviously pro racing would be amazing (I'd assume 19 is young enough), but I think it makes sense to focus on this as a hobby for now!

Thanks again for all the comments, feel free to keep them coming!

 

You do have to start with "why". You're obviously not bored with DEs. If you just want to be out there toe-to-toe, then as good as track time is, I would make the leap sooner and mix DEs with racing.

 

You can get a Boxster cheaply and do not need to build it into spec to start (which will be 2x the cost of the base Boxster). The '97-99s have a nice amount of HP for a beginner but are not butt slow like older 914s, etc (though they are GREAT learning cars, I'm not knocking them). I'd do that over tracking the 993TT. I'd also recommend 40-50 DE days before you think about racing. Some will need less, some will need more.

I think karts are also a great idea. I'd suggest doing both if you can afford it.

 

Buy a kart. Spend a year in karts, but spend it in the more highly competitive venues. If you're moderately successful there, you can come back to cars and you'll run up front. Race-craft, car set-up, etc etc all transfer.

You might find that you don't really like it that much (or that you suck), and you'll save a bundle doing that in karts. If you are good, you'll only make yourself better in karts. Stay away from full-size cars for as long as possible.

Plus, car guys are *******. Kart guys are kool.

 

BBBbbut you race a car?

 

Wanna see my "****** credentials" ?