Racing License
#16
Rennlist Member
This is all relevant to me as I'm hoping to join the SPB fold within the next couple of seasons. I know the answer to many of these questions is 'it depends,' but how much experience in black/advance would most chief instructors want to see before making a recommendation? Also, who's Susan and what's 'the talk'?
My assumption is that earning my license with PCA will be best, since I ultimately want to race with them. But is it worth looking at other sanctioning bodies?
My assumption is that earning my license with PCA will be best, since I ultimately want to race with them. But is it worth looking at other sanctioning bodies?
Every organization has their own rules and there are provisions to move from one to the other. For PCA:
1) Start with an application and recommendation by your PCA region's chief instructor. This is all available on the PCA Club Racing website
2) Get a medical certificate that is good for either 1 or 2 years
3) Have "the talk" with Susan
4) Get a PCA log book for your car
5) Attend the orientation meeting at your first race
6) Participate in practice starts at your first race
7) Go racing with an "x" on the back of your car for your initial 3 races
1) Start with an application and recommendation by your PCA region's chief instructor. This is all available on the PCA Club Racing website
2) Get a medical certificate that is good for either 1 or 2 years
3) Have "the talk" with Susan
4) Get a PCA log book for your car
5) Attend the orientation meeting at your first race
6) Participate in practice starts at your first race
7) Go racing with an "x" on the back of your car for your initial 3 races
#17
Rennlist Member
Originally Posted by Geneman
will PCA recognize well documented experience in SVRA and HSR? I have license for those, and more races (which are reciprocal) but i am still provisional at PCA....
Originally Posted by PGas32
This is all relevant to me as I'm hoping to join the SPB fold within the next couple of seasons. I know the answer to many of these questions is 'it depends,' but how much experience in black/advance would most chief instructors want to see before making a recommendation? Also, who's Susan and what's 'the talk'?
My assumption is that earning my license with PCA will be best, since I ultimately want to race with them. But is it worth looking at other sanctioning bodies?
My assumption is that earning my license with PCA will be best, since I ultimately want to race with them. But is it worth looking at other sanctioning bodies?
https://www.pca.org/sites/default/fi...n%20Form_0.pdf
#18
Drifting
I know we're on a Porsche forum, but IMHO there's no better learning tool than a Spec Miata. Relatively inexpensive to buy, run and maintain, reliable, safe (for a racing car), great handling, a momentum car perfect for learning car control. Plus there's a million of them out there racing, so you can get a good idea of your learning progress over time. Good for renting and learning, and if you decide racing is for you, it's hard to go wrong with a good, well maintained Spec Miata.
In the words of Ferris Bueller ........"if you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up".
In the words of Ferris Bueller ........"if you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up".
#19
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
This is all relevant to me as I'm hoping to join the SPB fold within the next couple of seasons. I know the answer to many of these questions is 'it depends,' but how much experience in black/advance would most chief instructors want to see before making a recommendation? Also, who's Susan and what's 'the talk'?
My assumption is that earning my license with PCA will be best, since I ultimately want to race with them. But is it worth looking at other sanctioning bodies?
My assumption is that earning my license with PCA will be best, since I ultimately want to race with them. But is it worth looking at other sanctioning bodies?
"The talk" with Susan will fill you in on the inner secrets of Club Racing, like the secret handshake and how to spot other Club Racers so you can give the secret nod when you see them in a shopping mall. Joking aside, "the talk" with Susan is the last step before you get your provisional license before your fist race.
#20
Addict
Rennlist Member
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will PCA recognize well documented experience in SVRA and HSR? I have license for those, and more races (which are reciprocal) but i am still provisional at PCA....
its just that there is no place aircooled dedicated 911 race cars in PCA club anymore ( except stock classes which my car is way out of..) so hard to get those races in...
its just that there is no place aircooled dedicated 911 race cars in PCA club anymore ( except stock classes which my car is way out of..) so hard to get those races in...
I believe that there will be 4 PCA races in 2017 that will have special vintage groups, just like at PCA Summit Point last year.
#21
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Usually, each sanctioning body requires their own medical certificate but HSR accepted my PCA for the first year. PCA did not accept my HSR medical for example.
I believe that there will be 4 PCA races in 2017 that will have special vintage groups, just like at PCA Summit Point last year.
I believe that there will be 4 PCA races in 2017 that will have special vintage groups, just like at PCA Summit Point last year.
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www.peterkrause.net
www.gofasternow.com
"Combining the Art and Science of Driving Fast!"
Specializing in Professional, Private Driver Performance Evaluation and Optimization
Consultation Available Remotely and at VIRginia International Raceway
#23
Three Wheelin'
Is it mandatory that you Attend The 12 track days in the 24 months to be eligible? I have 10, (was signed off after the 2nd) but not in the past 24 months, I plan on doing another 4 (at least) this year.
#24
Rennlist Member
Nothing is written in stone regarding the 12 days in 24 months. It will come down to what your region says about you, what level you are at, and how Susan judges you after your conversation with her if it gets that far..
#26
Race Car
IMHO... SCCA has a bit more car contacts than some of the other race orgs.
I was instructing, at a SCCA school a few years ago, and older gentleman brought a really nice vintage MG.... that was hit hard in the rear in the 1st turn brake zone, on one of the practice starts by a beater ITC corolla... Everyone was fine, but that car was messed up... sucks but that's racing...
Normally vintage cars would have their own sessions. But because its a school all kinds of cars run in the same run group.
I'd guess PCA/NASA/BMWCCA Schools and Races have less contact on average.
ymmv.
I was instructing, at a SCCA school a few years ago, and older gentleman brought a really nice vintage MG.... that was hit hard in the rear in the 1st turn brake zone, on one of the practice starts by a beater ITC corolla... Everyone was fine, but that car was messed up... sucks but that's racing...
Normally vintage cars would have their own sessions. But because its a school all kinds of cars run in the same run group.
I'd guess PCA/NASA/BMWCCA Schools and Races have less contact on average.
ymmv.
#27
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I see a little less contact in BMWCCA CR than I do at SCCA, maybe a little more at NASA and definitely more at the larger PCA events. The worst is LeMons or Chump...
Historics aren't immune either... No group is clean, anymore.
You MUST keep your heads up and your wits about you, "360 awareness" as my friend, Ron Zitza, likes to preach!
#28
OP,
For me there is not much more fun than racing. Racing is a drug and a cocaine habit is cheaper. For some perspective, I might spend about as much time with something about racing (car prep etc) as I do with my wife. My wife and Daughter spend less than I do on racing and I'm not a front runner spending to win. I just love racing.
#29
Race Car
Racing and performance driving in general, changed my life for the better in so many ways. Its cost a small fortune in time and money, but I don't regret a minute of it, and wish I could do more of it.
I hate to hear of lots of carnage at the big PCA events... or any event, but especially when its not a pro event and there is no prize money...
-The take away I had with the SCCA school was, All the cars are in the same run group. That MG would have been better hanging back on the practice starts... vs. trying to 'win' that school race against the IT crowd...
I hate to hear of lots of carnage at the big PCA events... or any event, but especially when its not a pro event and there is no prize money...
-The take away I had with the SCCA school was, All the cars are in the same run group. That MG would have been better hanging back on the practice starts... vs. trying to 'win' that school race against the IT crowd...
Last edited by mrbill_fl; 01-22-2017 at 05:57 PM.
#30
Three Wheelin'
3 full days in a formula car, SCCA Regional full competition and CASC B license upon graduation.
www.race2000.com
Good exchange rate too....