911Königin

Hope this is not an Enzo

What procedures/steps need to be taken to get one? And, are the procedures the same for PCA, NASA, SCCA, etc?

Thanks

Frank 993 C4S

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

mhm993

SCCA, you become a member, and then mail medical, fee and application for approval. Attend school and pass. They previously required two schools but I think that's no longer the case.
Separately your car gets tech and a logbook.

ProCoach

Nope, just one.

NYC993

Probably a dumb question, but here it is. Is it a good idea to do SCCA racing school even if I don't really plan to race this year? I figured it's something different from a DE. Planning to rent Miata for the weekend at Summit Point. I have my eyes on AER but I don't think I have track experience (zero racing experience) to qualify for a seat yet. So far I've done 2 years of DEs (17 events) across quite a few NE tracks with PCA. Some sort of racing is a natural progression but being in 31 my budget and time are limited.

David993S

Not a dumb question at all. That's not a bad plan provided the school completion is valid through the time it takes you to go to your first race. It's easy to get rusty very quickly especially when you first start racing. There's just so much to absorb because it requires a completely different experience and skill set from DE's. Lastly, it's also a good idea to rent a ride for your first few races or first season just to make sure it's for you (again, that's because it's completely different from DE's). Renting a race car lets you avoid the huge financial commitment necessary to race even at the lower amateur levels.

Be safe and have fun.

ProCoach

Agree with the above. The Novice Permit is good for the span of it's issuance to the expiration of your annual SCCA membership. There's reciprocity among a number of groups, and SCCA is a good credential to use for that. Be careful though, there are a number of orgs that require different levels of licensing before recognition. For instance, SCCA won't accept a NASA Provisional (before successful completion of a few races) but they will accept an NASA Full competition license. Yes, worth doing the SCCA school even without firm plans.

NYC993

Thanks! Looks like SCCA gives two years to get three races in for the full license. But I probably would do some sort of school again anyways. Good point on renting the race car, that's exactly what I was thinking.

Slakker

FYI, PCA will recognize adequate experience with SCCA, NASA, POC, IMSA and a few others. They will not except WRL or most local race organizations.

LuigiVampa

My advice - if you are thinking about racing, and people who are competent tell you that you are ready, just do it. Don't over think it. Just do it!

Good luck - it is worth the effort! My only regret is that I did not start racing sooner.

ProCoach

Yes, you can renew the Novice Permit once, for a total of two membership annual terms.

Paddy

BMWCCA/BimmerWorld have a top notch race school and you're not required to own a BMW to participate.

ProCoach

The BMWCCA CR schools are very good. And SVRA has a race school at Roebling Road in February... Tom Fowler of OPM can rent you a Spec Miata!

Chris Windsor/Windsor Customs or Brett de Pedro/RP Peformance at/near Summit Point would be a good rental source for the March WDC-SCCA school.

No shortage of good places to go.

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....

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...

9114609048

911Königin...Follow Luigi's advice!

I thought about racing, was told no, but did it anyway. SCCA driver school, six SCCA races, IMSA license and my next race was at the Daytona 250. Probably guilty of not thinking enough. That '73 race was a total disaster, but four years later I won it overall.

As Luigi wisely says..."Good luck - it is worth the effort!"

George