SCCA or NASA?

[wagonis]

Okay, let me start by saying: please take it easy on this noob who wants to get in to road racing but has no clue.

Now that I got that out and clear, I need to ask you guys some questions. Is the SCCA and NASA basically the same just different organizations?

The closest thing I've ever done to racing is go-karts or [COUGH]illegal street racing[/COUGH], but the street stuff was years ago when I was younger and dumb. I really want to get in to road racing now that I have a car that is worthy of it, but have no clue where to start. Sure, I can join one of the above mentioned organizations, but that still does not mean I have a clue what to do on the track besides...well...drive and haul ass, but I want to haul ass effectively (sp?).

I figured before I start doing the research, I would come in here and ask the pros to see what they think and if I can be pointed in the right direction. I've been in love with driving since the first day I got behind the wheel and can actually enjoy whatever it is I drive, but now I want to take my love for driving to a new level and do something with it.

I think I have what it takes to actually be a decent track driver, but I want to actually prove it to myself.

Thanks in advance to all for any assistance with this.

~ Nis

[Wheelman_13]

I am not into road racing/TT yet, but I do have both memberships. For track days/HPDE/etc. I felt that NASA was a little more accessable. My SCCA membership is mainly for autocross. NASA also does autocross, but I like the local SCCA group, so I am sticking with that. Depending on your locale, one may be more or less active. I'm sure some more experienced folks will chime in here, but that's my $.02.

[kbrew8991]

NASA is better suited for younger people without any experience imo

very very roughly the same type organization, lots of small details that matter to some and don't matter to others...

[wagonis]

Originally Posted by kbrew8991

NASA is better suited for younger people without any experience imo

Cool, haven't been classified as "younger" in quite a while. I'm 33 YO, but I guess I do fall under the category of no experience at the track.

[Gairloch]

Barrier to entry for SCCA is really high. Unless you have a wheel to wheel ready car you can pretty much forget them for road courses. I'm sure some local clubs probably put on HPDE's of their own accord but that would be the exception, not the rule.

As an organization the offering for new drivers is MUCH better through NASA. They also have a fantastic driver training program that is focused on preparing you for wheel to wheel. Whether that's where you want to stop or not it's still best to have good habits

[mopwer]

You may want to start with Autocross and work on your precision driving, get a good feel for the limits of your car then move up to HDPE1. This is what I'm doing and has worked well so far. I know what my car feels like with understeer and oversteer and I can pretty well control it right on the edge of both.

I agree with the comments above that for Track Days, NASA has a lot of HPDEs for you to learn to drive at higher speeds at your own pace, if you will. I'm not aware of our NASA having AutoX but, that is what I joined SCCA (at a very discounted cost) for.

Greg

[kbrew8991]

SCCA has NASA beat at autocross pretty handily (for now)
+1 for cutting your teeth there, cones are more forgiving than tire walls

[wagonis]

So what I'm getting here is start with SCCA for AutoX, get the feel of the car and techniques, then move up to NASA for the HPDE stages 1 through 4 (gradually of course).

I contacted NASA yesterday and got a reply today explaning their HPDE program, and I must say that sounds like exactley what I was looking for. But I can see where doing some AutoX first would be helpful.

Thanks for all of your help and advice, maybe I'll see you on the track one day.

[Gairloch]

Just so you know, autox and road course are two very different disciplines. The best thing you can get from autocross is what the car feels like when it's close to the limits of adhesion. Basically just get a little bit of a jump on developing your butt dyno. I still haven't done any autox and don't know that I ever will. The idea of standing around all day for a grand total of 5 minutes seat time just doesn't appeal to me when at an HPDE you get to spend an hour in the saddle with an instructor right next to you.

[Wheelman_13]

It depends on what's accessable. I might not autocross as much as I do if I lived closer than 4.5 hours to the nearest track. Some seat time is better than no seat time, and autocross does help alot with real-world car control (where you might occasionally use more than 1/4 steering lock avoiding a deer, etc.) and reflexes. I spend most of the non running/working time at the autocrosses talking to the more experienced folk and trying to learn new stuff, so I don't notice the standing around part as much.

I agree with Gairloch though, that going to a track starts a whole new ballgame. You actually have to worry about things like good braking habits, and shifting both up and down gears. Autocross will only very rarely get you out of 2nd.

The good news is that the MR2 is very competent at either venue. NA MR2s still win the E-stock class at the solo nationals, and I have found my Turbo to be a load of fun on the track.