Rookie has a few questions

[klober23]

I am a PCA member and live in CO. I have a copy of the PCA Racing rules but just wanted to know if anyone had any tips or for the steps along the way to being able to race in the PCA. I have never raced before and know that I have to aquire a PCA racing license. Just wanted to hear from some experienced racers the pros and cons and the way to be prepared so that I can be safe and have fun. Thanks for any useful information

[Eric P]

Prep your CAR or YOU? I'm assuming you are talking driving/licensing...

How many DEs have you done? I'd highly recommend a # of those (PCA DEs are generally high quality). I'd also add one of the professional race schools: Skip Barber, Bonderant, Panoz, etc...

Have fun!

[924Sman]

Start out stock then upgrade the car as your skills warrant. Do not be afraid to invite your instructor along and ask questions. Solo is fun but you learn more with the person in the passenger seat.

Seat time is the only answer for you right now and in the near future so just get out there and all your questions/answers and more you can't even conceive yet will come to light.

You know that you need 12 days of DE in a 24 month frame to qualify for CR and then must be signed off.

Good Luck!
Dal

[Brant]

The colorado DE (challenge series) rules do not match the Club racing rules. You need to pick your final destination and from your post it sounds like club racing and then build only to those rules.

For club racing you also have to have a letter of recommendation from the chief driving instructor in your region (or other experience and schools) So it pays to go to all the DE's and not be shy. Get a lot of seat time. Ask David to instruct you multiple times, make your name known and not for being the "problem child"

Usually for true first timers, I've seen RMR kind of expect a full summer of DE and maybe part of a 2nd one before they sign people off to go to club racing. Thats not all bad, because you'll learn A LOT over this summer and be able to work the cobwebs out next spring before jumping on the bandwagon.

Unless you have a lot of money, or already have a highly modified car.... I would read the rules carefully and not invest in anything that would jump you to the GT classes. If your on a budget, then the cost benefit analysis says that you should put all of your money into seat time and into drivers skill at this point. Most/many people get swept up in the craze to modify and spend money on the car and never accomplish the goal because of it.

brant

[cstreit]

1. Spend a few days at a race talking to the club members. Ask questions. If one person doesn't want to chat, find another.

2. As mentioned. Upgrade your car when you've mastered the existing equipment. Before that, spend more on the driver

3. Read the rules carefully. If you want to make a change, ask someone first!

[Eric P]

I second the "maximize seat time, minimize mods" recommendation. Good drivers go fast regardless. And we've all seen more inexperienced drivers wreck big $ than we'd like...

It is also TONS of fun when you manage to be faster than guys who spend lots of money but can't drive, not that I do very much...