Newbe Help. How to get started.

[seymore]

Hey there guys,

I looked around and didn't find any info on how to get started in racing. I don't necessarily want to race but I want to drive fast legally around a track.

I really don't know the first thing about where to look so Im asking you guys....

I know I need to find a track and talk with them but I would like to have a little jump start on it.

Do I need a roll bar, harnesses, does the car have to be registered, Etc....

any info would be helpful.

Thanks guys.

Oh 1 more thing...

What are the rules about kids riding along or the wife. And what Is the age limit for children riding assuming they can. Thanks

[matt f]

Welcome Seymore.
1) Join the PCA region where you live.
2) research their autocross and HPDE ( high performance drivers education ) events.
3) Ask as many questions as you need to get the information you require. Your regions website may answer most of them, but don't hesitate to call the DE chair of your region.

Matt

[seymore]

Thanks Matt,
I will get on that ASAP.

[Pete R]

Join a club. I know PCA is national and there are probably other track clubs in your area.
My PCA region offers a "ground school" this time of year. I have never done it but from what I take from the ad, is it's basically the info you are looking for. It's a classroom day of what to expect at a DE. They go over everything from what you should do to the car to how to prepare yourself. It takes a lot of the anxiety out of the first day by answering most of the newb questions before you show up at the track.
If thats not advailable,(and in my case) I had some experienced friends that basically held my hand through the first day.

I'm in 2 clubs.. there's NO ride alongs. period You will have an instructor in your passanger seat. One of my clubs offers ride alongs but it's with an instuctor and not you.

[cstreit]

What they said. We could write a novel or give you spot advice. Your local club will walk you through every step of the process!

[fredmeister]

Hello,
It looks like you are in the Washington DC area. I would suggest you join the local region of PCA- Potomac region.
We have an excellent program of Drivers Education, or DE as its called. We even have a an HPDE or High Performance Drivers Ed day coming up soon in March for people with little to no experience on track. It is tailored towards giving instruction at Summit Point raceway which is fairly close to DC in West Virginia.

Join up after checking out info on the Potomac region website and ask any questions you may have to the DE chair. In fact you dont have to be a member of our region to go but membership in PCA is a great deal.
You cant go wrong with the free instruction you get as well as use of a racetrack for the day or weekend in a safe environment like at a PCA run HPDE or DE event.
Come down just to watch if you want before trying it out. PCA allows visitors as long as you can sign the waiver. Ask questions and meet the organizers and drivers.

Fred

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Seymore, have you looked into autocross events? They are a lower-speed, lower-cost, and lower-impact way to get the experience of driving the car at 10/10ths. Or maybe 11/10ths.

It's not racing (especially when insurance companies are around!) and it's not the big track. But it's quite a fun experience, and can help you get your toes wet before you jump into the pool, so to speak.

--DD

[michael lang]

Matt, at one time or another we all were in the same place as you are right now. There are a lot of options that you have as far as track events in Washington D.C. area. Summit Point Raceway is a great place to start. There are FATT (Friday At The Track) events which are one day. These give you a chance to get you feet wet if you want to experiment with trackdays. Then there is PCAPotomac's HPDE which is more or less an introduction to DE. This is a one day event that happens on the Jefferson circuit. You get a little classroom time, introduced to auto cross and ultimately some seat time on the track. Go to motorsportreg.com and create an account. Then add all the groups you want which will give you loads & loads of track events.
Kids are allowed to the track in the paddock area. I, like just about everyone on this forum, take my kids to the track but kids are not allowed to go on the track. The only club I've driven with that allowed ride alongs was the Mercedes Benz club and that was about 7 or 8 years ago. I have not driven with them since so I cannot comment on whether their policy has changed.
Enjoy the ride, you are about to take your Porsche ownership to a whole new level. Everyone gets something different out of their track experience, for me, it is a way for me to get away from the stress of the job and mentally recharge. I hope to see you at the track this season.

[VaSteve]

If you want to do a full DE with Potomac eventually , you have to do the HPDC first. Sign up is on motorsportsreg.com.

[RichardNew]

Sell your car. Join the most expensive golf club you can find. That's going to be a lot cheaper.

You are now at the top of the hill looking down on a long slippery slope. It's a fun ride but it's going to make a crack habit seem like a minor problem.

Richard Newton
Car Tech Stuff

[SiberianDVM]

Originally Posted by RichardNew

Sell your car. Join the most expensive golf club you can find. That's going to be a lot cheaper.

You are now at the top of the hill looking down on a long slippery slope. It's a fun ride but it's going to make a crack habit seem like a minor problem.

Richard Newton
Car Tech Stuff

It's also a lot more fun than golf, unless you are addicted to tournament golf. Countless people I've met at DEs have told me that they gave up golf when they started being a go faster. I laughed, thinking that I would NEVER give up tournament golf.

This year, I didn't renew my Amateur Tour membership, for the 1st time in 7 years.

I did put a new suspension on the Pooschey.

Came out about even.

[GorillaFoot]

How much does a herion addiction cost? Per year, I mean... I think I unloaded my wallet by a good $20K in the past 12 months. Let's see...

Roll Cage $3000
New trailer $7000
Engine rebuild $6500
New wheels and some Hoosiers $2700
Front end rebuild (accident) $7000

So I'm a little off. I knew there was a reason I never added it all up! That did not include entry fees, hotel, gas for the truck, gas for the Porker, wear items or fluid changes. And I just do track days!

That's it. I'm switching hobbies. Anyone know a good crack dealer in the Tampa area?

[glenndeweirdt]

I am at $3500 for roll bar fabrication and install, $1600 for seats, and $600 for harnesses plus entry fees and DE insurance. I still think DE is cheaper than golf if you are doing DE only and not trailering your car. What I think is amazing is you go through a tank of gas in a total of 60 minutes track time for the day.

[iamtheari]

My first DE was pretty cheap. You need a helmet, and should talk to the DE event people about acceptable helmets as I found out when I showed up with an SA2010 helmet that a motorcycle helmet would have been acceptable at that event. You need a technical / safety inspection, and before that you should make sure your tires have plenty of tread left, your brake pads are in good shape, your brake rotors are in good shape, and your brake fluid is not too old or worn out.

All-in, including brake rotors which were worn out, brake pads, brake fluid, the tech inspection, an inexpensive SA2010 helmet, and admission fees, my driver's training and first DE weekend cost me less than a decent set of golf clubs and 9 holes at a municipal course.

As far as I can tell, most PCA regions with any on-track events will generally have one or two Driver's Training courses each year. DT should be one day long and you will do braking and slalom exercises plus plenty of time on the track at speed, all with an instructor in your car. After completing Driver's Training you can enroll in Driver's Education (DE) and drive solo on the track (or ask an instructor to ride with you and give you more pointers, as often or infrequently as you wish).

The expenses will probably go up with time as you invest in tires for the track, a roll bar or cage, harnesses, a HANS device, a better helmet, a fire suit, and other safety stuff for you and for your car. There is truly no limit to what you can spend, just as with any other hobby. And this is a very addictive hobby so it will be hard to control your spending once you realize how much fun it is and how much cool stuff you can get for it.

But to get started, it's cheap. Make sure you have an approved helmet and any other safety gear for the event you are going to attend, get your car "teched," and show up on track day with a positive attitude and an open ear. You will be amazed at what your car can do and how exhilarating it is to drive on the track.

I have not done autocross, mostly for want of an opportunity, but I understand it is even easier to get into than track days. They both give you an opportunity to explore what your car is capable of and to improve your ability to utilize those capabilities.

[winders]

I think everyone should do their best to do a bunch of autocrosses before they head to the big track.

Autocrossing is a great way to learn how your car handles in an environment where exceeding your car's limits is encouraged.This is the antithesis of a DE event where you must drive under control at all times.

Scott

[Sboxin]

Well . . .

There have been some very good advice given in these posts . . .

So . . .
1. Have you joined the PCA National Organization ? Porsche Club of America - Home
2. Have you gone to a local Club meeting? https://www.pcapotomac.org/
3. Have you found the local web site with info on autocross and DEs? https://www.pcapotomac.org/

You asked about passengers -- not usually allowed unless on a PCA Sunday drive -not on track.
Passengers are usually allowed with Club instructors only.

There are other track car organizations around that have the same track driving
programs, but since you have a Porsche the PCA is a better place to start. You
already have a contact from this thread -- make use of the network.

My son and I have been doing this for a while and now he both races and instructs.
We started just like you . . . if you have the interest you will find the path to
satisfy your track driving desires.

Best of luck,
Regards,

[FrenchToast]

Most clubs allow for riders as long as they are 18+. I thought PCA allowed it too, guess I'm wrong. Maybe it's region-based, ask the chair.

I wouldn't ever recommend a motorcycle helmet, even if it is allowed. IMO, that is pretty stupid. I recommend a full-face helmet.

Your car needs to be tech inspected (contact the club about that) for safety and mechanical soundness.

Full cage, FIA seats and harnesses are a good idea. Some people start out with a street car, then find they really should convert their car to full cage (etc.) spec.

Be smart, and be alert. Listen to your instructor and don't be macho. Respect your car and if something sounds, smells, looks, feels, etc. weird than come in and inspect it.

Depending on the year of your car, the instructor may request you disable some electrical items. I.e. driving on the track with traction control is a bad idea; you can't learn, and it also eats pads.

Bring lots of water. Torque your wheels and check your oil every session.

Be safe, and have fun!

[iamtheari]

FrenchToast: As a motorcyclist, I consider motorcycle helmets that aren't full-face pretty stupid. I agree that a motorcycle helmet isn't best for driving a car on the track but if it's allowed for a particular introductory event it can reduce the barrier to entry a bit. The addictive money-spending can start on Day 2.

[crashmy911]

Yes on auto crossing first. Do a few then gravitate to de.