I have been participating in HPDE for three years (Mostly PCA, but some NASA and SCCA). I do about 15 HPDE days per year and I am a National Instructor for PCA and and instructor with SCCA. I have been approved for PCA Club Racing next year. I am unsure if it is worth making the step up as I am having a blast doing the DE thing. Here are the cold hard facts:
I drive a near-stock 2007 Cayman S (Roll bar, Race Seats/Harnesses, LSD are only mods). I would do a stock class (PCA Class H) to minimize mods (strip interior, welded rollcage, Hoosiers, LCA, headers etc.) and cost.
Problem #1- Am I fast enough? I run about 2:45 at Road America on street tires (Yokohama AD08s). With mods and on race tires I think it would bring me down to about 2:39-2:40. The competitive guys (and girls) in H class are running 2:34-2:36 at RA. Maybe I leave in the A/C and radio so I am entertained and comfortable while being lapped?
Problem #2- Budget. I am already spending about $12K per year with entry fees, lodging, tires, oil changes, DE Insurance, brakes, beer (lots of beer),etc. I think racing will double my budget (trailer,tow vehicle,more expensive consumables) and that will raise some eyebrows with my wife.
Problem #3-fun. Racing is extremely competitive and stressful. I am not by nature an extremely competitive person. I do HPDE to reduce my stress (funny how focusing on line and smoothness filters out all extraneous bull**** in your life). Do I really want to add a stress. Losing will not be fun and I am unlikely to end up with a podium finish for years if ever.
Problem #4-Risk. HPDE is risky but you can buy track insurance for disasters. If you race you will crash. 7 car pileup in the Kink at RA over Labor Day weekend with two guys cut from their cars and airlifted out. Is this worth it for a $5 plastic trophy?
So there you have it. Is racing so much more fun that it makes all these problems worth it? Let me know because I am on the fence. Thanks.
