questions!!

[rbt944]

Hello all. I have a couple of questions regarding racing. I really want to start racing but I want to race where there are other cars on the track at the same time. Is that called open-wheel racing? Is it really expensive to get into that? I remember reading somewhere where it said that you are required to have a pit crew, is this true? Also, Is anybody here willing to take me along with them when they go racing at the track. I really want to see how it all is and get a feel for it. And they can give me tips. It doesn't need to be a 944 owner just as long as it's someone who is willing to take me under their wing.
Thanks.

[Jack Olsen]

I think NASA runs a spec 944 series. You should go to one of their events at Willow Springs or Buttonwillow. You'll see a lot of different wheel-to-wheel racing groups.

For shorter races, you won't need a pit crew. For enduro racing, you will.

You will, however, need to get a racing license before you can do any racing, which usually involves some money and time.

Expensive or cheap depends on your definitions. All racing is expensive. Some racing is very expensive.

Track days, DE events and time trials are cheaper, and they also involve being on the track with other cars at the same time.

Depending on your budget, kart racing might offer the best bang for the buck.

Here's a link to get you started:

www.nasaproracing.com

[Lothar]

Even at a DE/Time Trial, it is nice to have a friend to help check fluids, lug nuts, tire pressures, fuel status, etc.

Have you done much track driving or been to driving schools. Unless you've had considerable track time already, you are a long way from wheel-to-wheel racing. Even after doing DE, you will still have much to learn about race-craft.

As a cyclist, I learned that I am very comfortable riding my bike until there are four other riders less than 12 inches from me on all sides. EEK!!!

[jluetjen]

I think that you've got the right idea. A couple of additional thoughts to what has been written earlier.

1) Unless you're very rich, don't be in a hurry. Take your time to go through each phase to learn what you need within your budget and just keep chipping away at it. If your rich, it's easy -- plop down some big bills (lets say starting at about $2000 per event for a low ball amateur rent-a-racer) and go racing. Repeat until you run out of money. In my opinion you would have missed a lot of the fun and satisfaction of the sport.

2) Make a friend who races in a series and crew for them. You'll be surprised how easy it is to make a friend on those terms. Just don't show up on raceday though. Jump in with both feet and help out during the week when the preparation is being done.

3a) If you enjoyed step 2 and want to go further, put together a plan for your own racing effort. A 944 in the spec 944 series would be a great place to start.

3b) Before you put your own car at risk, consider some ways to get through the hi-risk novice period when you very likely may have some "Off track excursions" or maybe even a crash. Don't be in denial -- it will happen to you. It's just a question of when. Two options:

- Karting -- get yourself a used sprint kart (<$2000) and start racing. Note that you don't want a shifter or anything wild, just a run-of-the-mill kart. You will find yourself at the back of the pack but it's a great way to get comfortable with racing wheel wheel at the limit. You'll race wheel to wheel through more corners per minute then in any other form of racing. If you get it wrong, the risk to you and your wallet are fairly limited. If you're fast in a kart, you'll be pretty quick in a car.

- Professional School (Skip Barber, Bonderont, Roos, Spenard, etc) -- I didn't do this until AFTER I crashed my own FF and sold it to pay off the bills. The cost is +/- $2000 but you will learn a lot about racing, as well as how to learn to race. In hind sight if I had done this prior to trying to race my own car, I most likely would not have crashed and wasted 2 seasons and a lot of money.

4) By this point you will have a pretty good idea of your own capabilities as well as what is required to prepare a car for competition. Now when you show up for your first event, you have a good chance of bringing everything home that you started with, as well as having a pretty respectible position in the field. It will be a lot of fun.

That's what I've learned after about 17 years in and around racing as a hobby.

[cstreit]

...I think these guys covered it really well...

1. Point being, watch your wallet. Racing CAN be "affordable" but is still expensive compared to other most "hobbies."

2. Spend some time at the track with other racers in a group that you think you might want to participate in. They will give you some direct guidance.

3. PCA had a wonderful Drivers Education program that gets you out on track, hi-speeds, and good prepartation for getting a racing license later. Its affordable and will help you know if it's for you.

4. When it comes time for wheel-to-wheel, make sure you look closely at the rules and reg's of the group you want to race wheel-to-wheel with BEFORE you start modifying your car. What may be legal in one group, might put you at the back of the pack, or in a much higher group in another.

Most importantly, HAVE FUN, let us know how it goes, and feel free to ask questions here and at the track!

Chris

[addictionMS]

I think it is in the opening section of Carrol Smiths book where he points out it is easy to spend enough money in one season of racing to pay for a lifetime of participation and private coaching in almost any other sport.

so far that has been true for me.....

Jim

[MMARSH]

There is alot of good information here. let me see if I can add some more.


Since you are in Southern Cal, I personally would recommend starting with the Porsche Owners Club. (POC) The POC basically is a track only club. It has a very good tier system that will prepare you to do Wheel to Wheel racing in the future. This tier system also allows you a way to start out on the track without having to spend a whole lot of money. It will also expose you to other people who are specifically tracking Porsches and 944's particularly, who would be able to help you with setup.

The first step in the tier is the Short Track Series. At your first couple of events, you will be provided an Instructor and also attend a two day School. If you've never been on the track before it will be worth it.

The next step is the Time trial series, these weekends are done in conjunction with the Cup races or the wheel to wheel races. This would give you a chance to check out the Wheel to Wheel stuff. You will see everything from people showing up with Semitruck transporters carrying their car, to people driving their car to the track to race.

I have gone thru the POC system and feel that when you actually get your license to Race you will have a good base to go racing.

The next POC event is at Willow Springs on Oct. 11 and 12. There will be a time trial and cup races that weekend. If you get the chance come on by and check it out. My car is Torn apart and wont be back together intil the Nov. event, but if your interested, your more then welcome to hang out with me then.

Hers the Link to the POC www.porscheownersclub.com

[rbt944]

Thanks alot guys. I find your information very useful. I guess I tend to consider things to be expensive since I have a part-time job and go to college. This is what I think I will do based on the information given:

1.) Make friends with someone who races.

2.) Go to a racing school like SkipBarber.

3.) Join a club like POC and PCA and attend their DE programs.

4.) Get a racing license.

5.) Prepare my 944 according to the regulations.

6.) Report progress to this forum.

Once again thanks alot guys.
Michael, I'll take you up on that offer. I will be willing to pick you up if you have no transportation.

[MMARSH]

Gus

That looks like a pretty good list. Personally at this stage, I would skip the Skip Barber school intil your sure you want to invest that kind of money in this hobby and you have done a few DE's. I think you would probably get more from the school already having a little track base. JMHO. Also the good thing about joining the POC or PCA is you will make friends with people just by going to the events. I met my best buddy six years ago at what was our first POC event. We've both been broke every since. but we are having a ball.

Thanks for the offer for a ride. Luckily my car is a 99% track car so I have other Transportation. Shoot me an E-mail though and we can arrange a time to hook up at the track.

[rbt944]

Thanks alot Michael. I will drop you an email during this week.