ROAD RACING,
A few hints on where to start.by Bill Tapper
First, consider where you will get a racecar - build one, buy one, or rent one. Building a car is a long and expensive process, probably best left to the experienced racer. Buying a good used racecar is great if you are sure racing is for you; and long term this is most likely the most cost-effective alternative. Renting a car is the best way to focus your attention on learning how to drive without being concerned about auto mechanics. This may be the most expensive alternative, especially if you ding the car.
Second, consider what path you will follow to obtain an SCCA driver's license. Attend two SCCA sponsored driver’s schools, attend a professional driver’s school plus an SCCA school or attend a professional driver’s school only. The SCCA schools are the most common path for new drivers, however you must provide a car and race gear (no small commitment if you aren’t sure racing is your bag). I personally recommend that you attend a professional school that provides you with the car and all the gear. You just arrive and drive. Upon completion of some of these schools you may apply immediately for an SCCA license. If you go to one of these schools and decide racing is you, I strongly recommend that you also attend at least one of the SCCA schools. The professional school’s strength is teaching you the art of driving a racecar. The SCCA school will teach you the ropes of SCCA Club Racing. The other major advantage of going to a professional school first is that you may decide racing is not for you. At that point all you are out is the tuition. If you think you can’t afford the tuition, then you most likely can’t afford to campaign a racecar.
Third, where can I learn more about being a Road Race driver? Attend the Land O’Lakes Region of SCCA spring open house and talk to Road Race representatives. Visit the SCCA web site on Road Racing. Call Jimmy Griggs @ 612-824-2070 and request a mentor. Read George Anderson’s book titled Winning: A Race Driver’s Handbook. Attend a Road Race at Brainerd International Raceway and talk to some of the drivers. SO, WHAT DOES IT COST?
The next question is, so what does it really cost to campaign a competitive road racing car? This question would be answered very differently depending on which racer you ask. There are many variables to consider, such as how handy are you, how much time you can devote to building and repairing the car, will you have to pay a crew, etc. I can only answer this question by relating my personal experience, but first I must tell you a little about our race program. My wife and I race a Datsun 240Z in the ITS class on a low budget program. I do all the car building and mechanical work. My wife is my crew and cheerleader. We load all our race gear and two extra sets of tires into our Mazda MPV which pulls a two wheel trailer carrying the race car and a pit bike. The pit bike is a 70’s vintage Rupp motorcycle that we rescued from the neighbor’s trash. When we arrive at the track we look like a couple of old gypsies. By the way, we have traveled all over the country with this rig. With this background in mind I can tell you what racing has cost me. Skip Barber Race School $3,000.00. Purchase price of the 240Z race car $4,000.00. Helmet, fire suit, shoes, gloves, underwear, etc $1,000.00. Annual race budget ranges from $5,000.00 to $10,000.00 depending on car repairs and updates. The costs include tires, hotels, entry fees, food, gas, etc. Car upgrades have included
$3,000.00 in suspension, $2,000.00 in engine work, $1,200.00 in rollbar replacement, $500.00 in fuel cell, $500.00 in new race seat, $1,000.00 in two way radios (demanded by my wife as a condition of her crewing for me). You will also spend hundreds of hours working on the car and studying racing.
If all this sounds like more than you want to commit to racing at this time, but racing is in your blood, I suggest you consider one of the following alternatives. Consider becoming a worker at road races, ProRally events, RallyCrossing, auto crossing, rallying, or all of the above.
HAVE YOU SEEN THE FASTEST 3 MILES OF ROAD IN MINNESOTA?
by Norm Nelson
If you watched the Grand Prix of Minnesota on the streets of downtown Minneapolis, you’ve had a taste of what sports car road racing is all about.
The Grand Prix is gone, but road racing is alive and well in Minnesota. On three weekends this summer, cars ranging from thundering Corvettes to agile, open wheel formula racers will tackle the three challenging miles of beautiful Colonel's Brainerd International Raceway. Some of these cars are on display at the auto show.
One of America’s fastest road courses, CBIR has a one-mile straight-away and ten demanding corners, with many vantage points for exciting viewing, plus on-site camping.It’s affordable family entertainment. Plan to join us there on May 20-21, Sept. 2-4, and Sept. 22-23.
Check our web site for more details: www.scca-lol.org.
Tonneau On-Line 2000 Auto Show
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Copyright 2000, Land O'Lakes Region Last revised: March 13, 2003
