I was looking through mods, and realized that it's pointless for me to mod my car to any extent because I don't even know how to drive properly, so I probably won't even be able to appreciate the difference. And then I decided I might as well use that money to learn to drive.

So I've always wanted to race, but since it's not all that mainstream I have no idea where to start now that I've decided I'm going to pursue one of my dreams. I finally managed to buy an S2000 (hurray!) but it already has aftermarket wheels, radio, and alarm, so I guess I won't be able to fit into any "stock" categories.

Anyway, I've read some things about autocrossing and HPDEs, but I wanted to hear from those of you with some experience or others who were in the same position as me about what I should start with? I assume most people would recommend me to join SCCA or NASA? I mean it'd be really convenient if we had our own version of the Nurburgring in California where I could just pay a fee and get to drive to my heart's content, but unfortunately I don't think that's the case.

Right now the most I can do is just go on some nice drives on mountain roads, and that's exciting or all but I'm not crazy enough to drive fast because I don't want to kill anyone, including myself. And then since I'm always holding back I don't really think I can improve, so I guess what I'd like to ask is where I should start if I'm hoping to improve my driving skills.

I'm hoping that your answers won't be prohibitively expensive, because I'm just a college student, and I just quit my job but I should probably be able to manage if it's not too crazy. And am I going to need a roll bar? Because that's already like $500+ and I definitely am going to need someone else to install it for me because I don't have any tools.

Thanks in advance!

 

Welcome to the club!

It helps to define your goals and limitations. You say you're a student so autocrossing is probably the way to go since it's cheaper. Be sure to join SCCA or whatever club you'll generally race with since it will drop mthe cost of entry fees, usually to the point to where it's cost-effective even with the membership dues. And you get a shiny magazine every month! The radio and alarm aren't going to do anything for the classing but the wheels might, depending on what's different. Almost universally, no one is going to bitch about the wheels until you become dominant and that's gonna take a while.

Start with as stock as you have the car now. Don't change a thing except to make sure the brakes and tires are in good shape. Make sure you use the novice program if one exists in your region - you'll gain a lot through the help and experience of the instructors - you'll go faster sooner. Don't expect to win a damned thing except a smile on your face. Slide the car, spin the car, learn it's and your limits. Once you graduate from the novice program, you'll have a better idea of where you're going with the car. You may find that autocrossing isn't your thing and that tracking will fit the bill but be ready to spend some additional money in fees and maintenance.

Get a few events under your belt and ask questions. We all started here...

 

Welcome and great attitude to have! You'll have a blast!

Your car would likely fit in "STR" (street tire roadster).
Classing information here:
http://www.scca.com/documents/Solo_Rules/2..._solo_rules.pdf

Contact people for autocross link:
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showt...&#entry17925654

Cal Club region:
http://www.solo2.com/

Another way to improve on a budget is indoor karting, too.

 

Hmm.. so the general consensus seems to be that autocrossing is the way to go? I don't really think I can afford to buy a kart, I assume they're not cheap.

As for my goals.. I mean I'm not really sure what to say. I guess I just want to become very skilled at driving? Well at least for now since I know I don't have the money to compete yet, so I guess my goal would be to able to train or practice so that I could compete one day if I ever decide to.

Thanks for the info guys! I'll definitely check out SCCA for autocrossing. How was your experience the first time around?

The wheels are GC-07s so I think they might take me out of the stock class, although I don't really think it matters because no matter where I go I'm not going to be winning anything realistically.

Does anyone from the Cal Club region or elsewhere know if it's required to have a roll bar installed? And would anyone be able to give me an estimate as to how much it will cost each year? I realize it's a bit difficult with maintenance and things like that, but I kind of want to prepare my finances.

 

There are things you can do on the street that don't involve breaking the law that can definitely be beneficial at the track. Things that come to mind are:

1) Always drive the race line.
2) Heel-toe under normal driving.
3) Push the car when nobody is around.
4) Practice judging braking zones.

The first is easy. Stay in your lane, and definitely don't drive such an aggressive line that you are nearly hitting other cars. But, practice making your path through a turn as straight as possible. Practice hitting apex and then only unwinding the steering wheel from there. If you are hitting apex, then unwinding in a linear fashion, and reaching zero steering angle with little to spare in terms of track out region, then you can safely assume that you have taken a good line with a proper apex. Mix things up with complex corners or linking turns; there are plenty of them on the street.

Second, heel-toe. This is something that I legitimately learned on the street and I always do. You can do this anytime you are coming to a stop, so there is always time to practice.

Third, if you are the only car on an on-ramp, then you can step up the pace to picante. Obviously 5pm after work may not be the best time with other cars around, but if the onramp is clear, then I don't see a problem with pushing the car a little. Just keep it under control. The key to success here is baby steps, and know when you are starting to stumble. One of the biggest things to gain here is collaborating the skills I have discussed earlier that you have been practicing at 1-2/10th of your ability in a more stressful, closer-to-the-limit environment. You are training your mind in this regard to still keep things like "The correct line" a priority while also going really fast and not losing traction. I see a lot of people that simply try to keep the car on the road near the limit because driving the line is not instinct yet. Just push like 6-7/10ths for a bit and get used to driving the line and heel toe-ing going in. Hopefully after a couple months, 6-7/10ths is now 4-5/10ths or better.

Lastly, you can teach yourself to look for braking points at normal stops on the way home. Training yourself to establish braking zones is another mental training exercise that will carry over onto the track. It doesn't have to be a 10/10ths braking zone, but rather just a normal, easy stop. The key is that you recognize where you want to start braking and do it every time. This builds consistency and trains your mind, like I said, to establish these zones.

 

1. Indoor karting usually rents carts.
2. A lot of autocross clubs have Spring "Novice" or "Driver's" schools. Those are probably the best way to meet club members and get your feet wet. They're not required, so by all means feel free to come out and play before the schools.
3. No roll bar for autocross unless you use harnesses in a convertible or run Prepared class.
4. Roll bar may or may not be required for track / HPDE depending on the club and venue. Many will let an S2000 or other "integrated roll hoop" convertible run without an aftermarket rollbar.

 

So you are in California? SoCal or NorCal?

If SoCal, I recommend the Buttonwillow Performance Driving Clinic as the best place to get started.

http://www.buttonwillowraceway.com/ - click on Performance Driving Clinic.

They have something very similar in NorCal at Thunderhill Raceway http://www.thunderhill.com/

NASA is good if you like a lot of structure and don't care about a lot of track time, since four 20-minute sessions will be your whole day. http://www.drivenasa.com/

SpeedVentures runs a lot of events in SoCal and a few in NorCal, and they usually have instruction for beginners. You will get more track time with SpeedVentures than NASA. http://www.speedventures.com/ I also recommend eXtreme Speed and Open Track Racing in SoCal http://www.extremespeedtrackevents.com/
http://www.opentrackracing.com/ Both of those groups have instruction for beginners.

In NorCal, you could also try http://www.ncracing.org/ and http://www.trackmasters-racing.com/

The Road Courses in California:

NorCal:

Infineon Raceway/Sears Point in Sonoma (the greatest road course west of the Mississippi IMHO)

Thunderhill Raceway Park - about 80 miles north of Sacramento 0n I-5

Laguna Seca/Mazda Raceway - halfway between Monterey and Salinas

SoCal:

Willow Springs Motorsports Park - 17 miles Northwest of Lancaster in Rosamond, which has 3 road courses:
- Willow Springs Int'l Raceway (the "big track")
- Streets of Willow
- Horse Thief Mile

Buttowonwillow Raceway Park - 40 miles northwest of Bakersfield on I-5

Auto Club Speedway in Fontana (Roval and Infield courses)

Chuckwalla Valley Raceway - 50 miles east of Indio (in Bum Phuck Egypt) - our newest road course and worth the trip

 

@nissanfanatic

I actually learned to heel toe on the street, and I do take the racing line usually just to entertain myself, as if the S2000 wasn't entertaining enough already.

I'll try to do #3 and #4, but by judging the braking distance do you mean like I should see how late I can brake?

@CKit

I'll definitely try to join the novice things if they have them! If I embarrass myself maybe I'll never go back haha.

But I wonder where I can find some indoor karting places then. That sounds really fun!

@Richard_EVO

I'm in SoCal! That's quite a lot of stuff you put there. Thanks! I'll definitely look into all of those racing organizations.

About the road courses though, they don't just allow you to go there and pay a fee to drive around the course I assume? I figure they only do that in other parts of the world and not here sadly.

 

There is such a thing as an open test 'n' tune day at some of the tracks, but most require some safety equipment.

I don't recommend going out on a road course for the first time without an instructor. All the organizations I posted links to have instruction programs for beginners. You should really get some good instruction as you are getting started.

 

Some tracks / clubs have "open lapping" but agree with Richard that instruction in the beginning can keep you from starting with bad habits.