Hmm okay I'll try to get some instruction first, and while I'm at the meet I'll ask around and see if there are any such open lapping days, or at least hopefully get to know some people and get more information about what's available in the area.

Thanks everyone!

 

I think if you can take a proper racing line, heel toe, and demonstrate even mediocre car control ability, you are more than ready to attend a track event/HPDE.

 

just don't act like this and you'll be just fine [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETmnennvBhM [/media]&feature=player_embedded

 

www.speedventures.com

Sign up for the beginner group. Or go to speedtrial USA (www.speedtrialUSA.com) and also sign up for the beginner group. They'll have general driving instruction for you there.

After your first sessions, it'll be about getting track time/wheel time and just learning and understanding both your limits and the car's limits.

Eventually, if you start getting serious you might want to attend more formal driving instruction through something like Skip Barber.

But yeah, here in SoCal there's definitely no shortage of driving/racing venues available to you. Speedventures even hosts the S2K Challenge, which is essentially a time attack competition over a series of 10 or so events at the different tracks here in SoCal - you're classed based on your modifications from Stock, Street, Modified, to Unlimited.

 

Alright sweet. Definitely going to check out speedventures though.

Is it recommended that I do autocrossing first? I heard that if you do autocross it'll help out on the track, but not necessarily the other way around.

Or I guess I could just do both but I imagine that most tracks speedventures goes to requires a roll bar. And what kind of helmet would you guys recommend for someone who's new like me but probably planning to use it for a long while? I don't really want to cheap out and then have to buy another one later since I imagine they basically last forever.

 

Helmets are only good for 10 years then either need to be recertified or replaced.

Most autocrossers (including myself) get cheap helmets because it's a very safe sport. I like the cheapo $50 HJC open face.

For track, I have a separate full face (often required) for fire protection. There are different level of certification depending on what you're going to do with it.

I think of helmets as a wear item instead of getting one forever.

 

Hmm.. alright so if I plan on going to the track too I might as well get one for the track right?

Actually.. how much more expensive is it going to be if I go on the track as opposed to an auto x event? I imagine the auto x event is cheaper but you get less seat time too.

If the price discrepancy isn't too high, maybe I'll even try to do both, otherwise I might only do autocross

 

for me, the track cost is a 70 dollar NASA yearly membership and 320-350 per day for 4 - 20 minute sessions. NASA also holds auto x events

 

Again, an HPDE isn't the direct comparison to an autocross COMPETITION with regards to seat time.

The direct comparison would be a school or Test and Tune event.

Regional autocross school: ~$50 for 30 runs or so.
National grade autocross school (like Evo or SoloPro): ~$250 for 50 runs or so.
Track day: $200 for 4-5 x 20 min sessions = 100 min. At 2 min per lap: ~ 50 laps.

 

Hmm.. HPDE seems pretty pricey so I think I'll start off with autocross first, and maybe try to take one of the school programs.

But I just realized, if I keep going to autocross I'll probably have to maintain my car more too, so would it be more financially viable if I just took a class on karting and started with that instead?

I didn't even know but apparently there's an indoor kart facility probably less than an hour away. And that way it's more convenient since I can go at any time.

Nonetheless, is there any difference between going to speedventures as opposed to scca? The scca solo website seems less clean and I don't really get how it works if I'm a novice. It doesn't seem like they offer classes for first timers or at least I couldn't find it, but speedventures seems more pricey.

Thanks for all the info! Hopefully I can meet some people on this forum when I go too.