My policy is never track something I'm still making payments on or that has a warranty.

 

...or can't afford to total and walk away from.


That said, I rarely see novice level drivers damage their cars. Intermediate and new Advanced students seem to have the most issues.

You will (probably) not be going quick enough in the places that matter (4, 10, the chute) at Summit to have a bad incident in your first DE.

I'd love a 997 S or a GT3 but i can't afford to track it, because I can't afford to wreck it, so I'll stick to my (paid for) E36 M3. Insurance is just too unreliable - getting dropped after a claim can put you in a high risk zone and super pricy insurance afterward.

 

About the damaged cars, I have to agree. At least for FATT that is. BSR won't let you out there alone unless you've put in your "union time". Other events though, like the Mazda and other marques, your second day, unless you're a total hammer head, you can typically get signed off to solo so, problems happen then too.