How do I get started?

[Phokaioglaukos]

Thanks, Jack. I'd like to get a bit of experience this season at (relatively) low cost to see what I think. There is a test day and a MARRS race 9/21-23 at Summit Point and then the Washington SCCA group has a school at SP at the end of October. I hope to do both of those in a rental car. I thought Miata would make sense as they are cheap to rent, low powered and reasonably capable, but several have told me that it would be a mistake--the Miata class is large with many who do not mind trading paint or punting cars. I may have  a line on a 944 that I could rent and run in ITS, but that is not certain. If I had to decide right now I'd go for the Miata, but I'm getting concerned. At the last MARRS race three Miatas wound up on their roofs and one driver got a four race suspension for contact.

Long term I'm more interested in PCA Club Racing, but I have a quick path to a SCCA license, there are cars I can rent to drive in SCCA, I can schedule the last MARRS race and the October school at Summit Point and I have a conflict for the SP PCA race.

To address your questions in turn:

My goals, are first to improve my driving (lap times, car control and track awareness), second to enjoy competition and third to enjoy the camaraderie as I do at our DEs. I'd like to have a car that is capable of winning at some point, but that need not be my first race car.

For money and time, well that remains to be seen! My thought is to rent a car for a couple of races and see what I think.

I'd appreciate your further thoughts.