How do I get started?

[Phokaioglaukos]

Last weekend I attended the SCCA's Washington DC Region race school. I wrote a bit about it in a couple of posts on Rennlist: http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/sh...p?t=387948

Jack, as you noted, renting a car (a SSM Miata in this case) was the thing to do. My car was fine in the group and the support I had from RP Performance was first rate. I recommend Bret there highly, and their shop is at the SP track. Also, you are right that a spec class is the place for me. I want close racing where it's the driver, not the car, that's making the difference. SM/SSM might make sense because the fields are large at the SP races. With 40-some cars it's possible to find someone to race with at any event. I'll have to investigate 944 spec racing further, but 944s have never really appealed to me. You're also right that the cars in the paddock at a SCCA race are not the gorgeous cars you see at a RTR DE. (See my comments on contact--I was punted the )

Darren, the biggest change I faced from DE to club racing was, as you said, increasing my level of "aggression." I did not anticipate that, even though you told me, but you speak the truth. I just expected that I would get a pass from a slower car. Not true! I needed to take the corner away from the other car, and it took me longer to find that corner than I expected. Racecraft, I guess. With evenly matched cars I needed to drive better, but do so in the right places. I learned a LOT, and have much still to learn. Surprisingly, I liked the close proximity of the cars. I need better 360° vision, but it was fun to pass two cars going into T1 leaving just 6" from my door handle to theirs. Surprisingly it did not bother me to be a couple of inches off the bumper of another car, either in front or in back. Even the contact was no big deal, although I can understand how that is not always the case. Maybe it's that the speeds seemed so low? Compared to my GT3 everything seemed to happen in slow motion. I need to learn passing, and that will take effort. When I do it right, it's fun. When someone passes me because I left the door open, it's a learning experience.

Bob, I'll look for you at SP for some pointers.