[Casalino]

Hey everyone. I finally broke my 1LE in and i'm ready to go through to proper steps in competing and participating in racing.

I want to know what the steps are to registering and participating in the right event. I live on long island and did some basic research. Looks like MetLife stadium has events. I want to find the right beginner class to attend. Does anyone know any events near ny/nj that i can attend to get started on the right track? what would be the steps to register and participate? My goal is to build experience to race at open track days. I know NJ motorsport park does it and i would love to go to Lime Rock. These are my goals. Anyone know where i can get started?

Much Appreciated

[fighting irish]

http://www.autox4u.com
That should hopefully get you started in terms of autocross. Just go to an event, they might have signups on motorsportreg, but maybe not depending on the club. You don't need any real experience for an autocross event. Just show up early and ask around for help and pointers. Most of the people will be very helpful.

[Casalino]

Thank you. Yeah MetLife isn't very far from me. It's a nice ride anyways on a weekend. I'll take the drive one morning and check it out and ask

[MoreSpeed]

Originally Posted by Casalino

Hey everyone. I finally broke my 1LE in and i'm ready to go through to proper steps in competing and participating in racing.

I want to know what the steps are to registering and participating in the right event. I live on long island and did some basic research. Looks like MetLife stadium has events. I want to find the right beginner class to attend. Does anyone know any events near ny/nj that i can attend to get started on the right track? what would be the steps to register and participate? My goal is to build experience to race at open track days. I know NJ motorsport park does it and i would love to go to Lime Rock. These are my goals. Anyone know where i can get started?

Much Appreciated

I suggest that you start first with a few autoX events and then highly encourage that you hit the track after.

For AutoX:
Some groups have a beginner AutoX day early in the season. I will be instructing at one tomorrow in the North East. These are geared entirely toward new people and cover the basics of car handling with break out sessions to cover various aspects. You could check on the websites of your local clubs. For example, I am doing a Porsche hosted event, but there will be a Camaro SS there as well as my ZL1. BMW has a club that does AutoX events. Miata has a club. Many of these clubs are open to other makes of cars. SCCA hosts AutoX events as well, etc... Motorsportreg.com is a good place to start your search.

Still if you miss one of those beginner day events, every regular season event is welcoming to new comers. You would sign up as a Novice. Typically every event has new people. You get special treatment. Novices are given more instruction and a special novice walk through of the course with helpful hits. Novices also get instructors who can ride in your car with you to give helpful information. This instruction costs nothing and can be very helpful even in your day to day driving.

Once you find a target event, check the hosting groups website. They usually give you helpful information on how their events go and how to register for them. Be aware that some groups do not allow registration on the day of the event, so you cannot always just show up and expect to drive. Many use Motorsportreg or AXWare for Pre Registration.

Given that professional driving instruction costs hundreds or thousands of dollars, the $30 or $50 bucks you will spend on one of these events would be a raging bargain. It will also help you know the limits of your car and what to do when things go wrong, which could save your life someday.

For Track:
Same thing about the clubs and registration apply however for those, you can never just show up and expect to drive. You can still go to Motorsportreg.com . The difference there is they run in different groups. You would typically sign up for the green run group which provides 100% instructor coverage. These fill up fast since there are only so many instructors, so look for events early. Many northern clubs for example, open up their registration in March and greens get filled early. Once you register, they pair you with an instructor for the event. Together you work on certain mutually established goals. These events are also a raging bargain. They do cost much more than AutoX, but you usually get multiple 20 minute sessions. You will be toast at the end of the day, but it is huge fun. My favorite track is Watkins Glenn, but that is just me.

[stmbtwilli]

https://www.hookedondriving.com/hook...gion/Northeast

I did a track day with these people, at Watkins Glen, two weeks ago and was extremely happy with how it went. They were very friendly and the instructors really know their stuff. It might seem expensive but it is definately worth it in terms of what you will learn during the day. Plus, you get tons of time on the track.

[OminouSS]

First, be sure you never go to a HPDE and use the word 'race' or 'competition'. They don't like those. Competing is for autoX and HPDE is for track driving. You would not likely be able to compete in the car for a couple years and that is just speaking to your experience, not car setup which requires a complete raping of your prized possession. You can get there eventually though, and you'll become a part of an elite group who have gotten to the SCCA / NASA level. Have fun with your track days and do know what you're getting yourself into: money sucking, time intensive, life consuming F U N

PS - I second the notion on HOD. Great group for new drivers. And even Intermediate to Advanced. I run with them several times a year in Advanced, Open passing and it is always a very organized day. And you get a free burger

[TrackClub]

look up your local PCA club (Porsche Club of America). They are usually open to all makes, are very friendly, provide good instruction for all levels including rookies, and are not very expensive for a weekend event (in comparison to most). There are plenty of PCA chapters all over USA and Canada and they run pretty much at all the major tracks nationally.