NASA? - National Auto Sport Association

[BluMicaR]

Hey, anybody here in NASA? I'm wondering what it is as I've just stumbled across it looking up 'Putnam Park' IN. I didn't know there was another real race course in IN... (dunno)

I'd like to start opening my car up on a track and having that freedom to explore her 'legally' as opposed to back-streetily. Can anybody fill me in on this?

 

[Focused]

NASAs a cool group to run with, based on my own bit of experience. It may slightly differ region by region, but overall, the experience should be the same. Check out your region's website...I'm thinking www.nasamidwest.com.

 

[Rotus8]

It's really good in California. Good instructors, reasonable rules. Try to choose days that don't have many (or any) races to maximize your track time.

 

[samc86]

NASA florida region has a good program, good classroom sessions and on track instructors. one of the more structured track day driving organizations. i'm sure the program is basically the same in all the regions. definitely worth joining up if you want to spend some time on the track. gets you a subscription to grassroots motorsports as well.

i'm sure others will chime in, and there is lots of info on the internet about track days, but i will offer two tidbits that i think will help make it all a lot easier:
1) find a local club that runs autocross events and has practice days. this will get you prepared in a environment with much less pressure than a track day. plus at a practice event you can probably get to ride with an instructor or experienced driver, and have them ride with you. lots of the tech stuff is similar, and you will get an idea of the basics. i know it is not the same as a track, but it is a step closer and a bit safer for learning. probably a lot cheaper too, we charge $40 at our practice days.

2) great book - "secrets of solo racing" by henry watts. it will explain a lot, for both autocross and track days.

 

[BluMicaR]

NASA florida region has a good program, good classroom sessions and on track instructors. one of the more structured track day driving organizations. i'm sure the program is basically the same in all the regions. definitely worth joining up if you want to spend some time on the track. gets you a subscription to grassroots motorsports as well.

i'm sure others will chime in, and there is lots of info on the internet about track days, but i will offer two tidbits that i think will help make it all a lot easier:
1) find a local club that runs autocross events and has practice days. this will get you prepared in a environment with much less pressure than a track day. plus at a practice event you can probably get to ride with an instructor or experienced driver, and have them ride with you. lots of the tech stuff is similar, and you will get an idea of the basics. i know it is not the same as a track, but it is a step closer and a bit safer for learning. probably a lot cheaper too, we charge $40 at our practice days.

2) great book - "secrets of solo racing" by henry watts. it will explain a lot, for both autocross and track days.

Thanks for the tip Sam; thanks everybody for the responses. I think I'm going to look into this further, as I could use some real driving experience; I'm about as expert as it goes on legal streets, I've handled quite a few interesting situations, but I'd like to go the next step and see what it's like when I wrestle with the demon. It doesn't take much to 'handle' a car at 40-60mph if you pay attention, are careful, and make good, positive decisions. I need to learn more about handling under skid, high speed maneuvers, brake distance under a lot more inertia, etceteras. I think some track time would be just the thing.

 

[DaveB]

Hey BluMicaR,

NASA is a great way to start, another way to go is just go to the Putnam Park website and see who running here and see if you can run with them. I have been tracking with about 6 different Porsche clubs now for the last 4 years and most of them have no problem letting non-Porsches run with them. I just ran at Putnam Park about a month ago, for the first time. Its a great track to learn at. Its very safe with lots of run off in all corners but one, Turn 10. If you wanted to go at speed thats a great track. Its very fast.

 

[DaveB]

Hey BluMicaR,

I just went to Putnam Park's website and I see that Nasa is there this weekend. You should go out there and just see how everything runs. Talk to some of the drivers and ask them how they got started and such. Thats how I meet Bill Brees, he drives a MazdaSpeed in TTE. Also he is the two time defending series champ in TTE. He can give you lots of good input and you just might run into him this weekend.

 

[BluMicaR]

Oh wow, I hadn't investigated stuff that thoroughly. I may have to do that Sunday... I'd have to bring the g/f and her daughter, but surely they'd enjoy being outside and around nice cars?