The NASA region I have raced with since 2003 has put together a pretty nice set of videos that lays out what it takes to get started Open Tracking.
This is pretty much how I got my racing license. It's easier and cheaper than you might think.

Part 1
YouTube - How to get started with NASA (National Auto Sport Association) Part 1

Part 2
YouTube - How to get started with NASA (National Auto Sport Association) Part 2

Part 3
YouTube - How to get started with NASA (National Auto Sport Association) Part 3

Not as much Mustang content as I would like to see but still an informative set of videos.

 

Thanks Greg. Great resource. I've run with many different groups and NASA is by far the best at bringing drivers through the ranks. One of these days the budget (aka "wife") will allow AI...

 

Nasa Great lakes = awesome

(Fyi I meet you at nationals this past year I was working on Ken Smiths ST2 car).

 

Thanks...I plan to get heavily involved once my Mustang arrives...

 

NASA HPDE's are a great way to start.

Best way to transfer from HPDE's to either TT(time trial) or wheel to wheel racing. Great instruction as well.

 

buy a rocket?

 

Do you have an opinion on whether SCCA or NASA is better for a square one, complete novice of a beginner like myself? I'm talking about driver schools and learning the basics...

I looked up the SCCA/NASA regions I live in, and they both are active at the two nearest road courses with multiple events(VIR and Summitt Point)

 

I love NASA, just did my third HPDE event with them in Pueblo, CO last weekend. Graduated to HPDE 2 (no instructor needed in car)! My Rocky Mountain group is great, lots of nice people, very good instructors, and it's cheap! $250 or so for the weekend, and that can be up to 4 hours of direct instructor time! No place cheaper.
Many of the NASA folks are fed-up former SCCA racers that wanted more freedom and less rules. The HPDE 1 group consists of never-before fresh off the street people, one girl had a Toyota Corolla, another a BMW 325ix, both slow as sin on track, but at least they're doing it. Very good way to get started.

Here's from Pikes Peak International Raceway last year:

 

my NASA membership came through...

now all i need is a helmet and of course a CAR, if it ever gets shipped from AAI

 

Car finally arrives; will try to do Hyperfest at Summitt Point in August without crumpling my new car into a ball.

 

To me, this is what hobby racing is all about. I love reading about all your cars and the fun your having on track! Can't wait to get involved myself!

 

my last on track experience.

 

^^^ those came out well...nice day for a drive...

 

Be careful on turn 9...

 

Wow, you guys have trees and shade at your tracks. That would be nice...

 

You know, since moving to the West coast I do sort of miss the "greenness" of the East coast tracks as far as scenery, etc... However, having 1/4 mile of open desert runoff at critical turns makes the driving experience a lot more fun when pushing it.

 

Slaya FYI a fun track day is coming up later this year maybe I'll see you there?

Team Shelby>

 

Slaya is that your car in the new EBC ads?

 

I've decided no more EBC for me, at least not in my StopTech/Saleen front brakes.

Swapped out my YellowStuff pads (which held up great at the last track event, and the dust is easily cleaned off) for the new StopTech branded pads (high performance street/light track) pads, and the difficulty getting the EBC in and out of the StopTech calipers is ridiculous. They're made to the old Porsche spec, I think, and therefore just slightly too big, in width, height (bridge closing was difficult), and thickness for the StopTech calipers.. The StopTech pads slipped right in, as did the Hawk Blue I used to clean the rotors a while back. Too bad, as I liked the EBC pad material and feel.

The EBC fit great in the stock rear calipers, but I'll be using a different brand in the future for the fronts. Any suggestions out there??

 

Hawk DTC60. (Track only)