Hey mberglo,

What kind of costs are associated with NASA? Licensing, minimum safety equip and such. Your idea on the hypothetical project post just had me wondering if you had a V8 SN95 that you were willing to turn into a weekend racer what would your approximate start-up costs be? I know that once you get hooked the wallet gets drained.

 

I'm always glad to try to talk others into getting addicted to Track.

You start in HPDE. It stands for High Performance Driving Experience. Basically, you bring your own car and a motorcycle helmet. You get an instructor and about 3 hours of track time and 2 hours of classroom instruction during that weekend. You'll learn to drive your car to your limits. Saturday you'll be slow. Saturday evening you'll digest everything your instructor has been telling you. You'll barely sleep thinking how you can't wait to try that one next thing. Sunday it all clicks and you start to feel your car sliding through the turns as you realize that your geewhiz street tires aren't up to the task. By Sunday afternoon you are comfortable doing 130mph down the straight, waiting till the last possible moment to hit the brakes and downshift, and power your way through the turn. Upshift and slam the gas back to the floor.

There's nothing like it. Nothing. It is the most fun I've ever had with cars. The comradery in the pits is second to none. I don't know what else to say. It's awesome.

I'm leaving Friday morning for Road Atlanta. If someone wants to go along for the weekend, email me. I may have an open spot.

Check out http://nasa-se.com/ for more info

"Road racing makes heroine addiction seem like a vague craving for something salty" - unknown

 

What is the cost involved in something like this?

i mean do you pay a yearly fee, only weekend fee ect

of course car parts would be random

 

Yearly membership to NASA is $35 which includes subscription to Grassroots Motorsports magazine (good stuff)

Weekend registration is roughly $300 depending on track.

 

I just returned from Road Atlanta and have good news for youse.

Starting next year, NASA is going to let folks do their first HPDE weekend for FREE!!!! Free weekend of track time and instruction if you've never been to a NASA event. That is an incredible deal. I guess it's like getting your first crack rock for free. They know it won't be your last.

I'll pass along details as I get them. Here is the website with next year's schedule.

http://nasa-se.com/

 

The puppy dog approach. You spend a little time with it and you don't want to let it go!

 

SIGN ME UP

 

There are also several 'work a weekend, get a HPDE weekend free' deals, plus help on accomodations and stuff.

All you have to do is come to one event. I promise. You'll be hooked for life

 

here it is in all its official glory... http://www.nasa-se.com/i/1steventfreeadv600.jpg