Quote:
Originally Posted by 2000v6
I definitely agree with you. I only want to get a track car to practice in, not really race in.
Personally, in the beginning, for the big leagues, my preferred choice is Nascar, and that's where I'd like to set my goals. Obviously, it's too late to even think about F1. Like I said, I prefer rally, but I understand that there is no money here in the states, except for block and pastrana.
What I don't get about skip barber is the contract in case of damage. Obviously, I understand that the car is given in my hands, and I'm liable for it. What I don't get though, is how much I would need to shell out in case shit happens.
I also prefer the VW TDI cup, rather than the mazda cup. But what it comes down to is that eventually I will need to sign up with a team, or heck find enough sponsors and start my own, which I just don't see the TDI or mazda cups eventually leading to. I just don't see SCCA leading to racing with someone else's money.
|
The problem with getting a track car to practice in is it is a lot of money to spend on something that will be vastly different from what you are racing, better off learning in what you need to race.
Skip Barber has a damage deductable, when I went, during the school the deductable is waived, meaning you can wreck a car and its covered. Once you start racing with them the deductable starts at $1k, and goes up to $5k and then $10k depending on how many wrecks you have and how dangerous you are. They can give you the full chart. Eventually if you keep wrecking you will get an OSB license (OSB meaning "Other Sports Beckon"). I heard they actually gave a guy a tennis racket once after he wrecked his 5th or 6th car. All those amateur series have something like that.
Skip Barber National Championship is still definitely the way to go if you're looking for NASCAR too. After that, everything we have discussed is useable, but you may have a better chance to go NASCAR if you go short track racing. Buy a used stock car or see if there are any teams looking for a pay drive and cut your teeth in that. The TDi cup can be a steppingstone as well and is a bit higher profile because its national. But if you're lookin to run NASCAR the SCCA is generally a bad direction to spend your money and buying any sort of Track car, Lotus, Z06, etc is a waste too. Buy yourself a stock car, DuPont Registry, Racer, even Autoweek always have a ton for sale, Racingjunk.com as well.
As for Practice, you're a kart guy.... Ask any pro driver whats the best way to hone racecraft? a Kart. Sounds like you have the cash to get a really nice one. I would do that. Thats where all the top drivers started, and all of them go back to at some point.