Time Attack = track time fun
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: dfw|tx
Any experience with a decent organization, TDE, Apex, PCA, BMW, obviously NASA will work from what I understand.
I'm probably in the same position as you: I have done enough events outside of NASA that all it'll really take is a check ride with a TT guy to get OK'd for a license. NASA may want new members to do atleast a day of DE first... I dunno(I hope not). Since you're a TDE instructor it'll probably be pretty easy for you to get OK'd.
Thankfully NASA is going to MSRC and ECR in 2009 instead of a single DFW event like in the past.
I'm probably in the same position as you: I have done enough events outside of NASA that all it'll really take is a check ride with a TT guy to get OK'd for a license. NASA may want new members to do atleast a day of DE first... I dunno(I hope not). Since you're a TDE instructor it'll probably be pretty easy for you to get OK'd.
Thankfully NASA is going to MSRC and ECR in 2009 instead of a single DFW event like in the past.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Parker, TX
The thing that is really nice about NASA is they are safety focused, but they make decisions based on common sense too. In other words, the rule book says that you must have 4 NASA HPDE events before you can get a TT license, but in the end it is up to your instructor. I don't know if they will allow you to get a license after one event, they might. Basically go to a NASA weekend, sign up for HPDE, you'll get an instructor and start the process.
Your experience always comes up in the conversation. Let them know (without sounding cocky
) that you instruct for club X, Y, and Z, you've done X laps on whatever tracks and say you really want to eventually get a TT license. At that point they'll know you're not just out to learn where your braking points are.
They'll ride around with you knowing you want more than just instruction. By the end of the weekend your instructor will probably tell you he wants to see you next time or you need 4 more times, etc. One thing I know they are concerned about is 1. Do you see every corner station and 2. What you do in traffic. If you use common sense and don't make any hero passes you'll do great.
Since our V8 BMW is only about $300 in safety equipment away from being legal for road racing, I'm going to start the process to get a NASA road race license as well. From what I've read, it sounds very similar, based on your instructor. You'll get to do some provisional road races and then you get a big "R" on your bumper for a year or so.
Your experience always comes up in the conversation. Let them know (without sounding cocky
) that you instruct for club X, Y, and Z, you've done X laps on whatever tracks and say you really want to eventually get a TT license. At that point they'll know you're not just out to learn where your braking points are. They'll ride around with you knowing you want more than just instruction. By the end of the weekend your instructor will probably tell you he wants to see you next time or you need 4 more times, etc. One thing I know they are concerned about is 1. Do you see every corner station and 2. What you do in traffic. If you use common sense and don't make any hero passes you'll do great.
Since our V8 BMW is only about $300 in safety equipment away from being legal for road racing, I'm going to start the process to get a NASA road race license as well. From what I've read, it sounds very similar, based on your instructor. You'll get to do some provisional road races and then you get a big "R" on your bumper for a year or so.
Last edited by hancheyb; Nov 5, 2008 at 06:57 AM.
Evolving Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 346
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
The thing that is really nice about NASA is they are safety focused, but they make decisions based on common sense too. I don't know if they will allow you to get a license after one event, they might. Basically go to a NASA weekend, sign up for HPDE, you'll get an instructor.
Your experience always comes up in the conversation. Let them know (without sounding cocky ) that you instruct for club X, Y, and Z, you've done X laps on whatever tracks and say you really want to eventually get a TT license. At that point they'll know you're not just out to learn where your braking points are.
They'll ride around with you knowing you want more than just instruction. By the end of the weekend your instructor will probably tell you he wants to see you next time or you need 4 more times, etc. One thing I know they are concerned about is 1. Do you see every corner station and 2. What you do in traffic. If you use common sense and don't make any hero passes you'll do great.
Your experience always comes up in the conversation. Let them know (without sounding cocky
) that you instruct for club X, Y, and Z, you've done X laps on whatever tracks and say you really want to eventually get a TT license. At that point they'll know you're not just out to learn where your braking points are. They'll ride around with you knowing you want more than just instruction. By the end of the weekend your instructor will probably tell you he wants to see you next time or you need 4 more times, etc. One thing I know they are concerned about is 1. Do you see every corner station and 2. What you do in traffic. If you use common sense and don't make any hero passes you'll do great.
http://www.nasatxracing.com/ is the correct spot to look for upcoming DE events?
Last edited by tnt1106; Nov 5, 2008 at 06:59 AM.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Parker, TX
I haven't seen the 2009 schedule yet, but it should be out soon? Not sure. They usually start in February.
I have the best NASA HPDE check ride story. I got the most excitable instructor I've ever met to ride with me. I told him my experience and he about lost it. He was sure we were going to die (he said so) mainly because I had not driven the big course at TWS. So basically I was certain he had written me off before we even went out. Once he saw I wasn't going to kill him, he loosened up and we had a good time. He was a great instructor too. The story is best told in person.
Moral of the story, be calm, don't set a record lap, and have fun!
I have the best NASA HPDE check ride story. I got the most excitable instructor I've ever met to ride with me. I told him my experience and he about lost it. He was sure we were going to die (he said so) mainly because I had not driven the big course at TWS. So basically I was certain he had written me off before we even went out. Once he saw I wasn't going to kill him, he loosened up and we had a good time. He was a great instructor too. The story is best told in person.
Moral of the story, be calm, don't set a record lap, and have fun!
Last edited by hancheyb; Nov 5, 2008 at 07:05 AM.
Evolving Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 346
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
