As part of some road racing weekends a Region may offer a non-competitive Track Event (formerly known as a Performance Driving Experience or PDX), in which just about any legal adult with a driver’s license can lap the race track at speed (almost) in their street cars. Membership or Weekend Membership is required. The only required safety equipment, beyond stock seatbelts, is a Solo-legal helmet. The purpose is to learn car control in a high-performance environment (“high performance” has more to do with the level of driving skill than with the cars). Participants may get as much as two hours of track time during one Track Event. Rigid safety rules are imposed including strictly enforced passing zones only on straightaways, and passing protocols (the leading driver must wave you by). A TE is a way anyone can get a taste of performance driving without actually laying out the budget to go racing. Beyond the TE, members can step up to the similar but competitive Time Trials events including the Midwest Division Time Trials Series, and in other parts of the country, Hillclimbs.
Race Experience
It turns out, several of the existing barriers to road racing can be torn down, which is exactly what SCCA’s new Race Experience program is designed to do. The SCCA Race Experience program is focused on providing enthusiasts an opportunity to engage in SCCA wheel-to-wheel road racing at lower peak levels of performance and pressure than SCCA Road Racing events, all the while focusing on education and the best overall experience. The race car will need to adhere to SCCA’s safety regulations, but will not require the car be prepared for a particular class, and there will be no need for an SCCA Competition License, a Novice Permit, or a medical form. The events include educational components for those with less experience, and all drivers will have a driver coach available to express concerns to and get advice from, which will enhance everyone’s experience.
Track Night in America
SCCA also conducts a series of midweek (late afternoon to sundown) Track Events at many circuits around the country. Drivers are divided into Novice, Intermediate or Advanced levels based on experience and typically get three on-track sessions. Novices also get off-track briefing sessions. More information is found HERE.
