NASA vs NCRC and insurance

[neoprufrok]

So... I was wondering what everyone thinks is the better track club? I want to get on some tracks with instructors and also get track times to test out new mods. I hear that NCRC is a great club with good racing time and less crowded track days, but NASA seems better organized.

Also, any thoughts on insurance or any problems with insurance? I know that they do not cover for anything other than driving school (ie no time trials, etc) but some think they may stop covering any on track time altogether. Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

Oh, and I know I asked this before.. I just forgot and didn't find it with a search.

[rbt]

Neo,
I'm not familiar w/ all the track clubs down here in CA but I'll share what I do know. Would this be your first time on a permanent road course? If so, I would recommend going w/ an Audi Club (aka Quattro Club) event first. I did a few of them up in WA and I imagine all the Chapters have a similar philosophy. They stress fundamentals and reinforcing the basic skills, instructors want to make sure you are completely comfortable before going really fast. Camaraderie is also high, you learn from your fellow drivers as well because you have similar cars. If you're lucky Paul Lambert will bring his Stasis A4 out and give students some rides [cool]

SCCA-Thunderhill also has a good Street School; a bit less focus on instruction in general , but SCCA supplies a wide variety of instructors, some are very good. Plenty of track time, and T-hill is a blast to drive.

Speed Ventures, is really not very instructional but caters more to the experienced. The faster run groups in SV are basically out there racing, even though 'officially' no one's racing[;)] . They also have lap timing available, unlike the first two. From what I'm told, most NASA track days are similar to this one, since NASA already caters to the experienced club racer set.

Insurance? fortunately I've never had an incident at a track event, but I think it's safe to say you wont' be getting much sympathy from your agent if you did. the Audi Club events might be your safest bet; they purposely call their events "Drivers Safety Seminars" or some such, not "HPDEs" or "Track Days". It's all semantics, of course.

let me know if you have any other questions.

[flynn]

i think both NASA and NCRC are good groups to get started with. they both offer quality instruction with a good emphasis on safety.

the official word on insurance is that you're not covered for timed events. that means driver education events (like the HPDE of NASA, speedventures events, etc.) should leave you covered, but I would check with your insurance carrier to make sure. i wouldn't take your coverage for granted.

[neoprufrok]

Sounds good guys. Illusive introduced me to another group, unlimited laps. I figure I might end up being a part of a few of them and seeing what works out best for me.

Thanks!

[flynn]

i did my first event with unlimitedlaps, and as such i highly recommend them for a first timer : )

[cdub]

you can also purchase track insurance (sort of like goin' into TJ for the day, no? [;)]) but I don't have any specifics as to cost.

[flynn]

track insurance! haha what a concept. wonder if they have that at hertz or enterprise...

[Hutash]

At my last track day with TCRA I met up with an instuctor for the BMW club. He has been with alot of different clubs, and claims BMW has the best instuction for beginners. Better than Porsche, Audi,,NASApro etc. Theu spend more time in the car with you, which is a hugh plus when you are first learning. I did my first track day with GoldenGate Audi at Laguna Seca. It was a great weekend, alot of food and a cool shirt.

[Cup-a-Chow]

I'm with NCRC, I'll post more later neo.... gotta run out the door.

[rbt]

Thread Semi-Hijack:
Does anyone know a shop in Bay Area to get good deals on helmets? I know I can look for motorcycle shops too but I figure their selection will be cycle-centric. Would prefer SN rating rather than M; I don't ride anymore and this will be for AutoX and track day use.
My ol'skool HJC will be going out of spec (per SCCA) once SN2005 helmets come out.

RBT

[neoprufrok]

Originally posted by rbt
Thread Semi-Hijack:
Does anyone know a shop in Bay Area to get good deals on helmets? I know I can look for motorcycle shops too but I figure their selection will be cycle-centric. Would prefer SN rating rather than M; I don't ride anymore and this will be for AutoX and track day use.
My ol'skool HJC will be going out of spec (per SCCA) once SN2005 helmets come out.

RBT

I'm looking into getting a SN helmet too. I know of only one helmet shop that sells auto helmets (at least so far on my internet searches), Helmet City... I know piaadoll was wanting to get a helmet too, so maybe we can get a group discount or something?

[Hutash]

Helmets are hard to find at retail stores, at least in Ventura county. Do not buy a M rated helmet, many tracks/clubs will not allow them. I bought mine from The Bell Store online.
http://www.thebellstore.com/
I bought the Beiffe special as it was a good helmet, but fairly inexpensive. I do not need a formula 1 grade helmet for autocross, and even track days any helmet will do. If anybody is planning on wheel to wheel racing, then I would but a good helmet for $500 or $600.

[rbt]

Originally posted by Hutash
Helmets are hard to find at retail stores, at least in Ventura county. Do not buy a M rated helmet, many tracks/clubs will not allow them. I bought mine from The Bell Store online.
http://www.thebellstore.com/
I bought the Beiffe special as it was a good helmet, but fairly inexpensive. I do not need a formula 1 grade helmet for autocross, and even track days any helmet will do. If anybody is planning on wheel to wheel racing, then I would but a good helmet for $500 or $600.

bellstore.com is supposed to be good.
The real reason I wanna go to the helmet shop though is to see/feel them up close and try them on. like clothes, helmets all feel different even in the same 'sizes'. But I don't necessarily want to buy it there, if a good deal can be had on the same model over the internet. (and yes I do know that's considered bad consumer etiquette[:o] , but I'm a tightwad)