Class breakdown info for new racers

[patman]

Hi Guys,

I was talking with some of my buddies the other day about why more people aren't getting into racing. One thing that came up is that the rules are confusing, and there isn't much basic info out there for someone who wants to get started. I know this was an issue for me at first, and I think it is probably even worse for someone who hasn't already spent a lot of time at the track like I had. Being relatively new to the wheel-to-wheel racing world, I just wanted to point out one of my major impressions:

It seems to me that one thing that would really help is a well documented breakdown of all the available classes and pictures/details of each one. Ideally this would be something that the SCCA/ICSCC/etc would post on their websites, and ideally could cover all the tin-top major class divisions as well.

For now though, I think a good place to start is the formula classes, which are a bit easier to tell apart from the production ones.

I don't think it would be a big deal to create a page with a listing of each current class, a few pictures of common cars, and couple paragraphs of details like: Size/weight/power/engine options, aero or not, relative lap times at short/long tracks, Basic rules summary (open/closed class, etc), approximate new/used car cost, approximate weekend cost range, general reliability details, etc.

I'm not a web developer guy, but I wouldn't mind spending some time to help compile some information if someone wants to set up a page somewhere. If this already exists, let me know that too.

I think there are a lot of guys my age and even younger that want to get into racing, but from the outside it is hard to learn about the options, costs, and how hard it is to get tech-ed and licensed. The general answer is "go to a race and snoop around", and I agree with that, but I did that and still didn't know everything I wanted to, and besides, my whole generation does pretty much everything on the Internet. I spent hours online trying to learn what I could, and was really disappointed at the lack of clear info. In the end, I had to buy a car and go race for a year to learn enough to know what I am talking about, and I am still learning more about some of the other classes than mine.

If we want more people to come race with us, I think better online support is a major factor that might make a real difference.

Anyway, if anyone has access to a website where this would be appropriate and is interested in setting up an info page, or if there are some SCCA officials on here, let me know what I can do to help make this happen!

Thanks,
Pat

[HayesCages]

Just going to provide some input on your first paragraph Pat:

Having had two step-sons of about your age, maybe a little younger, I've seen what they like to do, how they get their info and how they correspond with friends.

-One of them drifts and is a local event organizer. (although I have him working in the shop now and have a few open-wheelers here for him to contemplate)

-He's put up to $22k into a car so the $$ isn't an issue, his choice is drifting

-The reason most drift is because it's like the "old" days at road races: everyone is in the same boat (with a few exceptions) money-wise, not rich, not poor.- Everyone at their events share information and has instant contact with others when not at an event.

-There are very few rules per-sa.

-Tires are usually cheap or free for newbies, as they progress they can buy what they can afford and run them

-Same with engines and chassis: true run-what-ya-brung racing

-No licensing requirement unless you progress to "pro"

-Tech inspections are easy to pass, very few requirements

Bottom line is it's easy, fun , they get lots of run per event, entry is cheap, tires are cheap, they meet lots of new people who become their friends. What's not to like about that?

Cheers, Lawrence

[patman]

Hmm.. thats an interesting comparison Lawrence. I've never been interested in drifting personally, but its cool that they have such easy access. Do you feel that the guys that are into that would not have any interest in road racing?

To me auto-x seems similar as far as the ease of doing it, but most of the auto-x guys I know are always saying "someday I want to switch to road racing."

Honestly, one of the things that I think is really important here is the perception that road racing is so hard to get into. I know I assumed it was, and my friends all agree as well.

But the bottom line is, tech is way easier than I expected, and licensing is a kind of a pain, but not near as stressful as I think people expect. Similarly if you are like me and don't expect to win races in year one (or two for that matter), you can get a car on the track for pretty cheap too.

I would guess I have less than $22k in my FC, and if I was a good driver and could afford new tires and a little more test time, I think I could turn competitive laps with everyone else.

One thing I can say for sure is that 18 months ago, I had no idea that I could get a car for that price and go racing with not a lot of major hurdles. My point here is that we need sort of a 'getting started' guide for people so that they can easily understand what class they want to run in, and how hard it will be for them to get from "Oh that's cool" to out there on the track racing.