SPS

#21 Mark Rushbrook chases #34 James Walker through the 'Keyhole' at MidOhio.

At first, this may seem like an unattainable desire, but it's not. Thanks to the SCCA and the existence of ‘amateur club racing', road racing can be enjoyed by just about anyone. Mind you – it is not easy, and it is not cheap. But it is possible for just about anyone that has the commitment to do it.

If you think that this might include you, here are a few tips to assist you.

1. Competitive driving requires lots of preparation, paperwork, and money. So before you make a complete commitment, be sure to sample the sport at a level that requires less investment. The best way to do this is to participate in some high speed lapping events that allow you to use your street car. There are several clubs and groups that host such events – including Porsche, BMW, and Corvette owner clubs. In fact, the well-known Saturn Performance Club hosts several events each year.
2. Surviving a competitive SCCA race weekend can be difficult for a novice. So before you pursue your own racing license, consider working as a crewmember for an experienced racer. (Your experienced racer does NOT need to be a Saturn racer. Remember, the SCCA has many classes that involve a wide range of vehicles. There is a good chance that an SCCA racer in your area would appreciate some extra help at his next race.) Working as a crewmember will teach you valuable details about the SCCA, the protocols of a race weekend, and the organizational details of running a race team. If you are already familiar with the race weekend, then making the transition from crewmember to driver is much less stressful.
3. Once you have sampled high speed driving through a lapping day and sampled the club racing weekend as a crewmember, if you are still committed to becoming a racer, then the next step is to earn your license. The SCCA publishes a guide for this process online at http://www.scca.org/contentpage.aspx?content=43. The licensing process can seem confusing at first, but it's not that bad.  What you need to do is first apply for a novice permit.  Once you have your novice permit, then you will complete two SCCA driver schools and two SCCA regional races. If you complete the schools to the satisfaction of your instructors and complete the races to the satisfaction of the chief stewards, then you can apply for your regional competition license. So how does one acquire a novice permit? Keep reading.
4. Step one is to join the SCCA. You can join online at the SCCA site. For all practical purposes, accomplishing tasks one and two above would be a lot easier if you were already an SCCA member – since other SCCA members can help you find lapping days and club racers who need crewmembers. So hopefully, you have already joined the SCCA by now. But if not, then joining the club is step one!
5. You will also need to download several other forms including the merchandise order form, the physical examination form, and the novice permit application. These can also be downloaded in pdf format at the SCCA site listed above.
6. Using your merchandise order form, place an order for the General Competition Rules book (GCR.) Also be sure to order at least three ‘SCCA Club Racing’ decals (which you will need to apply to your racecar) and one ‘SCCA’ patch (that you will need to sew onto your fireproof racing suit.)
7. When your GCR arrives, read it. Then read it again backwards. Then read it again. Then have your wife/girlfriend/mom/brother/sister/buddy/dog quiz you on the competition rules. You will need to know the rules for the written tests at your driver schools!
8. You will need to get a doctor’s physical examination performed as part of your novice permit application process. So schedule an examination and have your doctor complete the physical examination forms that you downloaded in step five above.
9. Once you have your completed physical exam form, then you can apply for your novice permit. Of course, you need to complete the novice permit application form that you downloaded in step five above. Before sending it to the SCCA, MAKE COPIES OF EVERYTHING! (The SCCA loses stuff occasionally.)  Along with your completed novice permit application, you will also need to send: your doctor’s physical examination form, two passport-size photos, a photocopy of both sides of your state driver’s license, and a $110.00 fee. (If you are considered a minor in your state, then you will also need additional parental waivers.)
10. At some point before your driver schools, you will need to invest in safety equipment including a Snell-approved automotive helmet, a fireproof suit, fireproof underwear, fireproof gloves, and fireproof shoes. Your GCR will provide the required specifications. (As a rule, if in doubt, lean toward the safer option.)
11. Also at some point before your driver schools, you will need to find a legal racecar. Building one from scratch is a daunting task. If you do not already have access to a legal racecar, then consider renting one to complete your school requirements. This significantly reduces your investment.  Your local SCCA region’s road race chairman can probably help you make rental arrangements.
12. Once you have your novice permit and found a racecar to use at your schools, then you need to sign up for two schools. You should be able to find a schedule of area schools and races at the SCCA website's events section.  Don’t try to be a hero at your school. The SCCA does not hand out scholarships or sponsorships. So your instructor is probably not expecting you to be the next superstar of the racing world. What he will expect is for you to demonstrate consistency, good judgment, courtesy to fellow drivers and workers, and a solid understanding of the rules. If you meet your instructors’ requirements, then they will sign your novice permit and give you a passing grade for your school participation. If you pass two schools, then you can compete in a regional race.
13. When you show up for your first regional races, you should remember that you are a novice permit holder, not a license holder. As such, you are more or less racing on ‘probation.’In other words, they will be watching you very closely. So like your schools, your strategy should be to exhibit good behavior and stay out of trouble. At registration, you will need to leave your novice permit. At the end of your race weekend, see the chief steward to retrieve your permit and respectfully request that he sign your novice permit to acknowledge your completion of the regional race. Complete two races without getting into trouble, and you are able to apply for your license.
14. Before sending your novice permit to the SCCA, be sure to make photocopies of every page – just in case. Then send your novice permit and another $75 to the SCCA, and within weeks, your regional racing license will appear in your mailbox.

So that’s it. The process is not ‘easy,’ but it is not impossible either. All it takes is some patience, some organization, some commitment, and lots of disposable income.