Drive your car at Charlote!

DanElam · #1 (**permalink**) 08-24-2002, 05:10 PM

It's back! The Cobras are racing at Charlotte again on September 7th and 8th, but this time there is more! Yes, this time you can sign up for the NASA driving school and drive Charlotte/Lowes Motor Speedway. Feel your body crushed into the seat as you hit the banking in turn 3 at 140MPH+ The school includes an instructor and some incredibly cheap track time at one of the most exciting places you will ever drive your car. This is not racing so you don't have to worry about your car. This is a school designed to help you learn to drive your car faster, safer, and with more control. The event includes the in-field course, which also uses all four corners of the track that gets NASCAR to over 200MPH.

This event at Charlotte should be especially fun since it not only includes a weekend full of racing, but it is also combined with Hyper-fest. Hyper-fest includes a drifting competition and bikini contest.

These events sell out quickly, so if you want to come sign up soon at:

http://www.nasaracing.net

Also, drop me a line and let me know that you are coming: we host a cook-out and feed all the Cobra community.

The next NASA driving school (and spec races) will be at VIR on October 12/13. VIR is regarded by many as the finest road course in the country. This year, we will be in the foothills of the mountains at peak fall foilage, so it should be a nice time to bring the family.

tblackgt350 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-24-2002, 05:16 PM

Do you have an idea of the participant to instructor ratio?

Thanks

Tim

DanElam · #3 (**permalink**) 08-24-2002, 05:31 PM

For novice and intermediate, the ratio is 1:1. For advanced, instructors are available, but are not necessarily assigned. It depends on how much track experience you have. NASA is _very_ conservative.

In the Cobras, if you don't have roll bar protection for the instructor, the instructor will usually do lead-follow. For this, they drive their car and you follow closely behind. Since the instructor isn't in the car with you, the braking zones are a bit earlier and things are just a bit more cautious. We highlight all of the lead follow guys so all of the instructors can chime in to keep everything and everyone safe.

If you can have the instructor in the car with you, you will learn faster. It is harder to learn when you have to learn after your lap sessions. Still, it is an absolute ball and you will have a blast with your car. If you are doing it for entertainment, I suggest - no, encourage - you to bring the Cobra. If you want to get a race license in the shortest amount of time, you will probably do better with a car where the instructor car ride with you.

For Charlotte, I will be playing instructor and will work with as many Cobra guys as I can. At VIR, I am racingm but there will be other Cobra racers there to instruct.