Comp License
 

Where do ya'All suggest getting a comp license - I'm working on getting/building a FFR SpecRacer.

define which type of license or sanctioning body

I know that they hand them out at the end of Nascar races to those drivers that did not have one prior to the start of the deal.

Ralph, Good question. Most sanctioning bodies require a school or evaluation process over several novice events. The SCCA requires you to complete six hours of in-car, on course time at SCCA Drivers School events plus complete at least two SCCA Drivers School events with a "Satisfactory " rating.

Then you must complete two races under your novice permit within one year to recieve a regional license. If you fail to complete all the above in the same year, then you must start again, next season. This process can be problematic if you crash your car or have mechanical issues and miss any events that you may need to complete the process in the one year window.

Or.... if you have a extensive prior racing experience you can ask for a waiver from Chief Steward of a SCCA Drivers School.

Or.... You can attend an accredited professional SCCA school and skip the entire process. Most accredited SCCA schools are three days in length, they will cover track procedures, vehicle dynamics, lots of on track time, heel & toe downing shifting, the racing line, passing drills, rain line, practice starts, etc. and lots of coaching from pro drivers.

I know this is a long answer for a short question but after you have an SCCA license most other racing organizations will honor your permit and issue one of their license. There are many sanctioning bodies but they all follow about the same process in getting a permit.

Of course I think the best way to get a license and start a racing is to go to a professional school, get some great instruction, so you know what to do at your first event.

I know the best school you can attend, so drop me a note
at don@panoztx.com.

Thanks, db

NASA has their own licensing system. There are lots of ways to get a license. The professional schools like Skip Barber, Panoz, Bondurant are the fastest and most expensive. SCCA requires you to do two schools but they usually schedule them within a region to be at the beginning and the end and have your race car already done. The instruction is very good, but the timing means that you have to take at least a year to get your license. (You can shorten it by doing schools in different regions.) The problem with SCCA is that they put people on the track and full speed and pass anywhere situations almost immediately. It's pretty tough and certainly more dangerous to the cars than other approaches.

NASA can take a long time because they tend to run more tracks and some may not be convenient to you. The nice thing is that you can drive a street car while you get your race car ready. Plan on taking a year or more. You'll come out with much better car control skills (safer), but maybe not the same 'race-craft' knowledge you get with SCCA.

My suggestion is to do several NASA schools and then look at doing an SCCA school and see if you can get your SCCA license with a waiver.

Ralph:
Be very careful about going fast in a Cobra. The combination of a short wheelbase, a light car and tons of HP make the care very dangerous. I would advise you to get formal training of some kind before taking your snake around your local road course. I did Skip Barber, but I'm sure other schools can teach you a lot.

Bob

Be aware that SCCA treats schools, equipment and drivers differently. You enter a school as a novice, without any experience, but your car can't. It must pass the same tech it would pass if it were to enter a sanctioned race event, and the specs can be tough. You can't drive up in a street car and expect it to be allowed as your ride in a drivers school, nor can you show up and expect to enter in jeans and Tshirt sporting your motorcycle helmet. If anything, SCCA is a stickler for safety, and a cosmetic roll hoop and 5 yr old belts won't cut it.
As to their approach, it's different too. A liscensing school won't teach you how to race, nor is it intended to. If you want to learn better driving, go somewhere else. What they will teach you is the RULES of racing, and much/most of their instruction is so tailored. They will attempt to expose you to race conditions involving cars of varying performance thrown together, with situations involving as many flagging situations as possible, and crowded conditions can be great teachers. They will also instruct you in gridding, flying starts, impound, etc. In short, theirs is a true RACING school as opposed to a DRIVING school, and when/if you graduate you do so because they are convinced you know the RULES as opposed to the ART.
Of course you have to go fast enough too.