IT Race at NJMP Nov. 20/21 ???

[Robert Zecca]

Dear Drivers,
We were asked to sponsor a possible IT race at NJMP on November 20/21. The event will be sanctioned by NASA at the Thunderbolt track. This past weekend NASA held a race/HPDE event with 265 cars present and it was an incredible event and weather was perfect. A week ago we had an SCCA regional and the weather was perfect as well. This is not yet definite but should be within 48 hours. The price will be $325 with prizes donated by Driving Impressions and TEAMDI. I will post more in the upcoming days but please keep the date open.
Sincerely,
Bob Zecca
www.teamdi.com

[CRallo]

nomex long underwear?

[Robert Zecca]

yes....that is certainly possible....

[Zee]

I was in that NASA race (or, parade, whichever you prefer) so, I am very interested in returning to T-Bolt. Please let me know!

[lateapex911]

So NASA has IT classes now?

[Robert Zecca]

NASA has invited SCCA/IT cars and drivers to have their own race. Here are further details:
Here are the details you need.

2 day registration only
$ 325 per entry
2 race groups
2 HPDE groups
Each group will have 90 minutes of track time each day
Racers will get 2 20 min. practice/qualifier plus 45 min. race
Day starts at 9 am and will end at 4:30
Registration will open at 7:30 am
All hands meeting at 8:30

GUYS....THIS IS 3 HOURS OF TRACK TIME FOR $325. LET ME KNOW WHO THINKS THEY CAN MAKE THIS EVENT. WE WILL MAKE A FINAL DECISION THIS FRIDAY. We already booked the dates and just need to finalize with NJMP.

[raffaelli]

Saftey rules per SCCA or NASA?

[Robert Zecca]

This is a NASA sanctioned event so this will go by their safety rules. They will accept SCCA licenses and SCCA cars.
Regarding the track....NASA have run there many times and the safety crews are the same used by SCCA which is MRS or Milleville Rescue Squad. The corner workers are from the track and they have plenty of experience with SCCA events as well.
One thing I failed to mention is you can also register for their HPDE which is unmuffled for those who need track time and prefer not to race. NASA is getting very aggressive in their events in the Northeast. We just had 265 cars this past weekend which included many PCA, SCCA members as well as others. They ran a flawless event and obviously the numbers speak for themselves. They allow turbos, superchargers, etc......a wide variety of cars that SCCA does not allow.

[jjjanos]

This is a NASA sanctioned event so this will go by their safety rules. They will accept SCCA licenses and SCCA cars.

I think raffaelli is asking whether one has to suckle at the anus of SFI or whether one can use a better Head and Neck Restraint System.

[Greg Amy]

Does it actually snow in Jersey, or does that s**t become pollution before it hits the ground...?

[CRallo]

I think raffaelli is asking whether one has to suckle at the anus of SFI or whether one can use a better Head and Neck Restraint System.

I was wondering about that myself... I for one will NOT run NASA as long as this is the case :/

[Robert Zecca]

Guys....I will look into the H&N requirement and get back to you soon regarding that. FYI.....I believe Hans will be mandatory in SCCA in 6/11. SCCA should be making an announcement shortly on this.
PCA, BMW and NASA races all require Hans and I know the pressure is on SCCA to follow suit.

[StephenB]

Is this SCCA sanctioned? Does this count towards an SCCA license or is it just NASA running an event using the SCCA ruleset? If it is SCCA sanctioned I think its an interesting way to possibly attract"racers" from the HPDE they do. Keep us posted on wether or not it works!

Stephen

[rsx858]

Im Interested.... Can we shed any light on the race groups.. is it all IT cars together in one group or will we be mixed with a dozen NASA groups?

Will they accept my annual tech or will I have to do a NASA annual?

other than H&N is there any other NASA silliness that i should be aware of? I have only run SCCA.

Thanks

[Robert Zecca]

Matt.....they will take your license and your SCCA tech label is legal as well......The race will be just like a Pro IT event with all 6 classes together and not mixed with anyone else. Tell John H and anyone else who may be interested. The response has been very good......

[Wreckerboy]

Guys....I will look into the H&N requirement and get back to you soon regarding that. FYI.....I believe Hans will be mandatory in SCCA in 6/11. SCCA should be making an announcement shortly on this.
PCA, BMW and NASA races all require Hans and I know the pressure is on SCCA to follow suit.

:mad1:

[Dano77]

The STL propaosal showed that the Head and neck requirment was optional until 1/1/12. Led me to do some research and in the rules for next season,2011 the book will say Head and Neck Restarints per sfi something REQUIRED 1/1/12
Dont recall if this was passed or "not recomended at this time"
The witing is on the wall. Just get one and avoid the rush. I feel bad for the new guy who has to buy a suit,gloves,shoes helmet,socks and such and then spend xxx$ on top of all that just to do a school and see if "Other Sports Beckon"


Dan 77 IT7

[dtanthon]

Sounds interesting. Just need to get the car in shape after all the fun we had at 'the JERK' !

We had a few E30 NASA car/drivers enter in the Pro IT, be nice to drive with them again.

[preparedcivic]

Only two race groups? (!) Even with only 80-100 cars, that will be alot of traffic. I saw some in-car from this past weekend and it looked like the Turnpike at rush-hour. And at a so-so entry of 120, that'd be 60.

=:-O

[raffaelli]

I think raffaelli is asking whether one has to suckle at the anus of SFI or whether one can use a better Head and Neck Restraint System.


Yeah, I think there is some right side net stuff too.

[CRallo]

Yeah, I think there is some right side net stuff too.

yea... Justin was just telling me this :/ So I'd have to spend to save? ugh...

[CRallo]

honestly, the track time has me sooooo tempted...

But this center net thing is obnoxious and the HANS thing is a deal breaker :( anything else we are not thinking of?

any way around this? I know how few HANS and center nets I see in the SCCA IT paddocks... I know I'm one of many with this issue.


many other thoughts, but I'll try not to thread jack...

[rsx858]

If i have to mount a right side net im out

I would like confirmation that they will be checking my annual tech in my SCCA Log book, see that i have no issues from events this year, check my helmet and thats it.

I really do not want to go through the hassle of bringing the car to tech and have them nit pick everything that is not NASA about it and then tell me to take a hike.

[Robert Zecca]

To Rob Foley.....NASA is giving IT group their own practice and race similiar to a Pro IT event unless they do not have enough vehicles.

[Robert Zecca]

For this event we will accept SCCA RULES which means a Hans is NOT REQUIRED NOR A RIGHT-SIDE NET. As long as you have a annual tech or ran earlier this year with your log book in hand you are good. Remember you will only be on track with other SCCA drivers and cars and not mixed in with NASA cars.

[preparedcivic]

To Rob Foley.....NASA is giving IT group their own practice and race similiar to a Pro IT event unless they do not have enough vehicles.

OK; this is a definite maybe. Depends on how un-messed-up my ankle and leg is. When you found me on the ground outside my trailer Sunday afternoon at the Jerk it turns out I did hurt myself pretty good. No broken bones but everything else....

[Wreckerboy]

For this event we will accept SCCA RULES which means a Hans is NOT REQUIRED NOR A RIGHT-SIDE NET. As long as you have a annual tech or ran earlier this year with your log book in hand you are good. Remember you will only be on track with other SCCA drivers and cars and not mixed in with NASA cars.

Bravo, Robert!

[Chris Humphrey]

For this event we will accept SCCA RULES which means a Hans is NOT REQUIRED NOR A RIGHT-SIDE NET. As long as you have a annual tech or ran earlier this year with your log book in hand you are good. Remember you will only be on track with other SCCA drivers and cars and not mixed in with NASA cars.

That's what I wanted to hear............:happy204: I'm in.

[philstireservice]

What a funny thread.......sheeesh !!

[JohnnyH]

For this event we will accept SCCA RULES which means a Hans is NOT REQUIRED NOR A RIGHT-SIDE NET. As long as you have a annual tech or ran earlier this year with your log book in hand you are good. Remember you will only be on track with other SCCA drivers and cars and not mixed in with NASA cars.

Sounds like Bob is really fighting for us here. I certainly don't have as many reservations after reading this thread. I'm also running out of excuses not to run. You can pretty much count me in...slip slidin' on sets of beat up tires...

[CRallo]

Haha I am running out of excuses myself... The car needs a few things, but its nothing I couldn't handle...

[Robert Zecca]

I really hope we get a strong showing for IT. What I believe is racers will race without all the red tape........at events that give good track time and great value. SCCA has its strong points as does NASA. I think that one could learn from the other and visa versa. This will be the first event to my knowledge held by NASA with SCCA drivers and cars in their own race. I applaud Joe Triolo and Joe Casella for having the (balls) to pull off an event and invite the SCCA to come play. The bottom line is they understand racing economics and what today's racer wants and needs and they are willing to try to make it happen. You also witnessed the last SCCA regional at NJMP with a price of $295 and 3 races. This was well attended and worked and racers were happy and the region made money.....a win win for everyone.

When we started Pro IT a few years back we had a vision of how thing should be done economically. There is no secret that Pro IT could not run financially on it's own and had to piggyback on other events but the net result is greater income for the regions and we were able to bring back some regions to life.

Now it seems everyone is hurting financially and we all want to race but we must watch our dollars. I can tell you that in most businesses decisions can be made easily and quickly.....dictatorships are not good in government but a strong leader or boss can get things done efficiently and quickly in business and not have to answer to a huge board that take forever to get things done. I think you have seen with this event....you have questions or concerns and in minutes you get an answer that works and makes it financially possible to go racing.

As you know my personal business is to sell auto racing equipment but my passion is auto racing and to see you guys go out and enjoy in the passion we share. I will work hard for the future to come up with ideas for people to get plenty of track time at a great value. I hate politics and trying to make someone understand why we should do something....instead I jump in a hole 50 feet deep and find a way to get out and be successful. We will take this same approach to offer great events for next year....be it SCCA, NASA or whoever but I firmly believe that if people and groups work together the racer will benefit and then we all win.

Last I want to say that I am having talks with TRG and they will soon have a huge presence at NJMP and Kevin Buckler and his 135 man organization want to see us succeed because he too shares our passion. They have already started to put on events and you will see more for 2011. One thing I left out......NJMP......they have been the one track that has really worked with the clubs financially to make sure we can play for less money then other tracks.

If all goes well I hope that Driving Impressions and TEAMDI will again be the sponsor of ProIT for the future. In the meantime I thank you for your support of this event.

[StephenB]

Although I can't attend I still applaud your efforts and as an IT racer in the north east I appreciate all that you do! I can't wait to see the Pro-it schedule for next year.

Stephen

[Kai Noeske]

WOW!!! :happy204: And I thought JERK was the last race of the year!

Too bad I don't have an IT car - but if there are enough ITC/ITB cars, I could make my SSC car pose as ITS again and play with some slower cars in the field... :)

Hope I can make it, will bring my set of Blizzaks in case we have to ice race :eclipsee_steering:

[A.J]

i've been racing with scca for over 20yrs, i tried nasa last yr and i was welcomed with open arms, i used my scca liscence n showed them my scca log book it helped the process although they did issue me one of theres, i have one of those halo seat so i didn't need a right side window net, i did the race again last weekend n it was soom of the best racing i've had all yr (even with 60+ cars on track), scca/nasa i'm a racer treat me right n i'm there,

[Robert Zecca]

AJ.....you and your son were incredible on track the past few weeks. He is quite the driver.....good job!

[Robert Zecca]

Final announcement will be made by noon today regarding the event. Look here for further details....

[tdw6974]

Bob, unfortunately we are broken> So done for the season. T Weaver

[Robert Zecca]

THE NASA EVENT AT THUNDERBOLT/NJMP IS ON FOR NOV 20/21 Race/HPDE1-DAY $190 2-DAYS $325Register at: www.pdadrivingschool.com (http://www.pdadrivingschool.com/) WHEN YOU GET TO THEIR SITE AND ASKED HOW MANY TIMES YOU HAVE BEEN TO THE TRACK PUT 16+Call Joe Casella at 973-900-7272 WITH QUESTIONS......REGISTER TODAY....

[Zee]

Matt.....they will take your license and your SCCA tech label is legal as well......The race will be just like a Pro IT event with all 6 classes together and not mixed with anyone else. Tell John H and anyone else who may be interested. The response has been very good......

Bob,

I'm asking this question from the NASA side...I would like to run with the IT racers, as my ITB-prepared Ford Escort is a much better with with the Pro IT cars, than with GTS-somethings in NASA.

And, it has been my desire to obtain my license with NASA, then begin running with Pro IT also.

So I'd like to know if my NASA license (still with NASA rookie status after six of eight required races) can be accepted in SCCA/Pro IT for this event?

Who do I need to talk to?

[A.J]

AJ.....you and your son were incredible on track the past few weeks. He is quite the driver.....good job!thanks, last sunday was crazy, we did the nasa race n the 4hr go-kart race, running back n forth between tracks was fun, one day we'll try n do all three tracks in one day,winning a tire (hoosier) on sat n one on sun, did more than cover my entry fee, lol

[CRallo]

soooo tempted...

[Robert Zecca]

Zee...I do not believe this is a problem. Call Joe Casella and he will be able to answer this. We would love for you to run IT
Call Joe Casella at 973-900-7272