Why don't you also race NASA TX?

[mbuskuhl]

Curious as to why you don't also race NASA in TX? There are no more 2 day weekends in the SOWDIV for regional cars until September. That's right, from now until September it's all 1 day race weekends.

There were 75 cars that competed in at least one IT race last year in the SOWDIV. If you aren't running 1 day weekends, why don't you race NASA TX?

NASA has 6 events this year at MSRH, MSRC, TWS, Hallett, EC. Each weekend consists of usually 1 practice, 2 qualifiers and 3-4 races. Run your IT car as is with only an additional required safety mod of a right side restraint (net or seat bolster). Cost is generally $325 and both Mazda and Hankook offer up contingency.

I don't get it. What is holding you back? The SRX7 guys have a huge showing, 10+ cars usually and mostly race NASA. What's up with the IT group?

[Speed Raycer]

Why start racing with NASA when they require a 38.1 HNR in 3 months? My NASA comp licence application has been staring at me for 2 months now as they're finally running a race @ my local track. One month later they're requiring a 38.1 compliant device so I won't be able to run w/them again w/ my HNR of choice... so why even join?

[Greg Amy]

I hear you, Scott. I was in the same predicament in December, with the license renewal form pinned to the bulletin board staring me in the face for two months. Let's chat about what it takes to race NASA this year:

- SFI- or FIA-approved driving suit (SCCA does not yet require this)
- FIA-approved seats must be five years or newer, or you require a seat back brace (ditto). I refuse to race with a steel tube pointing at my spine, and our seat is manufactured January 2002.
- SFI-approved HNR
- Right side window net (ditto).
- Did I miss anything?

I went ahead and renewed in January, as a friend offered to let me use a HANS for select NASA events. Then, this seat thing hit us in the face (I'd never noticed that in the NASA rules before). Frankly, it's only, what?, $60? But, in the end, I may not even use it...as I've noted before, I think NASA has well and truly stepped right into it, at least until SCCA "catches up" (so to speak)...

[tom_sprecher]

I did not realize NASA had all those requirements and had considering racing with them to take advantage of weekends at Road Atlanta in addition to what SCCA alreadys does and save on travel costs at the same time. I can buy a lot a fuel for the price of the required equipment so I'll skip it for now and spend my money elsewhere.

[mbuskuhl]

Guys, I appreciate your response but the question was directed at those in the SOWDIV/TX. We don't have the luxury of 2 day race weekends like most of you. Here in the SOWDIV, our 2007- 2008 schedule (season starts after Runoffs) consisted of a R/R in Nov and Jan and a R/RR in early Feb. Our next R/R is in September, the rest of the events are R/N or N/N. None of us like to tow for a one day race weekend and the regional cars in the SOWDIV are a bit frustrated. I've been to a meeting, SOWDIV is a national car oriented division and the attitude is get a national car if you want to race here.. it's evident in the schedule.

Hence the question about NASA in TX.

Since you responded on why you don't race and listed your perception of the negatives, I'll respond.

The reasons you listed are all safety related, if you don't like the additional safety requirements don't race NASA. This is not the thread to debate the SFI merits, several other theads for that. For all those who say NASA is not as safety concious as SCCA, well I think that's obvious it's simply not true.

Furthermore, the SFI HNR is proposed to go into effect in June 2008. No right side net is required, a net OR seat bolster is required. You can bet SCCA follows with similiar rules in the future. A new FIA seat starts at $299 - Momo Start or keep your seat brack brace. It's my understanding FIA says the seat is good for 5 years and NASA follows that rule. According to the GCR, SCCA requires SFI or FIA suit so I don't understand what Greg is referring to. "All suits shall bear an SFI 3.2A/1 or higher certification label or FIA 8856-2000 homologation."

With NASA in TX....

More Sessions (6-7 per weekend)
More Races (3-4 per weekend)
More regional car weekends (6 vs. 4 for SCCA)
More Tracks (5 vs. the 3 SCCA provides for regional cars)
Contingency - Mazdaspeed, Hankook, Toyo, etc... at the regional level.
Costs - entry fee less than SCCA
NASA Championships - contingency like the runoffs but without the national car.

All of the SRX7 guys migrated over. Many of the SM cars have as well (20+). A NASA weekend has just as many if not more entrants than an SCCA regional race.

I'm not advocating leaving SCCA, I still race SCCA and just did 3 weeks ago. I didn't want this to get into a why which organization is better, simply my question was and still is....

Why do the SOWDIV IT cars not run NASA?

[Knestis]

Asking for input then telling people why their input is incorrect...?

Okaaay.

OR you could consider that some - arguably ALL - of the concerns voiced here translate to any NASA region.

Kirk (who's running a NASA event in a couple weeks)

[mbuskuhl]

Asking for input then telling people why their input is incorrect...?

Okaaay.

OR you could consider that some - arguably ALL - of the concerns voiced here translate to any NASA region.

Kirk (who's running a NASA event in a couple weeks)

The question was "Curious as to why you don't also race NASA in TX?" and the answers were why they don't race NASA in their region. Where did I say the input was incorrect? I responded to the input that needed clarification and expanded on what I saw as reasons to race NASA in TX. SCCA is different in every region. NASA is different in every region. While their may be some across the board opinions there are also very region specific reasons. This was intended to be a region specific thread as posted as such. I respect those opinions not to race in those regions for the reasons mentioned, but those may not reflect the reasons for our region. We dont' have the SCCA race days the rest of you get.

Since it's turned into a national thread, do continue. I hope we can see some SOWDIV members post.

[erlrich]

This was intended to be a region specific thread as posted as such.

Off topic, but relevant - I've noticed that when I come to the new IT.com home page I get a listing of recent threads, but they are not identified as to which forum they're posted in. In my case I don't usually care; if I see a topic that looks interesting I click on it, without looking to see which sub-forum it's from. It could very well be that the first few responders didn't realize this was a regional question either. Just though I would point that out.

[gsbaker]

...You can bet SCCA follows with similiar rules in the future...

You're on. How much?

[mbuskuhl]

You're on. How much?

Should have known this was coming. Below is the quote in complete context, I'll put up $50 SCCA has a similar - meaning some type of HNR rule (not necessarily SFI specific) or right side impact restraint. We'll give it 12 months. If you thought I'm taking the SFI bet, nope. I would have said "same rules in the future".


"Furthermore, the SFI HNR is proposed to go into effect in June 2008. No right side net is required, a net OR seat bolster is required. You can bet SCCA follows with similiar rules in the future"

[IPRESS]

Mark,
TI think besides loyalty to SCCA that some veterans have, people just don't understand or like the PT points system of classing cars. SM & SRX7 work because they are straight crossover. In IT it sort of seems to be all over the place as where A, B, C, S, R, & E cars fit. Over time that may change, but right now cars in SCCA ITA in this region might be running in NASA PT classes F, E, & D. The IT classes are already pretty thin down here so crosssing over and having more classes makes it even smaller as far a class fields. I think IT Hondas have their own classes too. Some sort of simple crossover in this part of the country would have worked better in my opinion. Maybe things will pick up in NASA over time. The events have been run well and the people in charge have always been great.

[gsbaker]

I'll put up $50 SCCA has a similar - meaning some type of HNR rule (not necessarily SFI specific) or right side impact restraint. We'll give it 12 months.

"Some type"? Sure, that's possible so, no bet. I'll bet it's not an SFI-only mandate, though.

$50 is a bit light, so how about this: If SCCA implements within the next 12 months an SFI-only HNR mandate, ISAAC buys the beer at the 2009 ARRC? If it does not, NASA buys the beer at the 2009 ARRC.

[Grumpy]

"Furthermore, the SFI HNR is proposed to go into effect in June 2008. No right side net is required, a net OR seat bolster is required. You can bet SCCA follows with similiar rules in the future"

Do you mean something is required, it can be a net or seat bolsters?

Additionally, The right side protection rule is independent of H&R devices.

I'm sure you understand this, just the wording seemd confusing to me.