519Kris

Hey all

Planning to race SPB with PCA in 2022. I’ve registered for the SCCA school at Thunderhill in February to get a head start on PCA’s season.

Possibly in the realm of dumb questions.. but for those who’ve been through SCCA’s school, any advice on how to get the most out of it?

Kris 🏁

ProCoach

Can't say how SFR-SCCA runs their schools, but if you approach with an open mind, ask questions, are on time or ahead of time for all classroom and on-track sessions, obey the flags, do the drills and show your passion, the chief instructor and group instructors will reciprocate and invest in extra attention and focus towards you. This can be very helpful in starting off your competition career,

Read the supps carefully beforehand, study the GCR so you know what officials do what, how and when to file a protest, memorize the flags the way SCCA teaches them and most of all, prepare the car and have it inspected BEFORE you go to the school. The Region's tech inspectors willl often issue you a logbook and inspect the car beforehand, if you can bring it to them.

Sometimes, the Region has tech inspection days at a local shop to assist new members in having logbooks issued and resolve last minute question marks in the car's safety gear and class legality and preparation. Drill inspection holes in the cage tubes, double strap the harnesses, make sure the dates on the harnesses, nets and seat are all good to go.

Lastly, make sure you bring spares and some good crew to take care of the car, because you won't have time to do both (look after the car AND go through the school, generally).

I've been CI for a thousand member SCCA Region in the East for thirty years and run Club racing (SCCA capital C) schools that have graduated numerous drivers that have gone on to pro racing careers. You'll have a ball and enjoy it, all for a reasonable price and in good time.

Congrats!

85Gold

+1 on having a crew. You won't have time to work on the car. Practice getting out of the car before you get there, read the Supps!!! and schedule have fun.

Peter

CCA

What others above said, plus make sure your car will pass tech for the SCCA class that it would be prepared for down to the stickers.

mrbill_fl

This is the school to get your road race competition license? (1 of 2 needed schools).

-its been a while since I did the school or instructed for SCCA, but IMO, its not so much about instruction as being sure you know the rules, flags, are safe, under control, and aren't a hazard to others. Its NOT the place to show how fast you are or how many cars you can pass in T1. Just listen to your instructor, and be safe, get your regional race license and finish the next 2 races clean.

I would caution you on the last day's 'practice race(s)'. They normally had a few 'practice starts' where all the cars line up 2 by 2, and do starts, then throw a yellow at T1, and reform and another start. The caution is, you'll probably be faster into the 1st brake zone than you have been all weekend. give room, and don't hit anyone. again, its a school, not a race. don't get the red mist and fail.

drink plenty of water, and eat smart.

good luck!


edit, 1+ on having the car tech-ed prior to the school weekend. you don't want to have to sit it out because your seat or whatever didn't pass tech. I've seen a LOT of cars show up, with no log book, no on track (SCCA) history, and not be allowed to enter.

mhm993

^ Iirc, only one scca school is now required.

fabe32

Have fun , keep it safe. You will be there with a whole bunch of SMT. SM people are fun.
Will you thereafter race SCCA with your SPB to get your full competition race SCCA license, then apply to PCA to get your novice PCA license ?

519Kris

Yes!

https://www.scca.com/pages/i-want-to-road-race

“Upon completion of one Driver School and three additional race weekends (you’re still a Novice for your first three), you are eligible to receive an SCCA Full Competition License. You have two years from the date of issue to complete the Novice requirements. Once the requirements are met, send your completed Novice Permit, signed off by the event Race Director/Chief Steward at your third race; a copy of your Physical Exam; Competition License Application and $110 to the Member Service Department. You will soon be the proud owner of a Full Competition License.”

skl

Pro Coach summed it up pretty well. I did my schools over 20 years ago (in the midwest) but the drill is probably the same. And agree with taking a crew with you so you can concentrate on the driving, and make sure the car is as ready as you are...

519Kris

Definitely an SM crowd! Plan is to get my PCA novice license in 2022, it’s a good group of racers and looking forward to racing with them. If I can make it work, completing the required regional races with SCCA makes sense to keep option open.

mobius911

The SFR region's monthly newsletter, The Wheel, has a detailed write-up on last year's school. Here's the link https://www.sfrscca.org/wp-content/u...-March-Web.pdf

Note that it is possible to get your full license directly without having to go through the novice probationary races. If you have significant previous experience you may want to let them know you'd like to be considered for that. Only 2 out of 50ish students got their full license directly last year, so they don't hand it out easily.

ProCoach

The latter is good advice. To petition for a waiver of your novice participation requirements, you need to write a letter to the CI, the Chief Steward and your group
instructor asking for the three race waiver citing your previous experience (de and track day counts)and the relevant section (number and paragraph) of the GCR that states you can do this.

They want to help, and while it’s rare, it does happen.

cweed

All good advice.
Having your car pass tech prior ( if possible ) saves time and stress. Your log book needs pictures of the car, all your gear needs to be inspected also.
When I did the SCCA school they checked our socks, it can be the little things. Bottom line is those running the school want you to succeed.

9114609048

Recently, I wanted to participate in a few vintage races, but I had a big challenge getting a license, even though I had some experience. PCA required me to start over at the beginner DE level, but SCCA offered the waiver shortcut through the chief stewards office, which is a sensible solution for an experienced driver. Recognizing that I had not driven in almost 40 years, I chose an SVRA school and did a practice race before getting my license, which is also accepted by SCCA...probably not by PCA.
When I first started in '72, we had weekend SCCA schools also, but I had never been on a track before, so I opted to go to Bondurant first, which turned out great and prepared me for the SCCA school where I got my novice license. The day I got that I called IMSA and got a license. They didn't care about experience, they just wanted cars on the grid.

ProCoach

Hah! STILL true today!