AI Coupe Posted July 10, 2007 Report Share Posted July 10, 2007 I know it's a big weekend at the fairgrounds for all the rods that will be in town but if you have any interest in sports cars from Corvettes, BMW's, Mustangs and Camaros to Miata's and Subies Mid Ohio has a race and school weekend this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The on course schedule is non stop from 8AM to 6PM with different race groups and multiple levels of school groups. In April there were over 300 racers there and they plan to see way more this weekend. The track is about 90 minutes from Columbus. Bring some chairs and a cooler and enjoy the action. The great thing about NASA (http://www.nasaproracing.com) events is there is NO gate charge for spectators, open pits and paddock and racers that are happy to talk with and open the hood for you. This IS up close and personal! Dan and I will have our American Iron Mustang there and will be in garage 19 for the weekend. Stop by and say hello if you can make it. And for those of you that think road racing is for, well whatever... imagine where you would put your car slamming into a 90 degree turn after a long straight at 160mph and hard braking to 80 or 90mph with four, five or six other cars fighting for the same line. Not quite as easy as mashing the pedal in a straight line for 12 seconds. Pretty exciting stuff. If you have any interest in time trials, drivers schools or flat out licensing to go racing this would be a real education for you. Ron #76 AI Mustang (rookie) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest vee21 Posted July 10, 2007 Report Share Posted July 10, 2007 I may stop up on Sunday. I was looking at switching from the SCCA to NASA. Right now I am still trying to determine a class that I would be interested in. Shad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BloodRed Posted July 10, 2007 Report Share Posted July 10, 2007 That sounds like a blast. To bad I am way to busy this weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AudiOn19s Posted July 10, 2007 Report Share Posted July 10, 2007 I intend to make it up to do some observing as long as a certain mustang that I'm detailing doesn't beat me up too badly I'll try to stop by and say hello if I make it. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supplicium Posted July 10, 2007 Report Share Posted July 10, 2007 I think ill stop by too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Science Abuse Posted July 10, 2007 Report Share Posted July 10, 2007 very tempting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRocket1647545505 Posted July 10, 2007 Report Share Posted July 10, 2007 My boy, Rob, with the yellow C6 is racing there this weekend in HPDE group 1 or 2. I was going to sign up but I have other obligations I can't get out of. I might swing up sunday to watch for a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hotrodmama024 Posted July 10, 2007 Report Share Posted July 10, 2007 So do they pile all of the drivers on the track at the same time, and make you follow the instructor? Have you taken this course yet? I have checked into this a few times at Mid Ohio. Truthfully its not even worth it. I have take 2 schools and want something a little bit more then following the leader. Is this the case or is there something special going on this weekend? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AI Coupe Posted July 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2007 I did a HPDE in April in a race prepped Mustang and believe me... you DO go fast. I never had to follow anyone (point to pass required and EZ to get pointed by IF you are faster), I did have an instructor in the car with me for all 8 of my 20 minute sessions. Yea I know, an instructor in car is "gay", but I was SOOOOOOOO happy he was there! You get plenty of track time, DO learn the fast way around and a debrief after each session. I spun twice (same turn, keyhole at #2) and you do have to pit for a quick Q&A about what you did wrong. As for everyone on track at the same time... NO, 4 different school classes based on experience. I tried to get into a fast group of five or six and that was the most I ever ran with. I thought I was a big shot and just wanted to start racing right away but I'm happy I started at the bottom and will work my way up. By Sunday I hope to run in HPDE 3 with no instructor in car. What was cool was in addition to the instructors in car every once in a while an instructor in a vette would pull in front of you and give you the "follow me" sign. Now that was fun!!! You must have done a Mid Ohio school. This is racing... this is NASA. Hope that helps. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest vee21 Posted July 10, 2007 Report Share Posted July 10, 2007 AI Coupe, How many races have you done in you AI car? And if you don't mind what kind of investment have you made to get the car race preped. I am thinking about selling my current race car and building either a CMC or AI car. Plus do you have an idea of what the race cost is. Things like race tires, etc. Thanks, Shad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeathSandwich Posted July 10, 2007 Report Share Posted July 10, 2007 sounds interesting, and free=fun in my book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hotrodmama024 Posted July 10, 2007 Report Share Posted July 10, 2007 Yes it does! Thank you! I agree about the instructor. I havent done the Mid Ohio school yet, but have wanted to. When i was there though asking about the classes the guy told me i wouldnt like this school since its mostly a defensive driving course. But if it is the way you explained it, thats the way i like it actually. Thanks again. Does anyone know how much one day is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tshensley Posted July 10, 2007 Report Share Posted July 10, 2007 sounds pretty interesting but Id rather be trying to learn how to race there than just driving there to watch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokey Posted July 10, 2007 Report Share Posted July 10, 2007 you've got me a bit corn-fused. Are they just running DEs this weekend or are they running NASA races too? Are you actually racing in American Iron or are you currently just using the car for DEs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AudiOn19s Posted July 10, 2007 Report Share Posted July 10, 2007 you've got me a bit corn-fused. Are they just running DEs this weekend or are they running NASA races too? Are you actually racing in American Iron or are you currently just using the car for DEs? NASA does both at the same time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokey Posted July 10, 2007 Report Share Posted July 10, 2007 i thought they might run both in the same weekend similar to BMWCCA, I wasn't sure what the OP was running in though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AI Coupe Posted July 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2007 First of all I learned the hard way the best way to go road racing is to buy a car that is built and the driver is planning to move to another class or car. I started with a 90 Coupe that I stripped and started pricing out. I only had $500 in the roller so no big loss when I decided to buy a race prepped 90 GT (04 East Coast EMRA champion) for about 1/2 of what it would have cost to build the Coupe. The suspension alone on my car (full Griggs set-up) goes for about 7 grand. Cage is 1500, cell 1400, motor is whatever you want to build. I run a stock T5, full 8.8 T2R rear, alum shaft etc. This is a spec tire class so plan on 800 per set that should last a year of school or about five races. The great thing about the AI and CMC classes is they have a power to weight ratio so nobody can build a 20 grand motor and kick everyones ass. CMC cars are about 220, AI about 350 max. I found my car on the NASA site (http://www.nasaproracing.com). You have two options to search but the better is to go to Forums, then scroll all the way down to "Race Cars for sale and rent". OR, hit the "Classifieds" and it will take you to road cars for sale on Racing Junk. I prefer the first one I mentioned. I just looked and there are a couple Stangs and Camaros there ready to race. There is a GREAT CMC (Camaro / Mustang Challenge) SN 95 for under 5 on there but it's in CA. Yes they run all the races and schools the same weekend. Again I say to hotrodmama you were looking at the Mid Ohio schools... WAY too expensive and as you say, not very exciting. Shad you can get into a CMC car for about 5 grand, a AI car for probably 12 -20, maybe better. Never thought there would be so much interest in this post. As for me, I built the car over the winter, went to my first HPDE in April, another HPDE this weekend (my son is driving in his first school Friday and I'm in Saturday and Sunday), then in August will try to license and race or possibly wait till next April to actually go racing. Hope this helps... what really works is to go to the site and get out this weekend. We're in garage 19. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AI Coupe Posted July 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2007 http://racenasa.nasamidwest.com/docs/2007/jul_midohio.pdf These guys are organized!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AI Coupe Posted July 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2007 944 Cup 944 Spec 944 SuperCup American Iron American Iron Xtreme CMC CMC2 FFR Garage GTS1 GTS2 GTS3 GTS4 GTS5 Honda Chal 1 Honda Chal 2 Honda Chal 3 Honda Chal 4 Honda Chal 5 HPDE-1 HPDE-2 HPDE-3 HPDE-4 HPDE1 HPDE2 HPDE3 HPDE4 Instructor PTA PTB PTC PTD PTE PTF Spec Focus Spec Miata Spec Neon SpecE30-SO SpecE30-SU Super Touring 1 Super Touring 2 Super Unlimited Time Trial Transponder TTA TTB TTC TTD TTE TTF TTG TTH TTR TTS TTU USTCC Volunteer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AI Coupe Posted July 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2007 http://www.nasaforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=15332 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Apex Posted July 10, 2007 Report Share Posted July 10, 2007 My roommate will be up there fri/sat/sun for HPDE 2. I may actually stop up as he can take passengers now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest vee21 Posted July 11, 2007 Report Share Posted July 11, 2007 AI Coupe, Thanks for the info. I was looking through the for sale forums a couple of days ago and saw that CMC car. Still not sure on what class I would really like to compete in. I did contact a rental copy that has two CMC cars available for the M-O weekends. I will probably rent before I buy to make sure I like the class. Going from my open wheel 850lb race car to a 3000+ lb sedan is going to be interesting. Shad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AI Coupe Posted July 11, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2007 Just for my info what I talk to my buds, please let me know prices and damage responsibility if you can. Hope to meet you this weekend. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest vee21 Posted July 11, 2007 Report Share Posted July 11, 2007 Just for my info what I talk to my buds, please let me know prices and damage responsibility if you can. Hope to meet you this weekend. Ron $1800 for the weekend + a 2K deposit for damage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy Posted July 12, 2007 Report Share Posted July 12, 2007 I may go up for a bit with a couple people and take a look. Who knows. Always a exciting time at Mid Ohio. There are some very cool events they host. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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