| Experience the thrill of racing before shelling out | | | | vehicle(probably not the Suburban or Grandma's |
| any big bucks. And no, that doesn't involve going | | | | station wagon) and you're set. |
| to the local Porsche dealer and telling them "I'll just | | | | For road courses you'll probably be warned |
| take it around the block." But there are test | | | | against any full-blown head-to-head racing with the |
| programs available where you can drive a vehicle | | | | other cars out on the track. However, passing of |
| that will accelerate 0-60 in under 4 sec and pull up | | | | slower cars is usually allowed on the straights, and |
| to 2.5Gs in the corners. Or experience the thrill of | | | | you can still push your car up to the limits. Just |
| a 300 hp dragster for under $20 bucks. When it | | | | keep in mind you don't want to have to explain to |
| comes to getting a taste of racing without having | | | | your insurance agent how your car mysteriously |
| to go out and buy your own race car, you have | | | | ended up on top of a tire wall at the local |
| a number of options to choose from. We'll cover | | | | racetrack. |
| them starting with least expensive and working | | | | The great thing about this kind of program is that |
| our way up. | | | | you can get some real track time for generally |
| Your Local "Fun" Kart Track | | | | under $100. Check with your local track to see |
| Most cities have an outdoor or indoor | | | | what they offer. |
| concessionary-type go kart track where you can | | | | Jet Fighter On 4 Wheels - Racing Kart Programs |
| take a kart around for a few laps for just a few | | | | Now we're talking about some real racing action - |
| bucks. Although these karts are not the fastest in | | | | racing karts! No, these are not your old steel |
| the world, they'll still give you the basic idea of | | | | tube, square-framed backyard go karts (and we |
| racing around the track along with some friendly | | | | don't use "go" any more) with a lawn mower |
| competition from the other patrons.This can be a | | | | engine. Today's racing karts are constructed with |
| great place to start if you have a kid who wants | | | | many of the same high tech materials and |
| to get into racing but has never driven anything. | | | | technologies as full-size race cars, and with the |
| The main thing to check for kids before you head | | | | exception of top speed, performance capabilities |
| over to the track is to call ahead and see what | | | | can rival a modern-day Indy car (as in 0-60 in |
| kind of minimum age or height requirements they | | | | about 3 sec. and 2.5 G's in the turns). |
| may have. Other than than that, the karts all | | | | With some Intro classes beginning as low as $99 |
| have bumpers and are very safe, so they make | | | | with all equipment provided, you will find no other |
| for a great starting point for kids. | | | | "newbie" racing programs that even come close |
| If you are fortunate enough to live near a major | | | | to the exhilaration experienced in a current |
| city that has a Speed Zone, Malibu Grand Prix or | | | | generation racing kart for such little cost. A school |
| similar racing-type theme park, then you even | | | | like Go Faster Racing Kart School in the Dallas |
| have the option of testing out drag racing in a | | | | Fort Worth area is a perfect example of a kart |
| controlled environment. Speed Zone's Top | | | | school offering just such classes for those |
| Eliminator dragsters are 300 hp machines capable | | | | wanting to get a real taste of what racing is all |
| of 0 to 70 in under 3.5 seconds and pull 2.5 G's. | | | | about. |
| Not only that, their tracks are set up to race four | | | | A half-day class in one of their Veloce 125cc |
| at a time! (The cars are attached to a centerline | | | | racing karts will give you a workout like you |
| rail, of course, to keep everyone from flying into | | | | wouldn't believe, but you'll leave with a grin the |
| each other.) You won't find that at any local drag | | | | size of Texas and dreaming about how fast you |
| strip. And with current prices around $12 for three | | | | can get back out on the track. There are many |
| runs, it is no doubt the most fun you could have | | | | similar kart schools around the country, so just |
| in anything race-related for less than the cost of | | | | check with your local kart track or club to see |
| feeding your family at McDonald's! | | | | what's available in your area. For the money a |
| Auto Maker Driving Clinics & Promotions | | | | racing kart class will give you the closest feel to |
| Although these can be hit or miss as far as timing | | | | what real racing is like, so I give this option my |
| goes to catch one, many times through the year | | | | highest "Ultimate Test Drive" recommendation. |
| automakers will host special driving events to | | | | The Real Deal: Full-Blown Racing School |
| highlight their latest and greatest automobiles. And | | | | Now, if you are dead set on jumping right into a |
| the great thing about them is that the car is | | | | full-size race car, then there is obviously no |
| provided and the cost is usually minimal or even | | | | substitute for actually driving one for your test |
| free! | | | | drive. Most road course tracks have an |
| Mazda's Rev It Up is a great example of this kind | | | | associated racing school that offers half day, full |
| of program. The Mazda event is a weekend | | | | day and multi-day classes for drivers. Also, your |
| driving school and competition in the new Mazda 3 | | | | local SCCA chapter usually has driver classes |
| at locations throughout the US over the course of | | | | scheduled at various times throughout the year, |
| the year. For about $40 you get a | | | | but the race car may or may not be provided. |
| high-performance driving school clinic and then a | | | | A half-day class at a local racing school is probably |
| chance to post your time on a parking lot | | | | your best bet when it comes to taking your |
| autocross course for a nationwide competition. | | | | ultimate test drive. Once again most schools will |
| Not a bad deal. | | | | provide all your safety equipment so you just |
| Another example is from the 2004 Indy Racing | | | | show up and drive. You can expect half-day |
| League Chevy 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. | | | | classes to average around $500. For your money |
| Chevy gave the opportunity to race fans to take | | | | you will generally get classroom instruction |
| their new Chevy Avalanche for a 70 mph three | | | | covering the basics of operating the racecar, |
| lap cruise around the high-banked track of Texas | | | | learning the "racing line" around the course, gear |
| Motor Speedway. All you needed was a valid | | | | selection into and out of the corners, braking |
| drivers license and each fan got to hop in by | | | | points, corner entry and exit points followed by |
| themselves for three laps behind a pace car. And | | | | some lap sessions and coaching out on the track. |
| best of all - it was free! Where else could you | | | | With a typical "school" race car in the 130 to 150 |
| walk in off the street and get to drive in | | | | hp range and capable of speeds well over 100 |
| someone else's car on a Superspeedway normally | | | | mph, you'll definitely have your hands full as you |
| reserved for NASCAR and the IRL!? | | | | begin to learn some new concepts in driving like |
| Unfortunately, these types of events are few | | | | heel and toe downshifting and threshold braking. |
| and far between, but they're out there. Keep | | | | For a couple of excellent web sites on racing |
| your eyes open for one, and the opportunity just | | | | schools try or |
| may pop up. | | | | Time To Go Race! |
| Out of Your Garage & On To The Track | | | | Hopefully, you've gotten a good idea of your |
| The next step up, but still very affordable - your | | | | options for hopping in a race car before sinking a |
| own car at a local racetrack. Many local tracks | | | | lot of your hard-earned money into the sport. |
| have special times around their regular racing | | | | You may find the type of racing you thought you |
| sessions when you can take your own car out | | | | were interested in is not what you expected |
| for a spin around the track or run down the drag | | | | after taking a "test drive." Much better to find out |
| strip. | | | | now than after having bought a race car. |
| Normally the only special requirements are to | | | | However, for most people, I highly doubt that will |
| have a Snell-approved helmet and then sit through | | | | be the case. In fact after the first ride, you'll |
| whatever basic driver orientation class they may | | | | probably be so hooked, there is no turning back. |
| have. Thus, no special equipment on your car is | | | | So, get out there, find a local racing series and Go |
| needed - just show up with most any street legal | | | | Racing Now! |