NASA - North American Speed Association

[gt40mkII]

You guys may have seen Adam Ginsberg posting about a high-speed contest NASA is sponsoring down near Houston (Close to Goliad). I wanted to talk up NASA itself a bit here...

NASA is the North American Speed Association. They're an organization formed to promote and sanction grass-roots level amateur road racing, similar to the SCCA (in fact, many of the SCCA's classes are legal in NASA events as well.)

NASA rents racetracks across the country and allows regular guys like us to get onto the track and get a taste of what racing is really like. And if your car has the right safety equipment and you have a competition license, you can really race too!

For those of us just starting out, they have what's called "HPDE" or "High-Performance Driver's Education". This gives anyone the chance to take their own car out on a race track under safe, controlled conditions and lets them pus their car (and themselves) to the limit. Emphasis is on safety, driving the proper line, and on car control. I promise you it's the most fun you'll ever have in your car!

I attended an event held at the Motorsport Ranch in Cresson, TX (just outside of Ft.Worth) back in August and had a fantastic time. I've been doing HPDE events for about 7 years now, and the NASA guys event was a blast! Organization and instruction were both excellent and the track itself is challenging, but with plenty of run-off room and nothing to hit. (Important for learning!)

Other groups like the Porsche and BMW clubs take a dim view of spinning. They have a "3-spin" rule meaning that if you spin your car 3 times in a weekend, you're finished. NASA, being more race oriented has no such rule. Spinning is part of learning, and if you're going to learn to drive the car on the edge, you're going to cross that edge from time to time (otherwise how do you learn where it is?)

I'm hoping to get the necessary safety equipment installed to actually race the car next year. I need a roll cage, fire suit, gloves, shoes, and other misc. bits to make the car race-legal. NASA has three trace classes us Mustang guys can race in:

The Camaro/Mustang Challenge (CMC)
American Iron (AI)
American Iron Extreme (AIX)

CMC is set up for near-stock Mustangs and Camaros. AI and AIX are both set up for more heavily modified American cars. AI has a weight/horsepower rule (no less than 9.5#/hp, I think.) AIX has no horsepower limitation.

I'm picking AI. My car's already modified too much for CMC, and I simply don't have the horsepower to play with the AIX guys (You'd better be bringing 400hp to the picnic for those guys!)

The next season starts in March, so there's plenty of time to get the cars and yourself ready. If you've ever thought it would be cool to get out on a road course and see what you and your car could do, this is the perfect opportunity!

-- Robert King

[Boss Hogg]

Originally posted by gt40mkII
AI has a weight/horsepower rule (no less than 9.5#/hp, I think.) :eek: That can't be right. Only Mustangs would be allowed.

[gt40mkII]

Originally posted by David Z28
:eek: That can't be right. Only Mustangs would be allowed.

Maybe that explains why there are so few GM cars in CMC/AI/AIX.

And here I though it was just because their owners didn't have the balls to race on anything that required turning and braking...

Silly me. :rolleyes:

[Boss Hogg]

Nah, neither of those can be the answer. GM cars make too much power to be in the AI class and there's nothing scary about racing in a safe open enviroment. Maybe it's because there are a billion more Mustangs than F-bods?

[gt40mkII]

Originally posted by David Z28
Nah, neither of those can be the answer. GM cars make too much power to be in the AI classWell, that leaves AIX and CMC, doesn't it?:)

and there's nothing scary about racing in a safe open enviroment. So I guess I'll be seeing you out there, huh?

Seriously, there seems to be a lot more Mustangs road racing than F-bodys, and it's been like that for at least 7 years. the difference isn't nearly so much in drag racing (I dunno about AutoX - I don't do that.)

What's keeping the Fbody guys away? We've even contacted the Fbody clubs about getting together with others to rent MSR for a private event and were met with deafening silence.:rolleyes:

-- RK

[Boss Hogg]

If you'll let me drive your car, I'll be there.

I dunno know what the deal is? I tried to get LS1.com people to come to SCCA and ER events along time ago with little success. Although, every time I went to an event there were way more GMs than Mustangs. :confused: I guess things have changed.

Who did you try to contact? The CFCC are just a bunch of LT1 owners who talk about Optispark issues and NAPA members only like to Zaino thier cars.

Are the Mustangs that race with you a bunch of old Fox bodies? Most F-bod guys are still paying for thier car and therefore don't have the money for entrance fee, tires, and brakes. And they can't run down to Al's Pick U Part and pick up a replacement motor for $200. Similar to having a fast drag car, it comes down to economics more than having "balls".

[gt40mkII]

Originally posted by David Z28
If you'll let me drive your car, I'll be there.What's wrong with your car?

I dunno know what the deal is? I tried to get LS1.com people to come to SCCA and ER events along time ago with little success.Almost every Fbody guy I've talked to drag raced but wasn't interested in road racing. Different mindset, I guess. Some were worried about hurting their cars, but I've seen way more cars broken at the drag strip than I have at a driving event.

Are the Mustangs that race with you a bunch of old Fox bodies?Some are, some aren't. It really depends.

[ozzeran]

Originally posted by David Z28
If you'll let me drive your car, I'll be there.

I dunno know what the deal is? I tried to get LS1.com people to come to SCCA and ER events along time ago with little success. Although, every time I went to an event there were way more GMs than Mustangs. :confused: I guess things have changed.

Who did you try to contact? The CFCC are just a bunch of LT1 owners who talk about Optispark issues and NAPA members only like to Zaino thier cars.

Are the Mustangs that race with you a bunch of old Fox bodies? Most F-bod guys are still paying for thier car and therefore don't have the money for entrance fee, tires, and brakes. And they can't run down to Al's Pick U Part and pick up a replacement motor for $200. Similar to having a fast drag car, it comes down to economics more than having "balls".

Took the words right out of my mouth. When my car is paid off all hell is going to break loose. Just not worht it when you owe money on a car.

[Boss Hogg]

Originally posted by gt40mkII
What's wrong with your car?
If everything goes right, I won't be the owner of my current car in March. Besides, I haven't replaced my brakes since they caught fire at MSR 2 years ago.

We could compete for lap times in your car. Loser buys dinner!

[ozzeran]

Originally posted by David Z28
If everything goes right, I won't be the owner of my current car in March. Besides, I haven't replaced my brakes since they caught fire at MSR 2 years ago.

We could compete for lap times in your car. Loser buys dinner!

What happened with the brakes? I mean what caused it do you know?

[Boss Hogg]

Hot lapping with crappy pads. Only the little rubber boot to keep dirt off the slider bolt of the caliper actually caught fire. The rotor was glowing but I'm still on those as well. My sway bar bracket broke and my power steering fluid was pissed off. Road racing is tough on a car with stock parts.

[ozzeran]

Originally posted by David Z28
Hot lapping with crappy pads. Only the little rubber boot to keep dirt off the slider bolt of the caliper actually caught fire. The rotor was glowing but I'm still on those as well. My sway bar bracket broke and my power steering fluid was pissed off. Road racing is tough on a car with stock parts.

Wow!

[Head Hunter]

I'd be up to check it out - just have to put my sway bar back on... :(

[46fever]

I'll race as long as my fat ass does not have to wear the suit!:)

[aggie97]

Should be ready in March......planning more safety installs as well as weight savings and front suspension changes.

[teamborton]

Hey TX boys, I just stumbled on to this site by chance.
Just wanted to make a post seconding gt40mkII how much fun NASA track events are...if you've never been to one it's a must. We run in the AIX class in the Ohio/Indiana region and it's a blast. Who on this site is running CMC/AI/AIX anyhow?
Do you guys run at Hallett in 04? If so we may have to come and join in the action with the TX region.
You guys should feel lucky down in TX...right now it's 12 degrees outside in sunny St.Louis.

[gt40mkII]

Originally posted by teamborton
Hey TX boys, I just stumbled on to this site by chance.
Just wanted to make a post seconding gt40mkII how much fun NASA track events are...if you've never been to one it's a must. We run in the AIX class in the Ohio/Indiana region and it's a blast. Who on this site is running CMC/AI/AIX anyhow?I'm prepping a car for AI. The engine & suspension are done -- I just need to get the safety stuff taken care of (cage, fire system, personal gear, etc...)

Do you guys run at Hallett in 04? If so we may have to come and join in the action with the TX region.I try to make it to Hallett in March and October to run with the Porsche Club. If you haven't driven Hallett, it's an absolute blast!

-- RK

[aggie97]

Originally posted by teamborton
Hey TX boys, I just stumbled on to this site by chance.
Just wanted to make a post seconding gt40mkII how much fun NASA track events are...if you've never been to one it's a must. We run in the AIX class in the Ohio/Indiana region and it's a blast. Who on this site is running CMC/AI/AIX anyhow?
Do you guys run at Hallett in 04? If so we may have to come and join in the action with the TX region.
You guys should feel lucky down in TX...right now it's 12 degrees outside in sunny St.Louis.

Well, I haven't turned my turd into a true track car YET but I am getting close. I am using the BMWCCA club Autox's to work on bettering my car control and relearning to drive the car after all the engine and suspension mods I have done over the past year. I too need to finish my safety work with the cage and determine which direction I am going with the brake setup. I am really interested in the new Baer Grand Touring setup but they can't get me a template to see if it will fit behind 17x9 cobra R's.

My current plan is to continue to improve my skills in this car, attend a couple HPDE's over the next 12 months and maybe do a Panoz School in Atlanta to work toward a competition license. Somewhere toward the end of 04', I plan on looking at buying a true track car (Fox Body), or diving in and turning my 2000 GT into the machine of choice.

I was speaking with someone about the NASA track events and it sounds like during the down times between RACES, they hold an HPDE which sounds interesting. I would be real interested in doing one at Texas World Speedway and from a video I have seen, Hallet might be good too. Motorsport Ranch seems like it is VERY Narrow but that is from the in car videos only that I have seen.

There really aren't too many people that "Road Race" stangs on this board. But I will do my best to show them the light!!!

[Darren M]

Originally posted by aggie97
........ But I will do my best to show them the light!!!

WE. ;) Hopefully I'll be able to attend a few HPDE's this year. I don't see my 00 GT being my track car as it's my daily driver also. Hopefully in the next couple of years I'll be able to turn my '67 coupe into a track whore and really get into things. Till then I might have to hit a few of the NASA events. I had a good friend of mine in Indy attend a few of the NASA events at Gingerman while I hit some local events at Putnam Park, in Indy. We compared the two and found that the NASA event was much safer and better prepared in general. Now if I can just find that damn tree w/ all the money growing on it I'll hit every OT/HPDE/etc I can. Till then fast times w/ the Aggie at BMWCCA AX's. If you get a chance, come out to one, they're almost time trials.

[teamborton]

Originally posted by aggie97
Well, I haven't turned my turd into a true track car YET but I am getting close. I am using the BMWCCA club Autox's to work on bettering my car control and relearning to drive the car after all the engine and suspension mods I have done over the past year. I too need to finish my safety work with the cage and determine which direction I am going with the brake setup. I am really interested in the new Baer Grand Touring setup but they can't get me a template to see if it will fit behind 17x9 cobra R's.

My current plan is to continue to improve my skills in this car, attend a couple HPDE's over the next 12 months and maybe do a Panoz School in Atlanta to work toward a competition license. Somewhere toward the end of 04', I plan on looking at buying a true track car (Fox Body), or diving in and turning my 2000 GT into the machine of choice.

I was speaking with someone about the NASA track events and it sounds like during the down times between RACES, they hold an HPDE which sounds interesting. I would be real interested in doing one at Texas World Speedway and from a video I have seen, Hallet might be good too. Motorsport Ranch seems like it is VERY Narrow but that is from the in car videos only that I have seen.

There really aren't too many people that "Road Race" stangs on this board. But I will do my best to show them the light!!!

I'd seriously consider starting fresh with a body in white and build the car the way you really want to the first time. There's nothing worse than doing everything 2 or 3 times...just from our building experience.

[Adam Ginsberg]

I just found this thread this evening ( when I should be working! ).

NASA Texas' first race is 6-7 March @ MSR ( south of Fort Worth, in Cresson ) - just 2 short months away!!

Regardless whether or not you want to actually wheel-2-wheel race, run in the HPDE/RaceCraft school, or cheer on your favorite car, come on out and introduce yourselves! Run in the HPDE/RaceCraft school, and all track time counts towards earning a full competition license!

Club discounts available for 10 or more cars. Contact me for additional information.

For more information, check out the following links:

www.nasatx.com
www.camaromustangchallenge.com
www.nasaproracing.com
www.americanironwest.com
www.americanironeast.com

If you see this car:

http://home.comcast.net/~texas-cmc-05/cmc-05/front1.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~texas-cmc-05/cmc-05/left-rear.jpg

be sure to come over and say hello. Even if you are a F-bod owner. ;)

And just a point of clarification - NASA stands for National Auto Sport Association. Close Robert. :)

[Darren M]

Shouldn't there be a Suck IT some where near those crossed bones? ;)

[gt40mkII]

Originally posted by Adam Ginsberg
If you see this car:

[big-assed images deleted...]

be sure to come over and say hello.Yeah -- just don't try out-braking it into Rattlesnake! ;)

One way or the other, I'll be there. If anyone wants more information on HPDE, drop me a line.

(For those of you who don't know, HPDE is High-Performance Driver's Education. It is not racing. It is a school for learning how to drive your car (any car -- it doesn't have to be a race car or even a sports car,) on a race track. You'll have your own instructor and when you're not on the track, you'll have classroom sessions to teach you about driving the line, threshold braking, and all that other stuff you'll forget as soon as you get onto the track.)

-- RK

[Adam Ginsberg]

Originally posted by AcidPete
Shouldn't there be a Suck IT some where near those crossed bones? ;)

Yes there should. :D

As for my late-braking abilities into Rattlesnake - I can assure you I won't make that mistake again. Well, try not to anyway. Heheh.....