What class/series do you guys race your 996 in?

Im itching to get my 911 on the track. I was curious as to what class or series you guys race/track your car in. I dont want to modify the car, from what I've read, the NASA time trailing?

I started in the "geez dude, you suck" class but after 4 times, I moved into "that looked fun, but not fast" class.... now with 7 times under my belt I think I could run in the "hey, no more spins" class actually I just play at the skills days. A way lower speed, small autocross style set up with no scores and times. - Actual track time is over my budget and I think learning the basics at slower speed over and over is teaching me a lot and when I do a DE I hope to have a really solid background on the basics

Join the PCA or SCCA and try your hand at AutoX. I have to agree with Ed. It is inexpensive ($30 vs $300-500 for DE) and a great way to learn what you and your car can do. But remember your car can do it, its a P-Car, the real test is the driver? I started doing AutoX in parking lots. Its safe, you do not get into high speed even though 2nd gear top end driving is a hoot, you can always stop safely. I moved into DE having a instructor with in the car last year. This year I got the ok to drive solo. I'm still a beginner though. Something to keep in mind is when you sign up for a DE (track day), you are put into a class according to your driving skill history on previous DE events. The guys at the track will not let someone without experience run with the fast guys....just ain't gonna happen. It is too dangerous for all parties involved. But I have to tell ya...when you get the bug it feels like chasing after your 1st girlfriend! Nothing like it! Start low and aim for stars my friend......

I dont have any track experience, but I was thinking about just hopping straight to a NASA HPDE #1, which is for beginners. Granted it costs $400, but I still think it would be a blast.

yesterday we had an "incident" where a guy in a Lotus Elise went off the track while spinning - he was very very lucky because there is a ditch near where he went off and trees on either side... he missed all AND didnt flip despite the car exiting the track completely sideways when it hit the rough. Mind you this is at ~40 miles an hour.... The words "what a blast" were not exactly on everyones mind - as stated above, start slow and work your way up is good advise

Another thought.....some DE's have what they call the 'Driver's Experience'. It is around $25. This is where you go for a ride in an instructor's car and you also attend all the class room sessions. You do everything like all other drivers but you are a passenger. You will find out than and there if you will even like driving the limit while seeing what a P-Car can do. I don't want to discourage you...... If you feel the need for speed, make sure you have an instructor with you, change your brake pads, flush your brake fluid and get a helmet. Best to do it on a track not the street.

+1 the need for speed is good... nurture it... but at a plce where it is safe with safety gear and trained people to help you along... great point!

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We call that "taste of the track"... IMHO, the OP's best bet is to join PCA and participate in the Driver's Education (DE) program. I guarantee you'll be able to get your fix of high speed driving on world-class race tracks. Also, for what it's worth, PCA usually has a better "safety" record than many other organizations - due to the emphasis on class-room learning and a spectacular network of very qualified instructors. (Do other organizations have a national instructor training program?) Feel free to let me know if you have any other questions - or if you'd like some resources / reading material. I'm my region's chief instructor and happy to help newcomers, but I also want to make sure their expectations are realistic.

Navy...this will give you an idea of a DE. This is from Road America in WI 3 weeks ago. Go to the 12 minute video. The camera is in my buddy's 964. At roughly 3:06 into the video when he crosses the start finish line I pass him in my silver 996 with a black 911 race car on my butt. The class we are in is the 'D' class for least experience. You can see we are all hauling some tuckus. It is fun but you need to have you and your car ready. Ed-I have the Sumi III's. Liked them. http://picasaweb.google.com/DWS964/R...94326280480530

Van- All very points and you are right about the "taste of the track". The PCA is the best DE program by far! Vic Elford has book about performance driving.....alot of good stuff.

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I did lower the pressure (40 rear and 34 front) as the day went on AND they are brand new, so maybe with some miles and a bit of tweaking I will get them to where I can agree.. All I know is coming into the box straight line braking I was ready to be slow and I was still to fast. again I am fairly new too... so it still most likely is me....but I have run that before on the old tires and had the less ABS and more STOP (I thought)

btw - nice line on the vid!!! his camera is a bit low, but when I could see the apex's you nailed them!

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If you race in PCA, you will need a 911 with full cage (IIRC, bolt in roll bars no longer allowed), seat, harnesses, log book, etc. Depending on setup, and engine, your car will be an H-Class or I-class car, or GTB car. To race, you will need to get your license and a doctor's note. If you just want to drive fast, try DEs. You can show up with a helmet and a tech form and go 'round and 'round on the track. There are no "racing classes" per se, rather there are run groups. Down here, we have Green -> Blue -> Yellow -> White. People are assigned to groups based on skill and experience. Green and Blue usually have an instructor all the time. Yellow and above, infrequently. IMO, driving your car at the limit (or close to it) is one of the greatest things you can do in the car with your clothes on. The rush you get and the fun to be had is second to none. It's really, really, really awesome. But there are a few other things to keep in mind: You CAN roll your car, hit a wall/tree/tire barrier, hit someone else, blow your engine/transmission/tires/etc. time trialing, autoX, or anything that has a winner/loser will definitely be excluded by your car insurance. DE or other driving school equivalent may/may not be depending on your policy. So, depending on what you are doing, if you have an incident, you might be covered, but you probably won't be. Different organizations have different models: some are very safety oriented, making it difficult to move up; others are more business oriented, potentially allowing a little more agressive driving. So, to summarize the 2 most important things: 1) tracking your car is REALLY AWESOME and addicting. You will meet great people and have lots of fun that you can't duplicate with anything else. 2) you should be mentally and financially prepared to write your car off as a total loss. Not that it will happen, just that it COULD happen. Here are a couple vids of 2 tracks nearby, they are both pretty short (1 lap only). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVY-OONynkM [ watch in HD ] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2OHKfxR3u8 [watch in HD] -td

+1 with himself; although you must be careful because this can be addictive.

As others have mentioned... Start with AutoX. Peachstate PCA has a good AutoX program. I was one of the Chairman of the program last year. That is a great starting point. If you like it move up to DE's next. My suggestion is to go with PCA or BMW's DE's though because of the level of instructing and classroom instruction. I instruct with these groups and be happy to talk to you about either since you are also in ATL.

I race mine in GTB right now with PCA, but I'm probably also going to race with NASA. I'm also part of a group of folks trying to get a 996 Spec racing class started. http://www.996specracing.com/

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Wow Tom, Nice vids, great Apex work and love the footwork view... you have it down.... still you pushed it pretty good and were not flying by other cars so the group looks well matched! Thanks for sharing those