How do these compare? (I've been to a couple of NASA HPDEs but no SCCA track events)

In general they are very similar in structure....here are the differences as I see them...

NASA "H"igh "P"erformance "D"riving "E"vent - usually run in conjunction with a race day. You might see the generation 1 Mazda RX7s in Pro7 class...with the GTIs in GTI Cup...and then the FOUR (4) different HPDE groups will run on the track. NASA usually runs 20 min run groups...whereas SCCA Street School (only available at Thunderhill?) is usually 25 min. The four run groups in NASA are Group One (people new to tracks...have to have an instructor EVERY time they run on the track). Group Two (people that may have been to one..maybe two track events before...and have been signed off as being allowed to drive Solo - without instructor) Group One and Group Two are usually on track together. Group One and Two only get to pass on the main straights...Group Three is people that have been to multiple track events and have a good handle on car control, are usually pretty smooth...and you can just tell they have had a bit of seat time. Sometimes NASA events even have TWO Group Three groups (when we were at Laguna Seca). Group Three gets to pass at other locations on the track...shorter straights as well as longer ones. Group Three gets to PASS ANYWHERE on track on their last run of the day. Usually the most problematic group is GROUP THREE. Group Four is usually race cars or people with considerable track experience. Most of these cars haul pretty well. You can actually see a Baby Grand (mini Grand National car), Spec Racer Fords, and a number of exotics usually running in Group Four (ie. GT3 Porsches). From the first, Group Four gets to pass ANYWHERE on the track, all day long. Group Four is usually for people use to passing other people OFF the regular preferred line. Cost use to be $150 last year...I think it has gone up to $179 this year. Instructors usually drive their own cars in Group 3 or 4 (Last note: NASA does not use chicanes....pointer cones...braking cones....you are on your own finding landmarks on the track)

SCCA Street School - only available at Thunderhill (as far as I know). The street school is an opportunity to take your street car out and see what she will do. You get a variety of people showing up for these events...anything from Jeep Wranglers...to Datsun 510 race cars. There are three run groups...A/B/C. A Group is beginners...usually have an instructor until they are signed off by TWO different instructors. B Group is more experienced...usually been at the track before...Group C is the advanced Group. Usually, SCCA does not allow instructors to run with group A/B/C. At the end of the day sometimes they allow instructors to run from 4-4:30 or 4-5pm. SCCA uses chicanes to slow people down in various spots....uses directional cones telling people to be inside or outside on that place on the track. Overall, SCCA is a bit more restrictive in what you can do. More tame. With SCCA you get lunch on them...and you get a Thunderhill t-shirt free of charge. Cost: $175/one day

Hope this helps.<p><a href="http://registry.audiworld.com/audi/registry/details.asp?car=3821"><br><br>
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Steve S.
00 Nogaro S4
NorCal Audi Club
http://www.norcalaudiclub.org