Thread: SCCA Racing

So I've been looking into taking the 3 day racing classes by Skip Barber at Laguna Seca in July to get my racing license. I understand that to get your regional racing license, aside from taking the class, becoming a member of the SCCA, and passing a medical exam, you also have to do 2 SCCA races to qualify. In addition, you must do 2 SCCA races a year to keep your racing license active.

Does anyone have any experience with the SCCA and doing SCCA races? To my understanding, you need your own car, crew, and equipment for SCCA races (Skip Barber has their own race series where they provide a car and staff, etc. but those do not qualify as SCCA races). If this is true, does everyone who starts out in the SCCA have to bear the cost of all this or are there other alternatives?

I would really like to start racing but if all this is true, the cost may be too much to bear. Any ideas or experiences?

You can rent race cars for race weekends. As far as having a crew that isn't really necessary you may need to pay support fees if you aren't up for torquing wheels, setting pressures, making sure everything is good before and after each session. I'm not sure where you are located but i'm sure someone on here will be semi-local to you and can chime in about your local options. Spec miata's can be had for about $1000/per race weekend plus damages.

We also offer our own Skip Barber Race Series, where you can race either our Formula Car or MX5 Cup Car. The costs are very reasonable in terms of racing, its arrive-and-drive, and you get quality coaching every race weekend just like you would in a three-day school. I highly recommend going the Skip Barber route before racing in SCCA or just skip that completely. You will have way more fun racing with the people in our series...

But if you REALLY want to race in SCCA, yes you can rent cars like the Spec Miata or Formula Enterprise.... But the costs will be more than racing a Skip Barber weekend and you're racing with 50+ cars with drivers who have no skill.

You will learn much more in the Skip Barber environment... Let me know if you have any questions. Several L4P members here race in the Skip Barber Western series which is based at Laguna Seca...

That's a good point. I never really considered sticking with the Skip Barber Race Series and just assumed the SCCA route would be the best way to get into racing.

I do have a question though. Are there any prerequisites in terms of classes that must be completed before participating in the Skip Barber 3 day racing classes? (I have done 2 day M School and 2 day Advanced M School).

Originally Posted by ArDs

That's a good point. I never really considered sticking with the Skip Barber Race Series and just assumed the SCCA route would be the best way to get into racing.

I do have a question though. Are there any prerequisites in terms of classes that must be completed before participating in the Skip Barber 3 day racing classes? (I have done 2 day M School and 2 day Advanced M School).

Yea, I think its a better route and you don't have to worry about buying, maintaining, transporting, and fixing your racecar. Plus you're racing in a spec series with nearly identical cars... its really the best bang for your buck in racing. Even racing Spec Miata, if you want to be a frontrunner, you need to spend a lot of $$$ on your car. At Skip Barber, its all about your driving.

There is no prerequisites to the 3 Day School. Let me know if you have any questions! I'll probably be down there working if you go in July.

There is no prerequisites to the 3 Day School. Let me know if you have any questions! I'll probably be down there working if you go in July.

Cool, sounds good! I'm going to sign up for the 3 Day (July 24-26) at Laguna Seca. Any promotions or deals on that one?

Originally Posted by ArDs

Cool, sounds good! I'm going to sign up for the 3 Day (July 24-26) at Laguna Seca. Any promotions or deals on that one?

Do you live in NorCal? If you come down to the Grand-Am race in a few weeks at Laguna Seca and sign up at the Skip Barber booth, they have event specials and you will get 20% off I believe.

I live in SoCal (Los Angeles). What is the date for those races? That sounds like a cool race to attend!

May 15-17

Monterey Festival of Speed

Can't that weekend

But I called and signed up for the 3 day racing class from July 24-26 at Laguna Seca, so I am good to go. Really excited about this! See you there?