NASA Work for Credit Info [Track]

keegano · **me + speed = AHHH!!** Joined: 04 Oct 2006 Posts: 327

i would love to do track days. the only thing keeping me from going is money. my parents aren't all that supportive of my hobbies. sucks.
i did come really close to an off one time, which kind of rattled my nerves. in the mountians there are no offs. just rock. i had my wheel turned full lock but somehow managed to take the turn perfectly.

StraightSix · Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 9:11 pm Post subject:

Xtopher · Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 10:22 pm Post subject:

bryan, can you go into more details, ive been wondering how you guys work all that.

StraightSix · Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 9:50 pm Post subject:

Here's the pdf of the brochure from NASA-SE's web site.

The program is pretty straight forward. As an incentive to attract people to work flagging corners, NASA developed the work for credit program. Basically, after working two full events, Saturday and Sunday, you'll get a total of 16 hours of credit. Once you have 32 hours if worker credit, you can turn in your credits to drive an event. Each event that you drive would "cost" 32 hours of credit. Lunch is also provided for Saturday and Sunday, and there's an awards banquet Saturday night that all participants and workers are invited to.

NASA does provide us with lodging for every four workers we bring to an event. So, all you have to pay for when you go work is the gas it takes to get to the track, and dinner while you're there.

Redeeming your credits is pretty simple, too. The only caveat is that there are a limited number of credit slots for each event, so you have to let Julie know well in advance of an event if you want to turn in some credits to drive. For instance, the worker-driver slots go very fast for tracks like Road Atlanta.

You'll start out in HPDE 1 and have an instructor in the car with you while on course, and there are classroom sessions that cover stuff that can't be covered on track; it's like any class...there's a theory part and a practical application part. Working will help give you a little bit of an edge over other students because you will have been exposed to some things that complete beginners don't have experience with; like what the flags mean.

As an added bonus, you get to meet some really cool people, and see some great racing from some of the best "seats" in the house.

The part I'm not telling you about are the utterly miserable days like Sunday at VIR, when it was cold and wet....but it was still very much worth the discomfort, imho.[/url]
_________________
President CSCC, 2006-2007
NASA-SE Chief of Timing and Scoring

keegano · **me + speed = AHHH!!** Joined: 04 Oct 2006 Posts: 327

that sounds like a pretty sweet deal. now i just have to sale it to my folks. my mom offered to pay for racing school a few years back, but i don't know if she's still keen to the idea of her "baby" actually on a race track.
anyone have any ideas on how to persuade them?

kbrew8991 · Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2007 9:47 am Post subject:

get them to come out to an event and see how tame Club Racing really is I don't know

_________________

NASA-TX Time Trial Director, Instructor
ex-CSCC President, Vice President and Secretary, member 2001-2006

Hraefn · Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2007 11:10 am Post subject:

StraightSix · Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2007 12:38 pm Post subject:

I think the best way to sell the initial program is to emphasize that you would be working towards what amounts to a driving school that takes place on a closed circuit. NASA makes you go through a lot of instruction before being able to take Comp School. So, you won't be racing wheel-to-wheel for a long time. All passing in HPDE 1 and 2 is done with a point by and only on certain parts of the race track. Some of the lessons learned in HPDEs will make you a better street driver. Plus, you get to explore the limits of your car in an environment that is controlled.

I think I'd also emphasize that the NASA membership isn't a racing license. But, is a requirement for working events (for insurance reasons).
_________________
President CSCC, 2006-2007
NASA-SE Chief of Timing and Scoring

Sam H · Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2007 1:37 pm Post subject:

You guys should probably split or reproduce this thread as a seperate entity. There is a lot of informative information about worker credit in the fourth page of a mountain run thread?!?!!
_________________

StraightSix · Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2007 2:31 pm Post subject:

Excellent suggestion. I forget that a I can do that, lol.
_________________
President CSCC, 2006-2007
NASA-SE Chief of Timing and Scoring

CU ZCar · **Shift into AWESOME!** Joined: 21 Jul 2004 Posts: 2214

If you need to put some spin on the situation, point out that it is a "road course" instead of a "race track". Track days are nothing more than driving instruction until you go to competition school.

However, don't mention that some people treat it like a race Razz

HPDE national champion FTW!
_________________
Sportscar is in head, not under hood. --Yutaka Katayama

keegano · **me + speed = AHHH!!** Joined: 04 Oct 2006 Posts: 327

exactly how long is a long time before i can get my comp. liscense?

nevit · Joined: 08 Aug 2006 Posts: 59

that depends on you!!!! if you go out there with the mind set that you want to learn, you can work your way up fairly quick.
Just dont think you know everything
_________________

03 GTI VR6
Neuspeed exhaust, Koni yellow shocks, Koni sport springs, Neuspeed front strut bar, Sparco Interior
NASA-SE Cheif of Pit and Grid

CU ZCar · **Shift into AWESOME!** Joined: 21 Jul 2004 Posts: 2214

Jrubins · Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2007 10:46 pm Post subject:

How much do HPDEs cost if one were to pay cash for them? I couldn't find it on the nasa website.
thanks
_________________

Jewish Racing Gold FTW!