I am very new to this side of the track, but would like to see some races with cars like these:
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=679284

My nearest course is Mid Ohio, I think, so what are the names of the races I should be searching for?
I am a little sketchy on all the car descriptions for these races.

thanks!

Try this: http://www.grand-am.com/Events/

Tony

HawkFanatic, the pics in that thread are cars that run in American Le Mans (ALMS) and Speed world Challenge. ALMS had the 12 hour at Sebring last weekend, World Challenge also ran that weekend as support races.

ALMS is running at Mid-Ohio July 20-22. Here's their schedule:

http://www.americanlemans.com/Schedule/SeasonSchedule.aspx

ALMS has Le Mans Prototypes and GT classes. Some of these guys will race at the 24 hours of Le Mans, which is by invitation only. The rest of the cars at Le Mans will come from the Le Mans class, which runs similar cars in Europe.

World Challenge will be at Mid-Ohio in July with them, support races again. World Challenge website is here:

http://www.world-challenge.com/

They have GT (Vettes, Caddys, Vipers, Porsches) and TC (Acuras, BMWs, Mazdas).

Grand Am, which has the Rolex series (cars are Daytona Prototypes and GT cars) and the Koni Challenge (production based cars, very close racing, huge fields), which generally run the same weekend, but sometimes don't. (Note: Koni Challenge used to be Grand Am Cup). They're at Mid-Ohio in June.

http://www.grand-am.com/Home.asp

That's about it for production based professional road racing in the US. IF you get Speed Channel check out the Rolex race on Saturday and the World Chellenge GT and TC races on Sunday.

Jason

...or you could come and watch some of us run...

http://racenasa.nasamidwest.com/season/

do a search on American Iron (AI) and Camaro Mustang Challenge (CMC).

That would be cool... which day would be the best time to come up? the event schedule on that site doesnt break down when each class will run...

In general, all race groups have the following schedule:

Early AM - 20-30 minute practice session
Late AM - 20-30 minute qualifying session
Start after lunch - 40 minute session (total time) race

I'd say if you arrived by lunch you could hang til around 4 and see about 3-4 races...

If you are closer, is also a race scheduled at BeaveRun in May (I'll hopefully be running in that one).

I cant find ticket information for the april races... the website only starts at the June events... Does that mean that the place is already sold out??

Ok, so after some research, it seems they don't sell tickets. So can I just show up to watch, or do I have to know someone to get in?
Sorry for the ultra-noob questions...

I am pretty sure that you can just show up and they will let you in. Our races aren't publicized as spectator events (except the National Championship) but I have never heard of anyone being turned away at the gate.

For most amateur racing events, like NASA or SCCA, you just show up at the gate. You'll be asked to sign a waiver at the gate, and there may be an entry fee that is required by the track. Some tracks are free, some are $5 or $10. I've not heard of any that are more than that. For an SCCA event, for non SCCA members (ie guests), they want you to go to registration and sign another waiver and get a guest wristband. For NASA events you don't need to go to registration unless you want to ride in a car - then you'll need to sign another waiver and get a passenger wristband (it may cost $5 for that). That is one of the perks of a NASA weekend - if you know someone who is driving, or tap an instructor for a ride, you get to be a passenger for a ride on the track and get a whole lot better feel for what racing/track driving is about than looking thru a fence at the action. You'll need long pants, non synthetic shirt, closed top shoes, and a helmet - loaners are generally available.

Club racing events are for the racers, not spectators, so they tend to fill the paddock, but the stands and prime viewing areas are empty - it's cool to be able to hike right to the prime spots and be one of 10 instead of 1000 jostling for a good spot. Bring sunscreen and a camera and water and have a good time!

AWESOME INFO!

Thanks for clearing that stuff up!
I am going to get a few people from my local board to cruise up with me, barring any rainstorms.

I would love to bum a ride, but watching should be pretty exciting... We are an F-body club, so that who we will be rooting for!

thanks

road racers also race in the rain.

Here a link to this weekend's schedule:
http://racenasa.nasamidwest.com/docs/2007/apr_midohio.pdf

Since you at an f-body site, I have to assume that you have a bias for V8 cars. If so, then note that the V8 group is group A and we are the first race group out this weekend.

If you show up, come and find me. See avatar/sig for what my car looks like.

Cool, yeah I have a 99 Firehawk(hence the SN), So I am interested in watching other 4th gens run.
I am trying to get a group of members from my local club(nkyfba.com) to go with, but I will be there if I have to drive up alone.

Thanks Keith!
Dennis

With or without my car, I will see you there Dennis.

You're actually probably closer to Putnam Park. This track is just west of Indy off I-70 near Greencastle, IN. NASA Midwest and OH/IN regions will be running a combined region event. Should have over 25 AI/AIX/CMC cars racing. Weekend of May 21.

Sidney Franklin
AI #64
'89 Firebird Formula