Racing in northwest Florida: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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June 29, 2009 2:03 a.m. spdracer315 New Reader

Alright, first let me tell you that im probably not going to be doing anything until next year at the earliest, and im not even sure where im going to be next year (volunteered for year long stint in Iraq leaving in January, havent found out if ive been selected yet). And its just about 2am, just got home from the gym after work so im tired, and i may ramble on...Forgive me, and you have been warned!

Anyways, Ive been out of the racing game for 3 years now, and have no road course expirence. Always loved roadcourse, but my expirence has been in circle track (open wheel go-karts, 4 cylinder S10, then dirt sprint car-hated cleaning it on sundays after the race, but by far the best training in car control, and FUN!!) But i really miss racing, being a spectator isnt cutting it. As some of you know i tried to get a 03 cobra earlier this year but couldnt get a loan (hence the volunteering for iraq) But i finaly got around to reading my August GRM and the article on Rob Kriders SE-R really gave me the bug to get back into wheel to wheel racing. I obviously wouldnt go wheel to wheel in a cobra, but if i found a $500 sentra or something.... Pretty much a car i wouldnt care if i wadded up, steetable, and a good learning car. Im not sure if his car is exactly "street legal" but he does mention driving it to and from events.

So..after all that i guess my question is: What type of racing is in the immediate area of Northwest Florida/Pensacola/Panama City area? SCCA and NASA dont seem to have anything, but are there any other clubs/events for beginners? My work schedual is 6 on 3 off, so i dont really get fri/sat/sun off regulary, but i guess thats what leave is for... and id like to at least go see an event this year. Im also interested in any autox, solo....anything, i cant find anything!!
June 29, 2009 2:17 a.m. Salanis SuperDork

Find out what road courses are nearby. Check out their schedule to see what groups are running there. Then check out those groups' websites to find out what their minimum requirements are. Also, if you get out to any event, you can meet people and ask them what other clubs they like to drive with.

A lot of marquee clubs are good, and generally don't require you to drive a car of that marquee (except maybe PCA). Around here, my favorite group to run with is the Lotus Club.

Looks like you're about 6 hours from Road Atlanta... that would be pretty harsh unless you sleep there the night before, and have someone to share driving duty on the way back.
June 30, 2009 8:27 a.m. Tom Heath Production Editor

In reply to spdracer315:

Roebling Road is closer than Road Atlanta, and there's also Sebring and Palm Beach Int'l Raceway within a moderate drive. (~4 hours.) These facilities all host NASA and SCCA events, and the 24 Hours of LeMons has held an event at Roebling.

The road course at European Rally School in Starke is closer still, but they haven't been able to hold any "real" races there yet. Their Rallycrosses are the best thing going, however.

There's also the Central Florida Road Course in Orlando. they offer a lot of track day events, but no wheel-to-wheel racing there. The good news is that you can run just about anything, so it's perfect for a quick way to "scratch the itch."

Good luck!
June 30, 2009 9:45 a.m. Rangeball Reader

It sounds like Barber Motorsports in Birmingham, AL might be closer than Roebling.
June 30, 2009 9:46 a.m. vladha New Reader

http://www.sr20-forum.com/florida/18829-hot-lapping-day-gainesville.html

There's really not that much in your area. I do know that there's Little Talledega Speedway just outside of Birmingham Alabama, we had an event out there a few years ago, nice little simple track.

You're going to have a tough time if you're not getting the Friday, Saturday, Sunday time off.

And please, don't "wad up" any of the Classic SE-R's. They only made about 23k of these between 91 and 94. Not many examples left on the road. But, I'm biased, my daily is a '91.

Mark
June 30, 2009 10:13 a.m. jstein77 HalfDork

http://buccaneerregion.org/

The Solo group has events at Gainesville Raceway and at Whitehouse Field in Tallahassee:

http://buccaneerregion.org/solodirections.html#whitehouse
June 30, 2009 11:06 p.m. spdracer315 New Reader

vladha wrote:

And please, don't "wad up" any of the Classic SE-R's. They only made about 23k of these between 91 and 94. Not many examples left on the road.

I was just using that car as an example b/c of the article. Obviously i wouldnt want to wad up anything if i could help it!

Thanks for some of the websites though. Im going to see what weekends i got off in the coming months, and see if it aligns with any events.
July 1, 2009 7:51 a.m. Spinout007 Reader

vladha wrote:

http://www.sr20-forum.com/florida/18829-hot-lapping-day-gainesville.html

Perfect tune up for the challenge.......