| Experience the thrill of racing before shelling out any | | | | other cars out on the track. However, passing of |
| big bucks. And no, that doesn't involve going to the | | | | slower cars is usually allowed on the straights, and |
| local Porsche dealer and telling them "I'll just take it | | | | you can still push your car up to the limits. Just keep |
| around the block." But there are test programs | | | | in mind you don't want to have to explain to your |
| available where you can drive a vehicle that will | | | | insurance agent how your car mysteriously ended up |
| accelerate 0-60 in under 4 sec and pull up to 2.5Gs in | | | | on top of a tire wall at the local racetrack.The great |
| the corners. Or experience the thrill of a 300 hp | | | | thing about this kind of program is that you can get |
| dragster for under $20 bucks. When it comes to | | | | some real track time for generally under $100. Check |
| getting a taste of racing without having to go out | | | | with your local track to see what they offer.Jet |
| and buy your own race car, you have a number of | | | | Fighter On 4 Wheels - Racing Kart ProgramsNow |
| options to choose from. We'll cover them starting | | | | we're talking about some real racing action - racing |
| with least expensive and working our way up.Your | | | | karts! No, these are not your old steel tube, |
| Local "Fun" Kart TrackMost cities have an outdoor or | | | | square-framed backyard go karts (and we don't use |
| indoor concessionary-type go kart track where you | | | | "go" any more) with a lawn mower engine. Today's |
| can take a kart around for a few laps for just a few | | | | racing karts are constructed with many of the same |
| bucks. Although these karts are not the fastest in | | | | high tech materials and technologies as full-size race |
| the world, they'll still give you the basic idea of racing | | | | cars, and with the exception of top speed, |
| around the track along with some friendly | | | | performance capabilities can rival a modern-day Indy |
| competition from the other patrons.This can be a | | | | car (as in 0-60 in about 3 sec. and 2.5 G's in the |
| great place to start if you have a kid who wants to | | | | turns).With some Intro classes beginning as low as |
| get into racing but has never driven anything. The | | | | $99 with all equipment provided, you will find no |
| main thing to check for kids before you head over | | | | other "newbie" racing programs that even come |
| to the track is to call ahead and see what kind of | | | | close to the exhilaration experienced in a current |
| minimum age or height requirements they may have. | | | | generation racing kart for such little cost. A school like |
| Other than than that, the karts all have bumpers and | | | | Go Faster Racing Kart School in the Dallas/Fort |
| are very safe, so they make for a great starting | | | | Worth area is a perfect example of a kart school |
| point for kids.If you are fortunate enough to live near | | | | offering just such classes for those wanting to get a |
| a major city that has a Speed Zone, Malibu Grand | | | | real taste of what racing is all about.A half-day class |
| Prix or similar racing-type theme park, then you even | | | | in one of their Veloce 125cc racing karts will give you |
| have the option of testing out drag racing in a | | | | a workout like you wouldn't believe, but you'll leave |
| controlled environment. Speed Zone's Top Eliminator | | | | with a grin the size of Texas and dreaming about |
| dragsters are 300 hp machines capable of 0 to 70 in | | | | how fast you can get back out on the track. There |
| under 3.5 seconds and pull 2.5 G's. Not only that, their | | | | are many similar kart schools around the country, so |
| tracks are set up to race four at a time! (The cars | | | | just check with your local kart track or club to see |
| are attached to a centerline rail, of course, to keep | | | | what's available in your area. For the money a racing |
| everyone from flying into each other.) You won't find | | | | kart class will give you the closest feel to what real |
| that at any local drag strip. And with current prices | | | | racing is like, so I give this option my highest |
| around $12 for three runs, it is no doubt the most | | | | "Ultimate Test Drive" recommendation.The Real Deal: |
| fun you could have in anything race-related for less | | | | Full-Blown Racing SchoolNow, if you are dead set on |
| than the cost of feeding your family at | | | | jumping right into a full-size race car, then there is |
| McDonald's!Auto Maker Driving Clinics & | | | | obviously no substitute for actually driving one for |
| PromotionsAlthough these can be hit or miss as far | | | | your test drive. Most road course tracks have an |
| as timing goes to catch one, many times through the | | | | associated racing school that offers half day, full day |
| year automakers will host special driving events to | | | | and multi-day classes for drivers. Also, your local |
| highlight their latest and greatest automobiles. And | | | | SCCA chapter usually has driver classes scheduled at |
| the great thing about them is that the car is provided | | | | various times throughout the year, but the race car |
| and the cost is usually minimal or even free!Mazda's | | | | may or may not be provided.A half-day class at a |
| Rev It Up is a great example of this kind of program. | | | | local racing school is probably your best bet when it |
| The Mazda event is a weekend driving school and | | | | comes to taking your ultimate test drive. Once again |
| competition in the new Mazda 3 at locations | | | | most schools will provide all your safety equipment |
| throughout the US over the course of the year. For | | | | so you just show up and drive. You can expect |
| about $40 you get a high-performance driving school | | | | half-day classes to average around $500. For your |
| clinic and then a chance to post your time on a | | | | money you will generally get classroom instruction |
| parking lot autocross course for a nationwide | | | | covering the basics of operating the racecar, learning |
| competition. Not a bad deal.Another example is from | | | | the "racing line" around the course, gear selection into |
| the 2004 Indy Racing League Chevy 500 at Texas | | | | and out of the corners, braking points, corner entry |
| Motor Speedway. Chevy gave the opportunity to | | | | and exit points followed by some lap sessions and |
| race fans to take their new Chevy Avalanche for a | | | | coaching out on the track.With a typical "school" race |
| 70 mph three lap cruise around the high-banked track | | | | car in the 130 to 150 hp range and capable of speeds |
| of Texas Motor Speedway. All you needed was a | | | | well over 100 mph, you'll definitely have your hands |
| valid drivers license and each fan got to hop in by | | | | full as you begin to learn some new concepts in |
| themselves for three laps behind a pace car. And | | | | driving like heel and toe downshifting and threshold |
| best of all - it was free! Where else could you walk in | | | | braking. For a couple of excellent web sites on racing |
| off the street and get to drive in someone else's car | | | | schools try or Time To Go Race!Hopefully, you've |
| on a Superspeedway normally reserved for NASCAR | | | | gotten a good idea of your options for hopping in a |
| and the IRL!?Unfortunately, these types of events | | | | race car before sinking a lot of your hard-earned |
| are few and far between, but they're out there. | | | | money into the sport. You may find the type of |
| Keep your eyes open for one, and the opportunity | | | | racing you thought you were interested in is not |
| just may pop up.Out of Your Garage & On To The | | | | what you expected after taking a "test drive." Much |
| TrackThe next step up, but still very affordable - | | | | better to find out now than after having bought a |
| your own car at a local racetrack. Many local tracks | | | | race car.However, for most people, I highly doubt |
| have special times around their regular racing sessions | | | | that will be the case. In fact after the first ride, you'll |
| when you can take your own car out for a spin | | | | probably be so hooked, there is no turning back. So, |
| around the track or run down the drag strip.Normally | | | | get out there, find a local racing series and Go Racing |
| the only special requirements are to have a | | | | Now!Larry Lenamon is part owner of a high |
| Snell-approved helmet and then sit through whatever | | | | performance racing kart school, avid racing fan, and |
| basic driver orientation class they may have. Thus, no | | | | classic car restorer, along with having a professional |
| special equipment on your car is needed - just show | | | | career as a pilot and aerospace engineer for a major |
| up with most any street legal vehicle(probably not | | | | U.S. airline. His website is an online resource for |
| the Suburban or Grandma's station wagon) and | | | | getting started in racing, racing sponsorship, |
| you're set.For road courses you'll probably be warned | | | | alternatives to racing sponsorship, racing schools, |
| against any full-blown head-to-head racing with the | | | | racing skills and more. |