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