New to club racing

How To Get Started

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PostPosted: Mon Mar 27, 2017 12:54 am
Hey guys,
I'm new to the SRF scene, just learned about it and have spent the last week pretty much doing nothing but reading and researching all I can about these cars. I'm an engineering student in the SF Bay Area, was raised around racing (my dad is a mechanic and worked on IMSA teams in the '80s among other things) and he started taking me to vintage races and the drag races when I was tiny. I do some bracket drag racing but have always itched to try road racing. Being a student I figured karting would be a better place to start out financially, and so I've signed up for the karting school at Sears Point. I've also gotten into contact with someone about volunteering at SCCA races. Any exposure to road racing I'll gladly take! I figure I could get into karting, while helping out at SCCA events and soak up all the knowledge I can, learn things, get to know people who are doing what I want to be doing so once I can afford a spec racer ford I'll be in a more advantageous position. Just wanted to introduce myself! Hope to eventually meet some of you and get to know ya. And if there's any advice or tips or suggestions anyone has, I'm all ears.
Jonathan Ward
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595
PostPosted: Mon Mar 27, 2017 10:44 am
This coming weekend is the Majors at Thunderhill on Sat/Sun. Would be a good opportunity to get more exposure to the class and meet some of the local folks. Looks like it will be a decent turnout of West Coast SRF drivers (up to 29 entries today - 21 Gen3). Volunteers always welcome!
Bob Breton - SRF 51 - San Francisco Region

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PostPosted: Mon Mar 27, 2017 3:05 pm
Yea the woman who emailed me back about volunteering mentioned the thunderhill race. I hope to make it for just Sunday maybe, but that weekend is really packed for me so I have no idea if I'll feel up to making the drive up by the time Sunday morning rolls around. But if not next weekend then hopefully whatever's next
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501
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 28, 2017 2:37 pm
Welcome. We would love to see you up at the Track! If you are around this weekend stop by and say hi. The Spec Racer Ford racers and SCCA are a great bunch of people and very welcoming. I'd be happy to show you around and answer any questions you might have.
James Chartres
SRF #82 - Chassis #501
http://www.kangamotorsports.com

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PostPosted: Wed Mar 29, 2017 12:21 am
Zealous wrote:Welcome. We would love to see you up at the Track! If you are around this weekend stop by and say hi. The Spec Racer Ford racers and SCCA are a great bunch of people and very welcoming. I'd be happy to show you around and answer any questions you might have.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to come up Sunday. Do you have a schedule, particularly the times for the SRF race(s)? I appreciate the offer and will definitely take you up on that! I just followed you on FB and IG.
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 29, 2017 12:41 am
Look forward to meeting you and having another driver in the region. The schedule for this weekend is: http://www.sfrscca.org/wp-content/uploa ... ev3_22.pdf On Sunday, the qually is at 8:28, and the race is at 12:50.
Jerry Aplass SRF #204
San Francisco Region
"Straights are for fast cars. Turns are for fast drivers." - Colin McRae

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PostPosted: Wed Mar 29, 2017 2:39 am
Jerry A. wrote:Look forward to meeting you and having another driver in the region. The schedule for this weekend is: http://www.sfrscca.org/wp-content/uploa ... ev3_22.pdf On Sunday, the qually is at 8:28, and the race is at 12:50.

Thanks Jerry. Realistically I won't make it up in time for qualifying, but I'll definitely be there in time to see the race. Unfortunately for a while at least, I will be less of a driver and more of a spectator and question-asker, but I'll be there one day, I guarantee that!
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 29, 2017 9:58 am
There's nothing wrong with being a non-driver, as there are many opportunities to learn before you fully take the plunge. I spent 10 years crewing for other people and as a result got to know a lot of the folks in the Mid-Atlantic SRF scene. I was able to parlay that experience into a 3-year (weekends-only) gig with Hagerman RacEngineering where I crewed for John, working on his customer's cars in exchange for seat time in a SRF. Not a bad way to get started, and I can guarantee you will learn things you'd otherwise not have any idea about. Just something to consider... :-)
Dan

Formerly Teamwork Motorsports #99, Chassis #460
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 29, 2017 2:05 pm
While I was racing in Club Formula Ford I crewed on my late pal Charlie Lynch's Sports Renault, as well as helping him assemble that car from the original kit. That was great experience in not only becoming familiar with the Spec Racer but also getting a chance to meet the great guys who race in our class.

Even today, on weekends I'm not racing, I crew on my buddies' SRFs.

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PostPosted: Wed Mar 29, 2017 8:02 pm
srf99 wrote:There's nothing wrong with being a non-driver, as there are many opportunities to learn before you fully take the plunge. I spent 10 years crewing for other people and as a result got to know a lot of the folks in the Mid-Atlantic SRF scene. I was able to parlay that experience into a 3-year (weekends-only) gig with Hagerman RacEngineering where I crewed for John, working on his customer's cars in exchange for seat time in a SRF. Not a bad way to get started, and I can guarantee you will learn things you'd otherwise not have any idea about. Just something to consider... :-)

That would be ideal! I'd take a gig like that in a heartbeat. I learn best hands on anyway, and I'm a decent mechanic. But good idea, we'll see what opportunities present themselves!
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