new book on getting into racing

#1

this is a new book about what it takes to get into racing. I haven’t actually seen the book yet (ordered it) but thought the stuff on their website is interesting enough to spread the word.

http://www.goaheadtakethewheel.com/

cheers,
bruce

#2

(this is a review that I posted on my NASA region’s forums where mostly HPDE participants will read it)

I read this book this past weekend and think that it does have a lot of good advice. I started racing last summer so I have been through some of the stages that are discussed. As I was reading it I would be thinking of some other point that I would make with someone who asked about getting into racing, and I’d turn the page and there it was being discussed.

The emphasis is on racing on a budget to get started and it includes a lot of real cost info (2006 $). Probably not something you want your significant other to read, though … He emphasizes buying a pre-built car as the most cost-effective way to start. I bought my first race car (e30 M3) fully prepped at about 50 cents on the dollar of race part "investment", and the car hadn’t even been raced yet. Now I’m building a Spec E30 partly because it will be less expensive in total than if I blow up and have to rebuild the 2.5l S14 in it. Building a car is also a great learning experience - the book recommends that you do take the time to know how to maintain the car if you want to keep to a budget.

He states over and over to forego the purchase of go-fast parts in order to get more seat time. This is great advice. If you’ve got a pretty good idea that you want to go racing, save the money you’d spend on performance parts for your street car and either spend it on track time, or save it for when you do get a race car. In HPDE’s, you’ll develop a better feel for car handling on street tires than on sticky R-compounds that mask your possible lack of smoothness.

One thing he doesn’t talk enough about, in my mind, is "spec" racing series (e.g. Spec E30) - I think a Spec series is a good way to go because if the rules are strict and limiting, then you aren’t tempted to spend money on bottomless pit go-fast parts. Spec racing makes it more about an obvious comparison of driver skill vs. how deep your wallet is. You also want a car that is very reliable so you can go racing, actually race without breaking, and have fun doing it. Check out the article in the latest GRM about Spec E30!

I’d recommend this book to anyone wondering about getting into racing and it also has some cost saving ideas for existing racers.
cheers,
bruce

#3

Bruce,

Thanks for the link and information on getting strarted racing. That’s where I am right now. I just ordered the book and can’t wait to read it.

You’re not too awfully far from Hallett in Oklahoma. We have a Rocky Mountain vintage club that comes down once a year, they were just there a couple of weeks ago.

Thanks again,

Joe Freeland
Pauls Valley OK

#4

Hi Joe,
hallett is definitely on my short list of tracks to run at.
cheers,
bruce

#5

I just finished reading the book on flights to/from the east coast - very engaging read and full of a lot of very practical advice and a good sanity check on real costs and options. Dave Gran doesn’t try to come across like a know-it-all author, actually more of a real world approach to getting into the seat which I thought was great. Recommended for someone that is just getting started.

I am now tempted to try and paint mine myself, but I’m not too sure about his brake ducts tho :slight_smile: (soup cans).

#6

I really liked this book also. Dave de-emphasizes spending a lot of money on go-fast items for your car and emphasizes getting the most amount of seat time that you can instead. He stresses the importance of getting a track car (or your daily driver) and participating in a lot of HPDE’s prior to your first school.

This would be a good book to refer new people to that want to know what it takes to get into racing.