NASA Florida
E-mail Newsletter #21
May 21, 2007

Next NASA FL track event:
Sebring International Raceway! Sat & Sun, June 23 & 24.

This event features: HPDE 1, HPDE 2, HPDE 3, HPDE 4, NASA Time Trial (TT) and a 35 min regional sprint race. All activities are offered both days on the full 3.7 mile (12 hr.) road course. Register for either Saturday or Sunday or take advantage of the 2-day entry fees and spend the weekend with NASA FL at Sebring International Raceway. Racers! We've lengthened your sprint race from 25 minutes to a full 35 minutes both days for this event.

Get event info page for Sebring June 23-24 event: Click here.

HPDE 2,3,4, TT, Officials and Instructors: Click here to register for Sebring June 23-24

Licensed NASA competition racers: Click here to register for Sebring June 23-24 sprint races.

Sorry! All HPDE 1 (beginner with in-car instructor) slots are full for Sebring June 23-24 weekend. HPDE 1 "Wait list" is full for Sebring too. Next event for HPDE 1 is Sept 1 & 2 (Labor Day Weekend) at Homestead Miami Speedway. (Online registration for the September Homestead event opens the last week of June.)

Attn: NASA Instructors. If you can help us out at Sebring, one day or two days please register online to confirm your participation. Please register as early as possible. Instructor registration deadline for the Sebring event is June 10. Choose "Official" and select "Instructor" in the drop down box of options. Register online here! Instructors running in Time Trial competition should notify the registrar, Barbara@drivenasa.com in a separate email after registering to confirm proper TT car class.

Next NASA FL Instructor Evaluation/Training Clinic is Saturday, November 24 at Homestead Miami Speedway.
If you have the desire to help NASA newcomers get started on track, but you have no prior instructing experience this clinic is something to consider. We are seeking highly experienced HPDE drivers who have the driving skills and communication skills to be evaluated as candidates for a Provisional Instructor License with NASA FL. This Instructor Evaluation Clinic will provide classroom training & in-car role playing drills to help determine suitable instructor candidates. Enrollment is limited and participants will be selected by application. More details coming soon!

HPDE (High Performance Driving Event) "Download Meetings"
We all know that the HPDE program is a great way for NASA drivers to practice, gain experience and improve their driving skills on track. However, another aspect of HPDE is the continuing education offered for all HPDE groups through NASA "Download Meetings". NASA "Downloads" are under the direction of highly experienced "Group Leaders" for HPDE 1,2,3,4 & TT. These informative meetings serve as a "debriefing" session for each HPDE group and are held immediately following the conclusion of each track session. If you are a HPDE 3 driver, for example, you will meet with your Group 3 Leader and all other H 3 drivers to discuss the previous track session and resolve any issues before going back on track for your next H 3 track session. The meetings provide an opportunity for fellow drivers to meet face to face, to ask questions and exchange ideas, and learn from the experiences of others. The purpose of the Download Meetings is to provide safer driving conditions and a more enjoyable day at the track by allowing open communication amongst peers.

We encourage all NASA drivers to strive to improve their driving skills, to become better and safer drivers at each event. Even if you are a seasoned driver with years of track experience try to set a goal of learning at least one new driving tip at each event. Take advantage of the "Download Meetings" to stay informed, to learn a few new tricks and to contribute ideas that will help others!

NASA Time Trial (TT):
Time is already ticking, but it's not too late to get started in NASA TT! This exciting timed competition program is the bridge between HPDE and "all out" wheel-to-wheel racing. NASA TT is held in an unrestricted "open passing" track environment, but it is NOT wheel to wheel racing nor do drivers need a full blown race car to participate. If you are a HPDE 4 level driver and you want to add some new excitement and challenge to driving, check out the TT rules and the info on how to get started on the NASA TT web site. Download the proper 2007 NASA TT car classification form (TTA-TTF) or car classification form (TTS, TTU or TTR) to calculate and find the appropriate TT class for your car. All you need at that point is a AMB timing transponder. E-mail NASA FL regional TT Director, Billy Stacey ttdirectornasfl@yahoo.com with questions.

NASA FL Racers updates:
We've heard repeatedly that NASA FL racers want more track time, longer sprint races and enduros added to our event schedules. These requests have been noted and we'd like to offer more options and mix it up a bit for NASA FL racers at upcoming events. We'll start changes with the upcoming Sebring event on June 23-24 weekend where NASA FL racers will get a longer 35 minute sprint race each day. That's a full 10 minutes extra of wheel to wheel race time added to each of Saturday and Sunday's "points races". Other ideas for consideration this fall include a racer format change that would include 2 shorter sprint races on Sat and a longer single race or enduro on Sunday. NASA FL Race Director, Larry Mahanor will be polling drivers and soliciting feedback from racers at the June 23 Race Drivers Meeting at Sebring. Be sure to attend to contribute your ideas.

ALL 2007 NASA closed wheel race car classes are welcome in the NASA FL'S 2007 Regional Sprint Race Series. The list of NASA race car class series for 2007 can be found here. Contact NASA FL Race Director, Larry Mahanor with questions. Race car tech questions should be directed to NASA FL Chief of Race Tech, Lyn Lopez.

Qualified road racers from other sanctioning bodies are welcome to become licensed with NASA in order to take part in the 2007 racing series with NASA FL. Those who are seasoned racers currently licensed through another recognized sanctioning body can easily apply for a NASA competition license, but licensing issues must be in place in advance of the event. Download the NASA competition license application and submit to NASA headquarters along with 2007 licensing fee, a current med/physical and requested copies. Allow minimum of 10 days processing time.

Plan ahead to attend the 2^nd annual NASA Championships at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course this September 13-16, 2007. The trek to Mid Ohio and the racing experience of competition amongst the best NASA racers from across the nation can be fun and rewarding! A long list of national sponsors are offering contingency packages, prizes and cash awards for this year's event. NASA Championships "early bird" registration is open now! NASA racers are required to earn points in a minimum of 5 official NASA races on a regional level in any approved 2007 NASA race class to be eligible to compete at the Championships. Get complete registration details and eligibility requirements on the NASA Championships web site.

Your Chance to Get Involved!
Do you have the interest to get more involved with NASA FL in a support role? If you are a regular participant with NASA FL and you have a desire to help others you might want to consider taking on a larger role with NASA. We are seeking dependable and friendly people to assume some responsibility and help us handle the growing demands of providing safe and fun events for NASA FL drivers. We'll provide training and guidance to those who need help getting started. Those who accept a support role will receive a NASA official's shirt, a NASA ID badge and best yet....a greatly reduced entry fee for events in exchange for their services. We have noted a few positions below where help is currently needed:

Pit Marshals- A Chief and 3 assistant(s) needed for this position to rotate & share duties throughout the weekend. Duties to include: directing drivers on pit lane/pit out in preparation for track sessions; Verify proper wristbands, car stickers for each group before each track session; enforce pit lane rules.

Pace Car Driver- requires highly experienced driver with either current or recently expired competition license.....must provide own vehicle for pace car activities.

Race Grid Marshal- Assistant(s) needed to direct racers on the pre-race false grid. Set up and tear down of grid cones, race banners.

Race Tech support (on site). Must have thorough knowledge of the NASA racing program and race car tech requirements. To assist with racer check-in and on site racer tech inspections & spot checks.

Registration desk Assistants- seeking reliable candidates to assist at the registration table to sell NASA merchandise, provide forms, answer questions and direct drivers to the proper locations. Great opportunity to get your spouse involved with the club. Fun way to meet club members!

Want more info? Contact Barbara Nix barbara@drivenasa.com or call 239-549-3876 during business hours for more details on these positions and other possible support roles within the club.

NASA FL...Worker recognition.

So many NASA members do so much for the club, but a select few go above and beyond the expected. Starting with this newsletter we'll single out some of these individuals to provide some well deserved recognition for outstanding contributions to the club.

As far as outstanding workers, NASA FL's "T & S girls" come to mind immediately. Susan Richardson and Debbie Riefner are volunteers who spend hours at the track tending to the timing and scoring details for racers and NASA time trial participants. It's no easy task to enter tedious car information in the Timing and Scoring computer, to edit last minute changes and to verify that all race cars and TT cars are being properly timed in the computer system for each timed session. In addition to monitoring the timing computer, Deb and Susan take turns providing a manual back up to the computer by way of "taping". Taping involves concentration and accuracy as each car number is noted by hand as it crosses start finish throughout the entire timed session. Bear in mind it's sometimes difficult to score a pack of race cars that flash by in a fleeting few seconds, especially when some race car numbers are difficult to decipher due to lack of color contrast or busy paint graphics. However, Susan and Debbie take it all in stride and always handle their duties with patience, expertise and a friendly smile. However, we're sure that Deb and Susan would be most appreciative if racers and TT participants take a closer look at their car number to ensure that their numbers are as clear and readable from 150' away. Next time you see Debbie or Susan delivering timed printout sheets after your track sessions, take a minute to stop and say hi and offer some words of thanks for a job well done for the club.

Thanks to those who registered early for June 23-24 Sebring event!
Those already registered in the Sebring event will be mailed their pre-event info packets starting 2 weeks in advance of the event. Anyone who does not receive their packet at least 7 days in advance of event should contact the registrar Barbara@drivenasa.com. Requests for entry changes should be submitted to registration by email no later than 3 days in advance.

Questions? Contact us at nasafl@drivenasa.com

Thank you for supporting NASA FL track events!

NASA FL sponsors:

MLR Motorsports- Acura/Honda Race Preparation, race car rentals, performance parts.
sales@MLRmotorpsorts.com

PIC- Power in Control -Performance suspension components for import cars.