A Taste Of Auto Racing
Dave Durso

Making automobiles your hobby is fun. But, it is also rarely an easy or inexpensive pastime. Whether you're building a classic hot rod, firing up that restored Porsche, or going amateur racing, it's sweat and money that really keeps things running. But as Dave Durso now shows us, not every 4-wheeled pastime has to be difficult or costly. – John Davis

At one time or another, every auto enthusiast thinks about going racing. And then they find out how much it costs, and take up golf instead. But if you really want to get on the track, there's an organization called NASA that wants to help you get there. And it's both a lot easier, and a lot less expensive than you might think.

NASA stands for the National Auto Sport Association, and while it may not put men on the moon, this grass roots organization has helped launch plenty of enthusiastic drivers onto the race track.

CHRIS COBETTO, REGIONAL DIRECTOR NASA MID-ATLANTIC: Well you know, NASA's mission really is to allow an easy access to racing and to road course types of events - from anybody who wants to bring their street car out and play on the track, to anybody who wants to go full tilt wheel-to-wheel racing; full competition.

And the paddock area of a recent NASA event at West Virginia's Summit Point Raceway reflects that diversity, with everything from econoboxes right off the street, to fully prepped competition machines, all waiting for their turn on the track.

Your NASA experience begins with a Hyperdrive. This first taste of the track starts in the tech shed, where each car gets a thorough technical inspection, and safety check.

Then it's on to the classroom, where NASA veterans teach new drivers the rules and procedures of the race track.

Finally it's into your car with a certified instructor for 25-minutes of real fast-as-you-can-go, race track driving.

But the best part of the Hyperdrive is the price. A mere $50 dollars gets you out there. That's less than the price of one tire, and all you need is a car and a helmet.

If the HyperDrive gets you hooked, then it's on to the High Performance Driving Event. HPDE takes the enthusiast driver through four levels, from Novice to Advanced, each allowing the driver more freedom on track as his or her skills improve.

And like the HyperDrive, HPDE is a bargain, with the typical weekend costing from $300 to $350.

If HPDE doesn't totally satisfy your need for speed, or to spend money, NASA also offers a full schedule of nationally recognized racing classes. Don't feel like driving this weekend? You can also volunteer to work in the pits, do timing and scoring, or the most important job of all, the corner worker.

But no matter which class you choose to drive, you'll find a relaxed and helpful atmosphere in the NASA paddock that makes every novice feel welcome.

So if you think that getting your car onto the race track has to be difficult or expensive, check out the nearest National Auto Sport Association event. And let NASA help get your new race track hobby, out of the pits, and up to speed.