I know a few of you have NASA or SCCA licenses already, but those of you that don't, here is a brief paraphrasing of the Virginia Region licensing prodedures. (Right now VA is the region that has offered SE-R Cup events, so if you are in another place, let us know so we can start working in that region, too.) These are not official, so make sure you check with VA before you get going. The VA region can be reached at
registration@nasaracing.net.
The main thing, if you are getting a car ready and intend to race, is to get out there and start working through the HPDE system. Like other NASA regions, HPDE is used as a training and education system for future race drivers. Not only will this get you valuable seat time, but you'll meet fellow races who can answer lots of questions and the officials who can get you licensed.
They hold Competition License schools, but unless you have been running their HPDE events, you will need to get your other track/club experience okayed before you can enroll.
On some weekends when they do a Friday track day, they have a full competition school with classroom sessions and on-track experience including practice of standing starts, rolling starts, racing through turns, etc. and short practice races. They have other racers in the field who are evaluating the students.
If they do not have a competition school, they will do a license evaluation during any of their event weekends. Although you won't get the classroom sessions, you are evaluated on track and meet with the racers and regional director who are evaluating them. They limit enrollment to 8 for the license evals on non-school weekends and for the last few full competition schools they've have had between 15-20 entrants. Both groups also must pass a written test based on CCRs, which you can download for free from the NASA site (
www.nasaproracing.com) or find on the SE-R Cup site under Rules (
www.sercup.com).
The fee to go through the school or license evaluation is an extra $50 on top of the HPDE cost and you must also bring a check for $50 that is sent to National if they pass which covers the NASA National licensing fee.
To be evaluated for a provisional license either through the comp school or during a license evaluation weekend, one must have a fully prepped race car and driving suit, etc. but for driving in HPDE events before you get your license, you only need to fulfill the HPDE safety requirements.
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