Tuning a car to go faster and faster is what we're all about. Hitting the track to learn how to harness that tire-smoking power is also what we push constantly. The thrill of nailing that perfect apex and pushing the limits of a new suspension, tires wailing through a long sweeper, is the stuff dreams are made of. And, like any good SCC reader, it's what keeps you waking up at the crack of dawn on weekends, distant from the noise of girlfriends, wives, neighbors, police, sheriffs, the ATF and other law enforcement agencies.
But the reality is, there comes a point in everyone's driving career when they want to go wheel-to-wheel. After a certain point, doing normal open track days just doesn't feed the need in quite the same way. Passing rules become too restrictive, competition starts to look really tempting and, most likely, you're only two forward bars away on your roll cage from owning a full-out racecar. What're you gonna do? You practically have to go racing. At least, that's what you can tell the wife.
One of the most attractive aspects of the National Auto Sport Association (NASA) is the High Performance Driving Event (HPDE) program. With levels ranging from HPDE1 (beginner) to HPDE4 (advanced), the HPDE program is designed to bring a green driver slowly up to race pace. Driving instructors and experienced NASA racers are available for assistance throughout and the experience gained through the program is key to becoming comfortable with having cars mere inches from your front fenders.
I made the decision a few months back to make the jump from HPDE4 to a wheel-to-wheel racing license with NASA and made preparations for a visit to Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California. Different NASA regions run different programs for race licensing, so it's important to stay consistent with attendance at a certain region. In my case, the NASA NorCal region runs its HPDE program with the definite intention that you will be going racing.
Beyond the usual importance placed on knowledge of passing protocol and proper flag recognition, the NorCal region also holds special racing drills at the start of an HPDE3 session. Morning sessions include a side-by-side driving exercise, off-line practice laps and some classroom instruction. These help prepare a driver for HPDE4-which is open passing anywhere on track-and then for actual racing.
To obtain a NASA race license in the NorCal region, you have to be cleared off by the chief licensing instructor. Donny Edwards, at the time of my visit. There is limited time for him to judge each prospective racer. I was only one of two hopefuls for the weekend and the licensing check-off doesn't run at every single event. So better plan early and come prepared.
The car you use for licensing must be ready to race. That means padding the cage properly, making sure the fire and battery kill systems work and ensuring nothing falls apart.
The licensing check-off runs within the HPDE4 group and follows the passing rules of the group, meaning passing anywhere with a point-by preferred. The big difference with the licensing program is that you report only to the licensing instructor and you have to bring a fully prepared, race-ready car with you.
And by race-ready, I mean the car should be ready to jump into battle at the drop of a hat. According to NASA, it has to be equipped with the requisite roll cage, cage padding, fire suppression and battery kill. Plus, you have to bring an approved helmet, fire-retardant driver's suit, shoes and gloves. Here's where it got difficult for me.
I don't own a racecar and I couldn't strip, gut and prepare any of my own cars in time for the Infineon Raceway event. So, I did the next best thing-I bothered my friends. A quick call to auto clothing manufacturer turn3 Creative and I had begged my way into a 2006 Honda Civic Si, prepared for the Honda Challenge (HC) race series. SCC's senior editor and HC competitor, Andy Hope, prepared the car originally, so the Hope-spec suspension and safety set-up needed little work. Luckily, I was also able to borrow turn3's Honda Ridgeline and trailer for transport to the track.
The damage is from a previous event where I was punted by an over-zealous Porsche 911. I swear. | 
One-on-one feedback and instruction from your licensing instructor is the key to easing your way into the racing world. | 
A written exam is also part of the race licensing requirement and will test your knowledge of the NASA rulebook. |