Midwest Region (from NE to MI): http://www.nasamidwest.com/
Great Lakes Region (from IN to OH): http://www.nasagreatlakes.com/

NASA Midwest and Great Lakes (formerly OH/IN) regions have already started their 2008 season. Last year I went to 6 of their events and all of them were nothing short of awesome. Besides the regular driving and hanging out with friends, we also started the grill for some nice BBQ. For those who came but didn't drive, they still had a great time because of the people, race actions and food.

Here are the schedules for the 2008 season, see if any of you could make it out there:

Great Lakes Region:
April 11-13 - Mid-Ohio
May 17-18 - Putnam Park**
June 7-8 - Grattan**
July 11-13 - Mid-Ohio
August 1-3 - Road America**
August 15-17 - Mid-Ohio
October 11-12 - Putnam park

** = Crossover event for both regions

Midwest Region:
April 26-27 - Gateway
May 17-18 - Putnam Park**
June 7-8 - Grattan**
June 28-29 - Mid America Motorplex
July 19-20 - Autobahn Country Club (South Track)
August 1-3 - Road America**
September 6-7 - Gingerman (HPDE only)
October 13 - Autobahn Country Club (Full Track)

As many of you already know, NASA is like any other HPDE clubs that you don't need a full-prepped race car to join. Whatever is safe for the public road, you can bring it to the track. Their instructors are all certified and some of them are very fast racers.

I've heard people didn't join the events because NASA charges an annual membership fee. Now NASA came out with a referral program called "Winner Cards" that would grant new member a FREE membership when registering for an event. The member who made the referral would also accumulate points towards free track days. Here are the details:

http://nasamidwest.com/pressro...=7852

I'm not advertising to get free points; but if you NEED a referral to save the membership fee, I'll be glad to do that for you. Just PM me.

Some random pics from last year:

 

Putnam is this weekend but HPDE groups are all sold out!

 

Sounds like an awesome event.
What is required to join those kind of events?
I see different classes and stuff.. what does HPDE stand for?
Do I need some sort of racing license?

Sorry for all the questions, but I was looking for a chance to join these kinda events.

Dan

 

All that's really required is a working car and a helmet.
HPDE stands for High Performance Driving Event. This just means it's fun/education, and not actually racing (for points/money). You can find out more here:

http://www.nasaproracing.com/hpde/index.html

Other FAQ's you might want to go through:

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=520674
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=178473
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=545716

Basically, NASA is a great place to start. A lot very knowledgeable and experienced people and instructors.

 

What patinum said.
No racing license or race car needed. Just a street car that has no leak or falling parts. You don't need a modded car either, actually stock cars are much better to learn in. The only crucial things to check would be brake pad thickness, brake fluid, and tire condition.

If you have zero experience, you would want to start with their HPDE Group 1. It's a beginner group with instructor assign to you for 1-on-1 instruction, plus classroom sessions between your runs.

Then as you get more experienced, you will progress to Group 2, 3 then 4. It all depends on your own comfort level, they won't force anyone to go into a faster group.

 

Thanks for the great info.
I should look into this.

Dan