Bought an old stock car, cant track day it SCCA

Hello everyone,

New here, but i have a question.  I came across an old stock car that ran in SCCA and v8 road race series for auction that I got and when i got it I had the intention of track daying the car and then working my way into events.  Now, I may have missed it but i didnt see anywhere in the rules on SCCA's website or motorsport reg that cars had to be street legal cars.  I emailed the registrar to make sure running slicks was ok and i just got the response of "we do not allow race cars at our track events".  The last track day I was at earlier in the year there were some cars that i think you could classify as a "race car".  This is in the Chicago Region.  The guy I bought the car from had recently had it at a track day at gingerman with the detriot SCCA.

Did i completely miss the "no race cars allowed" bullet point?

I almost wish I would have learned this before I bought the car if that is true.  If anyone could give me some insight I would greatly appreciate it!

Thanks,

Cash

I don't see how they would determine if it's a "race car".  Any car that enters an autocross or time trials event is a "race car".  You're paying an entry fee, there is a timed competition, and a winner is declared.  I think what they mainly don't want is people using cars that are actively raced in wheel to wheel series using the track days as practice.

Shoot, my Mustang has been on track 1 time and most people would call it a "race car", roll cage, bucket seats, harness, fire suppresion, etc. but it's still street legal.

Just show up and run , I doubt they would tell you to leave.

It sounds like you are trying to sign up for Track Night In America.  It is literally the first rule that you can't enter a purpose built racecar.

https://www.tracknightinamerica.com/pages/rules-and-regulations

See also: https://www.tracknightinamerica.com/pages/racecars

It is not a Track Night event.  It is at the autobahn and the chicago SCCA website and Motorsport Reg are not saying it is one and this event does not show up on the track night website.  It is a purpose built race car though.  I guess I just assumed that I would be OK to bring it to a track day and now have shot myself in the foot and got to figure out where to have fun with it now.

It's possible that they're using the same insurance as Track Night that prohibits racecars.  Plenty of other trackday groups will allow racecars.  Check out hpdejunkie.com they aggregate the schedules of various trackday groups so you can search by track.

That would make sense, guess I was a little surprised.  I appreciate the help and will check that website out!

Sooooo when do you post pics of said racecar?

I've never done an SCCA track day other than track nights, but I'm surprised to hear that.   But I do know that I've been on track with stock cars with NASA, no problem. 

Voila, said race car in question.

Approved.  Stick around you'll do great here.  (Get a rotten street version of whatever this is - cutlass? Get plates slap on racecar, show up with tags and registration on some DOT tires)

That is a very nice looking ride!!!!

Patrick (Forum Supporter) said:

Approved.  Stick around you'll do great here.  (Get a rotten street version of whatever this is - cutlass? Get plates slap on racecar, show up with tags and registration on some DOT tires)

My thought exactly. Those Cutlasses are slick looking racecars. 

In reply to Wally (Forum Supporter) :

I passed on one last year and have been upset at myself since.  

I know HST @ Hallett, Connie won't allow caged racecars on track in HPDE sessions with street cars.

Something about a car with a full cage hitting a street car wouldn't be pretty for the person in the street car.

Imagine what would happen to the driver of say, the average track day Miata that just has a roll bar, if they were TBoned by a full-blown race car like this.

It would not be pretty.

Ya, as I think about it,  The more I understand why they are not going to allow it.  Just a bit of a bummer and have to search for track day events that will allow it.

z31maniac said:

I know HST @ Hallett, Connie won't allow caged racecars on track in HPDE sessions with street cars.

Something about a car with a full cage hitting a street car wouldn't be pretty for the person in the street car.

 

Imagine what would happen to the driver of say, the average track day Miata that just has a roll bar, if they were TBoned by a full-blown race car like this.

It would not be pretty.

You're right about that, but if the average track day Miata with just a roll bar were t-boned by anything it would not be pretty.

This may be region specific (or specific to which HPDE "class" you signed up for) but IME with a couple of SCCA regions, purpose built race cars including tube frame cars are generally allowed as long as they 're not open wheelers.

I can see a region not wanting a full on race car in HPDE novice as they likely don't have a second seat for an instructor, but I've not encountered a total prohibition.

As an aside, the Chicago region website links to the general SCCA PDX rules as how to determine the eligibility of vehicles. That document clearly states in the "Eligibility of vehicles" section on page 3:

" Vehicles that are in compliance with road race, solo, rally or time trial rules are allowable "

I'd get back to them (and maybe try to ping the chief steward if that's not the person who is also the registrar) and ask for clarification after pointing out that you're not talking about an open wheel car. Regions can set stricter requirements for HPDE/PDX and rule out certain cars, but I'm surprised they would have a blanket ban on all race cars.

Sorry for the off-topic, but that's a really nice looking stock car. I really like the silhouette.

BoxheadTim (Forum Supporter) said:

I can see a region not wanting a full on race car in HPDE novice as they likely don't have a second seat for an instructor, but I've not encountered a total prohibition.

My impression is that TNIA is trying to focus on newcomers to the hobby and is looking to avoid scaring newbies off.

I don't know what part of the country you're in, but around here (SF Bay Area) there are dozens of other track day groups that are happy to allow closed wheel race cars in their HPDE groups.  Hooked on Driving is a national organization that I can recommend.

Thanks Boxhead,

I'll try that and see what they come back with.

And thanks to everyone that likes the car.  Just how i bought it,  Though I am looking to clean it up a bit.  More duct tape on the front bumper than fiberglass at this point.  But it gives me something to do on it for the mean time

You might want to look for vintage racing clubs too, I know that's not exactly the same as a trackday but they have classes for old stock cars and that would be a good way to get on track.

From your car's stickers it has done NASA events too. What are you hearing from them? 

Cool car! 

NASA at VIR always has a few stock cars, but those are weekends with racing. Maybe find a combined HPDE/race weekend? Seems crazy to not allow race cars on a race track!

So I asked for clarification of the rules.  And the short response was as follows,

"Is it street legal, licensed for road use and has insurance?"

so I will take it as it must be street legal according to his 2 one sentence replies.

TPlaz said:

So I asked for clarification of the rules.  And the short response was as follows,

"Is it street legal, licensed for road use and has insurance?"

so I will take it as it must be street legal according to his 2 one sentence replies.

There are lots of other track day organizations out there.