Learn Me: TNiA at Charlotte Motor Speedway

Ever since our local autox club lost the venue closest to me, I've taken it as a sign that I should finally get on track this year. I have never driven on a race track before, I just have 3 seasons of autocrossing under my belt. My CSP Miata is about ready to go for the season, and I'm thinking the TNiA June 28 event would work well timing wise.

Has anyone driven one of these at Charlotte? There seem to be a lot of walls, but with my little Miata running in a Novice group I can't imagine there's really much risk of any off track activity.

Also, it seems like a pretty big power track. Am I going to be struggling to participate in my car?

What was it like?

How is tech? Will my car get turned away because it has 5 point harnesses and racing seats, a (very tall) roll bar that necessitates no top, loud exhaust, showing up on a trailer, etc? It's technically street "legal," it has plates and most of an interior and DOT tires, but if I had to have it inspected tomorrow it wouldn't pass because of a non-functional horn and missing emissions equipment.

Most of all, is it as fun as I think it will be?

It will be more fun than you've ever had, and you should definitely DO IT!!!!

Novice group is for learning your way around the track, finding your apex, learning how to look for the flag stations, how to be aware of other cars on track and so on.....

Next time you can bump yourself up to the intermediate group and go!

What does it cost?

No experience at Charlotte, but I did an evening TNIA event at VIR a few years ago.  Really enjoyed everything about it.  I trailered up my track rat E36.  I had to get special permission to take it from the TNIA guy as it didn't have plates. It could have been registered at the time, didn't scream race car with lots of aero, or covered in stickers that screamed race car.

It was super low key, the general vibe was fun all the way around.  Everyone was very well behaved. It's very much an intro to an HPDE weekend, without the folks who are convinced they are going to "win" HPDE.

The first taste is "free", it's the second one that will cost you......

As someone with some amount of performance driving experience you'll likely be towards the top of novice group, even if you technically have the slowest car there (which you might not). Once you're ready for intermediate group the story might be slightly different but you'll certainly be fine the first time. Your car is probably close enough to a street car to be fine, but you can contact the organizers if you want to be sure.

I've towed my plated car to many TNIA; there were maybe 30 trailered "street" cars at Daytona a couple weeks ago.

The risk is up to you and how you drive.  I've probably seen 20 cars totaled at TNIA events over the years, most higher HP cars and zero Miatas.  I'm not aware of any car-to-car wrecks, though I've seen and been involved in close calls.

The problem with novice class and zero instructors is people who aren't aware or experienced with how point-bys should work, particularly when you have a lower HP car.  But that can be a problem in Advanced too.  Generally that has gotten better over the years.

Oh, and its TONS OF FUN!  I basically "retired" from autocross once I started running track days.

TNiA are great events, I've been to a few.  

Even took my daughter to one. https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/1st-track-day-for-my-daughter-and-first-time-out-f/155934/page1/

MattGent is right about the high power cars and Miata, the novice group has a few old rich guys that show up with their Z06, Porsche, etc and no idea how to drive.  Watch out for them, they should be watching out for you.

If you have autocrossed you will belong in the intermediate group after your first event.  Then you can skip the meetings and just drive.  I do however recommend the full tour for your first event. 

Ive emailed the organizers about my miata with a hard dog deuce rollbar. 

It seems that even if you have other track experience, if you haven't done track night in america before youre a novice. Is that correct? 

Also, in car instructor or just classroom in Novice? 

As far as rovals, ive done a bit of time at rockingham. Keep aware of runoff, and drive accordingly and you will be fine. 

Thanks, everyone! I'm really looking forward to it.

In reply to Dusterbd13-michael :

My understanding is that I'll be in the novice run group, but there will not be any in-car instruction.

As someone who's done both, let me tell you, you're gonna love it. I haven't driven at Charlotte myself, but from what I've heard it's a pretty sweet track. Sure, there are walls, but that's what makes it exciting, right? And don't worry about being in the Novice group, that's what it's there for - to give you a chance to get comfortable on track.

As for your car, I don't think you'll have any problems passing tech. Just make sure everything is secure and not gonna fly off while you're lapping. The 5-point harnesses and racing seats might raise an eyebrow or two, but as long as they're installed correctly and you have a HANS device, you should be good to go.

As for the power thing, you'll be fine. Sure, there will be some cars out there that can outrun you on the straights, but that's not what it's all about. It's about having fun, learning to push yourself and your car to the limit, and improving your skills as a driver.

Overall, I think you're gonna have a blast at TNiA. Just make sure you're prepared (bring plenty of water and sunscreen, for example), listen to the instructors, and most importantly, have fun!

In reply to MiniDave :

Looks like the fee is $205, not bad at all

https://www.scca.com/events/2003252-track-night-2023-charlotte-motor-speedway-june-28

I used to do "Touring Laps" at Heartland Park, it was only on a Wed. I'd gather up 10 or so of our local MINI club members and we'd go spend a day at he track wearing out our tires and brakes! Such fun! I'll bet I have 300 or more laps at HPT now.....cost when we started in the mid 2000's was an unbelievable $65. Now it's close to $200 and only on Thursdays?

Fun fact, SCCA Headquarters is at Heartland Park! The chief tech inspector is a friend of mine and Sprite racer too.

I'd love to go racing with some of my Sprite buddies, but costs and a place to store the trailer and tow vehicle will keep me off the track - that and I'm getting pretty damn old for this now.

I guess I'll have to live vicariously thru my grandson.....

In reply to MiniDave :

Maybe someday I can make it out to Heartland and make the vicariousness a little closer to home lol

There is zero accountability as far as I can tell, people with clearly no experience or ability have been in Advanced. I'm sure novice fills up first and then people spill over into the higher groups.
 

there is no tech to pass, all self tech just fill in a sheet

there is no in-car instruction 

SCCA targeted low barrier to entry and that's what it is, for better or worse. I still run them because I like weekday events, and it's cheap. 

I've never seen anyone massively incorrectly grouped (not any worse than at normal track days anyway) but I've only been to a handful of events at one track. I think they do generally attempt to do some basic screening (I was given a bit of a hassle at registration once for signing up for advanced group when I hadn't been on track in over a year) and if someone is so wildly out of place that other participants or the corner workers are noticing it and complaining, I'd think some effort would be put into resolving the situation. Self tech is pretty standard for track events...I don't love it but it is what it is. External only instructing is also becoming the norm and I can't really blame instructors for that. The event does start with a lead follow session for novices so the instructors are at least kind of on the track with them to show the basics.

The roval is absolutely incredible.  During my last session when it started to get dark they flipped on the lights.  Imagine driving on a nascar track under the lights....I'm getting goosebumps even typing this.

Tech is self tech at TNIA events, so you'll be absolutely fine.

Welp, here goes nothing :)

If my roll bar passes tech I will see you there

In my experience, there is no actual screening of track experience or ability at TNiA. I've quit attending their track days because of that. I'm a hardcore Advanced group driver with actual racing experience that wants to turn fast laps. That really isn't possible at TNiA. I guess advanced means advanced beginner.

As a novice, I think it will be great and you'll have an awesome time. But as you get quicker you may want to try other track day organizations.

In reply to RacerBoy75 :

a tnia was never the place to turn fast laps.  It's to get the casuals out an experience track stuff.  

RacerBoy75 said:

In my experience, there is no actual screening of track experience or ability at TNiA. I've quit attending their track days because of that. I'm a hardcore Advanced group driver with actual racing experience that wants to turn fast laps. That really isn't possible at TNiA. I guess advanced means advanced beginner.

As a novice, I think it will be great and you'll have an awesome time. But as you get quicker you may want to try other track day organizations.

Probably varies by track but I haven't had that experience. Even the one event that was fully sold out I managed to find enough free space to get in a few quick laps and was never majorly held up. Also had fun chasing/being chased by similar speed cars. And like above, these events aren't really meant for you. For that matter, realistically I'm right on the edge of being the target audience.

Done ROVAL a few times at TNIA - loved it, moreso once they put the back chicane in.

Im running a car with about 300[crank] horsepower, and can say that it's a bit underpowered on the two LONG sections (Nacar 1 to chicane and chicane to just after Nascar 4), but the curvy parts can make up for it.

You tech yourself, just be smart about stuff (which I am sure you'll be up to snuff, no worn parts etc)

No instruction AT ALL.

Have seen someone hit a wall there, have seen people overshoot a corner too. Stuff happens, less room for error there.

ENJOY!

I need to check my work schedule for that event, I may come down and join!