NASA Florida

August 13, 2009

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NEXT EVENT:
Fulfill your “need for speed” Saturday, September 12 with NASA FL on the exhilarating and challenging 2.034 mile Palm Beach International Raceway (PBIR) road course. Rev up your motor and knock the summer dust off your driving helmet. It’s time to register and get back on track with NASA FL!

PBIR is a newest venue in our 2009 series of driving events. The PBIR road course has been completely re-designed and updated from that of the track in the same Jupiter, FL location formerly known as Moroso Motorsports Park. NASA members will now enjoy state of the art road course upgrades including a smooth, seamless 2 mile track that measures 40-60’ wide with new run off areas and S.A.V.E. soft barriers. The PBIR track configuration features fast corners, banked sweeping turns, elevation changes and a wicked long 6/10 mile back straightaway!

HPDE slots for PBIR will fill up quicker than usual since this is a ONE day event. HPDE drivers are scheduled FOUR track sessions. Each track session is 25 minutes long. NASA racers will enjoy 110 minutes of track time including a 15 min warm up session, a 20 min qualifying session and TWO afternoon sprint races (both races count toward 2009 regional points).

The entry fees for September 12 are currently posted at the discounted rates, but this rate goes up to regular event pricing starting Aug 15. Why wait? Register now to secure your slot and SAVE $$ too!

Only 10 HPDE 1 slots (beginner slots) remain open at this time. Unlike some other area track clubs, the NASA FL HPDE 1 entry fee INCLUDES a private in-car instructor.

NASA FL also offers the optional service of “in-car” instruction for approved solo HPDE 2 and 3 drivers for an additional $50 daily fee. This option allows you to work one on one with a NASA instructor for coaching tips from the passenger seat which can aid you with track familiarity at PBIR. This $50 option is listed on the registration page prices and can be added to your shopping cart at the time you sign up for the PBIR event. If you want this option, it’s important to register soon to reserve the services of an instructor.

Attn: NASA FL Instructors. We have reached the maximum number of instructors needed to staff the September 12 event. All other current NASA FL instructors are welcome to contact Barbara@drivenasa.com to be placed on a “wait list” if additional instructor slots become available for Sept 12. We will also accommodate additional NASA instructors who refer a new HPDE 1 driver for a pre-arranged pairing.

It’s time to register for PBIR!

Click here> for PBIR NASA FL Event info page/lodging & paddock rules

Register for September 12 PBIR> HPDE 1-4, Time Trial & Officials

Register for September 12 PBIR> Competition Racers (NASA competition license required)

NASA Florida NEWS:

Recent changes in key staffing positions for NASA FL:

Mark McKay has accepted the position of Time Trial Director for NASA FL. Many of you know Mark as part of our most excellent “HPDE Tech Team”. Mark started with NASA a couple years ago in HPDE 1 and he has advanced upward through the HPDE 2,3,4 ranks into NASA Time Trial where he currently competes in TTD class with his “rock’n fast” Mustang. Mark is also the co-moderator of the NASA FL forums pages where his input on NASA topics has spurred spirited member interaction and discussions. We are confident that Mark’s depth of experience with NASA combined with his enthusiasm for helping others are the right mix to bring additional participants into the NASA FL TT program. We welcome Mark aboard and thank him for carrying forward the TT leadership torch after Billy Stacey’s resignation as TT Director. Extreme appreciation goes to Billy Stacey for leading the TT division for NASA FL since it’s beginning in 2006 and the time and attention he devoted to this position. One of the highlights of Billy’s leadership term was the impressive results of NASA FL TT drivers in the 2008 National NASA TT Championships in Mid-Ohio which included one full podium of NASA FL class winners and TWO 2008 national TT class champions. NASA TT competition can provide that extra zing of motivation to help you improve your personal track times and see how your lap times stack up against others in your TT class. Join the fun. Advanced solo drivers currently in HPDE 3-4 are welcome to visit the TT web site for full details. Contact NASA FL TT Director, Mark McKay with questions.

We welcome Bob Ricker and thank him for accepting the role of Chief Steward for NASA FL. Bob enters the NASA FL program with a depth of prior track officiating experience. Bob became involved with NASA FL as part of the hired Homestead Miami track staff where he was positioned in the track control tower. We were highly impressed with Bob’s knowledge of track rules and safety, his calm and quick decision making and clear communication directives from the control tower. Bob’s special knack for clear, effective communication is an outstanding asset he brings to the role of Chief Steward for NASA FL. Starting at the upcoming PBIR event on September 12, Bob will be positioned at pit lane central to monitor radio communications for track safety and rules violations, issue black flag commands and work along with the HPDE School Director Steve Rosenthal when dealing with repeat offenders. Most importantly, Bob is your “go to guy” on pit lane if you see a potential problem situation during your track sessions. Get this! Bob has already influenced a constructive change simply by reading the CCR NASA rules and asking a few questions, and for that reason shorts are now permitted attire on pit lane at HMS and PBIR…this applies to NASA officials stationed or working grid on pit lane, crew assisting drivers etc. HOWEVER, this is only a “pit lane attire rule” and everyone driving or riding on track MUST wear long pants, same as usual.

Bob’s wife Pat Ricker is joining the NASA FL Timing and Scoring Team and we welcome her involvement and expertise starting next event.

Susan Richardson, Chief of NASA FL’s timing and scoring and her husband Randy Richardson, classroom instructor and in-car instructor will be relocating to Vienna, Austria early next year. We all thank the Richardson’s for their help and friendship and we wish them all the best in the future.

Shifting gears to NASA RACING NEWS!

NASA press release dated 8/11/09. The National Auto Sport Association announces it is renewing its longtime partnership with Toyo Tires; extending its contract for an additional three years beginning January 1, 2010. As a part of this extension, all NASA spec tire classes will be going back to the Toyo Proxes RA1 as the required tire. This will become effective January 1, 2010 with a three-weekend grace period to allow the use of the previously allowed R888 tires.  “This move was made in response to customer input, and we hope the racers will be pleased by this announcement. The RA1 has become a favorite amongst many NASA racers and has proven itself for speed, consistency, and longevity,” said NASA’s National Chairman Ryan Flaherty. NASA classes using the Proxes RA1 include:  American Iron, Camaro-Mustang Challenge, Factory Five Challenge, Honda Challenge, Spec 3/Spec e30 (BMW), Spec Focus, Spec Miata, and 944-spec.

Thanks to our loyal NASA FL racers and we welcome new race participants. We’ve responded to your requests for “more track time” per day and 110 minutes of track time is available for the race group on Sept 12 at PBIR. Plus, NASA has some GREAT contingency programs you might be eligible for. Register soon!

Contact NASA FL race director Larry “Stickshift” Mahanor if you are interested in getting started in racing with NASA via the HPDE program. We offer one on one attention and evaluation toward this transition into the racing program.

Best of luck to 2008 NASA Factory Five Challenge Champion, Scott McKay of Bradenton, FL who will return to defend his title at the 4^th Annual NASA Championships September 10-13 at Miller Motorsports Park, Utah.

Questions? Email nasafl@drivenasa.com

Phone: 239-549-3876 (9 AM to 4 PM)
Visit the NASA FL web site at www.drivenasafl.com

Advertising:

Please support the following NASA FL sponsors.

NASA FL 2009 Racer Awards sponsor ISS Forged (wheels).

NASA FL 2009 TT awards sponsor Power Rev Racing

Andrew Racing- Hawk Pads

Big Wrench Racing- for quality performance & car care products