Mark (“not_spyder”) – for most race series we do not require advance-declaration, you can show up on the first day or any following weekend. The only condition is that you Have prepp’ed your car to comply with the published rules. For example, for the Group-C you cannot enter a GP-C Carrera or Fly even if the livery, body, etc. match the real Group-C era. But, for more ‘open’ spec series as long as you avoid anything ‘Prohibited’ you can enter.
As Erick said, if you have a duplicate livery, many of us have spare numbers or decals to make your car unique. A strip of black or colored electrical tape on the wing may be good enough.
**Naturally, Do Not Avoid Practice and show up Sat at 1:10pm expecting to do decent-get some practice time in Thurs nights (6-9p) and Sat morning (10a-12:45p)**
If you have submitted your member application and first-years dues, all you need is $5 (and some patience)! Our $300 DeFalco controllers, $200 tire-truers, $70 pinion presses etc are yours to borrow for free! It is recommended you race at least 5 rounds of a series, but you can race one weekend or all six; and you can start whatever weekend you are ready.
Note for the Group-C – a Quarterly race, we generally race two weekends each month, usually the first and third Sat. The 2nd Sat is when we have the half-year series and a team meeting. The 4th week is used for -events at COTA, -extra build and practice for current or upcoming series, -fun events (HO, Drags, vintage, ad-hoc), -or hangout with your family :O
EXPECTATIONS – you may do Great or Bad in your first race. No Big Deal – everyone will help you tune your car and driving techniques, as much as you want and accept. We All have good and bad races; but we come back for the fun and camaraderie! It often takes a few series before you get the “feel” of the track and how much tuning is needed for being competitive. We will help you develop both your driving and engineering skills, as well as sharing what vendors are good sources and what parts are interchangeable among series. Likewise most members will lend you whatever tools you need or sell/trade a part you need (but have not received in the mail yet).
If you don’t think your car is ready – you can still race! Many members have ‘spares’ in their livery that you can borrow for free (on race day), and of course you can use the DeFalco or PARMA controllers for free. If you are a member you pay $5, if not yet $10. You do Not have to pay for all races in the future of a series; just pay as you play.
If you choose to sit out-you can learn alot by Marshaling; *after watching experienced members marshal. Pay close attention to lane colors, don’t look away from your corner, don’t think too-much and take too much time to re-slot a car.
Group-C prep is real EASY. Buy a Porsche 962 or 956; or Lancia. Add Slot.It Zero-grip tires up front, Slot.It F30s in the rear. Replace the stock guide with a Slot.It “deep wood” guide and GO! After the first race or some practice you *may want to add one Slot.It “magnet shaped tungsten weight” in front of the motor, and maybe replace the OEM black crown gear with a hotter Blue or Orange crown. There is not much more you are Allowed to do and in most cases not much you really Want to do to the car! The next trick is learn the “feel” of the track and how to drive it (e.g. where and how long to brake). It is typical to take three or more races to get the feel of the track under the pressure of racing – but it is all fun and if you stick it out you will love it!