[quote=“fairgentleman Z,post:21,topic:26690"”]
How do you figure? I have never been to several tracks and I’m not only signed of to “solo” but I’m signed off to wheel to wheel at ANY track hosted by the SCCA.
Licensing goes by the sanctioning body, not the track.
[/quote]
After 1 1/2 days at Watkins Glen for my first event, my instructor signed me off for the afternoon to solo. Does this mean I’m ready to solo and “wheel to wheel” at any track?
After the first day of my second event at Watkins Glen, my instructor signed me off again. Does this mean I’m ready?
After the first day of my 5th event (1st at Mosport), my car was a disaster mechanically and I hadn’t had more than a handful of full speed laps and I was still not totally comfortable with the track. My instructor hopped into a different car with me and we finished the event learning the track. Had I not had an instructor, full speed laps at an unfamiliar track in a different car than I’m used to could have been unsafe. However, I was signed off at Watkins Glen, I guess I should have known all the proper lines and breaking zones at Mosport because someone told me I was ready to go solo.
IMHO, there is a difference from Wheel to Wheel racing and DE. You need a school and significant seat time before you are a racer. Anyone can attend a DE and get signed off with little to no experience. My Father has been racing for 2 years and still takes an instructor at a new track whenever possible. A little experienced advice is never a bad thing. I’ve been solo at every track I’ve been to, I still request an instructor the first day for that very reason.