You don’t need a highfalutin sports car to have a blast at an SCCA Track Night in America Driven by Tire Rack event. Don’t believe us? Well maybe you’ll believe Katelyn, an 18-year-old racing fan who just graduated from high school and recently attended an event at Blackhawk Farms in her Mazda5 minivan. Yup, that’s right, a minivan.
Katelyn has been a fan of racing for years, but she’s always been a spectator. After graduating from high school, she was looking for a way to kick off her summer with a little excitement. She learned about Track Night in America and knew she had to sign up for her local event, and brought along her father and brother for support.
“I’ve always thought racing was neat and something I wanted to do,” Katelyn said. “But I’d never done anything on track before. Track Night in America allowed me to use my own car and made it really easy to drive on a real race course.”
And drive she did! A little intimidated at first, Katelyn soon began exploring the capabilities of her Mazda5 minivan thanks to some sage advice from SCCA driving coaches.
“I learned about the right time to shift, brake and turn; and really learned a lot about how my minivan drives,” she said. “I even got some compliments from the other drivers after I’d been on track!”
An unexpected takeaway from the event was a better understanding of skills required to get a vehicle around a race track. Now with personal experience, Katelyn said watching races on TV or in person will be even more interesting.
“The afternoon was challenging, fun, exciting and a great adventure,” Katelyn exclaimed. “I’ll do this again, and I think my father and brother are now interested, too.”
Participants in SCCA Track Night in America Driven by Tire Rack events only need be at least 18 years old with a valid driver’s license, have access to a racing helmet and street car in good working condition, and possess a willingness to have some weekday fun. No previous on-track experience required, and you don't need to be an SCCA member.
Entrants are divided into Novice, Intermediate or Advanced groups so on-track time remains fun for all, and no race cars are permitted! The cost is only $150 per entrant and grants three 20-minute sessions on track, as well as access to SCCA driving instructors. Admission is free for those wishing to hang out and enjoy the festivities or display cherished rides, and a leisurely track parade lap is offered during events for all guests.
Plan your adventure today by signing up for an event at www.TrackNightinAmerica.com.
