As great as motorsports is, it’s possible for life to get in the way. Could be life gets hectic and something’s got to give. Could be your “fun” budget went the way of the dodo. It could be one of a million things that stopped you from participating. The point is, eventually everyone skips an event, and that sometimes leads to two; the next thing you know, it’s been a year. But because motorsports is in your blood, you’ll get the itch again.
That’s exactly what happened to author Tommy Parry – a tale he recently recounted on Hagerty.com/media.
“A few years ago, I took a step back from racing,” he wrote. “I’d gotten a little burned out on the cost, the intensity, and the fact that fun seemed more and more difficult to find. I have been accused of taking things too seriously before… However, after a few months away from the track, I realized I couldn’t leave it alone entirely, and I started to think about what was eluding me.”
Long story short, Parry purchased a used Honda Fit and headed to the track in the street car. What event did he pick for his return to a hopefully less intense motorsports experience? SCCA’s Track Night in America® Driven by Tire Rack (TNiA).
“Track days can wreak havoc on your schedule, with big time commitments often baked in, and a large part of why I only go to track days in bursts now is the timeframe they force me into,” Parry explained in the article. “Fortunately, TNiA fits with a schedule that is easier for people with day jobs, and many events begin mid-afternoon. That allows for several hours of work before making the trek to the host track.”
His praises of the Track Night in America experience continued.
“Because, let’s face it, not everyone can take the whole day off for this sort of thing,” he explained. “And casual track drivers, who aren’t hellbent on bettering their personal records every time they visit the track, have little need for the chilly air of early mornings, when engines and tires are happiest. Some of us are just looking for the lowest-stress, lowest-cost way to get a clean jolt of adrenaline. TNiA is just that.”
What is Track Night in America? It’s exactly what Parry said: a low stress trip to the racetrack in your street car that involves minimal time commitment. It’s also downright affordable, with many Track Night’s ringing in well under $200 (plus, SCCA members get $20 off the ticket…which comes in addition to any discount codes you may find on Track Night’s website).
Track Night also offers run groups for all experience levels (which includes the Hawk Performance Novice Experience for those who are truly green), and the program will even help you get a great deal on a helmet via its Safety Store, since that’s the only piece of safety equipment you need to bring with you.
But we digress…
Read all about Tommy Parry’s multi-track Track Night in America adventure on Hagerty’s website.
Photo courtesy Tommy Parry/Hagerty
