[Ish416]

It really depends on how you get on the track. Most tracks require you to be a member of their organization with membership and track fees and volunteer work. Other tracks make an organization rent the track for so many hours under their supervision (instructor in your car or you following a pace car).

I have never heard of a track allowing people to just come out and go all out. So if that's what you are looking for, don't get your hopes up.

The SCCA is a great place to go to get involved and show your local tracks. Then go to those tracks' website and check the events to see whats going on. Or local car forums are a good place to start as well.

SCCA - Find your region -
The Sports Car Club of America - About


Auto X is usually done by local clubs and typically takes place in large parking lots/abandoned areas with proper permission. They sometimes have an entry fee (usually less than $30) and some require everyone who runs to volunteer to keep costs down. Also, most Auto X events are not SCCA sanctioned so those will not show on the SCCA website.

 

[Ish416]

Road racing / Auto X are definately the most rewarding forms of racing.

Drag racing really comes down to who has the most money and in an automatic car, there isn't much driver skill involved. In Auto X or road course, it's all about the driver.

I have seen guys in DSMs, F-bodies, Stangs and various imports hanging off the rear bumper of Vettes, GT-Rs, Vipers, Lambos and Porsches. Nothing is a harder hit to their ego than their $100K+ car not being able to out run some kid in an everymans car.

Also, if you decide to do this, for the love of your car and your life. Replace your brake pads with good ones. I highly recommend Hawk HPS or for more bite, Hawk HP Plus.