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Tuesday , March , 19 2024
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Below you will find the questions we receive most often. If you have a question that is not addressed below, please feel free to contact us. We will get back to you as soon as we can.
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The National Auto Sport Association (NASA) was formed in 1991 to deliver high quality motorsports events to enthusiasts at major racing venues throughout the nation. NASA has created programs that allow owners of both racecars and high-performance street-driven vehicles to enjoy the full performance capabilities of their cars in a safe and controlled environment. NASA offers many different programs that will allow you to enjoy motorsports on a number of different levels, including our High Performance Driving Events (HPDE), Rally Sport, Time Trial, NASA-X and Competition Racing programs.
Get more information here.
It’s just a few clicks away! Follow the link below, enter your information, pay the fee, and your on your way.
Join NASA!
The CCR is NASA’s Club Codes and Regulations. This document contains everything you need to know to be part of NASA. You can download a copy of the CCR at the link below.
Club Codes and Regulations
First thing you will want to do is join NASA. Next download and read the CCR. If you still have questions, contact any of the people on the “Contact Us” page. By clicking the “Contact Us” link at the top of the page, you can find the people who can help you with specific questions. If you are racing, download the series rules and contact the series director.
CCR and Rules
Newbie Articles
Basically, all you need is a safe car and a helmet. The car does not have to be fancy or fast. Students bring everything from a Hyundai to a Ferrari. Read the requirements for the other miscellaneous items required at the link below.
HPDE Explained
You can see a list of all events for this year by clicking the link below.
Season Schedule
Track fees vary depending on the track and time of year – please see registration for each track to learn the pricing.
Registration
Registration is easy and on-line. To get started, go to NASAproracing.com and create a NASA profile. Next, go to the NASAproracing.com registration page and choose the event that is of interest to you. You can sign up for a single event or all the events at one time. The events are organized by Region to make it easy for you to navigate to any area in the country.
Login or Create your profile.
Register for an event.
Volunteer Coupon Reward System. Volunteers who assist at our event collect redeemable COUPONS for time on the track. Each day volunteering, you receive one coupon. After collecting 4 coupons you can redeem them for track time.
Volunteer Information Page
If you are interested in learning the basics of High Performance Driving, or simply want to drive your car on a racetrack in a controlled and professionally staffed environment, then HPDE is for you. HPDE gives drivers a chance to test their skills and learn from NASA’s cadre of experienced instructors in a venue designed for safe spirited driving far away from the risks present on the street. NASA’s HPDE program has become the standard for the “open track” industry and features multiple skill levels to ensure that drivers are able to enjoy a safe and fun day at the track.
More HPDE information.
NASA’s HPDE system is designed for all drivers at any skill level with almost any car. The drivers newest to the track environment will start out in HPDE 1 and be paired with an instructor.

HPDE 2 is essentially the same as group one, but without the Instructor in the car (you’re qualified to SOLO).

HPDE1 and HPDE2 attend classroom sessions to learn the basic skills and requirements. No passengers are allowed in HPDE1 or HPDE2 except for the instructor. Timing is not available for HPDE1 or HPDE2 and has the most limited passing zones.

HPDE 3 is the place for the driver who has some track time and knows how to “find the line” without guidance. This group has progressive passing throughout the weekend to really stretch your legs and mind.

HPDE 4 is the highest HPDE level and may be combined with TT (Time Trials). This group has open passing and and requires a good knowledge of the track and regulations. Timing is available.

(TT) is vey similar to HPDE 4, when talking about track rules. However, TT is all about getting the lap time – finding that perfect lap. As a timed event, TT is a great place to be in competition as well as a great springboard to door to door racing.
If you’re new to on-track driving, sign up for HPDE 1. If you have not been to the track and need assistance finding the line, you should sign up in HPDE 2. If you know the track, do not require any assistance in finding the line, and have several track days under your belt, sign up for HPDE 3. If you are experienced and have “open passing” or advanced driving training from another group, sign up for HPDE 4. If you are not sure what group to sign up for, please use our HPDE Selection Wizard or contact one of our HPDE Directors.
HPDE Directors e-mail
While HPDE2/3/4 do not have instructors in the car as part of the HPDE group, you can always ask to have an instructor or race car driver go with you. We will do our best to help fulfill that request. Please understand that our limited instructor pool, while focusing on the needs of the HPDE1 group, spreads itself out helping the other 3 HPDE groups, the TT Drivers and even the Race drivers.
When you sign up for a NASA HPDE event, you will receive a NASA HPDE Passport. This passport is used to help you track your event experience and to document your accomplishments. Once you have completed a run group, you can request a sign off. Once requested, and instructor will ride with you to determine if you meet the qualifications for advancement. Inside the HPDE Passport, you will find a list of driver skills for each run group. Once you have mastered each skill, you can check it off in the book. These are the same skills the instructor will be evaluating during the check ride.
Since we are focusing on developing the driver’s skills, passengers are not allowed in HPDE1 (except for the instructor in the car) or HPDE2 (when the driver is getting used to putting everything together without the instructor coaching them). Passengers are allowed in HPDE3 and HPDE4.
For safety reasons, regardless of weather, the driver and any passengers must wear long sleeve shirts, long pants and closed toe shoes. Eye protection is highly recommended.
Passing rules are different for each track and different for each HPDE group. Essentially HPDE 1 has the most restrictive passing rules. As you progress through the HPDE levels, the passing zones become more liberal as your skill level (and fellow drivers) improve. This continues all the way up to TT, where passing is open all the way around the track. Passing zones and procedures will be stated at the morning drivers meeting and classroom sessions.
The HPDE Passport is your personal journal of where you have been and the feedback you have been given. It is useful in helping decide which HPDE group to sign up for as well as provide a form of driving credentials/experience in different NASA regions. Included is a systematic, progressive check list to help you stay on track with your driving skills.
The HPDE tech form will give you a good list of what you should check on the car to make sure it is track ready. You can get a form at the link below. There is also a link to a nice article on preparing your car.
Preparing your car for HPDE
HPDE Tech form
Before participating in an event you will have to have your car tech’d. This will consist of you taking your car to the tech station at the track along with a completed self-tech form. You can get a tech form at the link below.
HPDE Tech form
Yes. This roll bar must be strong enough to withstand the forces of compression involved in supporting the full weight of the car. A factory roll bar such as those found on a Honda S2000 may fulfill this requirement, but “style bars” or “show bars” found on some other cars would not work. (If you have a question about your car, call the NASA office.) Road racing with NASA requires a full cage (defined as 6 or more mounting points).
More rollover information
NASA TT utilizes a car classification system that is easy to understand, and gives HPDE-4 drivers a taste of competition by allowing them to compete for top lap times, in open passing run sessions, against similarly prepared cars for awards, prizes, and recognition. Our HPDE program, that accommodates drivers of all experience levels, is the best way for a driver to become qualified to compete in Time Trial.
Licensing depends on your experience. This experience can be with NASA or another racing organization. A solid understanding of the NASA CCR and TT rules. If you hold a current NASA Competition Race License or Provisional Race License, you do not need a TT License to compete.
See the TT rules, section 5, for complete requirements.
You can find the Time Trials rules at the link below.
Time Trials rules
You can get classification forms at the link below.
TT classification form
Get your license application at the link below
NASA TT license application
Yes! You can visit the Time Trials web site by following the link below.
NASA Time Trials web site
NASA has its own designation for race classes. However, you will be able to find a classification for any closed wheel race car run with some other group.
NASA Race Classes
If you have never raced, progressing through the HPDE program is the best. If you hold a competition license with another organization, you may be able to convert it directly to a NASA license. Follow the links below to see the requirements.
How do I get my license?
Section 14 of the CCR
You will need a NASA competition license and pass a written test on the NASA CCR. Follow the links below to see the requirements.
How do I get my license?
Section 14 of the CCR
Race cars are required to have an annual safety inspection. Along with the car, you will need all of your safety apparel and helmet. This can be done at the track before the first race of the year or in advance of the season at a tech shop.
Tech Shops
Once you have your annual, you can bring your logbook, license, completed and stamped annual inspection form,completed self tech form, and completed fuel cell certification (if needed) to the tech station at the track and they will issue you your annual sticker if all is in order.
Race Tech forms
We’ve Got Answers !
  • F The National Auto Sport Association (NASA) was formed in 1991 to deliver high quality motorsports events to enthusiasts at major racing venues throughout the nation. NASA has created programs that allow owners of both racecars and high-performance street-driven vehicles to enjoy the full performance capabilities of their cars in a safe and controlled environment. NASA offers many different programs that will allow you to enjoy motorsports on a number of different levels, including our High Performance Driving Events (HPDE), Rally Sport, Time Trial, NASA-X and Competition Racing programs.
  • A How do I join NASA?
    It’s just a few clicks away! Follow the link below, enter your information, pay the fee, and your on your way. Join NASA today!
  • Q What is the CCR?
    The CCR is NASA’s Club Codes and Regulations. This document contains everything you need to know to be part of NASA. You can download a copy of the CCR here.
One More Question?
Can't find the answer to your question? Contact us and we will be happy to get back to you as soon as we can.