High School Engineering club

I am currently a high school engineering teacher. I am looking to start an extra curricular racing club. Does anyone have advice on how to get started?  

check out the latest issue (November 2011) of Circle Track.... read article on pages 89 & 90...

Depends were you are located as to whether or not your idea will be accepted, there's more to racing than going fast!

Having "I watched Nascar once" scares the heck out of me, sure there's great coverage on tv, but how would you intend to instruct your students with regards to your xtra cirriculum racing club?  

I wish I had you for a highschool teacher! Is there a requirement for students to register for your class?

Reason I ask is you may have gearheads sign up for your class just to get in on the racing part and not so much learn as this idea builds and unfolds. Like Speed asks, how will you be instucting this?

First and foremost, you will most likely need waivers etc. As far as beginning on the teaching aspect, vehicle basics should be discussed and gone through. Understanding how suspensions react, tires effect and weight distribution and transfer effects handling. IMO, having a thorough & complete knowledge of adjusting and setup will go farther than you think even in the most basic race car. Let the mojority of the mechanical servicing be taught by the auto teacher.

Speaking of automotive, your students SHOULD be require to complete basic automotive class before they can register for your class if you decide to go ahead and establish the club as far as racing goes. But, of course you will be discussing more in-depth concepts as far as handling performance, drivetrain and engine performance.

Look over the many books for sale and purchase one of them etc and see what you think will workout on a budget where you and the members enjoy whats going on. Looking into some CT articles on starting out on a budget/low cost wouldn't hurt either.

I tried helping my old high school auto teacher out on getting a team going, let a guy at the local oval know to get the ball rolling and I guess it fell through. Good luck on this, I believe if you do get this to be successful, your students will be opened to a thought provoking event that just might influence brainstorming when they need to do some engineering in your classroom.

Curious on your thoughts    

I have experience working with Mid-Am's and Late models.

As I would like to see a whole program come about but most likely will not because of insurance reason for my school district.

I would start out and try to keep it as simple as possible. I am certified to teach automotive, metals woods, engineering, etc. at my school. I would like to try and have a bone yard doante an old 4 clyinder and modify it to race in a mini stock division. If interests and fund became more available, I would like to bruing the program to another level.