I'm planning on getting into HPDE events, and have a few questions/concerns. The region I live in let's me get away with murder. I need to get a basic understanding of what is allowed, or not, the these types of events. Is there a rule book I can buy? Is it just run what you brung and call it good? I just don't want to show up with my locally specd car and not be allowed to run on a real track.... any help would be appreciated

 

Basically, make sure your car can run the whole day without any problems. Rules are discussed in the drivers meeting, so I'm sure you won't have any problems.

 

For HPDE, safety is the main concern. It's not racing, so there are no prep rules that relate to performance. Typical tech inspection checks wheels bearings, lug nuts, battery tie down and terminal cover, throttle return spring, brake pedal pressure, tire wear, rollbar for convertibles, etc.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Crack Monkey &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">For HPDE, safety is the main concern. It's not racing, so there are no prep rules that relate to performance. Typical tech inspection checks wheels bearings, lug nuts, battery tie down and terminal cover, throttle return spring, brake pedal pressure, tire wear, rollbar for convertibles, etc.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Pretty much what he said. I believe the tech inspection is self-done (atleast with the Ohio/Indiana NASA chapter) unless you want to take it to a shop or someplace.

 

I was looking at the UL events. I was mainly concerned about window nets, battery box... etc. Sounds like I can have whatever I want as long as it's safe- for the most part.

 

please understand that HPDE is for the enjoyment and education of drivers, and is NOT racing. you normally dont have to have anything more than an approved helmet to participate, because its NOT racing. just make sure the car is well maintained and follows the tech checklist for common sense stuff like no fluid leaks and stuff that can fly off the car. otherwise, you can bring anything from a hyundai to a NSX, and many ppl do. you will learn to drive the track, relatively fast, but its NOT racing. btw, HPDE is NOT racing.

actually the only rules youll find, especially at UL events is NO aggressive driving, pass on point by and authorized places according to your group, and have fun.


Modified by Tyson at 1:16 PM 9/3/2003

 

Window nets not required for HPDE.

Battery box usually not required, but check with the club. As long as it is well tied down, terminals are covered, and it isn't going to dump acid on your head, you should be ok.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Crack Monkey &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Battery box usually not required, but check with the club. As long as it is well tied down, terminals are covered, and it isn't going to dump acid on your head, you should be ok.</TD></TR></TABLE>

But you can run a wankel and 'smoke-out' your fellow drivers if the tech inspectors have issue with dropping batteries on the track

 

As a VA Nasa tech person.... HPDE 1 (assuming you'll be in it) is tech'd by the instructor. You can print out the pretech sheet on the NASA website. Tech is something we all go through, hell i couldnt even tech my own car for HPDE 1... Just go out and enjoy the track time... get faster at your own pace... listen to your instructor... and have fun!

 

they have classroom session. i know it sounds dumb, but do we need to take any utensils there?? like paper, pens or anything.

anyone have the answers to the test?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by baonest &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">they have classroom session. i know it sounds dumb, but do we need to take any utensils there?? like paper, pens or anything. </TD></TR></TABLE>

That's actually a good question. Cause if you've never been to one, how would you know?

I've never seen any classroom sessions that *required* you to write anything. Although it's not a terrible idea to take pen and paper with you. If the classroom instructor says something you want to remember, or ask your in-car instructor about, you're much more likely to remember it if it's written down.

Never, ever seen a written test. Even at Bondurant.

 

Not required that I've seen so far, but particularly if you've never been to an HPDE before, I'd take a pen and notebook to your first weekend's classroom sessions. Not a bad idea to jot down any specific questions you might come up with for your instructor so you don't forget them and any other basic items you might want to keep in mind. I say this as someone who hasn't done a whole TON of events, but it's helped me in the past.

 

If you can, go online and print out a picture of the track map and configuration that you'll be running, then memorize your turns, etc. instead of waiting until the track day. It'll help you learn quicker when you know the track. I've even gone out and made bigger copies so the track map is really clear.

 

thanx everyone for the quick responces.. ill def. take a small pad and pen there and jot couple things down.

 

when i first went to a drivers school, i brought pens and paper to classroom sessions.

usually after a run there will be a section you are having trouble with. i'd then draw that corner on the paper, and ask the instructor what i'm doing wrong. usually i'd draw my line, then they'd draw me the correct one, making marks where little things are to watch for. like paint lines, cracks in pavement, etc. to help me reference apex's and whatnot.

i found this very helpful.

 

excellent! I wasn't really thinking that the HPDE events were racing, more of a "school" I am afraid to race competetivly with my car, as I think I'd be in the bend over and take it class.... But then again you never know... Thanks for all the replies! P.S. EBC Reds OK for TH?

 

FYI, Honda-tech's general membership hates EBCs. I've heard mixed reviews from other forums, ranging from very shitty, to "okay", but never stellar. If you're gettin' race pads, Carbotech Panther Plus's seem to be a popular option.

 

Quick brake Q.. i dont wanna make a new thread since we have somewhat an on topic right here.. i just put some new OEM (autozone) pads on my integra. i mean, they are only like 3 weeks old, oh and i did couple laps at lowes motorspeedway.

i was curious if i could just swap the front pads out for some HAWK pads and keep the rears stock...?? this is at CMP btw, ive heard it is hell on brakes.

 

i have hawk's in the front and stock rears. just make sure you get an appropriate bad (ie.....not race pads).

 

you dont need any performance brake pads in the rear. even many racers prefer not to have anyhing more than stock in the rear.

doing your first hpde on stock or autozone pads up front is fine for the first few times. i even encourage it, so that youll find out what brake fade means. if anyone else thinks thats unsafe, then i say back the driver was already being unsafe if he doesnt have enough time deal with a stiff brake pedal.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Tyson &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">doing your first hpde on stock or autozone pads up front is fine for the first few times</TD></TR></TABLE>

Anything less than a 'race' pad and motul/ate/cobalt xrf/etf will bite you right in the *** at CMP.

 

lets just agree to disagree then...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Tyson &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">lets just agree to disagree then... </TD></TR></TABLE>

On anywhere else but CMP stock pads are fine (hell i've run new OE pads at both summit point tracks with no issues). But if you have a brake weakness, CMP will find it by the middle of day 2.... especially with a novice - remember n00bs will tend to overheat their brakes while a more often than someone who's got more experience.

 

i really dont think so. and not from what ive seen from novice drivers here in norcal and thunderhill. the back stretch of thunderhill is realy brake intensive (and as this past WCHC race report consistently attests to, the temps get really hot here too), but a novice wont be threshold braking. most brake well ahead of time, as instructed, so its not a problem.

however when I went out with my stock brake pads, by the 3rd lap, yeah it was obvious they werent gonna be enough for taking turn 10, but thats because i was pushing it. i do not EXPECT nor WANT a novice to even try to focus on braking zones. so for the first few days, itll suffice.

thats all. if this guy wants me as an instructor, ill probably be there in november instructing again and ill happily ride along with his stock pads.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

remember n00bs will tend to overheat their brakes while a more often than someone who's got more experience.</TD></TR></TABLE>

i agree with this. i used up my brakes far quicker (they were even smoking) the first time i went out on the track than i do now.