Ok, I've never done anything through Nasa before, I read how the HPDE classing works, So I'm just not sure where to put myself. My guess is if I aim low they bump you up is that right? So if I've done 3 seasons of autocross and 2 open lapping days and sign up for HPDE1, I'll be fine and should someone decide I can do more, I can move up to 2? I'm just wanting to make sure I know how this works.... either way I'll probably still sign up for HPDE1
I assume I'll be fine in passing tech with a car that meets all the SCCA safety requirements right? All I've got is basically an STS car, nothing too altered. And do M-rated helmets fly? I can't find anything on the website that says otherwise (it just says 'helmet'), but I'd rather not spend $325 then find out about that. Thanks for the help.

 

signup for HPDE1, an instructor will drive with you and sign off your HPDE event book and bump you up to 2 pretty quickly if he/she thinks you are ready for it.

 

Tech form will be on the website and HPDE 1 is fine - if the groups are all full, then your chances of being bumped up are pretty slim, but with only 2 lapping days I'd expect that you do 1, if not 2 or more weekends in HPDE 1 depending on how you progress

 

Snell M-rated helmets work just fine for HPDE, but to enter the race classes you'll need a Snell SA-rated helmet.

 

If you haven't driven the track before and don't know the racing/hpde line then HPDE 1 would be the best way to learn. When you can demonstrate to an instructor that you have the speed, good car control, ability to give point-bys, and consistency required at the higher levels they will move you up. I had to have 2 instructors sign my book and confirm that I was ready before I could move up to HPDE 3. It can be very frustrating sometimes, b/c your instructor may tell you you're ready and write that in your book, but you won't get signed off by the group chief b/c of this or that, but its all a matter of showing that you posses the skills to the instructors.
Just listen to everything your instructor says and try what he reccomends as long as you are comfortable with it. Show that you can drive the line that he/she teaches you with speed and brake where you're told to etc. Thats what gets you moved up. Also stay away from cars that drivers complain about in the drivers meetings if you want to keep your car intact.