Time is moving quick and we're already over half-way through the season. Up next is at Gingerman on Sept 8-9.

What makes this event a little different from a tyipcal NASA event is that it is HPDE ONLY, no race or time trial groups. It allows more track time (less groups) and a more relaxing environment. It would have classroom/download sessions that put more emphasis on HPDE Driver Training, on track etiquette, heal/toe, feeling of the car, and chassis dynamics, etc.

Many of us consider Gingerman as our "home track" and know the track and area pretty well. NASA has not held an event there since 2004. It's good to have them back at this track again.

For the more "advanced" drivers, this event also offers:
- Competition School for those who wants to get a race license.
- Instructor Clinic for those who wants to be certifiied to instruct for future NASA events (and drive for free).
- TT Licensing for those who wants to start competing in Time Trials.

Links to event details and track website for directions:
http://www.nasamidwest.com
http://www.gingermanraceway.com/

For those who has taken the special offer when signing up for Road America, you do NOT need to sign up online. Simply send an email to dave@nasamidwest.com telling him that you are cashing in the offer. He would sync up your CC info for the special rate (50% off!) and you are in.

And once again, here are more info on their volunteer program to earn free track time. If you have the free time, do it! They always need volunteers and the compensation is well worth it:
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread/1913074

Besides driving, South Haven is a very nice vacation town with a beautiful beach and great restaurants. There are several hotels right off the highway and only 5 miles from the track.

Track map:




Modified by Wai at 3:20 PM 8/8/2007

 

I think we'll be there. You should bring out the ITR and an extra set of toyos :D I want to see how many seconds off I'd be per lap to your machine!

Plus as I said before, I still owe you and the lady some dinner for helping me out of my harness pickle. :D

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by strikerflo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I think we'll be there. You should bring out the ITR and an extra set of toyos :D I want to see how many seconds off I'd be per lap to your machine!

Plus as I said before, I still owe you and the lady some dinner for helping me out of my harness pickle. :D</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thx in advance for the dinner.

I might use this event as the final shakedown before the Nationals at Mid Ohio, which would be on Sept 14-16.

 

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

Thx in advance for the dinner.

I might use this event as the final shakedown before the Nationals at Mid Ohio, which would be on Sept 14-16.</TD></TR></TABLE>

come-on Wai let's go together have some fun

 

i'm pretty interested in this but not too sure how it works and what class and stuff? this will be my first time and ill will be driving a bone stock 97R.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AlienKrOZ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i'm pretty interested in this but not too sure how it works and what class and stuff? this will be my first time and ill will be driving a bone stock 97R.</TD></TR></TABLE>

For first timer, you should absolutely do it with a club that offers qualified and quality instruction (NASA, BMWCCA, etc.). Stay away from the cheaper open lap/test and tune days because they're just too dangerous for novices....

For NASA, you would be placed in Group 1 (novice) and an instructor would provide 1-on-1 instruction in your car during the whole weekend. After your on-track session, it will be followed by a classroom session for everyone in your group (novice) to discuss what was going on.

As for your car, bone stock is the BEST car to start with. Just make sure that it has no leaks, tires and brake pads with good life, and fresh brake fluid. All you need "additional" is a helmet.

 

what kind of helmet do i need? is there any approval stamped need? where can i find the helmets? motorcycle helmets ok?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AlienKrOZ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">what kind of helmet do i need? is there any approval stamped need? where can i find the helmets? motorcycle helmets ok?</TD></TR></TABLE>

According to the most updated rules, both car and motorcycle helmets are acceptable for their driving school. It needs to be rated SA1990 or SM1990 or newer.

As far as where you can buy them, you can try Northstar in Barrington: http://www.northstarmotorsports.com/
If you want to buy online, you can try VPR Motorsports (Expo Sponsor):
http://www.vprmotorsports.com/

But the best way is to test fit one first, see what size you need for sure before buying/ordering.

 

sorry for the newbie questions but i dont find anything that says SA1990 or SM1990. i found them snell and DOT approved. will that work?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AlienKrOZ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">sorry for the newbie questions but i dont find anything that says SA1990 or SM1990. i found them snell and DOT approved. will that work?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah Snell and DOT approved is absolutely fine. It should also says a year. What is it? 95? 00?

 

i cant remember i was just searching around. does 95 and 00 make any difference? are their any seat belt requirements?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AlienKrOZ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i cant remember i was just searching around. does 95 and 00 make any difference? are their any seat belt requirements?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Of course the newer would be better. So I would say 00&gt;95.
But since NASA accepts anything newer than 90 for HPDE, either would be fine.

As for seat belts, stock belts are fine. If you want to get harnesses, make sure that it's a 5-pt (no 4-pt!!) SFI or FIA approved, and supply the same for your instructor/passenger. So either stock belts for both sides, or 5-pt harnesses for both sides, but no mixing of the 2.

For harnesses, expiration date is not an issue for HPDE. So you might be able to pick up some cheap expired ones from racers that they can no longer use.

 

i would be interested in this as i have never done a road coarse event. my car will be out of the shop shortly so i wont be able to really push it. i need to break in a fresh turbo, clutch, and bottom end.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by IIVIIoOkY &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i would be interested in this as i have never done a road coarse event. my car will be out of the shop shortly so i wont be able to really push it. i need to break in a fresh turbo, clutch, and bottom end.</TD></TR></TABLE>

It's still 3+weeks from now. Hope you could get it out of the shop and break it in in time.

 

This past weekend at Mid Ohio was AWESOME! Love how they put the events together.

 

Coming up this weekend!!

 

Event schedule is posted:
http://www.nasamidwest.com/doc...n.pdf

Looks to be lots of track time.
(4) 20 mins sessions + a 35 mins mini enduro each day.

 

Online registration is now CLOSED. Group 1 is sold out!

You can still sign up for Group 2, 3 or 4 at the track but there would be a $50 additional charge.

 

howd this go?

 

Let the photos do the talking!!
Thanks to PIC Performance for the photos.

 

Ugly Ed, the only EF at GingerMan