I had an interesting e-chat on the term "HPDE" and what it's all about.

I was under the impression that it stands for High Performance Driver Education and refers to track events in which instruction is provided, usually consisting of classroom sessions as well as in-car instruction (or, in some cases, instructors working as "spotters" around the track who then review your performance at the end of each session). I did not think that the HPDE term was used for open track type lapping days where no instruction is provided, or for competition events such as club races.

A friend disagreed, noting that NASA uses the term as High Performance Driving Event, and that it can include open lapping days and club races as well as instruction-based events.

Can you share your opinions, please?

 

HPDE is typically an event that has in car and classroom instruction for novice and intermediate groups, open passing for advanced groups, and can also include race licensing classes, and advanced classes. For the Ohio/Indiana group we usually run these four groups:

Group one (1)
This is where you begin. This is one on one guidance from experienced racers, as you learn to control your car and yourself. Your mentor will provide you with guidance as you learn to drive at the limit. You will address how to approach a turn, the fast way around it, what gear should you be in, how to brake, and how to exit. The session generally includes a lead-follow session. Passing is very limited in the Group 1 Sessions.

Group two (2)
Your mentor has determined you can drive on your own and with less supervision. You apply what you learned in the group 1 sessions. The pace is faster, and the passing rules are more relaxed.

Group three (3)
You have progressed far enough in the world of high performance driving to be comfortable and in control on the track at all times. The passing rules in group 3 are not as strict. You must learn to share the track at high speeds with others.

Group four (4)
Congratulations! You have made it, you and your peers are now experiencing the joys of doing it right in a safe environment! You can now enjoy high performance driving at its finest. Those that wish to can petition to apply for a competition license.

There may be some differences between regions (depending on what the members of that region desire. Regions are usually very open to input!

Hope that helps.

LM

 

Looks like NASA is trying to be the same as SCCA with respect to becoming a race sanctioning organization, instead of the purely "educational" driving venu that it started out as. JMHO Ed

 

Zygspeed:

I think the idea started as lapping days, then moved into combining HPDE and Race dates. CA and VA have huge fields for their race and HPDE weekends. It really make for a good ladder. Start at group 1, move up step by step, go through a comp licensing school once you have the experience, and move into racing (if this is something you want to do)! It truly is a place for everyone.

LM

 

I have found that when groups or organizations try to satisfy everyone, they often do nothing really well!

For quite a while I'd thought I'd make a good "racer", but I'm probably just lazy and don't feel like fixing my car all the time once I use things up (prematurely), or outright break them. And to truely "race", in my opinion, you have to be willing to (or open to the possibility of) ball(ing) it up. I don't see it as racing when you need to drive the car on the track knowing that the other guy will simply put his on the trailer afterwards, whereas you (or I) still need out cars to get home and to work in.

There, I've said it. I'm a "closet" racer.
I go to the track to to meet some on-line friends, and push the car just a little harder than I would do on one of my interstate trips.
Then again, In about 10 years or more of doing HPDEs and outright "lapping days", I can still count the number of times I've gone off track on probably one hand, and haven't had any accidents (except for that damn raccoon, which I could have probably avoided), for about 25 years of driving (knock on wood)!

OK, I'm done.
Zygspeed, aka Crazy Ed (turbo ITR and 2 crxs)

 

i have always thought it was E for Education, but I will also say that I have been guilty of calling track days with no instruction HPDE's as well. (no real instruction at least except for the basic "don't pass in corners or we're black-flagging you!!" pre-track classroom speech)




[Modified by uncleben, 5:37 PM 10/10/2002]

 

Zygspeed-

I think you've been to one or two NASA Va events,( Races and Highe Performance Driver Education school) - if I am correct you have seen HPDE and racing on the same weekend. I agree with Mansier - this is one of the best ways of growing new racers who have a good depth of understanding, track experience and who know a good group of people with whom to race. It builds community.

NASA-VA runs our groups a little stricter that Ohio - mainly because that's what's been our feedback from both our instrcutors and students. Some like it, some don't. And yes no one club has it all - not PCA, BMW, SCCA, EMRA or the host of other clubs that run track events.

My understanding that at the event this past weekend at Watkins Glen, there were many street cars that went home broken. Anyone putting their car on the track - or autocross takes the risk that something might happen.

We try to minimize that risk, but cars are machines and humans have been known to err - if that happens at the same time in the same place, you're gonna have a problem. And it might be costly.

There is still nothing like getting in your car, driving faster than you can on the street, feeling the speed and power ( even if not so much), braking for a corner - hearing the screeching of the tires being pushed and then coming out of it and knowing that you're still on the track and there's maybe 10 more turns to get that same feeling from....

Almost beats sex - at least it's real close.

 

Well, I don't know about that one

 

HPDE is actually the medical abbreviation (from the original Latin) - Herniatia pocketuus dineros exodum

Best English translation is "buncha dough burning a hole in your pocket to get out"

K

Edit - conjugating Latin, dammit.



[Modified by Knestis, 2:43 AM 10/11/2002]

 

Thanks for sharing your O.

FWIW, I was more concerned over whether it implied education than over what the letters stand for.

 

E is for "EVENT"