I have less than 3 wks. to get ready for my 1st ever track event (HPDE at SP). Once again, I have lots of questions.

1. What do I need to bring (besides me & the car)?

2. Is a driving suit required?

2a. Where is the best place to get a 2 layer suit?

3. Recommendations on hotel accomodations from the VA side ( I am not the outdoors type).

 

1) https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=295570

2) no

2a) wouldn't worry about it.

3) http://www.summitpoint-raceway.com/accommodation.htm
- Winchester seems to be a popular choice. Holiday Inn, or some others I forget.




[Modified by JeffS, 8:25 PM 10/14/2002]

 

(4) check ego at the gate -- they'll give it back when you leave

(5) have fun!!! <--- very very important

 

I'll second that one

Keep in mind you're there to learn. Get a good seating position (you'll be closer to the wheel then you'd think), arms bent, back upright. Work on the line, get a good understanding of the apex points, corner in, corner out, and braking zones. Above all, make sure you are looking far ahead. In fact work on this the whole time you're there. Don't worry about being "fast." that will come. You'll have a blast!!

 

Is anything else needed (paperwork wise) aside from your nasa and DL if you registered online?


Mike D

 

A pre-tech form, that you will pass to your instructor as he does a trackside inspection. They are available at:
http://www.nasaproracing.com/images/..._hpde_tech.pdf

 

There are plenty of hotels in Winchester, VA and Charles Town, WV. Both are equidistant from the track. I have stayed at Holiday Inn in Winchester and Turf and Northgate in Charles Town. All were acceptable.

 

show up with a smile and plenty of rest (at least 8 hrs sleep) and an open mind. You will be amazed at how much you learn in your first weekend and how much you like summit point. If you like i'll be in the black #88 saturn and i can give you a (slow) ride around the track...

RJ

 

I've never needed either of these @ the track. My "ritual" includes directions to where I'm going, my hotel confirmation, an event schedule (if available) and my tech (pre-tech) form. Not sure if it was mentioned, but you'll need something to put numbers on your car with. I personally bought "Racer's tape", but I urge against it. The blue (or purple) painters tape, available at any home improvement store is much more car-friendly. Or, you can just plan on borrowing some at the track... most everyone will have some.

 

Sorry for the partial hijack, but does anyone know the date for the NASA Ohio/Indy chapter? I keep trying to find info on but unsuccessfully. I think it's Putnam Park sometime early November. Can anyone confirm?

6.) Get a helmet (stated on the link, but loaners aren't given)

 

Just wear long pants and long sleeves. No need to buy helmet if you don't mind the stink from the borrow-me ones.

Just don't get intimidated by cars passing you that's "suppose" to be a slower car. Concentrate on learning.

During intense traffic, pull in the pit and re-enter the course. This will give you clean laps for the most of the session.

When you feel tire and loosing concentration. Sit out the session.

The mission to HPDE is 1) to learn, not to race 2) to go home safely.


[Modified by nEoMuGen, 1:46 AM 10/15/2002]

 

Regarding ego, that was definitely a good point. Pay attention to other drivers, not other cars the first time out. You'll realize there are plenty of lame drivers in really nice cars, and many excellent drivers in not-so-hot cars. Stay away from the egos and talk to the people who are obviously respected and known to be good drivers. Once you get there you'll be able to feel-out who they are.

One thing to add to your list: some hand cleaner stuff. The orange pumice stuff is fine, or you can get the Castrol hand cleaner that requires no water (it dries and flakes off quickly.) Even if you aren't going to change your brakes or wheels at the event you'll be amazed at how dirty you can get while checking out other cars and whatnot.

-Adam

 

Actually they don't give back your ego until you are safely back into Charlestown or Winchester. The townies in Summit Point will violate you if you speed/drive like an *** there . . .

 

Drew speaks from experience... speaking of Drew, are you going to make it to SP in Nov?

 

I have never driven like an *** out of SP. Being a planner for several JC events I know what the track has told us regarding our participants and their driving like asses on public roads afterwards.
Yeah