So i've been doing some research on getting into the HPDE scene, and getting my car prepped accordingly. Looks like its going to cost me a nice amount of money, but it shoudn't be a problem once I start working. I just had some general questions if anyone could answer.

Because i'm going to attend for my very first time, i'm assuming i'm gonna be in Group 1. Does an instructor HAVE to sit with you for the first time? The reason I ask is because I dont want to purcahse a seat and a harness for the passenger side if the instructor is only going to sit there once. Its a waste of money.

Also for the pit. I'm going to be driving my car on the way to the track(no towing). Is there a place on the track I can put my tools and keep it there safely? How do you guys do it

And last, the window net. Do you guys drive with the windows down, up? or is it optional. I would think it has to be down, so that the window net will be functional in case of an emergency.

edit: forgot this one. Who determines when you could move up one class, like group 1, to 2 to 3, etc...

thanks again.


Modified by 99_SH at 1:53 AM 11/15/2003

 

1. An instructor HAS TO and will be in that right seat for your entire first YEAR unless you are the second coming of Schumi!
2. Yes, you will be in the novice group your first few times.
3. Pit space is first-come, first-served and works like autocross - bring a tarp or bins for your stuff and place it next to your parking spot. It will be opbvious when you get there.
4. Window nets are NOT required in HPDE. Front windows both must be down.
5. The groups you run with and their instrutcors will decide when it's time for you to move up. GET A LOGBOOK the first time you go and have it filled out religiously at EVERY event you go to.

It SOUNDS like you think you need a race-prepped car for HPDE. You DO NOT. I would start with good brake pads, brake fluid and decent tires. Beyond that, your street car is fine in its stock form.

 

btw. the right seat does not need to be a race seat with harness. A stock seat with the stock 3 point seat belt is fine

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by APEX CRX &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">btw. the right seat does not need to be a race seat with harness. A stock seat with the stock 3 point seat belt is fine</TD></TR></TABLE>

Depends on the group. Some require the same equipment for driver and passenger. Of course, a race seat and harness are not only useless but also incredibly dangerous without a rollbar (or preferrably a cage.)

PS- Reiterating what was mentioned above... Nobody gets signed-off by their instructor during their first weekend in group 1, and very very few get signed off their second time. Some people require instructors for years and/or dozens of weekends before they're safe enough to be sent out solo. No offense intended...

Jon

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 99_SH &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">edit: forgot this one. Who determines when you could move up one class, like group 1, to 2 to 3, etc...</TD></TR></TABLE>

Your instructor(s), then the chief instructor. Some groups make you ride with several instructors before you're signed-off to drive solo for one group. Ususally you'll need to go through the signing-off process in that group at least once or twice before you're considered for a higher group.

Note: exceptions have been made to this rule. I've had Group 1 students (with limited experience) that were faster and more consistent than my Group 2 student on the same weekend. One time I even switched the two, and both students thanked me for it later... they learned more that way. It's entirely subjective...

A bit of advice from an occasional instructor: don't worry about what group you're in - just go out there and be safe and have fun and learn and go as fast as you're comfortable with. With safety and awareness and consistency, speed will come.

Hope it helps-

Jon

 

I agree with everything Jon has said.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by getfast &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
PS- Reiterating what was mentioned above... Nobody gets signed-off by their instructor during their first weekend in group 1, and very very few get signed off their second time. Some people require instructors for years and/or dozens of weekends before they're safe enough to be sent out solo. No offense intended...
</TD></TR></TABLE>

No offense taken.

I got signed off after first day/event and driven solo several times already.

But I always seek an instructor when I'm at a new track. And I stick with an instructor at that track till we're both comfortable that I can drive on that track solo.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JoeLee &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">4. Window nets are NOT required in HPDE. Front windows both must be down.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Sorry maybe I'm misunderstanding something but I did 2 HPDE (driving school & open lapping day) and I had my windows up for both events

is this for events that are wheel-to-wheel racing?

 

[QUOTE=REFLUX]

.....I did 2 HPDE (driving school & open lapping day) and I had my windows up for both events
QUOTE]

How did you give passing signals to other drivers if you had your windows up?

 

I liked what my instructor told me about moving up to Group 2. He felt it's better to stay in Group 1 longer with an instructor and learn as much as you can from someone that knows how to race and can keep you on track. (that's figuratively speaking)

He told that if I do this and continue to improve he'd eventually have me skip group 2 and go to group 3. I think I got lucky. I had the best instructor in Norcal, Dev Clough and my mentor was Barry Hartzel, who was director of the Norcal Nasa when I was in Cali.

And like it was said earlier you don;t need to make the car a "race car" per se. Just get some good brakes, change the vital fluids and have fun. Also listen to your instructor and go at your own pace. Don't try to be Peter Cunningham on your first outing. Speed will come as you get more comfortable with your own skills/abilities and the ability of your car. For me it was sensory overload my first time. There is so much you have to be aware of while onthe track. But the best thing about that is that you can take what you learn and apply it to everyday driving.

Check out: http://www.nasaproracing.com/hpde/index.html

Also scroll down on the link and check out the "related links" sections.

Good luck, be safe and have fun.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Another Drew &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">How did you give passing signals to other drivers if you had your windows up?</TD></TR></TABLE>

You mean how did I tell them to pass me?
I waved them to pass me by flailing my right hand so they could see it through my hatch window

 

I heard if you have a single seat car, you can do a lead and follow with the instructor

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 99_SH &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I heard if you have a single seat car, you can do a lead and follow with the instructor</TD></TR></TABLE>

True, but you would be missing valuable in-car instruction... and may get into bad habits as a result.

Jon

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 99_SH &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I heard if you have a single seat car, you can do a lead and follow with the instructor</TD></TR></TABLE>

Depends on the group. Some groups will allow single-seaters in all groups with lead-follow. IMO, single seaters should be limited to fairly advanced intermediate students. Novices doing leaf-follow is a bad idea.

 

As stated, you don't need "prep" beyond good brake pads and fluid. Do you already have a race seat & harness for yourself, and if so do you have a rollbar/cage? If you do, most instructors I've talked to would be okay with a stock seat as long as they have a harness, otherwise stick with your stock 3-point belts. If you feel the cost is prohibitive, skip that new $600 exhaust for awhile. For your first few events, you may not be pushing the car hard enough to really need a 5- or 6-point anyway. If you don't have a rollbar/cage, no one's going to let you use harnesses, that is, unless you're on the West side... Anyway, good luck with all that, glad to have another soon-to-be trackwhore in the honda community.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by REFLUX &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You mean how did I tell them to pass me?
I waved them to pass me by flailing my right hand so they could see it through my hatch window </TD></TR></TABLE>

I did a DE with NASA at Lime Rock a week ago Monday, and people were using this technique. I thought it sucked. With rollbars, cameras, and passenger seats it's really hard to see the point by. It requires a lot of unecessary concentration to see into someones car when your cranking through turns at 9-11/10ths. There's no mistaking a hand over the roof. Got a window net preventing the over the roof point? If you're driving a car that built up, then you should be faster!

Having said that, I thought the point by discipline in general in the advanced group was poor. Lot's of egos don't like getting passed by stock ITRs.

...the discipline wasn't as bad as the guy at Watkins Glen who tracked all the way out on the final turn, and then as I moved to the right pass him, dove for pit lane across my bow...

 

sorry newbie to HPDE also... my first event is this coming up weekend... just wanted to know how you guys kept your logbooks organized... will NASA give you a logbook or do you go buy one?

 

They want you to use the one they give you... its a special logbook with detailed info, driver sign-off, ratings, etc...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ACRDC2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">They want you to use the one they give you... its a special logbook with detailed info, driver sign-off, ratings, etc...</TD></TR></TABLE>

okay thanks... so they should give me one at my first event right?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by hmongboyLS &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">so they should give me one at my first event right?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Right.

 

Make sure you ask for it. I never got one.