My First HPDE: Impressions and Photos.
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My First HPDE: Impressions and Photos.
I hope nobody minds me sharing my experience at my first HPDE this past weekend. It does me some good to reflect on everything that happened and maybe some of my thoughts and experiences will be useful to somebody, in the very least I hope this entertains you. Disclaimer: The purpose of this post is not to boast or brag – if it seems that way it is only because I am overly excited by what happened over the weekend and I can’t stop thinking, talking or smiling about it. I also apologize for the length of this post.
The Event
The event was put on by The Driver’s Edge at Texas World Speedway in College Station, Texas. The event was professionally run, very well organized, and everybody on the staff treated you with respect at all times. Not once did I find myself frustrated at the running of the event. Over the course of the two days I received eight track sessions of approximately 20 minutes each and about four or five classroom sessions where they taught the fundamentals of driving the line, the course map, hand signals, flags, etc. I was very impressed with The Driver’s Edge and will definitely be going back.
My instructor was fabulous. He drives a NSX on the track and in the past owned and tracked a GSR. He was very calm in the car with me and was always very clear in his communication. I think what I enjoyed most was that he was honestly excited for me and was having a good time – we got along very well.
Bobby Archer was there with his Viper as well as several other race teams.
The Track
We ran TWS clockwise on the 2.9 miles course. TWS is also an oval track and we used the long, banked straight before diving down into the road course. I would hit 125 mph on the straight. The track had some great corners and a little elevation change at one point.
The Driver
The first couple of sessions what simply me learning the track and getting comfortable in the car in that environment. As the first day progressed I found myself extremely comfortable and was able to hit most marks consistently. The most difficult thing for me to learn that first day was proper braking (when to brake, short distances, etc.) and when I got behind another car not to shift my focus from my line (looking ahead) to their bumper. By the afternoon sessions I was becoming a bit frustrated because I was being held up so much in the green novice group. At the end of the first day I had achieved my goals: I had learned and was able to drive the line, I was looking ahead, and I felt completely in control and safe. My instructor decided that I was smooth and confident and too fast for the green group (I was passing up to 12 cars in a session) and I would be moved to the Blue intermediate group for the second day.
Day two was simply awesome. My instructor rode with me the first session – but really didn’t say that much the whole time. I was still running down and passing all sorts of cars – Audi S4, Miata, S2000s, a late 90’s Porsche 911 and a bunch of Pony cars. I loved watching the high HP cars just disappear on the straight and then by the end of corner 1 I was all over their bumpers and they were forced to wave me by. When I got out of the car he smiled and told me that was awesome and that I was ready to go solo if I felt I was ready. That made me a bit nervous – but I ran solo without incident the rest of the day and loved it.
I can’t believe how much I improved over the weekend. I learned so much and have a new habit…
The Car
What can I say? My car was simply awesome – I got a thrill every time I sat in the seat and had to give the R a nod of thanks every time I parked him in the garage. The car ran flawlessly all weekend and did everything I asked of it and could have given me more had I asked. What I loved most about this car is the way it communicated to me so effortlessly – I could feel everything that the chassis, the brakes, the tires and the suspension was doing. This allowed me confidence and the information I needed to make quick and accurate decisions. The car felt well balanced the entire weekend with only one or two hints of understeer. It was so predictable and consistent with plenty of grip. The Type R is the perfect track car and I could feel it just wanting to give me more when I was ready.
The car has more than enough brakes. I was using Cobalt rotors, SS lines, Motul 5.1 fluid and Cobalt Spec VR pads. I was braking later than any car I encountered out on the track, even the lighter cars like Miatas. The pads never faded and the fluid never boiled. On Sunday afternoon the air temp was very high (I’m guessing 92 or so) and the Falkens got a bit greasy toward the end of a session.
The only issues I had with the car was really more of an issues with the driver. Three or four times I had difficulty going from fourth to third. It wasn’t because I had synchro issues, but I was so busy with everything else that I was man-handling the shift and botching it. If I concentrated and making everything smooth then it was fine.
Late Sunday I had several drivers come up to me and tell me how surprised they were that I was able to run them down and then disappear when I passed them. These guys were driving cars like an S2000, a modified Audi TT, and a BMW M3. While the weekend was more about me learning and growing as a driver – these comments made me feel pretty good.
It was an incredible track weekend and I cannot wait for the next one…
Here are some sample photos from the weekend.
Full gallery can be viewed here:
http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4286552475
On the front straight at 125
My instructor's NSX
Boby Archer's Viper
The owner of this GT3 only had this car 3 days. He had an off but no damage.
SCCA GT1 Porsche. The fastest car out there all weekend and would walk away from Archer's viper during a lunchtime race car tuning session.
Modified by Flux at 2:39 PM 6/14/2004
The Event
The event was put on by The Driver’s Edge at Texas World Speedway in College Station, Texas. The event was professionally run, very well organized, and everybody on the staff treated you with respect at all times. Not once did I find myself frustrated at the running of the event. Over the course of the two days I received eight track sessions of approximately 20 minutes each and about four or five classroom sessions where they taught the fundamentals of driving the line, the course map, hand signals, flags, etc. I was very impressed with The Driver’s Edge and will definitely be going back.
My instructor was fabulous. He drives a NSX on the track and in the past owned and tracked a GSR. He was very calm in the car with me and was always very clear in his communication. I think what I enjoyed most was that he was honestly excited for me and was having a good time – we got along very well.
Bobby Archer was there with his Viper as well as several other race teams.
The Track
We ran TWS clockwise on the 2.9 miles course. TWS is also an oval track and we used the long, banked straight before diving down into the road course. I would hit 125 mph on the straight. The track had some great corners and a little elevation change at one point.
The Driver
The first couple of sessions what simply me learning the track and getting comfortable in the car in that environment. As the first day progressed I found myself extremely comfortable and was able to hit most marks consistently. The most difficult thing for me to learn that first day was proper braking (when to brake, short distances, etc.) and when I got behind another car not to shift my focus from my line (looking ahead) to their bumper. By the afternoon sessions I was becoming a bit frustrated because I was being held up so much in the green novice group. At the end of the first day I had achieved my goals: I had learned and was able to drive the line, I was looking ahead, and I felt completely in control and safe. My instructor decided that I was smooth and confident and too fast for the green group (I was passing up to 12 cars in a session) and I would be moved to the Blue intermediate group for the second day.
Day two was simply awesome. My instructor rode with me the first session – but really didn’t say that much the whole time. I was still running down and passing all sorts of cars – Audi S4, Miata, S2000s, a late 90’s Porsche 911 and a bunch of Pony cars. I loved watching the high HP cars just disappear on the straight and then by the end of corner 1 I was all over their bumpers and they were forced to wave me by. When I got out of the car he smiled and told me that was awesome and that I was ready to go solo if I felt I was ready. That made me a bit nervous – but I ran solo without incident the rest of the day and loved it.
I can’t believe how much I improved over the weekend. I learned so much and have a new habit…
The Car
What can I say? My car was simply awesome – I got a thrill every time I sat in the seat and had to give the R a nod of thanks every time I parked him in the garage. The car ran flawlessly all weekend and did everything I asked of it and could have given me more had I asked. What I loved most about this car is the way it communicated to me so effortlessly – I could feel everything that the chassis, the brakes, the tires and the suspension was doing. This allowed me confidence and the information I needed to make quick and accurate decisions. The car felt well balanced the entire weekend with only one or two hints of understeer. It was so predictable and consistent with plenty of grip. The Type R is the perfect track car and I could feel it just wanting to give me more when I was ready.
The car has more than enough brakes. I was using Cobalt rotors, SS lines, Motul 5.1 fluid and Cobalt Spec VR pads. I was braking later than any car I encountered out on the track, even the lighter cars like Miatas. The pads never faded and the fluid never boiled. On Sunday afternoon the air temp was very high (I’m guessing 92 or so) and the Falkens got a bit greasy toward the end of a session.
The only issues I had with the car was really more of an issues with the driver. Three or four times I had difficulty going from fourth to third. It wasn’t because I had synchro issues, but I was so busy with everything else that I was man-handling the shift and botching it. If I concentrated and making everything smooth then it was fine.
Late Sunday I had several drivers come up to me and tell me how surprised they were that I was able to run them down and then disappear when I passed them. These guys were driving cars like an S2000, a modified Audi TT, and a BMW M3. While the weekend was more about me learning and growing as a driver – these comments made me feel pretty good.
It was an incredible track weekend and I cannot wait for the next one…
Here are some sample photos from the weekend.
Full gallery can be viewed here:
http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4286552475
On the front straight at 125
My instructor's NSX
Boby Archer's Viper
The owner of this GT3 only had this car 3 days. He had an off but no damage.
SCCA GT1 Porsche. The fastest car out there all weekend and would walk away from Archer's viper during a lunchtime race car tuning session.
Modified by Flux at 2:39 PM 6/14/2004
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Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Drinking Beer, UT
Re: My First HPDE: Impressions and Photos. (MugenMark)
Excellent write-up. I agree whole heartedly...the ITR is the most balanced, driver oreinted car I've ever driven on the track. The communication between car and driver is superior to almost every car you can encounter.
I was down at TWS for the supra nationals in March. Odd thing is that we were running the other direction...
Regardless, TWS is a great course. More tailored to higher HP cars like the Vipers, Porsche's and Supras, but more than enough track space in the rear twisties. Interestingly enough, at TWS was the first time I've been in a car that has reached over 150mph...actually it was 165mph by the end of the straight, but that is what 780rwhp can give you.
There are a bunch of other tracks that will make the M3's, Vipers, Supras look like Geo's. Watch out though, this track thing becomes an expensive addiction. They need to make a patch.
I was down at TWS for the supra nationals in March. Odd thing is that we were running the other direction...
Regardless, TWS is a great course. More tailored to higher HP cars like the Vipers, Porsche's and Supras, but more than enough track space in the rear twisties. Interestingly enough, at TWS was the first time I've been in a car that has reached over 150mph...actually it was 165mph by the end of the straight, but that is what 780rwhp can give you.
There are a bunch of other tracks that will make the M3's, Vipers, Supras look like Geo's. Watch out though, this track thing becomes an expensive addiction. They need to make a patch.
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From: kuidaore
Re: My First HPDE: Impressions and Photos. (Flux)
First I'd like to congratulate you. I remember in the past you mentioning that you were getting ready to do DE's and I knew that you'd love it and especially with your autocross background, you'd both excel and get addicted almost instantly.
Secondly I'd like to just repost your quote about the R:
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Flux »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The Car
What can I say? My car was simply awesome – I got a thrill every time I sat in the seat and had to give the R a nod of thanks every time I parked him in the garage. The car ran flawlessly all weekend and did everything I asked of it and could have given me more had I asked. What I loved most about this car is the way it communicated to me so effortlessly – I could feel everything that the chassis, the brakes, the tires and the suspension was doing. This allowed me confidence and the information I needed to make quick and accurate decisions. The car felt well balanced the entire weekend with only one or two hints of understeer. It was so predictable and consistent with plenty of grip. The Type R is the perfect track car and I could feel it just wanting to give me more when I was ready.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Because besides how you did or feel (which are great things in their own rights) that above statement of yours just about sums it all up. The car IS that good.
And thirdly I'd like to say Great Write Up!
I clearly remember my first day on the track, even my first session and the fear and elation and total wonder all at the same time. It's an awesome thing, and I can totally understand your feelings as well when you were moved up and how proud you feel.
Again congratulations and welcome to the NEW money pit, Tracking.
Hopefully see you out there,
And keep it shiny side up.
Anton
Secondly I'd like to just repost your quote about the R:
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Flux »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The Car
What can I say? My car was simply awesome – I got a thrill every time I sat in the seat and had to give the R a nod of thanks every time I parked him in the garage. The car ran flawlessly all weekend and did everything I asked of it and could have given me more had I asked. What I loved most about this car is the way it communicated to me so effortlessly – I could feel everything that the chassis, the brakes, the tires and the suspension was doing. This allowed me confidence and the information I needed to make quick and accurate decisions. The car felt well balanced the entire weekend with only one or two hints of understeer. It was so predictable and consistent with plenty of grip. The Type R is the perfect track car and I could feel it just wanting to give me more when I was ready.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Because besides how you did or feel (which are great things in their own rights) that above statement of yours just about sums it all up. The car IS that good.
And thirdly I'd like to say Great Write Up!
I clearly remember my first day on the track, even my first session and the fear and elation and total wonder all at the same time. It's an awesome thing, and I can totally understand your feelings as well when you were moved up and how proud you feel.
Again congratulations and welcome to the NEW money pit, Tracking.
Hopefully see you out there,
And keep it shiny side up.
Anton
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 18,261
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From: USA
Re: My First HPDE: Impressions and Photos. (Flux)
Now aren't you happy you got to use the R the way it was ment?
So I guess you found a new addiction, it's like crack- do it once and ya gotta keep doing it.
So I guess you found a new addiction, it's like crack- do it once and ya gotta keep doing it.
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From: Hollywood Babylon
Nice write up
I had my first track day last November at Lime Rock. I share many of the same feelings as you. Unfortunately for myself I had garbage tires and was slipping and sliding all over the place. Im anxiously looking forward to Expo with much better tires and pads as Im sure my R will feel outstanding as yours did.
I had my first track day last November at Lime Rock. I share many of the same feelings as you. Unfortunately for myself I had garbage tires and was slipping and sliding all over the place. Im anxiously looking forward to Expo with much better tires and pads as Im sure my R will feel outstanding as yours did.
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From: Texas Damnit
Re: My First HPDE: Impressions and Photos. (Flux)
awsome! I have been to TWS 3 times, only I have run counter clockwise. MSR is a great course too, though slower than TWS. I would love to attend more events with guys in TX at either location.
I have in car video of both courses as well, PM me and I can give you a linky.
I have in car video of both courses as well, PM me and I can give you a linky.
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From: imma young chinese boy
Re: My First HPDE: Impressions and Photos. (DavidR)
no need to apologize for anything. glad you had a great time and welcome to the club. the only problem with this club is the price of admission.
reading ross' recent experience in the GT3 and my most recent experience at gingerman this weekend for a PCA event reinforces exactly your comment on the ITR brakes. i have yet to experience a situation where a production car (with or without brake upgrades) on the track that can outbrake the R.
you really have to pay attention when following someone on the track because their typical braking point is so far in front of yours.
reading ross' recent experience in the GT3 and my most recent experience at gingerman this weekend for a PCA event reinforces exactly your comment on the ITR brakes. i have yet to experience a situation where a production car (with or without brake upgrades) on the track that can outbrake the R.
you really have to pay attention when following someone on the track because their typical braking point is so far in front of yours.
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Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Greenville, SC, USA
Re: My First HPDE: Impressions and Photos. (Flux)
nice write-up. I hope I can goto a HPDE event next year or some time after that. So I can learn more about myself as a driver and my car.
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Chicagoland, IL
Re: My First HPDE: Impressions and Photos. (Flux)
Glad you had fun!! Personally I hated TWS as my 2nd HPDE! Running the longest course counter-clockwise. I still remember coming of of the bank to the first left turn, which was wide as heck, and not being able to figure out where to turn in, where to apex, where to track out, how fast I could go. :-( I was doing 60, my instructor was doing 90, and most people were in-between. And man there's a lot of turns, hard to remember the whole thing :-) Definitley had fun, but it was my worst/slowest/most uncomfortable driving.
Too bad I was so gun-shy that weekend since my 1st event at Hallett in OK, I lost my brakes and went straight off of a turn going about 80-90 (well, fried brakes, brain faded, passing an M3 with more power than me and never made it back to the racing line so I was going too fast for the corner anyway) anyhow got into a tire wall going sideways at about 5-10 MPH, enough to muck up the paint and dent in all the side panels. Only the door shows any damage now and you have to look close.
Keep up the performance driving!!! Stay on the track!!!
Later!
Chris
1998 ITR 1085
Too bad I was so gun-shy that weekend since my 1st event at Hallett in OK, I lost my brakes and went straight off of a turn going about 80-90 (well, fried brakes, brain faded, passing an M3 with more power than me and never made it back to the racing line so I was going too fast for the corner anyway) anyhow got into a tire wall going sideways at about 5-10 MPH, enough to muck up the paint and dent in all the side panels. Only the door shows any damage now and you have to look close.
Keep up the performance driving!!! Stay on the track!!!
Later!
Chris
1998 ITR 1085
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From: TEXAS
Re: My First HPDE: Impressions and Photos. (Flux)
Looks like you had a good time with some great weather!
I was out there last month, got about 4 laps in when it started to rain. By the time I was back in the pits it was pouring....we decided to wait it out and ended up getting flooded in. I sat in my car for 3 hours till we decided to go off roading to get the hell outta there, the tunnels were flooded. Theres nothing like following a GT3 on a muddy road knowing you now have the upper hand.
Here's my track day, on our way out the "back exit"...
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 92TypeR »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I was down at TWS for the supra nationals in March. Odd thing is that we were running the other direction...</TD></TR></TABLE>
clockwise is a little more trickier.
Modified by pleiades nutz at 9:55 PM 6/14/2004
I was out there last month, got about 4 laps in when it started to rain. By the time I was back in the pits it was pouring....we decided to wait it out and ended up getting flooded in. I sat in my car for 3 hours till we decided to go off roading to get the hell outta there, the tunnels were flooded. Theres nothing like following a GT3 on a muddy road knowing you now have the upper hand.
Here's my track day, on our way out the "back exit"...
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 92TypeR »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I was down at TWS for the supra nationals in March. Odd thing is that we were running the other direction...</TD></TR></TABLE>
clockwise is a little more trickier.
Modified by pleiades nutz at 9:55 PM 6/14/2004
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From: Siege Perilous
Re: My First HPDE: Impressions and Photos. (Flux)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Flux »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Cobalt Spec VR pads</TD></TR></TABLE>
I guess you didn't want to take any chances!
Welcome to the club.
I guess you didn't want to take any chances!
Welcome to the club.
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From: USA
Re: My First HPDE: Impressions and Photos. (Flux)
hey flux, was that last Saturday (jun12)? Me and my dad was supposed to go there to meet up with a couple NSX buds from houston/austin. Did you see a silver,red, or blue NSX while you were there? Iv seen that S/C'd white NSX down in the Austin NSteXpo. I believe his name is Chris from Dallas TX?
Modified by Spike9711137 at 5:11 AM 6/15/2004
Modified by Spike9711137 at 5:11 AM 6/15/2004
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From: Fort Worth, TX
Re: My First HPDE: Impressions and Photos. (Flux)
Glad you had fun! It's addictive isn't it? I haven't been in about 8 months and it feels like years. Gotta get the 240SX in decent condition to take out there(no taking that thing out in stock form, I fade the brakes with one stop from 90mph!).
I do have a little concern over your instructor signing you off your first school though. While you seem to really have your head about you regarding this experience, there's just so many situations that can happen out there that you really aren't ready for.
All it takes is something a little "scary" to happen around you and you forget all those newfound skills and proceed to have a giant brain fart right off the course.
I know I wouldn't feel comfortable if I had been solo'd off my first 3 or 4 schools, looking back.
I feel you on being held up too. I was in C group at the last BMWCCA school(D is slowest, C next step up, A highest for students), and I swear I would pass damn near every car in the run group every session, and lap at least 3-4 cars everytime(and I shouldn't have been able to do that with the cars they had). Some guys in BMWCCA get moved up in classes just because they do schools, but they don't really concern themselves with applying the skills they learn, so they end up going painfully slow around the track and make ridiculous mistakes for the experience they should have. I'm looking forward to trying out some more "open" HPDE's like Trackmasters and Trackquest.
Jeez, here I am rambling about track time. Man I want to go back so badly!
I do have a little concern over your instructor signing you off your first school though. While you seem to really have your head about you regarding this experience, there's just so many situations that can happen out there that you really aren't ready for.
All it takes is something a little "scary" to happen around you and you forget all those newfound skills and proceed to have a giant brain fart right off the course.
I know I wouldn't feel comfortable if I had been solo'd off my first 3 or 4 schools, looking back.
I feel you on being held up too. I was in C group at the last BMWCCA school(D is slowest, C next step up, A highest for students), and I swear I would pass damn near every car in the run group every session, and lap at least 3-4 cars everytime(and I shouldn't have been able to do that with the cars they had). Some guys in BMWCCA get moved up in classes just because they do schools, but they don't really concern themselves with applying the skills they learn, so they end up going painfully slow around the track and make ridiculous mistakes for the experience they should have. I'm looking forward to trying out some more "open" HPDE's like Trackmasters and Trackquest.
Jeez, here I am rambling about track time. Man I want to go back so badly!
