I have a question about getting into HPDE. I know I have to belong to NASA or an affiliated club, but are they public events or do I have to belong to a car club running on a given track day?
Does anybody here run at NHMS? Are there any events coming up soon?
It looks like my first couple/few sessions will have to be in my Outback though. It's going to be a while before I can pick up a toy.
Thanks,
Sean
For NASA events - the fees, registration, tech and instructors are through the local NASA region. The organization is renting the track usually, so not open to the public events. Check with the organizing group on equipment needed, tech procedures, fees, etc.
check the schedules at your local track. Some times they organize their own "open" track days. They will have their own safety and vehicle requirements as well.
Many clubs will allow non-member guests. Check with the event coordinators and registrars to see if you have to be a member.
Lugnut wrote: Many clubs will allow non-member guests. Check with the event coordinators and registrars to see if you have to be a member.
Yes. Many marquee clubs do this. The normal procedure is to have a set fee, and give a discount to club members. Just check the event calendar at your local track to see what groups are running what days, and see what their rules are.
Check what sort of instruction format the have. You will need a good instructor your first time out.
At least out here in NorCal, NASA has an excellent instruction program. The best I have seen for just normal event fees.
SeanC wrote: I have a question about getting into HPDE. I know I have to belong to NASA or an affiliated club, but are they public events or do I have to belong to a car club running on a given track day? Does anybody here run at NHMS? Are there any events coming up soon? It looks like my first couple/few sessions will have to be in my Outback though. It's going to be a while before I can pick up a toy. Thanks, Sean
A great bunch to run with, and they'll be ther 8/8:
http://www.scda1.com/
Another great bunch will be there on the 30th:
http://www.comscc.org/
Can't go wrong either way,
thunderzy wrote: check the schedules at your local track. Some times they organize their own "open" track days. They will have their own safety and vehicle requirements as well.
Check this out for sure.
Our local track, Hallett, organises what they call "High Speed Touring" which are basically just HPDE's.
They run them on days they are already racing, so the track time is super cheap. 5-6 15 minute sessions for $95. Quick cars run in the 1:30 range, so you can get a good few laps in.
Not NHMS but CART runs at Lime Rock and Pocono. You don't have to be a club member to run, in fact the majority of our track people are not members. See our ad in Grassroots or Classic Motorsports, or go to www.cartct.com for more info and registration forms. You can also go to the event calendar on this forum, or www.myautoevents.com www.mytrackschedule.com, www.motorsportsreg.com for different clubs
car 39 gives a lot of good info. I have run with CART in the past and they are a great group.
Lots of groups run at NHIS. Check into the BMW club, NASA, Chin, etc. For NASA and BMW club you do need to be a member to register for events, but it's cheap.
Even with the "closed to the public events", regardless of the association, a nice e-mail to the Chairman of the association will usually get you in as one of his "pit crew" or guests. It's to their advantage to grow the associations membership. I've used this with success a couple of time. Go meet the person, give them a nice thank you with a genuine offer to help out. And do so!
Thanks for the help guys, great community here.
Dashpot, I'll definitely check them out.
car39, thanks for the tip, but NHMS is about 1-1/2 hours from me, whereas Lime Rock is more than double that. Maybe I'll get there someday, but for now, closer is better.
One more thing, seeing as how my first few times will probably be in my Outback wagon. Have you guys ever seen other "less than ideal" vehicles on the track?
I guess I just want to know that I'll enjoy running it even though it's not in a Corvette or something similar. I'm a little worried about the suspension being too wishy-washy for a real road course? Thoughts?
Thanks again.
-Sean
I'll admit that NASA has a better developed track day program than SCCA, but if your local SCCA region is doing one (we call em PDX), you can usually pick up a "temporary" membership good for the weekend ($20-30bux depending on the Region. You can deduct it from the yearlong if you decide you wanna join permanently). Long as the car's healthy (which it should be for HPDE anyway, right?), you're in.
And don't sweat the cars. I've seen everything from 1970 Firebirds to BMW station wagons. And I think there was an Accord station wagon in there somewhere. Go. Drive.
Oh, and listen to your instructor.
SeanC wrote: I'm a little worried about the suspension being too wishy-washy for a real road course? Thoughts?
Sorry dude, didn't mean to skip this part first time around.
Just drive within your limits. Be aware of where cars are, and be as courteous as you can when people are passing you. I don't care if someone's slower than I am through the corners, as long as they don't blast away from me on the straight-just to hold me up in the next corner. Give big point-arounds, and if someone's lapping faster than you-let them by, no matter what they're driving.
Everybody but the shiny happy people are aware that there are a lot of different people with different equipment & skill levels. The shiny happy people will eventually find karma.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8pRkhnJ9Eg
Notice the driver's reaction? Evidently, the Viper guy had been driving like that not only that weekend, but on previous occasions as well.
friedgreencorrado wrote:SeanC wrote: I'm a little worried about the suspension being too wishy-washy for a real road course? Thoughts?Sorry dude, didn't mean to skip this part first time around. Just drive within your limits. Be aware of where cars are, and be as courteous as you can when people are passing you. I don't *care* if someone's slower than I am through the corners, as long as they don't blast away from me on the straight-just to hold me up in the *next* corner. Give big point-arounds, and if someone's lapping faster than you-let them by, no matter what they're driving. Everybody but the shiny happy people are aware that there are a *lot* of different people with different equipment & skill levels. The shiny happy people will eventually find karma. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8pRkhnJ9Eg Notice the driver's reaction? Evidently, the Viper guy had been driving like that not only *that* weekend, but on previous occasions as well.
WOW...high performance car, low performance driver, huh?
Yeah, I understand what you're saying about being a courteous driver.
The guy in the Viper got lucky just spinning out, could have been much worse. Definitely the kind of jackass that isn't needed at these events. Though, I suppose I'd rather guys like him do this kind of thing at a track and not on the road where my family may be.
Thanks again for the much appreciated advice everybody.
-Sean
You'll need to log in to post.
