HPDE progression?
 

I have my first hpde event this weekend Miller Motorsports Park and just recieved my NASA membership card and info packet, which I read. Question is how does one progress from hdpe 1,2,3 etc.. ? I know I have an instructor this week as a hdpe 1 driver. Do you just have to do a set number of events at each level or does you instructor sign off you're ready to progess?

I would like to run Time Attack next year which runs in hdpe group 4 from what I have read.

thanks for any input

instructors sign you off and recommend you for the next level, then you get a check ride from chief instructor. Once in the solo categories, when you feel ready, you ask for a checkride to the next level.

^ and if you have to ask for a check ride, you are not ready for a check ride. I've never passed anyone who has asked for one.
You will progress as your ability allows. Some have more natural ability and progress quickly, some just don't have it and we call them "golfers".

Thanks for the replies. DR if I am a 5 handicap can I ask for a check ride:tup: joking! !

with this being my first event HDPE wise. My intent is to learn as much as I can absorb and be safe.

I know it is differs for each individual in your experience what kind of time frame do most drivers take to progess from class 1 to 4 with average beginner skills?

Thanks

First time out. Keep your eyes and ears open. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Don't think you're joe-pro racer. There will be people faster than you, also slower than you in the same group. Don't drive over your head. Don't let the instructor let you drive over your head. I watched a guy in a Viper crash because of that. Most important thing to do. Enjoy yourself. :) It may take you a few times out to move up to the next group. Don't get disappointed. When you move up. Remember, that there WILL be people alot faster then you again. ;)

The track I run on. We have 3 groups. Group 1 has instructors. Group 2, you start out with an instructor and move to solo. Group 3 is the go fast crazies. To move up. You have to writen up by the head instructor. For me now. I'm in Group 3, but like running in Group 2. I get pasted alot less. LOL Took me 8 track days to move up from Group 1 to Group 3. My background was roadracing motorcycles and doing trackdays with them a few years ago. So that's the reason why I moved up so quick.

Does having a race license, expert status, points, won money etc in 600cc super sport mean anything to the car world? Or do you still progress like everyone else?

Edit. Lol never mind, just saw rusty say he raced and moved up like everyone.

That looks real simular to the NASA groups here. HPDE1 Instructor rides along, HPDE 2 no instructor but runs with group 1, HPDE 3 faster group that can race within there group, HPDE 4 full on racing or TT. I think that is about right.

I have some 2 wheel race experience as well but, on MX bikes about the only thing that seems to have transfered is line choice and maybe some breaking zones as it applies to setting up for corners and looking ahead.

Yeah, just go have fun. That's what this is all about(and of course loving your badass car and going fast). But you gotta understand it's not a simulation. It's you and your car and no one is in control of it but you. You didn't mention if it is your first time ever on a tack or just the first time with this group. If it is your first time ever on a track, then just go as fast as you are comfortable with. My first track day was a complete disaster. I was 2nd the slowest person out there and scared senseless. When I left I wasn't sure if I would ever do it again.

The next day I wanted to go back. That's what it is all about.

All the BS "Im so smart", "I know more about suspensions", "I know more about tires" stuff goes out the window as soon as you pull out of the pits. Once you pull out of the pits it's the real deal and no one in the world can tell you different.

Just have fun and if you do well, you will get moved into a more appropriate group. :tiphat:

As to that, I was referring to moving from an intermediate solo to an advanced solo status, as you are never with an instructor anymore. When I found myself in intermediate and not getting passed by anyone over entire weekends, I decided it was time to move up and asked the chief to get checked out for that. In an instructed level, you wouldn't want to ask though, instructors will tell you when you are ready.

First 2-3 weekends, don't even think about speed. Just work on the line, smoothness, consistency and getting used to being on the track with others and where they are.

Well had a blast today. Snowed in the mountains Friday so the weather was cold this morning 36 ish for our first session. My instructor Scott was great had a helmet to helmet comm system so I had a lot of instruction the better part of session 1.

So things to work on:

1. Break before you start the turn and pick a better line. Scott pointed this out right off the bat and we worked on that for most of the first session, with a couple of thumbs up for applying what I had been told and for going through the Double D's correctly from the get go.

2. Probably the most difficult thing for me was getting through the slower corner clean. I seemed to do much better on the higher speed and double apex corners. I got a much better feel for it but, still have miles to go to pick up speed.

After the 2 morning sessions I moved to group 2, so solo from there on out for the day with the same cars on the track.

3. Yokahama Advan sports need to go if I want to be semi serious about doing more events.

The 2 afternoon sessions went well but, a couple of things to note. About half way through my 3rd session I got a slight vibration in my front right tire. Nothing serious just not confidence inspiring. It almost felt like the tire was rolling/ flexing on hard cornering. After the session I went back and checked my wear marks and I was about 1/2 to 1/4 of an inch shy of hitting the wear marks on the shoulder of my fronts. So talked to Scott and a few other folks and ended up going from 36 psi to 34 psi which felt better but, not as good as the morning sessions.

As for the vibration by the 4th session I had it in both front wheels. I figured it out on my way home when I hit the freeway. I noticed earlier in the day my tires had picked up a lot of track rubber which threw them off balance slightly. I actually remember Scott mentioning that when we were looking at his Porsh after his TT.

Things to buy/install before next time.

Tires

I have FI TDX and HFC coming. I hate how quiet my Nismo is plus performance gain.

Oil cooler. The temp eventually hit 58 deg and while the 370 did fine I never saw anything above 240 and the majority was 220 or so. Utah gets hot as hell in the summer so a Z1 34 row is in my future.

Proper break pads. I changed out the factory fluid with Motul RBF 600 about a week ago so no issues with fade.

Well that's a wrap thanks for everyone's input and yes the bug has bit:stirthepot:

Glad you had a good time. :tup: It's a steep learning curve, ain't it?

welcome to the club!