Skywalker Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 This is probably a noob question, but I've looked through the NASA-SE site, the main NASA site and the seemingly relevant sections of the CCR's and haven't found an answer. My question is this - at this weekend's event at Road Atlanta, my instructor said he was going to recommend I be moved to HPDE 2 - at what point is this "official"? It sounded like it was his recommendation, but it would have to be approved. At the next event, do I just sign up for HPDE 2 and hope I don't get smacked back down or will I be notified if I was "accepted" into group 2 prior to actually registering for the next event? Thanks, Luke PS - If I wasn't hooked last event, I'm freakin' addicted after this one . . . . And my wife's wanting to give it a try as well!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fast_frank_d Posted August 15, 2007 Share Posted August 15, 2007 It might be too late for this time, but ask your instructor to make a note in your HPDE passport with his name. Then you can join/register for the next higher group. Show your passport to your new group leader if a question arises. Frank D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STRINGER Posted August 15, 2007 Share Posted August 15, 2007 I agree...have your instructor make a written suggestion for advancement. I have run 2 HPDE1 events. And according to my instructor I did well and was signed off to solo for both. I have no documentation other then my log book ratings to go into group 2 but signed up for 2 at savannah based on recomendations. The one thing I have learned is that there is not a huge jump from 1 to 2. Group 2 is just detailing and advancing the group 1 learnings and developing better race skills. But from 2 to 3 there is. It involves a lot of awareness and gentlemen like conduct as passing is anywhere on the track with a point by. I got a preview from VIR on group 2 and apparently there was a bit of passing without a point by and that was really frowned upon by the officials. Good show on the officials part in my opinion. Hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skywalker Posted August 15, 2007 Author Share Posted August 15, 2007 Point noted - next time I come up for advancement, I'll make sure it's noted in my passport. I guess I'll try to get in touch with someone in registration and see how they handle this. It's not a huge deal, I'm just curious to find out how it all works. I'm hoping one benefit to being in group 2 is that the lapping will run a bit smoother with quicker point-by's and fewer freight trains like we saw this past weekend. Thanks for the replies! Luke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spdrcrj Posted August 17, 2007 Share Posted August 17, 2007 Hey Luke, I was in the Electron Blue supercharged Z06 that had overheating issues with you on track. I have the same question as you. My sat. instructor told me he "signed me off to go to HPDE 2" and another instructor who rode with me on sunday wrote in my log "rec. solo". I posed this question in the SE region forum so hopefully Jim can shed some light on this for us. Jim #25 Z06 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beerkat Posted August 17, 2007 Share Posted August 17, 2007 After years of running in HPDE 1 & 2 I was moved up to HPDE 3 this season. There are big differences. I wish that I had worked on off line driving when in group 2. I now have to teach myself. The big changes are traffic management and passing anywhere on the track. I now need to keep a better eye on what is going on around me through the turns in order to point people by. It is a different pucker factor when you start going though a turn with another car next to you. You have do know ahead of time which side your want someone to pass you on. Since you do not have an instructor in the car you need to know the track your driving very well. You need to know where you want to go in the event that you have to leave the track to avoid someone else. It is not racing, but it is very close to it. You still give a point by but you are not letting up to help them pass you. Especial in the turns when you point someone by you you do not want to lift. but you need to be ready to drive a different line to help get both cars though it. The reason I spent so much time in the first two groups was that I did not do that many NASA events in a season. I also was not in a hurry to move up. Learning the tracks we drive here in the SE is much easier with an instructor than without. There is no substitute for seat time. I would still use an instructor in HPDE 3 if I was to go to a new track just to help learn the line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spdrcrj Posted August 17, 2007 Share Posted August 17, 2007 I would still use an instructor in HPDE 3 if I was to go to a new track just to help learn the line. I agree and will try to get an instructor any time im on a track that's new to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skywalker Posted August 17, 2007 Author Share Posted August 17, 2007 This raises another question I had - my understanding is that you are automatically put in HPDE 1, maybe 2 if you are new to a track until you are signed off, even if you have advanced. Is there any validity to that? Jim, you had the overly "chatty" instructor (although not driving related) on Saturday, right? Another reason I'm curious to find out how things work is that my wife has expressed interest in trying HPDE. My instructor suggested Roebling Road since it is pretty flat and has good sight lines. If I can run in group 2 there, it'll make sharing the car a LOT easier! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefrush Posted August 17, 2007 Share Posted August 17, 2007 This raises another question I had - my understanding is that you are automatically put in HPDE 1, maybe 2 if you are new to a track until you are signed off, even if you have advanced. Is there any validity to that? I was able to run HPDE 3 at the California Speedway Roval with no prior experience on that track. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STRINGER Posted August 17, 2007 Share Posted August 17, 2007 Here is a thought that occured to me. If you are a group 3 student going to a new track...could you sign up for group 2 so you would not have to pay for an instructor? I know that no one wants to go backwards. But I would view it as a smart choice as a driver. Unless you know an instructor willing to ride along with you for nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbright007 Posted August 17, 2007 Share Posted August 17, 2007 (edited) Hi guys, I was the "other" red miata in DE1. Missed most of Sun due to missfire issues we haven't solved yet. Edited August 18, 2007 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbgeek Posted August 18, 2007 Share Posted August 18, 2007 Here is a thought that occured to me. If you are a group 3 student going to a new track...could you sign up for group 2 so you would not have to pay for an instructor? I know that no one wants to go backwards. But I would view it as a smart choice as a driver. Unless you know an instructor willing to ride along with you for nothing. Actually, most instructors are willing to ride along for free if they have time. Not only that, but if you are in DE 3, you have the opportunity to ride with an instructor in their first session on Saturday (in NASA-MA, this is the first session of the day), just head to grid with a helmet and ask politely for a ride. I'm an instructor who revels in giving people rides - I really like having a passenger, whether it is my fiancee, one of my students, or a group 3 person. I would strongly discourage a DE 3 student from signing up for DE 2 just because they haven't been to a track. Once you have progressed to group 3, you have mastered the skillset that group 2 is studying. You will not be able to learn as much throughout the weekend. Besides, it should only take a session or so to learn the track, even if you haven't 'mastered' it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beerkat Posted August 18, 2007 Share Posted August 18, 2007 When I was moved up to 3 my first time I was given an instructor. It was a track (the Rock) that I had not driven before. I was not charged. I do know some instructor who would ride with me if I asked them too. But it would be only for one maybe two sessions to help me learn the correct line. But the correct line goes away in 3 since you have passing any where on the track. Like I said earlier 3 is about learning to manage traffic and working with the other drivers to avoid an incident. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STRINGER Posted August 18, 2007 Share Posted August 18, 2007 Good information. I will keep that in mind for the future. And just a side note. I LOVE RIDING. Gives you a great chance to see a different perspective of be able to observe a lot of techniques and lines. Edit... Being a 1.6 miata guy...it lets me see what its like going around the track fast lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skywalker Posted August 18, 2007 Author Share Posted August 18, 2007 I'll 2nd the riding comment. I tried to ride with my instructor last year, but we got black flagged for me being taller than his roll bar (curse my anatomy - apparently I'm all torso and no legs, which sucks in a Miata). This year I got to ride in my instructor's C6 Z06 - talk about a different perspective . . . . WOW! Next time out, I'm hoping to snag a ride with one of the spec Miata guys if they can/are willing to carry a passenger during a practice session. Luke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STRINGER Posted August 19, 2007 Share Posted August 19, 2007 Luke, you gonna be a RR in september for HPDE? We can team up to find you the spec ride. There was 3 Instructors at VIR with miata's I think. Dont know wif they are going to RR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beerkat Posted August 19, 2007 Share Posted August 19, 2007 I also enjoy riding with others. You can learn a lot about how to drive a track. But beware. After I went for a ride with one of my instructor in his FRC vette I ended up trading my '03 Must/Cobra for a '01 ZO6. It was a good move on my part but something I would not have done if I had not gone for the ride. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skywalker Posted August 19, 2007 Author Share Posted August 19, 2007 Luke, you gonna be a RR in september for HPDE? We can team up to find you the spec ride. There was 3 Instructors at VIR with miata's I think. Dont know wif they are going to RR Probalby not - work is most likely going to get in the way. I'm aiming for the winter/spring event at Roebling in 2008, assuming they keep the same general event order as this year. Luke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trhoads Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 there is no shame in dropping back to HPDE 2, I will be doing that for the event that SE is doing at Barber Motorsports Park this October. I have only been there as a spectator, and it is a very technical track, and I would like to have an instructor there for the whole weekend. I am only doing HPDE 3 at places that I am comfortable with it, to get more solo seat time where I have been. You can never stop learning in this sport, there is always something you can learn from the person in the right seat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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