good track?

[sektor 11]

I'll be doing my first HPDE this summer. I was hoping to do at Bluegrass but I'm not 100% sure it will be ready.

 

So, with that said, if you had the option to do one HPDE which track (out of the ones below) would you choose? And why would be helpful as well....

Mid-Ohio

Putnam

Gingerman

[kbrew8991]

Mid-O was really fun, its in my top 3 favorites (3 way tie - Mid-O, VIR, RoadAtl) very VERY technical, challenging, historic, fun... I haven't run the others though so take a local person's advice over mine

 

it may be better to choose a less popular and easier track for your first HPDE so you're not overwhelmed and have space to work on driving technique things with your instructor as well

[drivinhardz06]

putnam and gingerman have more run off room (lots of grass) than MO, good for a 1st timer

[sektor 11]

putnam and gingerman have more run off room (lots of grass) than MO, good for a 1st timer

 

I heard putnam has almost an insane amount of run off.

 

I've done a few "lunch laps" at Mid Ohio and there isn't all that much run off there. Ok, so far great advise.

[soundguydave]

I haven't run at Mid-O, but I have at both Putnam and Gingerman. Both are somewhat smaller, which is a benefit for a "novice" as the layout is much easier to memorize. They also both offer a variety of turns that will become familiar at other tracks, so there is good educational opportunity. Of the two, I prefer Putnam, as I find the track itself a bit nicer. There are the typical late-apex corners, and there's also a nice pseudo-chicane and a good sweeper to learn, as well. Gingerman is also a good track, though. There's almost nothing to hit at either track in the event of an epic failure in ability, and both tracks have only one real "warning" turn. Depending on the car and the base skill-set, Mid-O might be a bit intimidating for a first-time track visit.

[Rob O]

All good choices of tracks. I say it doesn't matter because in the end, you will have so much fun you will find a way to go run the other two tracks sooner than you think! Have fun and be safe.

[jsbumed]

Bluegrass is officially out as of tonight. As Dave said, both Putnam and Gingerman are great tracks to learn on. I also prefer Putnam a bit more, but both tracks are a blast. The only thing there is that unless you are signed up already for next weekend, you are probably out of luck until October. Mid-O and Gingerman will come sooner. I don't see any problem with Mid-O as a first time track, but as the others have mentioned, there is a less run off room. The track itself is a great, fun track. As of tonight, Grattan is another option for you as well. Let us all know what you decide.

[Renntag]

All good choices of tracks. I say it doesn't matter because in the end, you will have so much fun you will find a way to go run the other two tracks sooner than you think! Have fun and be safe.

 

This is the best advice.

 

I caution anyone to suggest one track is better than another for a newb due to run off. I often tell people that a group 1 and group 2 student should be able to drive on the track the same as they might wish to drive on the street. (fast but in control). Granted it is not legal to drive at the speeds we wish to drive, but at no point would any of us do something risky enough to cause a crash on the street. This is the type of responsibility one needs to bring to the track. I first started doing HPDE at Watkins Glenn. Some turns there have zero run off. You track out to a wall. Much like driving fast on the street, you dont drop a wheel and you dont go over your head. Staying in this safe area will allow you to progress with out learning the hard way. Additionally it is much harder to afford more track time if you are paying to fix a wrecked car.

 

Drive every track you can. Drive smart.

[Kanmer]

Stay on the track and you don't need run off room...

[sektor 11]

Great advice through out! Thanks!

 

I ended up doing my first event at MidOhio. And guess what? It was AWESOME! Who would have guessed?

 

I got pushed up to HPDE2 and will be attending Putnam this weekend (oct 2-4). Can't wait. Looking forward to "big bear".

[Rob O]

Told ya. Glad you had fun. You'll love Putnam too but in a different way than Mid Ohio. They should have a big party Sat. night too.

[soundguydave]

I caution anyone to suggest one track is better than another for a newb due to run off. I often tell people that a group 1 and group 2 student should be able to drive on the track the same as they might wish to drive on the street. (fast but in control). Granted it is not legal to drive at the speeds we wish to drive, but at no point would any of us do something risky enough to cause a crash on the street. This is the type of responsibility one needs to bring to the track. I first started doing HPDE at Watkins Glenn. Some turns there have zero run off. You track out to a wall. Much like driving fast on the street, you dont drop a wheel and you dont go over your head. Staying in this safe area will allow you to progress with out learning the hard way. Additionally it is much harder to afford more track time if you are paying to fix a wrecked car.

 

Drive every track you can. Drive smart.

 

I agree wholeheartedly with what you're saying here, but there is a point to consider about track selection for a first experience... A "safe" track, one that doesn't have "intimidating" turns, like The Kink at RA, The Corkscrew at Laguna Seca, or anywhere that you track out at high speed next to a wall, like the Nascar turns at a roval, will give the student a slightly higher initial confidence level. Remember, going out on the track for the first time, with no speed limits (NOT lunchtime lapping!!) is already a situation filled with sensory overload, fear/adrenaline, and completely new physical sensations. I would opt to recommend a track that really looks safe, just to try to keep the student focused on what we're working on, rather than worrying about "that turn" that may be coming up soon. I had a student at Road America that was so afraid of The Kink, that he was on the brakes before finishing the track-out from the carousel. I could tell that his focus was on the kink; we never did get a good, consistent entry into the carousel, because he was worried about the kink (turn eleven) starting around track-out from turn six where his line and techniques fell apart, even though he was quite good for the rest of the track...

 

Eliminating the pucker-factor will only let the student concentrate on the instruction and mastering the techniques being taught, rather than getting all wound up over a perceived danger. There's a big difference between trying to teach the student to use the whole track where going wide will kick up a little dust or grass, and where you say "See that big 40-foot long smear of rubber on that concrete wall? Aim for that. That's your track-out point, and be sure to use the whole track!" Gingerman and Putnam are wide open tracks, with very little to hit in the event of an off, unlike Gateway, or Road America. The speeds are also considerably lower. That allows for a little more confidence from the student, and a little more willingness to try "new" things.