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Passangers HPDE 2


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Posted

Currently I have a class 3 rating, however my wife wants to come and experience a event. I'm thinking class 2 for her first time on track- is this accepted in class 2. NorCal by the way. Thanks.

Posted

If its her first time why doesnt she want to run group 1? I mean you get an instructor and learn a lot from them.

 

I also dont see why people want to move up so quickly from HPDE 1. My instructors have been a great benifit to me over the years of tracking. Your out there to have fun, be safe and learn.

Posted

I took this to mean he wants to take her in the car "with" him. Not for her to drive.

Posted

Correct - she's warming up to the idea of doing an event herself, but little steps first. and yes I agree, I have had some great instructors and will continue to. :^) so back to the question.... passangers HPDE 2 ???

Posted
Correct - she's warming up to the idea of doing an event herself, but little steps first. and yes I agree, I have had some great instructors and will continue to. :^) so back to the question.... passangers HPDE 2 ???
Not in the mid atlantic region. HPDE3 driver with prior permission and Instructors(our HPDE4 group) are the only ones allowed passengers.
Posted

yeah, no passengers in 2. take her out in 3 but just take it easy and be smooth. instead of 9 or 10 -10ths go 7 maybe 8-10ths. unless she digs it of course

Posted

the official word is you can take any passenger you like if they are over 18 and they sign a waiver and get a wristband. You can take (1) passenger in Groups 2, 3, & 4 without specific permission.

 

Cheers!

Posted

"You can take (1) passenger in Groups 2, 3, & 4 without specific permission."

 

OK, Silly question:

 

Can you take 2 passengers, or 3?

How about 1 passenger in the back seat?

Posted
the official word is you can take any passenger you like if they are over 18 and they sign a waiver and get a wristband. You can take (1) passenger in Groups 2, 3, & 4 without specific permission.

 

Cheers!

 

 

"You can take (1) passenger in Groups 2, 3, & 4 without specific permission."

 

OK, Silly question:

 

Can you take 2 passengers, or 3?

How about 1 passenger in the back seat?

 

 

Did you really ask if you can take 2 or 3 passengers?

 

Unreal.

Posted

only ONE passanger at a time. and no they can't sit in the back seat.

Posted

What about a McLaren F1? If I take a McLaren F1 to the track can I not take a passenger?

 

 

...runs and hides...

 

Posted

Im plesantly surprised cause I had always been told no passengers except instructors. Would like to take my bride or daughter out for a session to see what their interest level is. I agree with not doing 10/10 as object is to guide not terrify. Glad I saw this thread.

Posted
Can you take 2 passengers, or 3?

How about 1 passenger in the back seat?

 

Sure, you can take as many passengers as you have seat belts for... during the lunch time charity touring laps. Don't know if you have those in NorCal.

 

Anything to add, Colin?

Posted

Frank is right about the lunch time touring laps. I have taken 4 out in the suburban !

 

I cant comment on passengers for group 3 drivers. That is going to come down to what the chief(s) has/have to say.

 

FWIW: My understanding was that only instructors can ride along or give rides in high speed sessions. It doesnt hurt to ask.

  • 1 month later...
Posted

I've taken my wife out for a Lunch Lap tour at Summit Point and during a HPDE 3 session at VIR. She enjoyed gaining a "first hand" perspective of what I was doing on the track and why it always puts a smile on my face. While she currently has no desire to take lessons in HPDE 1, she joins me at all my events and we always have a great time. I believe you can take a passenger on the track for a "Lunch Lap" ride in HPDE 2, but must wait till HPDE 3 before taking someone out at speed (8/10s in my case).

Posted

I am under the impression that ONLY INSTRUCTORS can take out passenger for rides. Does this vary from section to section?

Posted

There is no reason to allow ridealongs in HPDE1/2 unless it is a certified NASA instructor or someone equally qualified and pre-approved by the group leader. The aim of HPDE 1/2 is to gain a founding in the basics of car control and the minimum requirements to safely operate a vehicle at speed on a real racetrack. Having an unexperienced driver try to keep control of the vehicle and make potentially life threatening instantaneous adjustments with another distraction (passenger) is a recipe for disaster. Although we can be sympathetic to the requests to introduce a new girlfriend or friend or even a potential bride (Now that's smart!) to this sport, this is best left to the people trained to do this, the instructor pool.

 

OK what's the real deal? People take their friends out to impress them with their ability. Not all, of course, but be honest, this is the main aim. If someone really wants to get an "E" ticket ride with a licensed race car driver, do just that. I have had rides with race directors that scared the ever-lovin' daylights out of me! This occurs in HPDE3/4 where the pace is fast and the drivers much more experienced. With the combination and evolution of TT, the opportunity to run 4 is severly curtailed.

 

So the best bet in SoCal is to come up to the HPDE3 leader or the HPDE Group Director and request the ridealong. We are very busy trying to evolve up to 25 cars and widely varying driver ability in the very thing you are trying to understand, so attending the download sessions and getting to know the process and requirements rather than just showing up on pregrid with a helmet is the best way to accomplish this.

 

On the up note, there is nothing like a hot lap session with an experienced driver in a modern or race-prepared vehicle. If I had known how to do this before getting into this racing/instructing deal, I would have. It is not well advertised because of liability and the distractions that coordinating this entails. Sorry to go on so long, but this question deserves a thorough and thoughtful response. Be persistant and respectful of the seriousness of putting someone in the passenger seat at speed and you will be rewarded greatly!

 

We at NASA are very interested in showing new people what this sport is all about and these new riders are VERY important to that process!

 

MD out

  • 1 month later...
Posted

I found this in the CCR I think that it will answer most questions on passengers.

 

 

4.6 HPDE Passenger Privileges

A passenger is defined as any participant possessing the proper wristband or credential,

riding in a moving vehicle while on track, yet is not in physical control of that vehicle.

NASA Instructors are not considered passengers for the purposes of this section. All

passengers must be at least 18 years old. Minors that are participants in the event

should not be a passenger, unless riding with an instructor, for the purposes of

instruction.

1. The ability to take a passenger on-track is a revocable privilege, not a right.

2. Passengers may be allowed in all HPDE groups, unless otherwise specified.

3. Group 1 (“Schoolâ€

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