Iconic

I've done several HPDEs around Florida and here at RA and there always seems to be caged racers in the advanced groups. I assumed the same for this particular event, so I registered in the middle of 3 groups (3 groups at this one, unlike others with 4). Turns out there were just street cars in this advanced group with more than a few running slower times than me in intermediate. This is a HPDE club that I've never been with and I signed up months ago. Show up the day of and find out;

Only 3 passing zones; 14-1, 3-5, and kink to Canada...with special green cones outlining the obvious.

No passing in 1-3, 5-6, 6-7, 7-8, 8-9, or 10-11.

First TWO laps run under caution. (scheduled)

Within the last month a neon sign was installed in 14 to display car numbers getting black flaged, and man did this club use it.

The slow black car (MT plates) had never been on a track, was running intermediate group without an instructor, few point byes, and at one time driving 45 through the kink leading a freight train.

It was still a good time. The group who ran this event were all great guys and did a nice job, plus this event ties in nicely with the Tudor weekend and I'll likely do it again next year. I get a laugh watching these vids, thought you gents would get a chuckle too..lol


Continues..

tytek

You are a much more patient man than I. I would have passed the slow pokes a lot sooner, even if no point by. If black flagged, I'd bring the video up for review.

Anyhow, nice track, but hooked needs to offer better driver selection and group placement.

We had a Golf R at Putnam a couple of months ago, who was placed in a C group claiming to have done various track days. He ended up doing parade-speed laps and holding everyone in that group up. They relegated him to the beginner class and he didn't improve much at the end. Some people just can't get over the fear of going fast...

Iconic

I hear ya. Depending on the car and area of the track, passing the slow cars without a point by was tempting...tempting for about a nano second...then realizing that could be a mistake because one or two of these guys were very unpredictable on what line they'd take. In one instance the black car gave a point by with his arm straight out which indicates the car behind him can pass on the left, but as he's sticking his arm straight out, he himself moves his car to the very left of the track.

As for driver selection/group placement, I kind of chalk that up to the drivers themselves when registering. When guys fill out registration, most every HPDE organizing body asks what your prior track experience is and/or if you've driven the particular track and I think it is basicaly the honor system. I've always been honest, but I've never been questioned or been asked to prove my prior track events. I believe the vast majority of guys have a close gauge of their personal skills and cars capabilities when selecting their run group and get it right, with a few exceptions obviously. I often see the guys who know they're slower, line up towards the back on grid and wave others to get in front of them on grid. Everyone has slightly different expectations on track and by the second or third session it usually sorts itself out.

Hooked ran the event well, super nice guys, very organized, and pride themselves on 7/10ths safety. In fact, they were going to move the black 4/10ths car down a group, but he decided to leave before lunch.

FASTFATBOY

Amazing how fast you THOUGHT you were lol.

Problem with signing up for DE's is, you have to get out on track and prove it lol. It ain't a boasting contest at a car show.

Bad Dad

Awesome Video, Great info on not what to do, Beginner Here

mikeCsix

rbl

Is that your radio blasting on the track ....

Iconic

At Road America, I've seen guys with much lower HP cars than me be proud of their 3:15 lap times, so yeah it's all relative. The guys with C6 Z06s turning 2:35s are probably chucking at my best, a 2:47 in my bone stock Grand Sport (save Hawk race pads and Moltul) including the factory Good Year runcraps. The guys in the C7Rs turning 2:05 are laughing at us all. Prototypes running sub 2s, etc etc...

I always like to learn the lap times of other makes and models, with mods and without. I know most of these guys at HPDEs are not pushing it to 10/10s, myself included, but is still somewhat of a benchmark-ish. I saved a looooong time to buy this car new and I'll be phucked before I put it in the wall by pushing 10/10s.

Tell us what your personal best lap is at Road America, and what were you driving? Just for my benchmarking purposes, ya know.

FASTFATBOY

I was talking about the guys who signed up for intermediate and were passed and dropped down a rung.

Never been to Road America

Best at Barber on street tires 1:49

Best at NOLA on Rcomps 2:00.

I do run 10/10's... of my brain anyway, the 3800lb 99 Z28 is faster than my capabilities as of now. I run 10/10's because a F body is cheap to run and replace. The exact reason I don't have a Vette.

No shot taken at you bud, just having some fun.

Like the Youtube video FLAT OUT.

Iconic

Makes sense now Fastboy. I've seen you post here that you have done extensive time instructing at HPDEs, so I value your opinion, thus me quoting you. Barber is a track I have been wanting to run for quite some time now. I have been going to Talladega every year for the charity laps, maybe I'll get lucky and can kill two birds with one stone if the stars align just right with someone renting Barber in late May.

And oh, I need to correct myself about running 8/10s. That's in the turns. In the straightaways, I run 10/10s, don't we all

FASTFATBOY

Barber is like crack. Very high G loads there, so much fun.

Lots of events there, check Motorsportsreg.com.

Iconic

Im with motorsportsreg so I will check out the '15 schedule. Thanks

troyguitar

Here's a fun one:

2:35 in a 35-40 hp shifter kart with a top speed of ~110 mph

mikeCsix

You won't get into trouble at 10/10's, its 10.1/10's that's cause for concern...

edge04

I was there that weekend but I am a beginner. It was only my 4th HPDE so I have a way to go. I let a lot of cars pass as I was probably driving 5/10 as my engine temps were climbing. Great track.

DJFIN

Passing zones were limited. However, the event was lightly attended and Hooked on Driving ended up combining the advanced and intermediate run groups after lunch. That gave us 3 hour long sessions after lunch, plus 2 1/2 hour sessions before lunch. Unfortunately, it rained not long after lunch.

mikeCsix

Running in the rain is a great time to sharpen your skills!

Socko

If you get a chance, run with North Wood Shelby Club. 3 would be the right place to be on street tires. My buddy in his 400 whp sti with street tires actually moved out of 2 cause it was too fast he runs in the 2:40's. Plenty of preped cars on slicks in 2. Lots of passing areas many are VERY short relative to any other group i have run with, which is great in a vette cause you have the power to get past people still in these short zones, where as my buddy in his brz got held up a bunch cause his car didnt have the ***** to get around people in 100-200 yard passing zones.

I was running 247-248 while getting held up in group 4. Lost at least 4 seconds on my best lap based on my basic ability to read telemetry data. I was moving to 3 and my trans popped. But plenty of space to get past people and even in 4 good awareness and point buys. You could pass anyplace with a "straight", 14-1, 1-3, 3-5, 5-6, 7-8, 11-12, 13-14. Was super fun. I honestly don't know if i will run RA with any other group, as NWSC was friendly fun and over all pretty safe outside a group 1 crash, but i wont ever run in group 1. Just an awareness issue as they could pass in the passing areas without point buys and someone wasn't aware of a pass and hit someone.

Iconic

I agreee socko

I try to do a couple three events every year at RA and if I could only pick one it would be with NWSC.

It's 3 days, pass everywhere except in the turns, and they pay for 24 hour security which means you can camp in your trailer in the upper and lower paddocks, instead of getting kicked out every night. Not to mention the bargain price of $600 for 3 days. Passing mustangs all day long is fun too..LOL

SouthernSon

I noticed in the first video that you seemed to take a pass while full course yellow. Probably shouldn't do that on a routine basis. Also, while setting up a pass, you might present yourself a little better by pulling up within a few feet of the front car and then backing off while moving side to side in order that the instructor and driver can see you back there.