Official "my latest HPDE experience" thread.

[320icar]

Kchan: do you need any experience to go? I've never even done an autox. Other than a DOT helmet do you need any other safety equipment? My ST is bone stock. I will want more info fr the next event you have. I've done only 1000km in 3 months on my stupid car. I have to use it and fall in love with IT again. My eyes are wandering.


Serious question though. If I wreck, insurance doesn't cover me. That's obvious. If someone else slides into me, or I slide into someone else, is anyone liable for the other persons damage? Or does everyone "assume the risk" that you might get smoked by someone else and not see a penny in compensation

[trollguy]

At your own risk.. don't expect compensation IMHO. No insurance coverage period, unless you opt for expensive third party coverage

BUT there are good people out there though. My last event I was following another car closely and his front fender liner flew out and hit my hood. Resulted in a small, but noticeable chip. Owner graciously offered to cover any costs but I denied his offer.

FYI, next event is another sunday event. June 14. https://www.motorsportreg.com/events...3#.VT52ASFVhBd

I'm going to try to make this one!!!

[kchan]

Originally Posted by 320icar

Kchan: do you need any experience to go? I've never even done an autox. Other than a DOT helmet do you need any other safety equipment? My ST is bone stock. I will want more info fr the next event you have. I've done only 1000km in 3 months on my stupid car. I have to use it and fall in love with IT again. My eyes are wandering.


Serious question though. If I wreck, insurance doesn't cover me. That's obvious. If someone else slides into me, or I slide into someone else, is anyone liable for the other persons damage? Or does everyone "assume the risk" that you might get smoked by someone else and not see a penny in compensation

preferably yes. it is for your own safety and others safety around you

i would suggest attending a driving school hosted by other people (VCMC comes to mind) or even attend some auto-x event prior to a track day

For FFDxTSS track days I only allow Snell approved helmets - DOT itself is not enough

first time at ridge is completely fine and I can try my best to arrange instructors - but if it is your first driving event of any kind i would strongly suggest attending a driving school first

its not that I want to reject new comers but it is more beneficial for yourself if you attend a school first - as I have stated in the past FFDxTSS events are more catered to experienced drivers looking for a lapping day - but if you must attend our events I will try my best to get you an instructor to teach you throughout the day

as for damages - do NOT expect compensation - accidents do happen its part of the sport

[dared3vil0]

^ I think a good way of looking at it is don't track a car you can't afford to write off.

[R. Mutt]

I saw some guys using racing gloves in videos posted in this thread. I'm assuming the benefit has to do with grip on the steering wheel? Never tried racing gloves so just looking for feedback. I'm not seeing people using racing suits so I assume the safety aspect has little or nothing to do with it.

Also what are you guys using/recommend for timing equipment?

[dared3vil0]

Originally Posted by R. Mutt

I saw some guys using racing gloves in videos posted in this thread. I'm assuming the benefit has to do with grip on the steering wheel? Never tried racing gloves so just looking for feedback. I'm not seeing people using racing suits so I assume the safety aspect has little or nothing to do with it.

Also what are you guys using/recommend for timing equipment?

I wear a cheap $40 set of RaceQuip gloves because I get blisters.

[trollguy]

Timing - 90% of ppl use external GPS units paired to their phones for timing. iPhone - HArry's laptimer. Android - race chrono afaik. the rest use dedicated standalone timers

[kchan]

Originally Posted by R. Mutt

I saw some guys using racing gloves in videos posted in this thread. I'm assuming the benefit has to do with grip on the steering wheel? Never tried racing gloves so just looking for feedback. I'm not seeing people using racing suits so I assume the safety aspect has little or nothing to do with it.

Also what are you guys using/recommend for timing equipment?

i use gloves for better grip overall

as for suits - you do not normally see guys doing lapping days with suits - its more casual than anything.. however though in most semi-serious events for racing / time trial or what not where guys are pushing harder they will wear suits

as for timing equipment - you can buy an actual lap timer ($300+ or)
or can get a bluetooth external GPS and pair it up to your phone with the proper app (iphone = harry lap timer, android = racechrono)

[westopher]

Originally Posted by 320icar

Serious question though. If I wreck, insurance doesn't cover me. That's obvious. If someone else slides into me, or I slide into someone else, is anyone liable for the other persons damage? Or does everyone "assume the risk" that you might get smoked by someone else and not see a penny in compensation

The best insurance on the track are a couple of things. A car that is absolutely tip top mechanically especially as far as brakes and tires, and a lot of awareness for those around you. Any well organized track day has no tolerance for cowboy antics, so when someone is out there visibly posing a threat to others, they aren't going out for the next lap, or possibly the rest of the event. Also, we all love our cars, and none of us want to be towing home a metal cube, so a lot of it is trust in the other drivers on the track. If someone is going faster than you, let them by. If you don't point by (in the novice point to pass groups) any driver worth his car knows that you don't see him, and he better not go for that gap if he wants to keep his body panels straight.
All that being said, things are happening really quickly on the track, and there is a lot of movement around you to process. I'd recommend a driving school like proformance or doing a novice friendly day down at mission like PDC, VCMC, R&P or UBCSCC before stepping up to the Ridge, especially when with the recommended days you will be out there with a lot of people of the same experience level. They aren't just going to throw you out on the track with an instructor and say have at er. They will do some cornering exercises, some no passing trains, and work you up to the point where you have the awareness of passing safety, flags, and all the other how to's. I'm glad I did an autocross first, then a proformance driving school before I got out there for a full on track day. It allowed me to be a lot more comfortable, a lot safer, and just be a better driver out there.

[trollguy]

Originally Posted by kchan

as for timing equipment - you can buy an actual lap timer ($300+ or)
or can get a bluetooth external GPS and pair it up to your phone with the proper app (iphone = harry lap timer, android = racechrono)

REPOST

oh yeah and wanted to add - the only group which rquires suits are PDC for their Green group.

[freakshow]

Originally Posted by SumAznGuy

It was nice to meet you Freakshow.

Nice to meet you!

@BABU, I think I saw you too, but didn't get a chance to chat.

And thanks for putting up with my slowness.. still learning a lot about the e36, since I just got it a few weeks ago..

[belaud]

Originally Posted by R. Mutt

I saw some guys using racing gloves in videos posted in this thread. I'm assuming the benefit has to do with grip on the steering wheel? Never tried racing gloves so just looking for feedback. I'm not seeing people using racing suits so I assume the safety aspect has little or nothing to do with it.

Also what are you guys using/recommend for timing equipment?

Hands get all sweaty, gloves assist in grip too.

[you!]

was a good day and had lots of fun as usual, pizza lunch was awesome too - thx again to kalson for making this happen

was a good day overall except for 1 thing and i really have to rant about this: silver corvette with washington plates

Drove like a fukin asshole the entire day and i'm very surprised he didn't get talked to by the track officials or any of the organizers. I'm assuming that he didn't get talked to (or maybe he did but continued to drive like an idiot) because for almost all the group C heats that I had to sit in and instruct, i would see him flying by and passing multiple cars at no passing zones like the carousel and without getting any point by from cars ahead. By the end of the day my gf was so ticked off already that she called it quits and didn't bother running the last heat (where group b and c was combined) because of the way this guy drove during her last lap - flew by and passed 3 cars without point by during the cool down lap (after checkered flag) at the last passing zone just before ridge complex. After passing a bunch of us he was on the brakes very late and hard while his backend was fishtailing and it looked like he almost came close to smoking the car ahead of him that was about to take the corner at ridge complex. Couldn't believe my eyes when i saw this, like seriously who fuking does that shit on a cooldown lap especially on group C?

Hoping not to see this asshole anymore on the next events

[320icar]

Originally Posted by westopher

The best insurance on the track are a couple of things. A car that is absolutely tip top mechanically especially as far as brakes and tires, and a lot of awareness for those around you. Any well organized track day has no tolerance for cowboy antics, so when someone is out there visibly posing a threat to others, they aren't going out for the next lap, or possibly the rest of the event. Also, we all love our cars, and none of us want to be towing home a metal cube, so a lot of it is trust in the other drivers on the track. If someone is going faster than you, let them by. If you don't point by (in the novice point to pass groups) any driver worth his car knows that you don't see him, and he better not go for that gap if he wants to keep his body panels straight.
All that being said, things are happening really quickly on the track, and there is a lot of movement around you to process. I'd recommend a driving school like proformance or doing a novice friendly day down at mission like PDC, VCMC, R&P or UBCSCC before stepping up to the Ridge, especially when with the recommended days you will be out there with a lot of people of the same experience level. They aren't just going to throw you out on the track with an instructor and say have at er. They will do some cornering exercises, some no passing trains, and work you up to the point where you have the awareness of passing safety, flags, and all the other how to's. I'm glad I did an autocross first, then a proformance driving school before I got out there for a full on track day. It allowed me to be a lot more comfortable, a lot safer, and just be a better driver out there.

Great response. New car with everything in order should have no problem on the track. Only real issue is the North American focus ST did not, I repeat DID NOT come with a front tow hook. There is a threaded hole in the front rebar, but no access hatch, hole, loop or hook to tow from the front. I know a lot of tracks require tow attachments front and rear. So I'm not sure on that one. European focus st's have the little cap on the bumper bmw style.

I know vcmc is doing an event May 2nd but I work weekends now. So no chance for me

[kchan]

Originally Posted by you!

was a good day and had lots of fun as usual, pizza lunch was awesome too - thx again to kalson for making this happen

was a good day overall except for 1 thing and i really have to rant about this: silver corvette with washington plates

Drove like a fukin asshole the entire day and i'm very surprised he didn't get talked to by the track officials or any of the organizers. I'm assuming that he didn't get talked to (or maybe he did but continued to drive like an idiot) because for almost all the group C heats that I had to sit in and instruct, i would see him flying by and passing multiple cars at no passing zones like the carousel and without getting any point by from cars ahead. By the end of the day my gf was so ticked off already that she called it quits and didn't bother running the last heat (where group b and c was combined) because of the way this guy drove during her last lap - flew by and passed 3 cars without point by during the cool down lap (after checkered flag) at the last passing zone just before ridge complex. After passing a bunch of us he was on the brakes very late and hard while his backend was fishtailing and it looked like he almost came close to smoking the car ahead of him that was about to take the corner at ridge complex. Couldn't believe my eyes when i saw this, like seriously who fuking does that shit on a cooldown lap especially on group C?

Hoping not to see this asshole anymore on the next events

definitely need to bring this to my attention

i roam around the pits asking everyone if everything is ok and any issues - please bring this up

i have talked to the guy on two occasion due to complaints from corner workers - but sometimes they can only see so much

when you bring this issue up to me or other corner marshall you are doing yourself and everyone around you a favor by making the whole event much more safe

[SumAznGuy]

I use a G-Rays 10hz BT GPS receiver paired to my phone.
I use a custom data logging program for autoX but I see a lot of people use Harry's laptimer.

Remember, 10hz means it refreshes 10 times a second.
A 5hz GPS receiver refreshes 5 times a second and most phones have a 1hz GPS receiver built in.

[SourSamo]

Absolute blast yesterday and thanks to Kalson and everyone else for a smooth day!

[boatcaptain]

i wear a full suit when i go to hpde events.make me feel fabulous

[SumAznGuy]

Originally Posted by boatcaptain

i wear birthday suit when i go to hpde events.make me feel fabulous

corrected for you

[belaud]

So thats how' the captain goes fast...

[boatcaptain]

belaud i think u got mixed up.it was the black miata tat was fast

[Traum]

Originally Posted by 320icar

Kchan: do you need any experience to go? I've never even done an autox. Other than a DOT helmet do you need any other safety equipment? My ST is bone stock. I will want more info fr the next event you have. I've done only 1000km in 3 months on my stupid car. I have to use it and fall in love with IT again. My eyes are wandering.

If you have never done any performance driving (in a formal, controlled environment, that is), I would highly recommend you to try some autox first. Better yet, take an autox course and do a bunch of regular autox events to learn the basics of car control and then head to the track. You'd be far better equipped than if you just air drop yourself into a track day.

The next closest autox school is UBCSCC's Auto-X 101 on Sat, May 9. The event doesn't seem to be sold out yet, but I would act sooner rather than later if you are available on that day.

UBCSCC - Auto-X 101 - May 9 - 2015 info on May 9, 2015 (827336) | MotorsportReg.com

VCMC will have another Velocity Driving School in Aug. But again, better to do it sooner rather than later. Or, you could just do UBCSCC's AutoX 101 first, and then do VCMC's Velocity Driving School again.

UBCSCC will be having their first Mission track day on Mon, June 22, and they are quite novice friendly. VCMC will have a Ridge track day a week later on Mon, June 29, and they are novice friendly as well. Generally, VCMC track days tend to have a more favourable instructor-to-student ratio, but either group will provide good quality instruction for new (track day) drivers. If 320icar hasn't done any track days before, I'd seriously recommend you to give these options some thoughts. The most ideal recommendation would be:

1) take UBCSCC's AutoX 101 on Sat, May 9
2) do UBCSCC's Misison track day in the 1st time novice group on Mon, June 22
3) do VCMC's Ridge track day in the 1st time novice group on Mon, June 29
4) take VCMC's Velocity Driving School again on Sun, Aug 29

I can 100% guarantee you that if you do all 4 of the above, you'll come out being a much better driver than you currently are.

[Deepstriker]

Whoa that ricer from the RS Spring meet was there? Surprised there wasnt any food leftover on that table top

[320icar]

Originally Posted by Traum

[/spoiler]If you have never done any performance driving (in a formal, controlled environment, that is), I would highly recommend you to try some autox first. Better yet, take an autox course and do a bunch of regular autox events to learn the basics of car control and then head to the track. You'd be far better equipped than if you just air drop yourself into a track day.

The next closest autox school is UBCSCC's Auto-X 101 on Sat, May 9. The event doesn't seem to be sold out yet, but I would act sooner rather than later if you are available on that day.

UBCSCC - Auto-X 101 - May 9 - 2015 info on May 9, 2015 (827336) | MotorsportReg.com

VCMC will have another Velocity Driving School in Aug. But again, better to do it sooner rather than later. Or, you could just do UBCSCC's AutoX 101 first, and then do VCMC's Velocity Driving School again.

UBCSCC will be having their first Mission track day on Mon, June 22, and they are quite novice friendly. VCMC will have a Ridge track day a week later on Mon, June 29, and they are novice friendly as well. Generally, VCMC track days tend to have a more favourable instructor-to-student ratio, but either group will provide good quality instruction for new (track day) drivers. If 320icar hasn't done any track days before, I'd seriously recommend you to give these options some thoughts. The most ideal recommendation would be:

1) take UBCSCC's AutoX 101 on Sat, May 9
2) do UBCSCC's Misison track day in the 1st time novice group on Mon, June 22
3) do VCMC's Ridge track day in the 1st time novice group on Mon, June 29
4) take VCMC's Velocity Driving School again on Sun, Aug 29

I can 100% guarantee you that if you do all 4 of the above, you'll come out being a much better driver than you currently are.[/spoiler]

i work every weekend. so that throws pretty much all of that out the window. and also on my motorcycle there aren't really autox. so that would be straight to novice track day events.

anywyas. good info

[ncrx]

Originally Posted by 320icar

i work every weekend. so that throws pretty much all of that out the window. and also on my motorcycle there aren't really autox. so that would be straight to novice track day events.

anywyas. good info

i would highly suggest you attempt an autox school, you'll actually push the car beyond its limits in a lower speed controlled environment.

you'll get the car in situations you'll never get to see on the street, and if u do at a track day, you'll end up with a very expensive repair bill.

the autox school will give u the chance to pick up certain butt saving skills u wont likely get anywhere else.

think of it as foundation / building block skill school. you'll meet a lot of very quick and some very fast drivers, some who are also instructors at track days.