Official "my latest HPDE experience" thread.
 

So why the hell not. Lots of guys do it, lots of people want to do it. I know that the lack of easily available (or so I thought) info, that I was scared to get into it. I spent the day at mission with performance drivers club (Home | Performance Drivers Club) and it was a must do experience for anyone who has interest in driving. The best part of the day was being waved through by a cls63, 2 f10 M5s because I was too fast through the turns.:fullofwin: Its definitely not a race, but the passes were merely a byproduct of me driving my line, and what I was comfortable with and I'd be lying if I didn't feel good about being able to hang with cars that have double the HP and cost literally 10x as much. My instructor was great, and picked out bad habits of mine at the beginning and made me aware of them which helped my driving get substantially better through the day.

To the part that so many newcomers are worried about and what keeps people away from the track. NO INSURANCE. I know, the thought of losing my car and not getting any money for it makes me pretty sick, or being on the hook for the body shop bill. The event is VERY well controlled. Novices are sent out in pairs for the first two sessions with instructors keeping things in control. Passing is only allowed in specific areas which are safe to do so based on your ability level. If you trust your car, and trust yourself, you will be fine. There is no point where you will be driving 100% of your ability during the day if you have common sense, especially with a properly set up car. Keep your traction control on if you have it, get some sticky tires, and make sure your brakes are up to snuff. New pads, good quality fluid, and some brain power make for safe braking, as well as well marked braking zones. At no point on the track did I feel unsafe, or feel anyone else in my group was being unsafe. The fastest I hit was 165 on the front straight, and there is plenty of run off and massive braking zones marked, other than that, you don't feel like you are barreling too fast. Turn 2 was the only "holy fuck theres the wall" turn, but again, your best tool is your brain, so use it often.

Now the important part. The pictures. I didn't bother editing any, so they aren't amazing, but man what an amazing bunch of cars.

I hope this is a good write up to give newcomers a feel of what its going to be like, from the perspective of a newcomer. I can't think of a better way to spend a day off for a real driving enthusiast.
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5574/...44f38a3c_b.jpgDSC_0197 by westophervan, on Flickr
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2924/...03959796_b.jpgDSC_0191 by westophervan, on Flickr
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5158/...5ccf331b_b.jpgDSC_0187 by westophervan, on Flickr
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5536/...3c6027f2_b.jpgDSC_0177 by westophervan, on Flickr
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5279/...e8f436d6_b.jpgDSC_0175 by westophervan, on Flickr
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5562/...0c2c7d7f_b.jpgDSC_0174 by westophervan, on Flickr
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2919/...d85b638d_b.jpgDSC_0173 by westophervan, on Flickr
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2937/...8c630f33_b.jpgDSC_0172 by westophervan, on Flickr
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2940/...a4f0f1a3_b.jpgDSC_0170 by westophervan, on Flickr
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2912/...e9f2a8f2_b.jpgDSC_0167 by westophervan, on Flickr
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2896/...1fbc5205_b.jpgDSC_0165 by westophervan, on Flickr
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5479/...a6e525c7_b.jpgDSC_0159 by westophervan, on Flickr
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5492/...fc2b4663_b.jpgDSC_0154 by westophervan, on Flickr

Subbed :)

Hoping I can at least hit up Mission once this year so I can finally get some track day experience.

What kind of helmet do you use? I'm going to auto-x for the first time this year next weekend and am considering buying a helmet for myself so I don't need to keep borrowing the loaner helmets.

I used a snell 2000 approved motorcycle helmet although I've seen the requirements vary by track and club. Your best bet if you are planning on getting into it is snell SA2010 approved. It will last you a while and I believe it is the most current approval level. Most clubs are satisfied with snell SA2000 but if you want to guarantee you will not need to upgrade for a while or run into any hassle its best to go with the most current approval.

Glad to hear your experience was as positive as I knew it would be ;). .....and now it begins!

When you have done enough of these track days these are very therapeutic experiences, whatever car you might have. :)

Oh lawd jesus... those Porsche pics...

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/i...RjtAqLJf-kCzYg

I read that as HDPE - high density polyethylene, a type of pipe system I deal with at work...

I need a vacation.

This looks awesome. I'm itching to head out to dirt fish.

I did the same thing.

would love to try this some day, even just to drool on the other cars.

^ Take the Jeep to a track day! :troll:

glad your enjoying your car!

try out other tracks in the PW and then you will get even more hooked!

Pacific Raceway - fun track
Ridge motorsport park - super addicting track!

come out on June 14th at the ridge! that whole event is pretty much 75% locals :D

I'm signed up for june 14th already. I'll be sure to say hi.:toot:
Also I'm heading to Pacific for the proformance school on may 28th. First step to getting signed off for solo so I can get down with the turn 2 lapping days.

haha well when it's done it will have a v8 and i have a nitrous kit that came with some parts i bought, but ill probably take the bmw.

my car might not be ready

so im looking for borrow a car or just drive down in my civic and chill with the people there

ill be sure to find you!

You sure it's the 14th with T2, Westopher? ;)

[whisper] I think you might want to double check your dates.

Ohhhh I'm going june 16th with VCMC. That could have been awkward. (picture me standing in an empty parking lot confused)

Looks like you had a blast! I tried going to The Ridge with Hooked on Driving in March but my car wasn't ready so I'll be going July 18th (which is also my birthday :toot: ).

I'd be interested in doing something at Mission early-mid August as well if you guys know of anything going on.

UBCSCC has Missions track days on:

Tues, July 22
Thurs, Aug 21

Neither is in the exact time frame that you are looking for, but maybe they'll still work for you.

wow, few familar faces / cars in those pics. i started HPDE'ing with PDC about 10 yrs ago. they have an excellent driver training program with great instructors. definitely my favourite group when it comes to actual learning vs just lapping days :)

anyhow, paging daredd3vil (or however you spell it lol).... has this changed your mind? :)

OH YEAH. westopher- glad to hear your day was uneventful and a positive one :)

Something I just thought of, do you guys know which (if any) of these kinds of events can lead to a SCCA SOLO license?

Thanks for the heads up! July 22 is a bit close to the 18 but Aug 21 I could probably make work, HoD has a sweet doubleheader at The Ridge the last weekend of August but I've got a family reunion going on.

AFAIK, no amount of track days will lead you to an SCCA solo licence, although they will still be relevant experience that are beneficial.

Locally, if you are looking for a novice race licence, SCCBC is holding their driver training program in late June. See the details here:

Driver Training | SCCBC.net
Sports Car Club of BC > Events - MotorsportReg.com

awesome pictures, glad you had fun



how is the PSS treating you

PSS were fantastic. Very confidence inspiring. I think 60-70% of cars there had them as well LOL. I'm eating up the outside edges a bit. I think I need at least a degree more camber if I'm going to be doing more events.
As for the solo license question, the only way that I have found are through the proformance driving school, followed by an afternoon coaching session at a turn2 lapping event at a later date. I believe HOD also offers a way to do it.

Not that I know anything about BMWs, but how much camber are you running now?