HPDE question

I realize this is best asked of the actual organizers, but I can't get in touch with them right now. I'll follow up with them when I can.

I'm considering a PCA driver's ed event at Thunderbolt in New Jersey this fall. It would be my first full-track event, though I have some autoxes under my belt.

Their current lowest absolute-beginners group is full and has a waitlist of 3 or 4 people (I'm not registered yet). Do you think A) they would let me go with the next step up (still instructed), and B) is that advisable? I'm not a stranger to fast driving technique, but I don't want to shortchange myself or be dangerous.

If the PCA out there is anything like the PCA here, you will absolutely NOT be allowed into the next group. Full is full. Definitely not advisable either. HPDE is so much more different then solo and even drag racing (where I've been door-to-door at 100+ MPH literally hundreds of times).

Do it right. Get in at the Novice level, do the ground school, and ride all of the chances you can with your instructor.

Auto-x =/= full-track. The big things you'll learn when just starting out on full track are not about how to drive the car fast, but what to pay attention to when out on a full track; dealing with passing/being passed and dealing with flagging stations.

You really need to ask the organizers.

P71 wrote: If the PCA out there is anything like the PCA here, you will absolutely NOT be allowed into the next group. Full is full. Definitely not advisable either. HPDE is so much more different then solo and even drag racing (where I've been door-to-door at 100+ MPH literally hundreds of times). Do it right. Get in at the Novice level, do the ground school, and ride all of the chances you can with your instructor.

Well, it's definitely still the novice level, and I would have an instructor every lap. They have 4 levels of instructed sessions. I'd look for a spot in the second group.

I'd be there for the ground school and as I said I'm not interested in soloing. I know the point is very valid about the differences between track and parking lot. Thanks for your input, and please give me more.

If the second level is still a novice level, I wouldn't give up on trying to go to the event.

However, I absolutely would get in contact with the organizers to discuss this. If they're comfortable with it, have fun. If they're not, wait until next time.

Yes, I will definitely get a hold of them; I just wanted to see if anybody had any thoughts, and you did. Thanks!

I think it is unwise. There's a good chance you will be a rolling chicane for the rest of the Gr2 people. That won't win you friends.

ddavidv wrote: I think it is unwise. There's a good chance you will be a rolling chicane for the rest of the Gr2 people. That won't win you friends.

+1, even if you're fast at autox, you won't be as fast as the guys with more experience on the track at first.

He's saying Gr2 would still have an instructor, so that's not the issue. Your first HPDE is a pretty intense experience. There is a lot to learn and the sensory overload is pretty hefty. Gr2 drivers are substantially quicker than Gr1...that's why they are there. Gr1 also tend not to have mastered driving with their mirrors, which will drive Gr2 people behind you batE36 M3.

OK, folks - thanks for the input. I really appreciate it.