Very few people on this board actually "road race" (as in wheel-to-wheel racing). However, many of us participate in advanced driver's schools, lapping days, time trials, autocross, navigational rallies, etc.


I've been doing this sort of thing for a bunch of years and even instructing for a few seasons. I've run with most clubs on the east coat. So far, my favorite events BY FAR are the BMW CCA advanced driving schools. Excellent instruction, good people, and (most important) safety is the major priority. They were pretty much the first club in North America running these types of events (started in the 1960's) and most clubs you see use versions of the curriculum the BMW club developed over 30 years ago.

It might end up costing more than the copycats since the events are so costly to run properly. But you get what you pay for. I see too many clubs cutting corners and it's the students that pay the price.

Emre

 

The reasons Richard gave for why he thought NASA sucked had ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with how fast or slow any hypothetical participant can get through the respective programs. Let's use some common sense when we're trying to argue

 

The bottom line is if you're out to maximize your track time, then something else has to give. Organizations like NASA, the BMW CCA, and the PCA will break students into many different groups based on ability level so that:

1) everyone gets 1-to-1 instruction
2) students run with others of similar ability levels
3) there is minimal traffic on the track (no trains)

If the emphasis is on improving your driving skill above all else, then this format is PROVEN to work (as it's been working for over 30 years). 4 sessions of 25-30 min each might not sound like much compared to 3 hours of open track time. But the VAST ajority of drivers will improve FAR quicker in a structured setting with individualized instruction rather than just going round and round for lap after lap. It's the old "quality vs. quantity" argument.

Emre

 

Exactly. These are instructional events...not open lapping days! You go there to learn, not necessarily to drive as much as possible. It doesn't make sense to me to b1tch that a driving school is "hyper-organized" and takes the time to debrief students about their mistakes.

If your goal is to maximize track time, you should look for an open lapping day.

Emre

 

+1 Personally I dont mind its a good learning experience. After all its not a RACE.

 

I think the biggest thing is to just get started!

To begin with I would also recomend a group that offers some instruction and in-car time with an instructor. And while having some AutoX experience is good, there are some very big differences between AutoX and HPDEs.

Two of the biggest things are that at an HPDE event the speeds are higher and you spend alot more time at speed in one run; a 15 to 30 minute "session" as opposed to one lap of a course. That generally means you need to become alot more aware of how your handling and braking will change as the tempratures of your brakes and tires rise during your session.

It's a bit scary the first time you're there, but that normal. Just relax, pay attention and have fun.

 

alex -

Thanks. That's gotta be the first time you ever defended anything I said. I was at Streets of Willow CW yesterday with Kent Jordan, John Mueller and the whole RRC team at a SpeedVentures event. I ran a 1:32, which is respectable. Looking forward to trying to break 1:30 in the next few months.

 

Dave,
Please don't confuse Norcal NASA and how they run/schedule events with socal NASA, as far as the Norcal HPDE prigram, those guys are first rate.

 

My suggestion would be to run the 12-9 Speedventures event at the Streets of Willow Springs. That track is too small to hold road racing events, but it is an excellent track day venue. There is a newbie session that is aimed at people such as yourself, be sure to enter early, as that event will sell out.