Whoa, that's funny.

HPDE is an INCREDIBLY high risk environment. As the other responders have said, MANY accidents happen at drivers education events. What causes the accidents? Well, there's a huge variance in skill level and car capability. People try to push their car beyond their own ability. Some people don't follow the rules and drive unpredictably.

I remember one event a couple years ago at Road America where at the end of the weekend, we were saying how amazing it was that there were no major incidents, just a couple fender benders. We all agreed that that's how the weekend SHOULD go, but sadly, and despite all the safety discussions in class and instructors in the cars, the gruesome tally for most HPDE events is one or two cars with major damage per weekend.

Now of course that means the other 59 guys drove the whole weekend with no trouble, and high speed track driving is WAY safer than street racing, but as any experienced instructor will tell you, if you're driving fast on a race track, it's not a matter of IF you will ever hit something, it's a matter of WHEN.

 

I bet a lot of the potential carnage has to do with the host club though. I've been doing HPDE's for 4 years now and have only seen one incident (fender bender or otherwise). Accidents do happen, but if the folks in charge are truly watching what is going on out on the track the number of incidents can be reduced by identifying those that are posing the greatest risk to themselves and others.

 

My experience has been quite similar. This is my 4th year in HPDEs and I have only witnessed some sheet metal damage-no rollovers or totaled cars....knock on wood.

I still think the insurance is a very good idea, though.

 

Saw a car blow through turn 3 at g-man and flip over the half-hill out there.

Saw another one loop it to the inside past turn 6, and run into the berm.

Both were probably done.

 

+1

I have run close to 100 HPDE track days in the past 3 1/2 years and I'd say a car crashes every third or fourth event day -- so I've probably seen 25 crunched cars, including 1 of my own.

The good thing is that drivers rarely get hurt. I have seen nothing worse than a mild concussion to another driver.

I have been told by one California event organizer that the east coast HPDE groups think we are a bunch of hot dogs, and that in the east they are more conservative about passing rules. Don't really know if that's true but it's what I heard. Most groups here in Calif. have open passing anywhere on track in their advanced group, and somethimes in the "high intermediate" if there are 4 groups.

 

most of the clubs here run pointbys in the lowergroups, straights only.

The others are pointbys anywhere youre comfortable.

After running with the same people for dozens of events though, people are curtious enough to know where you like to pass and where you're gonna go.

Everybody else asks for pointbys, but nasa. and even in nasa, pointbys are still the norm for 95% of the guys, just being curtious.

 

Ok, so do we know of anyone else who offers track day coverage and is there a chance that we may get a group rate if we get a dozen or so guys to get in?

 

What I want to know is if somebody hits YOUR car at the track and is their fault can you sue them for damages?

 

You won't be able to sue anybody cuz the waiver the track and event organizers make you sign releases liability for everybody.

 

That sucks.... now I'm even more scared of erratic drivers... I can't imagine if your instructor wrecks your own car..

 

I've been at an event where an instructor ruined a students fully restored sunbeam the first day out with the car. The instructor did pay for the car.

 

Be careful with insurance co when you tell them you track your car. I 've heard someone insurance got cancel with AAA becasue they mention HPDE insurance.

 

Ouch that had to have sucked ... ... that is why I don't feel it is wise to ask someone else to drive their car (not to mention rude) or even have someone asking to drive yours ...

 

You sure about that? I think those waivers are to protect the track and the organization running the event.

If you manage to tap a Carrerra GT and cause it to be totaled, I think you might be looking at a $500K lawsuit and no HPDE insurance will cover that. I am always VERY careful around exotic cars on the track for that reason.

 

It's utterly rediculous to think that you should have any protection whatsoever for what happens to your car on a racing surface. Why should the general consumer have to soak up the costs for all the idiots that flip their cars over becasue they drive above their skill level? Get some good safety equipment, refine your skills, and be prepared to pay to play.