so instead of trying to address and change the culture starting here.. i should be pushed out of certain groups and find somewhere else to run?

 

Most guys/gals I've met in this hobby have had great attitudes. They're helpful, friendly, and non-competitive. They realize that we're just doing this for fun...none of us are going to end up driving for Penske as a result of our performance at an HPDE!

Here's what you wrote:

If you're finding that the people you run with are too aggressive, competitive, arrogant, and discourteous...what do you think you can do about it? Is it easier to change their attitude or to find another crwod to run with? There are plenty of groups that do a good job of keeping drivers with these personalities out.

Emre

 

maybe you should quit worrying about other people and focus on yourself. if you let other people upset you then they have already won.

 

hit too close to home? no. i'm not tryinna be a race car driver anymore... when i was younger it was a foolish and naive thought. it's kinda like breakdancing... cool until you realize you're broke and no one gives a **** if you can do what you do well. yeah i breaked in high school too.

i like ****in' with cars. i love the thought of something that is more efficient because of something i did or changed or just for the concept of it.

going to the track is fun. havin' an instructor sit next to me and teach me the line so i don't have to waste 50 days doing something i shouldn't be is even better.

i don't have any driving skill. but i do like best motoring as i'm sure you do too.

 

Kinda hard to do that when you are sharing the track with other people that you have never met in your life. This is about general etiquette, courtesy and everyone's safety. IMHO, the "can't take the heat, stay out of the kitchen" doesn't belong in HPDEs. Racing yes, Time Trials no, HPDE no. I've had to deal with an individual that didn't understand the meaning of warm up lap, that was clearly stated during driver orientation. Not a pleasant experience

 

Every group is different. Our NASA Norcal TT group is very agressive, much more so than group 4....but NOT DANGEROUS. And we know and trust each other for the most part, and new people are very very carefully let into the group and checked out. We are headed towards being treated as a race group, with no downloads, etc, and all the groups in norcal, 1-4 understand the progression of getting into this group. It is seen as the last step before wheel to wheel, and is treated accordingly, with no problems. I can honestly say I love going to the track with this group of guys, both for the competitive driving atmsophere (and it is competitive, sactioned Time Trialing) and the camraderie. I am very proud of what we have built in norcal with NASA.

 

everyones is getting too personal.. i dont personally care about people who think they are great and drive like idiots.. i have a caged and paid for track only car.. ive been doing this for long enough not to be intimidated by some street car at an HPDE.

im talking in general to the entire community.. trying to help the new people out.

we need to encourage new drivers to come to the track.. not make them worried about douchebags who think they are gods out there.

 

This statement helps a bit...I, for one, was a bit muddled as to what you were trying to accomplish with this thread. That being said...I agree. We need to do everything we can to encourage people to come out. One thing you, as an experienced driver can do, is offer to instruct some newbies. Even if you don;t want to be in the passenger seat, lead and follow, offering positive criticism, it all helps.

 

I think this is a thread in search of a problem that doesn't exist. I run lots of HPDEs, and almost everyone I meet is cool and helpful. I carry a lot of stuff with me (tools, fluids, tires, jack, jack stands, compressor, etc. etc.) because I like to be self-sufficient, and I never mind sharing with other drivers. People certainly have helped me at the track when I had a breakdown or whatever, and I like to return the favor.

A$$holes are pretty rare at the track. Every once in a while you get someone who drives like a complete idiot, even after being black flagged and warned by the event organizer. Those people should just be banned from running with the group, and that's what the serious event organizers do.

 

This happened a couple events ago. Guy was driving like he had something to prove, making passes when he really shouldn't have, etc and got black flagged in a morning session.

He eventually stopped in the afternoon after his shiny C5 Z06 met with a retaining wall and was destroyed. Fiberglass doesn't work too well with cement.

If anything these guys need a serious talking to so they also don't ball up their cars.

 

i instruct at every event im needed.. when the student is moving fast enough to be dangerous.. i wont ride along, but will lead follow in their group and/or drive them in their cars.

 

funny.. i seem to remember a big thread with you complaining for days about being passed on the inside in a red group.