HPDE Dec 9 & 10 at PIR
 

According to the NASA schedule of events, there is an HPDE class 1, 2, 3 & 4 scheduled at PIR on Dec 9 and 10th. Registration and prices are due to open today, Nov 14, 2006. As of this writing (11:30am) it has not been posted. This is a great chance to track your car in a pretty safe event. The explaination on the website is pretty good about what to wear and the inspection. The best I can tell it is the infleld plus a reverse rotation on the oval track for the course. I walked the front straight last Sunday before the Nextel Cup rate. Looks like fun. I haven't tracked my car here so some of the other club members might be able to add some additional information. I have participated in this event in California at Infinion Raceway (Sears Point). It's fun and the field will be limited. If interested you should check out the information and get on the web site and register.

The road course is nine turns on the infield and then regular direction on the oval, utilizing NASCAR turns 3 and 4. The turn into the infield (turn 1) is past the start/finish line near the end of the front straight. Turn nine is a hairpin about the middle of the back "straight".

This is a great track and I advise anyone wanting to trazck their car to go. Just don't do anything funny with the throttle or brakes when making turn 1 until you have some time under your belt. Turn 1 is not forgiving.

OK....here's an update. As of 12:15pm today (Nov 14) the registration is open. Cost for Dec 9 or Dec 10 is $149. Cost for both days is $249. You must be a member of NASA to particapate which cost $40 for the annual membership. I was able to confirm with the officials (E. Woods is correct) that you follow the same direction as the NASCAR events turning into the infield just before turn 1 and re-entering the oval at a hair pin turn at the end of turn 2 and up on the oval for about 3/4 of the total track length. Looks fun. I recommend we make it a track day for our group. I can see why turn 1 would not be forgiving. You will probably reach your highest MPH on the front straight right before the turn. The last time I did this we had 4 track sessions of about 10 laps each and then a post race review with the track officials in a drivers meeting. If you only have one roll bar you cannot have anyone join you, including the instructor. With a sigle rollbar in class 1 you will have to follow the instructor in his car around the course until he feels you have the line and are ok solo. Full roll cage or two rollbars should allow you to take the instructor or a crazy passenger? Class 2, 3, 4 requires no instructor.

I have video somewhere of a viper driver who lifted too much as he was turning into turn 1 and pointed it right into the wall at the inside of the turn... and then hit it!

Anyhow, I am jealous with my Cobra dead for now. All youse should do this. The rest of the track is pretty forgiving (careful on turn 1, and try not to get loose between turns 4 and 5, there is a wall on your left).

Mike: I hope you have more luck motivating a significant crew to show up than I have had in the past...

Many of us non regulars do not like concrete walls....but the walls always like us.

There are 2 places to be careful at PIR. One, as mentioned is turn one. It takes a giant lift off the throttle or braking, both while turning to do this, and as the rear of the car goes over the bump, it can pitch right and you head for the inside wall. The trick is, get your braking done before you turn the car, once turned stay neutrol on the throttle or add throttle, and you will be fine. The other key on this corner is that when you turn in, stay close to the wall, it is much smoother there. A car length out and it is bumpier.

Nascar turn 4 is the other spot to be careful. Down on the apron, just below the white line at the exit of turn 4, there is a track transition below the white line. You should not be below the line anyway, but if you do go below it, the back of the car will pitch to the right at first, if at this point you counter steer, it will come back left and up toward the wall you will go. The trick is not to be below the line, but if you are, when it skips right, just stay nuetrol with the throttle and the steering wheel. It will come back left and straighten out on its own. No sudden imputs and you are fine.

There are lots of walls everywhere else but they are not usually hit unless you loose control on sticky slicks and are going really fast.

Wish I was going,

Scott

The 9th is the Christmas fandango, I'm thinking.

Karlos,

Racing or eating/talking? When did that become a real decision????

Coyled,

I didn't think about NASCAR 4, but you're right... I can tell you the wall on my right in NASCAR 4 keeps me on a very even keel during the turn. I like to run about a lane from the bottom of the track in NASCAR 3 and pinch to nearer, but still not at the line in 4, then add throttle and unwind as traction dictates.

I agree, do not drop below the line in NASCAR 4.

When you come down the back straight before turn 3, stay up hhigh near the wall. You then turn the car in and go down the hill to the inside line on the track, you should hit the line near the middle of the turn. The idea is to transition the car once. Start releasing the wheel and go back up the hill at turn 4.

Scott

Jim and I will be out to watch on the 10th we have a friend in the student group and we are going to cheer him on.

Brian

Can we get a list of who's going and on what day. It would be great to do some ride-alongs for those of us.......er.....you.... who haven't finished thier builds yet, and are reallllly anxious to feel the wind in my.......a....er...your face.

_______
DT

I'll come out and do some instructing if you would like.

Gordon,
What car will you be giving lessons in? Is your car a big block or small block? I am still having issues with oversteer with my front end weight, it sure would be nice to get some help with that, Could you let us know when you'll be at the track...
Thanks,
Brian

If you wish to have a passenger along in your ride you will need full roll cage or two roll bars. I have standard single set up and no one can ride, even an instructor. Although I started this post I had to reschedule my HDPE until the next event. Conflict of interest, my grandaughter's birthday at Disneyland that weekend.

I will instruct as a passenger in your car or in my Mustang.