I'm expecting to do at least one HDPE event this summer. Maybe more if the wife likes it :) I expect to go to events in Indiana at Putnam Park, and maybe go over to Mid-Ohio.

I have a completely stock Fiero and a snell 2000 helmet. What else do I need to do to prepare the car? I've done a few autocross events in the past, so I know the basics. Is there anything else I need to consider?

Other questions; how much track time can I expect to get? Do you only do one lap at a time, or do you get multiple laps? Are lap times available?

More questions to follow :)

Thanks,

Pat Dotson

I dont know NASA rules specifically but I race SCCA and they are similar.

First off bleed the brakes and make sure you have a high boiling point temp brake fluid. Not all DOT3-4 fluids have the same wet/dry boiling temp. Especially from the midwest you will have moisture in your lines and your pedal will go to mush after 5 laps. Without changing brake pads I went from brake pedal to the floor after 3 laps to having no fade for a 45 min session by bleeding and putting in some Castrol GTX fluid.

Check the wheel nuts and bearings. I would highly recommend getting a harness of some sort and a HANS. Obviously your tyre pressures are going to grow more than autocross so start them out a little lower bearing in mind they will have to cope with greater cornering speeds as well.

Usually the sessions are 20-40 mins in length.

I'm sure Tim's more familiar with NASA.

Pat there is a full set of rules regarding HPDE on the NASA site, and I would find your regional NASA site as well.

The helmet should be fine, last I looked you needed at least an M2000 for HPDE, though often that rule can be up to the track too. Some organizations require SA2000 helmets but most do not for HPDE events up to level 3 or equivalent.

Most NASA HPDE's are something like 4, twenty minute sessions. If its your first one you will likely have an instructor with you which could limit your track time a bit.

There "should" be no lap times, and I don't even recommend asking since by very definition these events are non-competitive. If there is any evidence of competition it changes the insurance situation etc etc.

That being said I do my own lap times via a printing stop watch I have from my bicycle racing days, but I wouldn't even consider trying to time until you have enough time under your belt to be out alone on track and comfortable.

One of the best pieces of advise I can give you is make sure our brakes are in order, especially the fluid. If you have not done so have the entire system flushed and put in at least ATE quality fluid.

Most times you should plan on having long sleeve shirt and long pants, all garments should be cotton (synthetics are pretty ugly in a fire). Racing gloves and shoes are recomended here at Millers, but may or may not be required. I went ahead and got some so I would be using the same type of gear that would be required for time trials or wheel to wheel racing. I figure this is training and so its best to get used to the proper gear, at least on your hands and feet (control contacts).

Good luck and have fun!!

Good luck

- Pick up some good brake pads... ones that will withstand some major heat. I have the HAWK racing pads for my Datsun and they to wonderful. You can find good racing pads for under $100 for the pair. Do NOT use the combo street/track pads or stock pads... they wont last. Be prepared to swap the pads in/out for track days.
- Make sure your car is fit... lube, nut/bolt inspections, etc. You dont want something falling off while at speed
- Detail your car (not the outside, but the interior). The last thing you want is a penny to smack you in the ankle, or a candy wrapper to block your vision... even for a second.
- READ the NASA CC&R's. You will be expected to know every word of the HPDE specific rules. Great thing... You already know the majority of them by participating at R2P and following the R2P policies!

Most HPDE sessions (at least the ones I have been too) are 20 minutes on track at a time. Some may be a tick longer depending on how crowded the schedule is that weekend. Pace yourself though... 20 minutes behind the wheel of a real car is equal to about 2 hours in a sim. It is very, very tough, both mentally and physically.

Bring a LOT of water... you need to stay hydrated

Dont track lap times. They dont want you thinking about lap times. Focus on your line and your markers and nothing else. Wait until you get into HPDE3 to start thinking about any lap times.

You will get multiple laps. Lap times wotn be available unless you have a timing device yourself - but dont worry about lap times - HPDE's are not about going as fast as you can, they are learning about how to drive your car in a controlled manner, at speeds which are not safe on the street. Putnam Park is my "home" track! Turned many a lap there.

Anyway, prolly the most important thing is brakes. Good clean brake fluid, and good brake pads are a must. Consider taking a spare set of front pads. No leaking fluids of course. Cooling system working. The car needs to be in good mechanical condition, plain and simple.

I personally like to change the oil before any track event. And I give the brakes a quick bleed.

Enjoy yourself!!

EDIT: DOH!! Day late and a dollar short as usual! lol

Tim:

The GM parts bin brakes on the Fiero are probably the same as what's on our Olds. For the last several years, we've been running either PFC's from AutoZone, or the better line of Wagners from the local parts house for both racing and HPDE.

They wear more quickly than the Hawk's we've run, but they are a minute fraction of the cost. Similar performance, as-well, about the only benefit of having Fred Flintstone-grade brakes!

Pat:

NASA OH/IN generally has 4 20-min HPDE sessions per event day. At Mid-Ohio, you'll probably be running around 2:00 laps, so you'll probably get 8 flying laps, with the in & out laps. There are also classroom sessions intermingled with the on-track sessions. You will also have an instructor riding with you until you're signed off for HPDE2.

I've instructed at Mid-Ohio since the OH/IN chapter started, and schedule permitting, will be at the 3 weekends this year. I'd be happy to help you out however I can.

You'll certainly have a blast! As the Peter Egan quote goes, "Racing makes heroin addction seem like a slight craving for something salty."

Thanks for all the advice guys! I will definitely take the suggestions regarding the brakes. The car also needs a new clutch right now. I intend to go through the suspension and install new bushings.

I read through the NASA HDPE documentation a while back, and will study it more deeply before going to a track. I just wanted to get some quick feedback from anyone who has done this before. It sounds like a lot of fun and I can't wait to try it!

A couple of other questions:

JD, will a set of those inexpensive stock front brake pads last through one day? How about a weekend? I imagine I'll be seeing you this summer :)

All, any recommendations on an inexpensive set of street tires that will last through a weekend?

Lap times - I understand it's not about speed. I'm not going to be pushing the envelope, but for the sake of tracking progress I'd like to log lap times. I have a Mychron 3 temp/tach/lap time guage from my racing kart. Would it be completely against regulations to have that hooked up in the car?

One last question; from reading the HDPE info, it sounds like you can get checked out and advance on to HDPE 2 pretty quickly. How long does it usually take? I've raced karts for years, went through a Formula Renault school, and have autocrossed in the past. I expect to go out and hit the marks. If I do that, is there any chance of advancing on the first day?

Thanks,
Pat

Your advacement is based entirely on the determination of the instructor. I always advanced a student when they were ready, and sometimes after the first session with them. Yes it is possible to be advanced the first day.

Keep in mind that is much much more than just being able to hit your marks. Situational awareness is PARAMOUNT, and how you handle traffic, and how well you understand the track rules, the track layout, and how you handle "situations". Your kart racing background "should" help you with all those aspects.

You're going to have the time of your life!

Pat,

When Scott Whitestine came out last year to run in his first HPDE he was 'graduated' into HPDE after only 2 sessions on track. This may not be the norm, but it can happen. I was signed off after my first day and signed off on HPDE2 the next day. I continued to run in HPDE2 a few more times but this next weekend (Feb 10-11) is my first time in HPDE3.

You are going to have a blast bud...

I posted my write-ups in the Member Track Days group if they help you in any way.

Thanks again. Tim, I did read your write-ups. Good luck in level 3!

Steve, thanks for the point about situational awareness. At least in a kart I seem to excel in that area. I raced karts for five years, and never had any serious incidents. There where times where I'd be in the middle of a pack of crazy kart drivers and someone at the front would get in trouble. Somehow I find a way out of the ensuing pile-up.

Anyway, what I was really wondering in terms of advancement is, how soon would I be able to take my wife along as a passenger? Can you do that in HDPE1 once the instructor signs off on letting you drive alone?

I've read through all the NASA HDPE info again now, and didn't find that issue addressed. Also, there wasn't anything in writing about having a Mychron-like device in the car at your first event.

Thanks,
Pat