First HPDE event, Lessons learned.

[Roadracer350]

Ok what class is TTB?

 

[csamsh]

Ok what class is TTB?

It's the top points-based class before you hit the power-to-weight numbers classes (TT3, TT2, etc.) TTB is the coyote's base class. The winner in NASA TX drives a pretty prepped E46 M3.

 

[SoundGuyDave]

Ok I am getting that #1 & 2 is pretty much beginners but is the 3 an open track? In bikes on track days you have Beginner, Street A, Street B and Race. Beginners are just that. They are taking the class and first timers. Street A is for guys that are fast street riders, Street B is for guys that have done it a couple times and are faster than the reg guys and are also running race bodywork. Race is licensed racers only.

The EXACT HPDE-3 passing rules can vary slightly from region to region (largely dependent on the drivers participating), but in MW and GL, they frequently start with "passing on straights, point-by mandatory" and gradually open up the passing zones over the course of the weekend, as long as everybody plays nice, up to and including "no passing braking to apex". It is ALWAYS "mandatory point-by" though for safety, as HPDE-3 probably has the widest range of skill, ability and car prep of all the groups. HPDE-3 frequently does on-track drills, usually once or twice per weekend, for off-line, side-by-side and mid-corner passing, using a pair of instructor cars as pace cars. It's actually kind of fun, to be honest. It usually only lasts for a couple of laps, and it's a real laugh when they come around the last corner and are suddenly presented with a waving green right at the start/finish line... Yup, they just got their first practice race start, too! It's a measure of trust to let them all get sorted out without going into T1 two-wide under a green. I always see lots of smiles after that drill...

Also, keep in mind that nearly everybody in the -3 group has come up the ladder system, has their head on a swivel, and has NO problem pointing-by a faster car. Communication at this level is also very high. It's not unusual at all to see a mirror-tap ("Yes, I see you and will let you by after the corner") and then a point-by given either mid-corner, or between apex and track-out. If you simply assume that you'll get the point post-apex and set up the pass, 95% of the time you'll be fine. For the other 5%, just back off. Honestly, no big deal. If there's somebody out there that isn't playing well with others, that DOES get handled in the post-session meetings. If you've got your crap together, ask for a check-ride to HPDE-4, but be prepared to be put through your paces... Offline, in the marbles, exact car placement, possible passing drills with another instructor, etc. HPDE-4 IS open-passing, no point-by required, so we (instructor cadre) want to make sure that you are on top of your game and can handle anything thrown at you. TIP: We don't care about raw speed, not a bit. What we DO care about is absolute situational awareness, car control, appropriate pace, excellent decision-making and complete comfort out on the track. We may throw flags at you too, just to see how you handle them...

Remember, it's all about safety. There's no "elitism" going on, and we (instructors) genuinely WANT to pass the people we do check-rides with. It's up to them not to fuck it up. We will NOT pass somebody that is potentially dangerous, can't follow directions, etc. FWIW, it seems that most other car clubs in the area do not do ANY open-passing groups at all in their HPDE programs. NASA is fairly unique, at least in my experience. For a lot of groups, HPDE-3 translates to "advanced group." Once you have a weekend or two in -4, you're only one piece of paper (provisional license) away from running TT, which is absolutely a competition group.

Does that make any sense?

 

[Roadracer350]

Tar makes a TON of sense! Almost the same as the bikes just diffrent names.