Lapping Days at HPR

[b0rderman]

What sort of folks do you see at the HPR open lapping days? I've read the requirements last year, and unless they have changed, you do not need a competition license to participate...is this correct?

I'm only HPDE 2 but I feel comfortable on the track, recognize early when there is faster traffic behind and have a strong desire to get out on the track more (every day if I could) to continue to learn various things that may only come with experience. I would like to use these lapping days as an opportunity to get more time behind the wheel in addition to the HPDE offerings from NASA in the warmer months.

I guess I am just looking for some insight into the lapping days, and wondering what you all think about recommended (or required for that matter) skill sets for these lapping days.

Many thanks,

Stefan

[bpanther]

Did you happen to read my editorial in the letter I sent out at X-Mas time?

[Weston]

HPR only really requires a safety talk with the track manager, and then anyone can go out and drive. That's better than what we saw at Second Creek years ago, but it's still an open track day, so it's no where near the controlled environment of HPDE, Time Trials, or Racing. You're likely to find a mix of experience levels, situational awareness, and driver intent (some think they're "racing"; others just want a sunday drive). If something goes wrong, you also wont have the services or coverages that you would have if you were out there with NASA or certain other clubs.

That said, open track days can be a lot of fun, and a good way to get people to come out and try a road course, especially those who aren't ready to commit to a structured approach like HPDE. It's also one of the few ways to drive with friends of various different experience levels, without much restriction. That's way too uncontrolled for most clubs (or insurance) to want to touch, and obviously there are safety implications, but there's also a decent demand for that kind of thing.

The biggest thing I'd say is to be aware of other cars and give yourself and them some room for error... Faster cars may be coming up behind you, but that may be simply because of raw power rather than skill. And you can't really expect the cars in front of you to see you coming up on them, or to even remain in control. In short, don't have controlled-environment expectations/trust in an uncontrolled environment.

[b0rderman]

Dave, yes I did read the brief editorial, and agree with all the points for NASA and fully realize one might run into some people you probably would not necessarily run into at a NASA event. I was just looking for a little more about the lapping days themselves and I did through both of your offerings...thanks!

[JLW]

I've done a few lapping days at HPR (I'm a relatively new HPDE3) and I think Weston summed it up pretty well . You have the opportunity to get a lot of seat time, but there is a much wider range of experience and performance on the track with you at the same time. You really need to watch your mirrors more than in HPDE!

It's essentially an open track with passing anywhere as long as it's done safely. You can go out/come in when you want. The cars you're out with can range from 100hp street cars to open-wheeled racers.

I've found that if you go on a Friday prior to a weekend club event (PCA for example), you'll find a lot of (Porsches, or whatever) that day. Winter lapping days tend to be less populated. In my experience, I've found the other participants to be courteous on track.

The track did have an ambulance on site and a few corner workers (not all the stations like we tend to see at NASA events) when I've been there.

[dlh]

I was out last sunday. There was only about a dozen drivers so the track was pretty wide open. I along with a couple of other slower cars followed each other around for a few sessions. I kept an eye out for faster cars and let them know which way I wanted them to pass.

Winter sessions aren't well attended because of the cold, which means you get a lot of track time with fast and slow cars on the track at the same time.

During the peak season, you will have more cars and then they will split run groups between fast and slow cutting down on your track time.

Since there is no racing during open lapping days, it is significantly safer than if it were a real racing session. Most of the cars are daily drivers and don't want to have to tow their car home because of an on track incident.

The track will always have an ambulance and corner workers for open lapping days.

You will have no problem on an open lapping day.

[docwyte]

The track has corner workers and an ambulance at the open days? Wow, I didn't realize that, I thought it was like open days at 2nd Creek or PMP.

I've been reluctant to go to the HPR open days for that precise reason....

[dlh]

Limited corner workers which is fine for open lapping.

Tower, track entry, 5, 9 and 12. The whole course does have eyes. Last year they did have a couple more corners manned. Maybe 2 and 8. With the limited winter sign ups the reduced number of corners work well.

In order for the track to break even in winter, they need at least 10 drivers signed up.

[nasa-rb]

Originally Posted by docwyte

The track has corner workers and an ambulance at the open days? Wow, I didn't realize that, I thought it was like open days at 2nd Creek or PMP.

I've been reluctant to go to the HPR open days for that precise reason....

Actually, I have noticed that the ambulance is often the same bus and crew that we use for NASA events.

[leggwork]

you could see the whole of Second Creek from the paddock whereas with HPR you need to staff 4 corners to see the whole track. An ambulance could also get to Second Creek a lot faster than HPR.
bruce

Originally Posted by docwyte

The track has corner workers and an ambulance at the open days? Wow, I didn't realize that, I thought it was like open days at 2nd Creek or PMP.

I've been reluctant to go to the HPR open days for that precise reason....