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I did my first couple HPDE events with NASA this month and last. I had done a couple single member days with a friend in my M5 previously. Things I learned doing a two day school:
1. 4 20 minute sessions and 3 half hour classroom sessions is plenty. You'll be tired.
2. Even if you are not thirsty, drink. It gets hot in the car, even on a cool day with your helmet, stress, mouth open, talking to your instructor. You get dry VERY quick. If you aren't peeing every hour or two, drink more.
3. Fresh socks are great. Also, driving shoes are for driving. Comfortable shoes are for walking around the paddock.
4. Don't leave your torque wrench in your other car when you drop it off at the shop. I now own two 1/2" drive torque wrenches. Thank god for a timely HF coupon.
5. You know what's better than fresh socks? Fresh underwear and shorts for the drive home.
6. As you get faster over the course of the day/weekend, bad habits that were completely OK at morning speeds wind up in a world of trouble at afternoon speeds.
7. You may end up with a conservative instructor who starts you out VERY slow. Don't get frustrated. Chances are you'll be passing people by session 3.
8. Let the Group 1 (Green) Corvette drivers pass you when they drive up your ass on the straights. Then watch them miss every apex over the course of the next lap. My instructor predicted this and was 100% correct. He says 911 Turbo guys are guilty of this too, but we had none in our group.
9. If you've got 8 sessions over the weekend with your instructor, swap out session 6 or 7 mid-second day for a different instructor and get a different perspective. Really helps make BOTH instructors advice clearer.
10. Get better fluid before your first day!!! Four people in my group had brake fade issues with stock fluid. Two of those people were at their first school.
11. Don't eat a big lunch. Your 2:30 session will be painful. I felt much better on day 2 eating a chicken caesar salad as opposed to the sandwich I had on day 1.
12. After a day of driving and two race groups, the rubber marbles bouncing off, under, around and on top off your car will sound like hell - especially in a 86 twin. Don't worry about it.
13. Get ready to spend money. Lots and lots of money to sign up for more schools.
14. If you start making a lot of mistakes near the end of the day, pull off. Little mistakes piss you off. Large mistakes bend metal.
15. Did I talk about socks and underwear?
Hope this is helpful. Your early experiences may differ of course.
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