First track day questions

[ruturaj001]

Upside:
Man what a blast I had, I was able to figure how (at least I think) racing line on my own for few corners but not for rest difficult ones.

Downside:
I got passed by everyone who participated, including a guy with last gen BRZ, BMW wagon. A guy in Miata passed me twice. I lost a lot of time by not hitting brakes and letting car slow down on it's own, it's my mindset though that would take some time to change on track.

There are few events I am looking at participating,
there is this IRDC event and BMW car control clinic (already registered for later, thinking about IRDC)

Ferodo brake pads are getting delivered today. So planning to do the work (pads, camber bolts, brake fluid) and then get alignment done next week.

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by ruturaj001

Upside:
Man what a blast I had, I was able to figure how (at least I think) racing line on my own for few corners but not for rest difficult ones.

Downside:
I got passed by everyone who participated, including a guy with last gen BRZ, BMW wagon. A guy in Miata passed me twice. I lost a lot of time by not hitting brakes and letting car slow down on it's own, it's my mindset though that would take some time to change on track.

There are few events I am looking at participating,
there is this IRDC event and BMW car control clinic (already registered for later, thinking about IRDC)

Ferodo brake pads are getting delivered today. So planning to do the work (pads, camber bolts, brake fluid) and then get alignment done next week.

Doesn't take much to get hooked.

Don't worry about comparing your speed to others when you are learning. Who knows how much experience they have. Just focus on your own experience and learning and the rest will come.

[ruturaj001]

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

Doesn't take much to get hooked.

Don't worry about comparing your speed to others when you are learning. Who knows how much experience they have. Just focus on your own experience and learning and the rest will come.

Definitely. One guy had RX7 sleeper, stripped out inside, cage installed, V8 in front with 2 beer cans connected at few places, dash was home made probably with 10x more gauges than I ever saw. BRZ guy was pretty cool, first time for him as well, I had parked next to him so we shared thoughts.

[Ohio Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by ruturaj001

Downside:
I got passed by everyone who participated, including a guy with last gen BRZ, BMW wagon. A guy in Miata passed me twice.

That's not a downside. HPDE is not a race. You can't win at HPDE. You can only lose (your car and/or your health/life). Drive at the pace you are comfortable and use faster cars as reference of how to drive faster (driving line, braking points, etc.)

Originally Posted by ruturaj001

I lost a lot of time by not hitting brakes and letting car slow down on it's own, it's my mindset though that would take some time to change on track.

There are certainly some mindset difference between street driving and track driving. Braking and driving line are the biggest ones. I struggled for a long time with effectively using the entire track - it was automatic for me to keep to the right and not use the entire width. For braking, I found using brake markers to help - chose one fairly back from the turn-in point, then each lap brake a little closer to the corner. Each time you should brake as hard as you can and coast to the turn-in point. You know you reached the right braking marker when you don't coast at all between braking and turning.

[ruturaj001]

Originally Posted by Ohio Enthusiast

That's not a downside. HPDE is not a race. You can't win at HPDE. You can only lose (your car and/or your health/life). Drive at the pace you are comfortable and use faster cars as reference of how to drive faster (driving line, braking points, etc.)



There are certainly some mindset difference between street driving and track driving. Braking and driving line are the biggest ones. I struggled for a long time with effectively using the entire track - it was automatic for me to keep to the right and not use the entire width. For braking, I found using brake markers to help - chose one fairly back from the turn-in point, then each lap brake a little closer to the corner. Each time you should brake as hard as you can and coast to the turn-in point. You know you reached the right braking marker when you don't coast at all between braking and turning.

It was downside because in no passing zone I felt a little stressed that I am blocking someone. For next round I stayed last in line and I tried to let as many behind pass in passing zone. I think if I was able to keep it in the flow it would have been more enjoyable and safer for everyone and me.

I was exhausted by the time remembered whole track. I am getting a lesson at Pacific parkway through IRDC on June 9th now, then BMW clinic, then BMW HPDE event again with instructor. If BMW instructor clears me I would be able to go back on the track with turn 2.

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by ruturaj001

It was downside because in no passing zone I felt a little stressed that I am blocking someone. For next round I stayed last in line and I tried to let as many behind pass in passing zone. I think if I was able to keep it in the flow it would have been more enjoyable and safer for everyone and me.

Don't worry about it so much. It's not a race or a competition, ending up behind another car is part of HPDE. As long as you are displaying proper etiquette, giving point by's in the passing zones, and not being a hazard, you are doing your part. I think based on your responses you are going to enjoy the clinics and gain a lot more confidence with them.