New to HPDE? Here's some helpful hints!
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09-17-2008, 07:48 PM
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New to HPDE? Here's some helpful hints!
Here's some basics for HPDE/roadracing - Enjoy (NASA HPDE Information):
** Auto-x is fun and a great way to learn car control, but when you're ready to take it to the next level - a road course, check out this HPDE schedule! **
1. Slow in / fast out. If you start turning and the car keeps going straight (push/understeer) you are likely entering the turn too fast. In my experience this slows down lap times more than anything.
2. Look ahead. The proper line is key for fast times. Looking ahead allows you to keep the car on the proper line. This may mean looking at the next turn before you are out of the current turn. Often requires looking out the side windows rather than just through the windshield.
3. Use the whole track. This goes with the proper line. In general, you want to make the turn as gradual as possible to allow for greater speed. However, stick to the clean line. Gravel & marbles will often accumulate the most off line and you will loose traction if you stray into it.
4. When ever possible, ride with an experienced driver before your runs. Even better, co-drive your car with a good driver. This allows for great feedback on what your car can do for a particular course, and where you can pick up more time.
5. Try to get your hard braking done in a straight line and take a line that allows you to get the car straighter and on the gas earlier in the turn, particularly before a straight.
6. Unwind the wheel as you accelerate out of the turn. Getting on the throttle as you come out of the turn will generally cause the back end to step out (oversteer). Turning into this or unwinding the wheel allows you to control the oversteer and generate more speed. Again, use the whole track.
7. Basic mechanicals. Full fuel, fresh brake fluid, at least 50% left on your brake pads, secure battery tie down, etc. Make sure you've got the engine oil topped off (continuous running track courses, add 1/2 Qt. over full).
8. Tire pressures. Most newbies start out with high pressures, mainly to save the sidewalls of the tires. Start by adding 6 psi to each tire, COLD. Cold, like before you leave home in the morning cold. After each run (each run because you'll be picking up speed on each run) check to see that you're not running onto the sidewalls. Wear on the corner of the tread is OK, but not past that.
9. Interior. Get everything out of the interior that can move. Floor mats, radar detectors, CDs, etc. You'll be braking and turning harder than you ever have before, and you won't believe the stuff that'll come out from under the seats.
10. Personal. WATER, WATER, WATER! And eat light. Especially if you get some runs with an instructor, it's easy to get a queasy stomach.
11. Leave your EGO at the door, I can’t stress that enough. I see way too many guys wracking their cars just because they THOUGHT they are great drivers.
12. DO NOT FOLLOW THE GUY IN FRONT OF YOU BLINDLY!!! You will be surprised how many guys DO NOT take the correct line. A bad line will get you one of two, a bad lap time or an off track experience.
13. BE SMOOTH!!!! Do not force the car or yourself, be smooth, speed will come with that.
14. If you come into a corner too hot you can ride it out and go off track a bit. Here's the kicker, if you accidentaly get two wheels off track RIDE IT OUT! Dont panic and try to yank the car back onto the pavement. The car will spin and when you regain traction you'll probably be pointed at a wall!
15. Someone who is in your mirrors did NOT start there, so they are faster than you are, let them by. Do not get frustrated by people that won't let you by. Pull into the pit, tell the course marshall, and they will let you back out into clean air.
16. Pay attention at the driver's meeting(s.) Make sure you know and FULLY understand the passing zones, and passing method used by the people running the event. You may know what the flags mean, but make sure they are using them the way you think they should be using them.
17. If you have a convertable, make sure you don't need a roll-bar. If you want to run top down, make sure that is allowed and what is needed if you do (arm-restraints come to mind.) Keep in mind that you generally get better aerodynamics with the top up and will get far better lap times.
18. Do NOT use the brakes on the cool down lap. Use it to cool down the car, but also drive the "perfect" race line in super slow motion. If you can't put the car where you want it at 40mph, how are you going to do it at 90mph? When you return to the pits, do NOT apply the handbrake. Chock the wheels and after about 45-60secs roll the car forward 6"-8". This will allow the part of the rotor that is inside the caliper to breath too. Pop the hood. While the hood is up, look for fluid leaks and double check your brake fluid level.
19. Know where the flag stands are, check them everytime you go by them.
20. When there are unsafe conditions on the track, GET OFF THE TRACK. Pull into the pit, don't be afraid to end your day early. It's far better than having it ended early for you.
21. It makes sense to change to open lug nuts. The closed ended ones can get junk in the end preventing proper torqueing. This is referred to as "acorn-ing." Very little sucks worse than losing a wheel at any kind of speed.
Here's some good reading for HPDE (road course) and auto-x newbies:
http://www.tirerack.com/features/solo2/handbook.htm
Here's a few books on autocross:
Secrets of Solo Racing - Henry Watts
Speed Secrets - Ross Bentley
Driving in Competition - Alan Johnson
Drive to Win - Carol Smith
A Twist of the Wrist - Lawson&Rainey
You should be able to order any of these books at your local Barnes & Noble or other bookstore.
** Auto-x is fun and a great way to learn car control, but when you're ready to take it to the next level - a road course, check out this HPDE schedule! **
1. Slow in / fast out. If you start turning and the car keeps going straight (push/understeer) you are likely entering the turn too fast. In my experience this slows down lap times more than anything.
2. Look ahead. The proper line is key for fast times. Looking ahead allows you to keep the car on the proper line. This may mean looking at the next turn before you are out of the current turn. Often requires looking out the side windows rather than just through the windshield.
3. Use the whole track. This goes with the proper line. In general, you want to make the turn as gradual as possible to allow for greater speed. However, stick to the clean line. Gravel & marbles will often accumulate the most off line and you will loose traction if you stray into it.
4. When ever possible, ride with an experienced driver before your runs. Even better, co-drive your car with a good driver. This allows for great feedback on what your car can do for a particular course, and where you can pick up more time.
5. Try to get your hard braking done in a straight line and take a line that allows you to get the car straighter and on the gas earlier in the turn, particularly before a straight.
6. Unwind the wheel as you accelerate out of the turn. Getting on the throttle as you come out of the turn will generally cause the back end to step out (oversteer). Turning into this or unwinding the wheel allows you to control the oversteer and generate more speed. Again, use the whole track.
7. Basic mechanicals. Full fuel, fresh brake fluid, at least 50% left on your brake pads, secure battery tie down, etc. Make sure you've got the engine oil topped off (continuous running track courses, add 1/2 Qt. over full).
8. Tire pressures. Most newbies start out with high pressures, mainly to save the sidewalls of the tires. Start by adding 6 psi to each tire, COLD. Cold, like before you leave home in the morning cold. After each run (each run because you'll be picking up speed on each run) check to see that you're not running onto the sidewalls. Wear on the corner of the tread is OK, but not past that.
9. Interior. Get everything out of the interior that can move. Floor mats, radar detectors, CDs, etc. You'll be braking and turning harder than you ever have before, and you won't believe the stuff that'll come out from under the seats.
10. Personal. WATER, WATER, WATER! And eat light. Especially if you get some runs with an instructor, it's easy to get a queasy stomach.
11. Leave your EGO at the door, I can’t stress that enough. I see way too many guys wracking their cars just because they THOUGHT they are great drivers.
12. DO NOT FOLLOW THE GUY IN FRONT OF YOU BLINDLY!!! You will be surprised how many guys DO NOT take the correct line. A bad line will get you one of two, a bad lap time or an off track experience.
13. BE SMOOTH!!!! Do not force the car or yourself, be smooth, speed will come with that.
14. If you come into a corner too hot you can ride it out and go off track a bit. Here's the kicker, if you accidentaly get two wheels off track RIDE IT OUT! Dont panic and try to yank the car back onto the pavement. The car will spin and when you regain traction you'll probably be pointed at a wall!
15. Someone who is in your mirrors did NOT start there, so they are faster than you are, let them by. Do not get frustrated by people that won't let you by. Pull into the pit, tell the course marshall, and they will let you back out into clean air.
16. Pay attention at the driver's meeting(s.) Make sure you know and FULLY understand the passing zones, and passing method used by the people running the event. You may know what the flags mean, but make sure they are using them the way you think they should be using them.
17. If you have a convertable, make sure you don't need a roll-bar. If you want to run top down, make sure that is allowed and what is needed if you do (arm-restraints come to mind.) Keep in mind that you generally get better aerodynamics with the top up and will get far better lap times.
18. Do NOT use the brakes on the cool down lap. Use it to cool down the car, but also drive the "perfect" race line in super slow motion. If you can't put the car where you want it at 40mph, how are you going to do it at 90mph? When you return to the pits, do NOT apply the handbrake. Chock the wheels and after about 45-60secs roll the car forward 6"-8". This will allow the part of the rotor that is inside the caliper to breath too. Pop the hood. While the hood is up, look for fluid leaks and double check your brake fluid level.
19. Know where the flag stands are, check them everytime you go by them.
20. When there are unsafe conditions on the track, GET OFF THE TRACK. Pull into the pit, don't be afraid to end your day early. It's far better than having it ended early for you.
21. It makes sense to change to open lug nuts. The closed ended ones can get junk in the end preventing proper torqueing. This is referred to as "acorn-ing." Very little sucks worse than losing a wheel at any kind of speed.
Here's some good reading for HPDE (road course) and auto-x newbies:
http://www.tirerack.com/features/solo2/handbook.htm
Here's a few books on autocross:
Secrets of Solo Racing - Henry Watts
Speed Secrets - Ross Bentley
Driving in Competition - Alan Johnson
Drive to Win - Carol Smith
A Twist of the Wrist - Lawson&Rainey
You should be able to order any of these books at your local Barnes & Noble or other bookstore.
Last edited by Gray Ghost; 09-17-2008 at 08:53 PM.
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