NASA HPDE 1 Question

[JayG]

As Huckster noted, PCA is a really good place to start for HPDE

Nothing wrong with tracking a car with a TIP. I have a good friend who kicks ass on the track with a base 986 TIP

Anything can happen at the track including accidents and mechanical issues. Our cars are built to be driven hard. I did 4 years of tracking with my basically street 986S and had very little break there. In fact I can't think of anything that actually broke at the track on my car..

You will go through lots of tires and brake pads. When tracking I changed the oil not longer that 2500 miles (it was also my DD),. Not to start an oil thread, but you should use something better than Mobile one. I had good results with Motul Xcell 8100. It was highly recommended by my race prep mechanic. brake fluid flush every year and bleed before every event.

[MaxD]

As for which DE course to take, it all depends on your local region.

Maytag lays out our local Utah scene pretty well.

At PCA we move you up at your own speed and if you want an instructor, you get an instructor in any run group. NASA here casts you loose after one HPDE1 day or weekend unless they deem otherwise. Instruction is spotty in HPDE2/3.

It should be noted that many of our PCA instructors instruct for NASA as well. I volunteer for both organizations but am a bit biased about what we can do for drivers in PCA events.

Ditto on drain, replace and bleed everything on your car before you go to the track - actually just do it. It may have a sterling service record but it's your car now.

[LincolnPeters]

Maytag, Max, Jay, Hüsker Dü—- thank you for such thoughtful responses. I was outside working on our cars all day and kept having the thought, “I really need to figure out how this HPDE thing works” and was just looking for events within 100 miles (which is my AAA tow home limit, lol—-I know, I know, but I’m sure I could get SOMEONE to drag me to a surface street with their truck).

I need more miles, a lot more miles. And waaay more miles than I’m gonna be getting the next nine months with the local (very awesome) PCA AutoX group. So me and Trilobite, we totally appreciate the input. Thanks, dudes.

Oh, and a ‘35 Bugatti, Tril? Did it feel good to be a gangster?

[truegearhead]

I’ve instructed with probably 4 different clubs but have spend most of my time with NASA. Instructors are unfortunately hit or miss but generally the more you put into it the more engaged you are the better instruction you’ll get. In HPDE 1 the important thing is you have someone who keeps you safe and start to learn the basics which hopefully any instructor can do. As you start to advance you’ll normally find the best instruction at clubs that have actual racing, these clubs attract more serious drivers/instructors. So if you’re local PCA chapter is HPDE only you might want to look for a more serious club as you get better and better.

As far as your car, these cars and their engines are tougher than the internet wants you to think. I ran 5 full seasons of autocross, and then started running HPDEs, went from HPDE 1, then 2, 3, 4, then started instructing, and then time trials. Years and years of track events all on the stock 2.5l with 0 oil modifications or any other modifications. Never had a problem (until I put an accusump on my car... which failed and blew up my motor). Back then I was buying good track pads and getting free “take-offs” (used track tires) at the track. Good luck! Also, make sure you pass the broomstick test with a helmet on.

[trilobite]

Originally Posted by LincolnPeters

Oh, and a ‘35 Bugatti, Tril? Did it feel good to be a gangster?

It was neat when I had it, was sad when I sold it, but I really couldn't keep up with it. I had no business having it in the first place. I was young and stupid and thought I could handle maintenance and upkeep, etc. If I had it now, it would be a different story, but it was too much toy for this boy. I've recaptured the thrill with the 986 and am happy with it. ...wouldn't mind a 718 Boxster GTS 4.0, but I'll have to wait a while, lol!

And yes, thank you everyone for your thoughts on the HPDE situation. I was out of town for the weekend and didn't get on my computer to check the forum so hadn't had a chance to respond. I think next summer I will try to sign up for some events with a few different clubs. I don't think it's in the cards for this summer, but next year perhaps. I am trying to keep it basically stock OEM to try and maintain whatever value I can from it, so it will be lower-end high performance for this 986.