Anyone have any experience with NASA HDPE? I read that they can get crowded. Is this usual? I really want to go to Infineon but would rather pass if it's going to be a bad experience. Thunderhill is like 2 to 3 hrs away. But I have to get back on a track since it's all I can think about. The only other class I see is Jim Russel and that looks like a rip off. Any other clubs have track time for novices at infineon?

 

I can't speak for your region...but I did run one NASA HPDE event this year (HPDE 1) at Mid-Ohio. I did a friday only entry, and it was a great experience for me. I got 4 sessions (20 minutes each) on track, plus classroom. Great instruction, plenty of incident free track time, and the people were nice......what else can you ask for?

 

I wish I had seen your post earlier. You would have been most welcomed to Infineon this past weekend.

NASA runs a great program and they limit the number of cars on the track. This past weekend and most weekends at Infineon have two different group 1 run groups. Group 1a and 1b.

I was racing but we had two other MINI's in HPDE, one in group 2 and one in group 3. The more MINI we have the more fun for all.

You you should have any questions please feel free to PM me or to kmickey who also posts on NAM and was one of the other HPDE cars. He's from Nor Cal. THe next NASA event at Infineon is Oct 7-8. We'll be racing and I'm sure a few other MINI's will be there. Stop on by the paddocks and say hi or if there's room set up with us.

 

www.hookedondriving.com

Come Oct 13 and 14th. Jerry and I will be there and theres a call out in the Norcal board for fast MINIs. TH is not too far, go up the night before and sleep. Camping overnight on the 13th for HPDE on the 14th.

Wish the NASA faithful would join us at one of these HOD events...

www.ncracing.org too

 

bpetzold - What is your experience level? The last two times I've been out to Infineon was with NASA. Both times I was in Group 3 and it was super crowded. There is a ton of traffic and people either hate it because you can't get a clean lap, or they love all the passing action (passing everywhere, as group 3 drivers don't obey the passing rules).

Group 1/2 (novice) is just as crowded, but the passing rules are much stricter so it won't feel too crazy.

Generally speaking, there seems to be more boneheads wrecking their own car (rarely is there car to car contact) at NASA events than any other group. However, that could just be because NASA is the one of the biggest around.

I would recommend NASA for Group 1 or 2. I would recommend NASA for Group 3 if you enjoy a lot of passing action.

 

Wasn't my experiance with them. A mixed NASA and Phil Wicks day, the only car to wreck was a in the Wicks crowd. It all depends on region, but if you want some emptier track, go to one of the longer ones, let the cars get about 1/2 way around and head out 1/2 a lap behind every body, or if you find yourself in too much traffic do a pass through the pits, and you should be able to hop back into less congestion. At least thats what I picked up form my experiance. I plan on renewing my NASA membership for next year, caling for snow tonight so no more track time in this part of the country fora while.