Thanks for that Matt,

But I appreciate the support and there are multiple possibilites for track days. At Thunderhill that weekend alone are:
TrackMasters, Sunday, Dec 10
T.E.A.M. Racing, Monday, Dec 11

BTW, if you can find out why I got tossed from HOD, please let me know. I hope it's not because they don't like fast MINIs, because that would mean that (gulp) you're next!

Thanks,
Jerry

 

Either invite you to instruct or ban you from their events altogether. Sounds like it could go either way.

 

RIGHT! Must remember to slow down. Must remember to slow down.

 

So do you think perhaps you injured the pride of some genitally-challenged Corvette owner in HOD by smoking them in a little clown car? That could do it. If so, more power to you.

 

Oh, I don't know. No one will say. It's irksome, but there doesn't seem to be anything I can do about it.

I do remember closing on a Mustang once and being close enough so I could read his instructor's lips as he turned to his student and said (with appropriate hand gestures,

"Gas it! Gas it! You wanna be passed by a MINI!!??"

Whereupon I proceeded to do so.

Just back from the NASA 25 Hours at T-Hill. Didn't get much sleep last night but it was a thrill watching those guys going three abreast through Turn 1 at 2 o'clock in the morning! Next year I hope to be driving the event for a MINI race team.

 

How did Jacques and the BBM team do?

 

Hey Jerry did you know your name is still list as a coach on the HOD web site. Let we know when you get settled in on watch groups you'll be coaching. I need a little more training before i'll be able to try for the hat or what ever you come up with.

 

Hi Gang - this is David Ray from Hooked On Driving and I'm sad that my first post is to respond to this dialogue, rather than talk about how cool Minis are....Siddhartha missed one key point. An incident earlier this fall at Thunderhill HPDS, which we manage, occurred that was fully disclosed and acknowledged by him, that involved him as a coach which we found to be unacceptable behavior. I was subsequently asked by Thunderhill management to remove him from the HPDS coaching list and did so. However, in a clear discussion with him, I stated that he could remain with HOD as a coach on a "one strike" or probationary basis, with no more issues allowed. Then, last week I was made aware of two more occurences of upset drivers after encounters with him. Coaching for HOD is on a volunteer basis in both directions. And HOD policies and standards are my responsibility. So, rather than get into a big dialogue about these new, documented and verified incidents, I determined it would be best for us to part company and for him to find a new home. We hope that you do your own due diligence on Hooked On Driving and how we operate - and we hope to see you at Hooked On Minis!

 

I'm registered...

I want to make a point, outside of all the subcontext of this thread...

Lets use our MINIness to pull together and motivate as a community of like minded enthusiasts...and get lots of MINIs on the track! MINIs are underrepresented on the track at HPDE's and in racing in general. The MINI is a kick *** car, such fun to drive at the limit, such a little sleeper. My MINI at teh track is the same one I use to pick up my dry cleaning... Lets put our helmets on and get out to the track. There are plenty of great clubs, and coaches, and MINI buddies out there. Find a club you like, or a few you like, and hit the track!! A show of 10 or more MINIS at all these events would be great...

 

Some of us at Norcal just became aware of these events. I know of at least six coming at this time. Tami and I will be there with both cars.

 

Sounds fun!
Think I"ll sign up!

 

We are changing our normal run groups a bit to provide a better fit for the Mini gang...as there aren't that many race cars which would normally be our D group...here are the run groups for Hooked On Minis (you select them when you register)
A - Beginners
B - Low Intermediate
C - High Intermediate
D - Advanced
Also - Don Racine, owner of Mini Mania, has signed on a sponsor with NorCal Minis...and Don is hoping to have his new turbo model there to show off...should be pretty cool.

 

Deleted

 

That is a totally bogus and typical unsubstantiated response. The truth is (as I have heard from sources close to the respondant), I hurt the feelings of one of David's "friends" in an incident totally unrelated to track days or HOD and David used his position of power to smite me for it. That's nepotism, not complaints from my students.

Do the due diligence, by all means. You will find out HOD has never run a MINI only event before, that they are depending on hijacking the MINI of Mountain View customer list that Brian Thessing uses for Big MINI Day and beating him to the punch by holding an event in February. February for heaven's sake! 1. It's cold. 2. It's liable to be rainy.

Save your money for an event later in the year when the soft breezes blow and Thunderhill's offs are not a muddy morass from which no hapless car returns.

And by the way, there are plenty of track day clubs to choose from.

 

Siddhartha, It sounds like you should graduate to "real" racing and leave
the "Hooked on Driving" track days to us (semi)amateurs!

The people I met at HOD were excellent. Sorry you have a conflict
but I'm still psyched for this event

 

I wish this had not turned ugly...it does nothing to promote HPDE's or MINIs. If I was new and on the fence about taking my pride and joy car to the track, this thread would put me off... I'm asking we shelve all the BS and get back to talking about the benefits and passion of the MINI's on the track...

Any event where we can get the MINIs out in force is worth attending! Lets just get the MINIs out there!

For those who have doubts now, hers my opinion...BMD is a fine event, nothing like seeing 75+ MINIs show up at the same time to go fast. But I think that it caters more to first timers. Its high numbers in few groups puts fast people on track with questionably skilled people, plus the really short run group sessions dont allow for proper warm up of the car, nor cool down. Us ex racers know thats not good for the cars or our minds. It all felt very rushed, plus I saw a bunch of "instrcuting" that was shameful...Kudos to Brian for putting up an event and making it happen. As we can tell by this thread, there are those interested that dont know about these HPDE's and who cares what list they come from? Lets just get the new people out to the track to promote the events!

IMO, The HOD events are the most professionally run HPDE's out there. There is a place for the beginner, and the coaching is great. When I got instruction from Sid, it was great. When I got instruction from Dave, it was great. When Im on track with people of my same skill set, learning from them, teaching them and making new freiends, its great. I think the instrcution from the HOD is on par with what you get from a Skip Barber training program, given the time you spend with them and in the context of driving 7/10ths, seeing as this is not a race. Sure, you wont learn how to race, but thats exactly the point.

I've run HPDEs with 9 different clubs inside and outside of CA, and all the race series (except for the Radical program in NV- which I will in April 2007). I choose to run my local events with HOD. I loved being on track with Sid. Im sure Ill see Sid at NASA, and Ill see all of you soon if you come out to the track, so get on out there, Ill check the pressure in your tires for you when you come into the paddock....

 

Matt, you know I admire you as a student, as a driver and as a MINI enthusiast, but I don't agree with this opinion. Having driven and instructed with many clubs this year (including HOD) I can state unequivocally that the BMWCCA events, the NASA HPDEs and The TrackMaster events are much better organized and more professional than the on again off again corps of HOD coaches. For instance, BMWCCA has over 200 instructors in their pool and offers instruction for ALL groups, not just for Novices and oh maybe doubling up now and then if there aren't enough coaches to cover the Novice group. David Ray is more about flash and self promotion than substance, and I have seen it first hand.

For a real event at a cost effective price, try this one:

TrackMasters Goes MINI at Laguna Seca

 

Wow, this thread certainly turned around. Well Jerry, I was sad to hear of the apparent conflict with you and the HOD folks. This won't be the first club to have done this, and you won't be the first instructor to be released. It doesn't mean, at least to me, that you are a bad instructor, it just means you all had a falling out. Same thing happened with Brian and NASA -- but he still instructs for many clubs. Yeah, he was upset, but in time, he got over it and moved forward and is now enjoying himself at other events.

But, as has been mentioned several times, there are many clubs to choose from, whether you are a student or a coach. Trust me . . . David likely did not make his choice easily. I have had to request that folks not return as an instructor a couple of times myself. It's NOT easy, not at all. It's gut-wrenching at best. While I will miss you greatly at the HOD/HPDS events as a fellow coach, I must also respect David's difficult decision. This world just ain't perfect. :(

Bonni W