HPDE Organizations

[Obioban]

I don't understand why point bys can't be given by turn signal so we could leave our windows closed. I'd really enjoy heat or AC on track :P
(and it would address the issue above)

[Estoril]

Summit Point Main. Oct 2018.

It wasnt the instructor himself, it was pit out and the lead instructor not getting people he needed to grid… after 3 previous wrecks.

I would take a serious second look at TrackDaze and how they conduct an event.

The last HoD event I did (Mid-Atlantic) I found myself behind a guy (maybe the same guy you described!) running in the instructor group. In SEVEN laps I was stuck behind him and couldn't get a point on a bet. Refused - and over-driving his car.

When I went back to the paddock I talked to the HoD leader and his #2, described the driver's behavior and said that I was fairly unhappy and would like it fixed. They went to talk to him, then returned and said that he was a "Special case" and was physically unable to point cars by due to a physical limitation of not being able to get a hand out of the window. WTF?!?! They also made it clear that he was well known within HoD and they were giving him a "pass" on that behavior. In other words - "he knows people in HoD chapter leadership" and would be forgiven no matter what. I asked how he skipped the mandatory pre-8AM Instructor's meeting where his "special case" could be discussed and an alternate passing signal could be arranged for him. Instead he showed up in the paddock at 11:00AM. I just got stares.

Apparently its not what you do - its who you know.

[Obioban]

I mostly do PCA events, largely because my local chapter is cheap ($300-350 for 2 days), relaxed in a reasonably way (not sticklers, but not dangerous), and a lot of track time (some of their events are five 30 min sessions per day, at often the end of the day is just open track for a long period). Also, the fellow drivers are reasonable (give passes promptly, aren't driving dangerously).

[bigjae46]

I instruct with Driver’s Edge (NOT Edge Addicts) in TX. Driver’s Edge (TDE) is a pain the first time you drive with them. It’s turns off quite a few people. For example…someone says they’re an advanced driver, TDE will likely put you in intermediate. Racer, instructor…whatever. Likely will be in intermediate.

You know what? Most of my worst students have been ones with previous experience. Driver’s Edge is one group that is willing to turn someone away who is not willing to at least subject themselves to live verification. There is a reason why for the most part you can drive in most run groups and not have a dangerous road block causing trains.


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[Fresh1179]

I am going to throw in a negative for Hooked On Driving. I have attended three of their events. Their prices are kind of a joke in terms of how high they are but I try to get as much seat time as I can. Also, I am a firm believer that T-shirts should always be included haha!

With respect to my actual gripe with them, I was at an event at the beginning of the year and at the start of the second day I came up upon some beater Chump car on the blend line. In hindsight I should have noticed this fact but I drove behind this guy at a snails pace while he refused to give a point by. I backed off because it looked like he had no familiarity with the track and was a danger. In retrospect, I should have pitted.

He lost it on the inside of a turn and I drove directly into the infield because I have no idea what this guy is doing. He tried to save it, his slicks bit, and he blasted me in the infield (twice somehow). About 10k of damage, and I had forgotten track insurance that week....

Well, I limp back into the pits and 5-6 members of the staff are standing there. I’m not mad, I know this is a possibility every time I go out but I at least want to talk to someone. Low and behold, it turns out the guy wasn’t in our run group, and had never driven the track before. He was released into the group midsession on the second day. At this point I am thinking this is kind of bullshit, especially from a group that purportedly has an eye on safety. They kept telling me this shouldn’t have happened which I agreed, and that I should have pitted. I was very polite, and after a long discussion they offered to comp me one day in the future haha. I respectfully declined. I asked for the contact information so I could speak to the race team and never received it. The damage hurt, but it showed me that safety was not a priority, and that was the killer.


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[eacmen]

Damn dude, sorry to hear that. When was this and what track? I've always found the Trackdaze guys to be pretty on top of things. I have been to events where the instructors are spread pretty thin, but I'd never leave a student hanging on grid, that's a dick move.

Summit Point Main. Oct 2018.

It wasnt the instructor himself, it was pit out and the lead instructor not getting people he needed to grid… after 3 previous wrecks.

I would take a serious second look at TrackDaze and how they conduct an event.

[blazenXLT]

TrackDaze is great for experienced drivers. Would never recommend them for new or novice drivers. They do not hold their instructors accountable to show up to grid.

Started weekend with instructor, signed off solo. Heavy rain started, asked for instructor back asI have never driven in the rain. Instructor was forced to go in someone else’s car since their instructor did not show. I was told to go out solo, ended up in the wall with a totaled car and serious injury that i’m still recovering from.

Never again.

Damn dude, sorry to hear that. When was this and what track? I've always found the Trackdaze guys to be pretty on top of things. I have been to events where the instructors are spread pretty thin, but I'd never leave a student hanging on grid, that's a dick move.

[elbert]

In TX I’m seeing more and more hamfisted intermediate students that have 20+ days under their belt and still heavily rely on nannies. They build bad habits which are increasingly difficult to break.

I think this is becoming a universal problem. Cars these days have so much more HP than ever, and with the safety nannies, these newbies think they're driving gods because they're setting some fast lap times. Yet they are oblivious that their stability control is saving their ass several times a lap.

[bigjae46]

Agreed. Always been told that driving in the rain is great for learning so wanted to take advantage of it. Hard to turn back to the paddock when you’re sitting on the grid and others are rolling out, even if your passenger seat is empty.

Shoulda woulda coulda I guess….

At the end of the day the warning signs were there just chose to ignore them. I didn’t know it at the time, but I was the fourth car in the wall before lunch that day. I decent DE club would have held another drivers meeting after car 2.

That’s another thing. Some DE orgs are actually kinda OK with cars hitting the wall.


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[eacmen]

That sucks. Not saying an instructor would have prevented hitting the wall but the fact that an instructor wasn’t available is not acceptable IMO.

I’ve been to events where students are solo’d in an effort to effectively ditch them and allow the instructor time to focus on themselves. Make no mistake about it...your driving will suffer if you’re instructing. You just don’t have the time to prep your car as well as you could. If there’s an issue beyond brake pad or tire changes...probably won’t have much time to fix it.

Careful who you DE with. In TX I’m seeing more and more hamfisted intermediate students that have 20+ days under their belt and still heavily rely on nannies. They build bad habits which are increasingly difficult to break.


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Agreed. Always been told that driving in the rain is great for learning so wanted to take advantage of it. Hard to turn back to the paddock when you’re sitting on the grid and others are rolling out, even if your passenger seat is empty.

Shoulda woulda coulda I guess….

At the end of the day the warning signs were there just chose to ignore them. I didn’t know it at the time, but I was the fourth car in the wall before lunch that day. I decent DE club would have held another drivers meeting after car 2.

[bigjae46]

TrackDaze is great for experienced drivers. Would never recommend them for new or novice drivers. They do not hold their instructors accountable to show up to grid.

Started weekend with instructor, signed off solo. Heavy rain started, asked for instructor back asI have never driven in the rain. Instructor was forced to go in someone else’s car since their instructor did not show. I was told to go out solo, ended up in the wall with a totaled car and serious injury that i’m still recovering from.

Never again.

That sucks. Not saying an instructor would have prevented hitting the wall but the fact that an instructor wasn’t available is not acceptable IMO.

I’ve been to events where students are solo’d in an effort to effectively ditch them and allow the instructor time to focus on themselves. Make no mistake about it...your driving will suffer if you’re instructing. You just don’t have the time to prep your car as well as you could. If there’s an issue beyond brake pad or tire changes...probably won’t have much time to fix it.

Careful who you DE with. In TX I’m seeing more and more hamfisted intermediate students that have 20+ days under their belt and still heavily rely on nannies. They build bad habits which are increasingly difficult to break.


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[eacmen]

I do all events with TrackDaze and NASA MA at this point. Both are great and offer plenty of track time IMO. I instruct for both groups, so I spend more time on track than I would if I was just there solo (can't turn down a free event though...)

TrackDaze is great for experienced drivers. Would never recommend them for new or novice drivers. They do not hold their instructors accountable to show up to grid.

Started weekend with instructor, signed off solo. Heavy rain started, asked for instructor back asI have never driven in the rain. Instructor was forced to go in someone else’s car since their instructor did not show. I was told to go out solo, ended up in the wall with a totaled car and serious injury that i’m still recovering from.

Never again.

[blazenXLT]

I do all events with TrackDaze and NASA MA at this point. Both are great and offer plenty of track time IMO. I instruct for both groups, so I spend more time on track than I would if I was just there solo (can't turn down a free event though...)

[ShiftLess]

I typically run with NNJR PCA at all the usual NE tracks...very well organized and great people. Currently an intermediate driver and looking for additional club events with more track time per day. PCA is typically 4~25min sessions per day and usually under $200 per day.

[bumada]

I typically run with NASA Mid Atlantic. Their Hyperfest event at VIR is an amazingly good time.

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