Half-day Driving School at T-Hill
03-08-2007, 06:24 AM
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Originally Posted by Voodoo_S2K,Mar 8 2007, 12:14 AM
Don't you take the same if not higher risk everyday?
I've personally seen very few accidents in the 4 years I've been doing HPDE/Time Trials with NASA, though I can't speak for Shelby club since I've never run with them, but I would assume the case would be the same.
Thunderhill is definitely a very good track for beginners since there is tons of runoff room and several corners were you can push the car and get away with it. Now that being said, anything is possible if you do something stupid.
I've personally seen very few accidents in the 4 years I've been doing HPDE/Time Trials with NASA, though I can't speak for Shelby club since I've never run with them, but I would assume the case would be the same.
Thunderhill is definitely a very good track for beginners since there is tons of runoff room and several corners were you can push the car and get away with it. Now that being said, anything is possible if you do something stupid.
Yes - I take risks some days, but I'm more concerned that the other 30-40 drivers in the group will be taking a lot more stupid risks than I normally would. And with 30-40 other drivers on the track at the same time taking a lot more risks than normal (group start or staggered?), that potential for accidents is what concerns more a lot more than individual time trial events. If it's a group pack start, that is what I'd be worried about. If that start is staggered, that really wouldn't concern me much. I'm new to these things so I'm just trying to get a better understanding.
It would be great if someone with actual Shelby club track experience could chime in as to how the event actually works.
And what about cross posting to Sacto?
03-12-2007, 11:20 PM
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Originally Posted by Grimnebulin,Mar 8 2007, 07:24 AM
Thanks for the input. It's my understanding (maybe incorrect) that this event will be 30-40 novice/beginner cars in a group on the track at one time, while the HPDE/Time Trials are more single cars on the track one at a time, or at least well staggered. Therefore, I'd expect to see a lot fewer accidents with Time Trials vs. track driving. I may be mistaken here if so, please correct my misunderstanding. That is why I am asking these questions - trying to learn.
Yes - I take risks some days, but I'm more concerned that the other 30-40 drivers in the group will be taking a lot more stupid risks than I normally would. And with 30-40 other drivers on the track at the same time taking a lot more risks than normal (group start or staggered?), that potential for accidents is what concerns more a lot more than individual time trial events. If it's a group pack start, that is what I'd be worried about. If that start is staggered, that really wouldn't concern me much. I'm new to these things so I'm just trying to get a better understanding.
It would be great if someone with actual Shelby club track experience could chime in as to how the event actually works.
And what about cross posting to Sacto?
Yes - I take risks some days, but I'm more concerned that the other 30-40 drivers in the group will be taking a lot more stupid risks than I normally would. And with 30-40 other drivers on the track at the same time taking a lot more risks than normal (group start or staggered?), that potential for accidents is what concerns more a lot more than individual time trial events. If it's a group pack start, that is what I'd be worried about. If that start is staggered, that really wouldn't concern me much. I'm new to these things so I'm just trying to get a better understanding.
It would be great if someone with actual Shelby club track experience could chime in as to how the event actually works.
And what about cross posting to Sacto?
The group go out at the same time, but they are staggered as they go out on the track. 30 cars on a long track like Thunderhill is actually really spread out. A group start is something you will only see during a real race.
03-13-2007, 11:32 AM
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Originally Posted by Voodoo_S2K,Mar 12 2007, 11:20 PM
Incorrect. HPDE is usually broken up into several run groups. Usually a beginner/novice group, intermediate, and expert group. Some organizations like Norcal NASA run a separate group just for Time Trial. All of the run groups usually have 30-40 cars in them. The only time you really see one or a few cars running at the same time is autox.
The group go out at the same time, but they are staggered as they go out on the track. 30 cars on a long track like Thunderhill is actually really spread out. A group start is something you will only see during a real race.
The group go out at the same time, but they are staggered as they go out on the track. 30 cars on a long track like Thunderhill is actually really spread out. A group start is something you will only see during a real race.
03-15-2007, 11:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Voodoo_S2K' date='Mar 13 2007, 12:20 AM
All of the run groups usually have 30-40 cars in them. The only time you really see one or a few cars running at the same time is autox.
The group go out at the same time, but they are staggered as they go out on the track.
The group go out at the same time, but they are staggered as they go out on the track.
It is normal to see differen't car's on the track that have a difference of 10-20 or greater mph top speed between them, meaning that it is only a matter of time before some kind of passing takes place.
There are quite a few faster car's on the track then me in the S2k, and there are a lot of slower car's then me on the track, so it is a matter of time before I would eventually start overtaking slower cars.
If your not carefull, if you dun't check your mirrors before you move about the track width, you could really cause a major accident. I have seen and known cars in an HPDE reach speeds of up to 135 mph at Sears Point.
If you pulled in front of one of those cars at speed...