Tracking how do you get better?

[Grintch]

Define better.

If you want to drive 10/10ths, HPDE is arguably not the right group/category for you.

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[tosha]

Define better.

If you want to drive 10/10ths, HPDE is arguably not the right group/category for you.

Well... For the sake of argument, let's define 10/10th then. If it's about squeezing out every possible 10th of a second out of car and driver, I don't see why HPDE is not a good option - there's plenty of track time, especially in open track or solo events. Time attack format is another option, but it's not super different from a solo session.

If you're talking about wheel to wheel racing and possibly 1st place ambitions, then sure, HPDE won't give that, but I don't think an intermediate student with limited solo time would be ready for something like that. Again, graduating into advanced solo group in HPDE and getting very comfortable there is a good goal. Once accomplished, doing a few racing schools is a great next development step and it will give some idea about what it's like to be in the middle of action with no pointby's.

 

[gone_n_60]

Well... For the sake of argument, let's define 10/10th then. If it's about squeezing out every possible 10th of a second out of car and driver, I don't see why HPDE is not a good option - there's plenty of track time, especially in open track or solo events. Time attack format is another option, but it's not super different from a solo session.

If you're talking about wheel to wheel racing and possibly 1st place ambitions, then sure, HPDE won't give that, but I don't think an intermediate student with limited solo time would be ready for something like that. Again, graduating into advanced solo group in HPDE and getting very comfortable there is a good goal. Once accomplished, doing a few racing schools is a great next development step and it will give some idea about what it's like to be in the middle of action with no pointby's.

In my opening post I tried to lay that out. I am not going to be doing any competitive events or time attacks. The days I would of been fit enough for that are past ( and back them I couldn't afford the GT). I want to enjoy driving my GT Vert the best I can for where I am now (health/life-wise) while learning how to handle a high powered sports car in a safer environment vs. being stupid on the road.

 

[luc]

Define better.

If you want to drive 10/10ths, HPDE is arguably not the right group/category for you.

Driving 10/10, except maybe if you’re a professional racer paid to do it, and even then it’s questionable, is stupid
You always need to leave a bit of room to be able to deal with stuff that always seems to happen on a track

 

[NightmareMoon]

Define better.

If you want to drive 10/10ths, HPDE is arguably not the right group/category for you.

 

[Grintch]

Well... For the sake of argument, let's define 10/10th then. If it's about squeezing out every possible 10th of a second out of car and driver, I don't see why HPDE is not a good option - there's plenty of track time, especially in open track or solo events. Time attack format is another option, but it's not super different from a solo session.

If you're talking about wheel to wheel racing and possibly 1st place ambitions, then sure, HPDE won't give that, but I don't think an intermediate student with limited solo time would be ready for something like that. Again, graduating into advanced solo group in HPDE and getting very comfortable there is a good goal. Once accomplished, doing a few racing schools is a great next development step and it will give some idea about what it's like to be in the middle of action with no pointby's.

I seem to have missed the 10/10th statement and only saw "how do you get better". Having more fun is better. Sometimes when you get more serious/try harder you can have less fun. And maybe doing 5 events is better than just doing one and spending a lot on mods for next year. So having clear goals is always useful.

With time trials you have competition, so you know if you are actually fast or just faster then YOU were last time (which you only know if you have a lap timer/data logger in HPDE because times are not recorded). And even then, being faster than last time in a HPDE is often just a factor of not being slowed (or as much) by traffic. The classes help define the preparation level so you know if the guy you "beat" was just in a lower prepared car. There are also safety issues when going 10/10th that the typical HPDE car isn't really prepared for. Admittedly TT safety rules have tended to get weaker in the last 20 years, and are way below race safety, but they are normally a step above HPDE safety.

 

[gone_n_60]

This thread is going off track..... LOL

 

[Roadsign]

This thread is going off track..... LOL

then it seems we've exceeded 10/10th...

 

[Bossdog]

OP have you considered a Garmin Catalyst? I use it and it is Just Right for me. At Road America my best lap was 1 second slower than my optimum lap. My first time at RA.

I think that is my next step, Garmin Catalyst. From what I can extract from the interweb, if you're a top level driver, it may not be for you, but for the average HPDE driver, it's helpful. I have enough laps at Mid Ohio, PittRace and NMC that I think it will really be interesting! I'm waiting on the Black Friday sales to save $100. I can't wait for Spring!

 

[GTP]

I think that is my next step, Garmin Catalyst. From what I can extract from the interweb, if you're a top level driver, it may not be for you, but for the average HPDE driver, it's helpful. I have enough laps at Mid Ohio, PittRace and NMC that I think it will really be interesting! I'm waiting on the Black Friday sales to save $100. I can't wait for Spring!

Search for a used one on FB Marketplace. $800 is typical.

I heard that the front mount was changed from suction cup to permanent stick-on and I would hate that. So FB might be a better choice if it is the older suction cup model.

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