Built-By-Bones
07-31-2009, 03:07 PM
Registration will open soon, meantime here are some details for the Advanced PDX
HiPR Hot Regionals
Presenting for the first time ever
Advanced Performance Driving Experience / Club Time Trials – Sat Aug 22nd
And then
Performance Driving Experience / Club time Trials – Sunday Aug 23rd
High Plains Raceway, Byers, Colorado
Advanced PDX – FAQ’s
1. What is an Advanced PDX? The Advanced PDX is a development of the Performance Driving Experience program, and is designed to take drivers from auto-x, or occasional track driving, into the SCCA Club Time Trials program.
2. How is it different to a normal PDX? A typical PDX consists of 90 minutes of classroom time (covering the real basics of track driving), and 30 minutes of in-car instruction. The Advanced PDX will consist of two driver’s meetings (with detailed analysis of driving the track at High Plains Raceway including video and data) AND 60 minutes of in-car instruction, in 3 separate sessions.
3. What is the ultimate goal of the Advanced PDX? To graduate a driver to the Club Time Trials program, specifically to allow the driver to run in CTT on Sunday Aug 23rd.
4. Who is eligible to take part in an Advanced PDX? Because the goal of the program is to graduate drivers into the Time Trials, there are certain minimum standards that drivers should meet. Those standards are: a minimum of 6 auto-x events; or proof of track experience with another club or group (BMW DE “A” or “B” group driver, NASA HPDE 2 or 3 driver, 6 tracks days with a recognized group or club). Drivers with other forms of motor sports experience should submit a resume of experience to the program director (GBarclay@aol.com)
5. How is the Advanced PDX different from Club Time Trials? The main difference between the PDX and CTT programs is that there is no element of competition in PDX. PDX is all about improving “the nut behind the wheel”. Club Time Trials introduces Timing and Scoring, and drivers can compare themselves to, and compete with, their fellow CTT drivers on track. While CTT does have the element of competition, there is still a friendly camaraderie among drivers, and instruction is available at every level of the program, just ask.
6. I am an experienced driver, and I instruct with another club, I have never driven at High Plains Raceway, can I benefit from the Advanced PDX? Absolutely, you are the exact candidate we have in mind when we developed this program. The Advanced PDX will allow you to tap into the knowledge database (and video and data) built up by the SCCA PDX/CTT instructor core. The staff will be able to show you the line around the track, discuss appropriate passing zones with you, show you the optional line in some turns, and generally assist you in becoming comfortable driving High Plains Raceway at speed. Several of our instructor staff are successful road racers, and they will be sharing their secrets from this fantastic new facility with you. Rumor has it that a previous SCCA National Champion will attend one of the drivers meetings to relate some of his experience at HPR to the Advanced PDX drivers. Don’t miss out on this.
7. I have been to several open track days at HPR, and I know my way around the track, should I still attend? You bet. Drivers can always benefit from having another set of eyes observing their driving, and we can all become smoother, more consistent drivers (and faster too). Tiger Woods has a golf coach, Johnny Rutherford coaches and mentors new Indy Car drivers, and the best tennis player in the world relies on his coach to improve his game.
8. I want to drive in Club Time Trials, I have been auto-x’ing for 3 years, but I never seem to have time to attend the normal PDX events, should I sign up for Advanced PDX? Yes, yes, yes. You already know the basics of driving, auto-x is the perfect training ground for the aspiring track driver. The Advanced PDX will allow you to graduate to Club Time Trials in a single day provided you get the approval of your instructor and the chief instructor.
9. What is required to graduate to CTT from Advanced PDX? Simply put, does your instructor feel safe sharing the track with you? Smooth driving, consistently on-line, good track awareness, good traffic awareness, passing the flag drills, clear passing signals, and not “scaring” your instructor, are all key elements of safe track driving.
10. I really want to graduate to CTT, what should I avoid doing? Don’t be late to Registration, don’t be late to the drivers meeting. Listen and comply with the directives issued by your instructor. Don’t show off, you won’t impress the instructor, and may even be asked to park the car for the rest of the session or the rest of the day. Don’t put 4 wheels off the track. The Advanced PDX is built around driver improvement, and while we expect drivers to make mistakes while experimenting with new techniques, or new lines; the stewards and instructors DO expect drivers to remain in control at all times, and to drive within their abilities. Because most drivers will use their daily drivers, and the cars do not meet the rigorous standards that road race cars must pass, drivers are expected to drive within their comfort zone, not beyond their abilities.
11. I went 4 wheels off during practice, what now? Any car going 4 wheels off during any session, will be black flagged, and will return to pit lane, and will not participate in the remainder of the session. The Chief Instructor, the Driving Instructor, and the Driver will then discuss the circumstances leading to the car leaving the track. Should a driver go 4 wheels off twice during a day, the driver will be black flagged, and the car and driver is done for the remainder of the day.
12. I was pushing the limit, and I spun the car, ending up with two wheels off track, what happens to me? Any driver who spins during a session, may be black flagged, and asked to speak with the Chief Instructor, or Chief Steward to clarify what happened. The Chief Instructor, or Chief Steward, may, at their discretion, allow a driver to continue the session.
13. The program standards appear to be very strict, why? Most drivers who participate in the PDX and CTT programs use their daily driver street cars. The programs maintain high standards in order to provide the safest possible environment for our members to enjoy their vehicles on track. Any track driving is dangerous, and members should be aware of this before driving on track, but the PDX and CTT programs do everything in their ability to ensure the events are conducted in the safest possible manner
14. What safety provisions are there at the event? The PDX and CTT events are held alongside SCCA regional road race events. This means that corner bunkers are staffed by experienced and trained corner workers, there is an ambulance and wrecker on standby at the track, trained safety workers are ready at a moment’s notice, and the road race stewards and officials are available to assist and guide the programs own staff.
15. How do I get more information about the PDX or CTT programs? Please visit www.sccatimetrials.org
HiPR Hot Regionals
Presenting for the first time ever
Advanced Performance Driving Experience / Club Time Trials – Sat Aug 22nd
And then
Performance Driving Experience / Club time Trials – Sunday Aug 23rd
High Plains Raceway, Byers, Colorado
Advanced PDX – FAQ’s
1. What is an Advanced PDX? The Advanced PDX is a development of the Performance Driving Experience program, and is designed to take drivers from auto-x, or occasional track driving, into the SCCA Club Time Trials program.
2. How is it different to a normal PDX? A typical PDX consists of 90 minutes of classroom time (covering the real basics of track driving), and 30 minutes of in-car instruction. The Advanced PDX will consist of two driver’s meetings (with detailed analysis of driving the track at High Plains Raceway including video and data) AND 60 minutes of in-car instruction, in 3 separate sessions.
3. What is the ultimate goal of the Advanced PDX? To graduate a driver to the Club Time Trials program, specifically to allow the driver to run in CTT on Sunday Aug 23rd.
4. Who is eligible to take part in an Advanced PDX? Because the goal of the program is to graduate drivers into the Time Trials, there are certain minimum standards that drivers should meet. Those standards are: a minimum of 6 auto-x events; or proof of track experience with another club or group (BMW DE “A” or “B” group driver, NASA HPDE 2 or 3 driver, 6 tracks days with a recognized group or club). Drivers with other forms of motor sports experience should submit a resume of experience to the program director (GBarclay@aol.com)
5. How is the Advanced PDX different from Club Time Trials? The main difference between the PDX and CTT programs is that there is no element of competition in PDX. PDX is all about improving “the nut behind the wheel”. Club Time Trials introduces Timing and Scoring, and drivers can compare themselves to, and compete with, their fellow CTT drivers on track. While CTT does have the element of competition, there is still a friendly camaraderie among drivers, and instruction is available at every level of the program, just ask.
6. I am an experienced driver, and I instruct with another club, I have never driven at High Plains Raceway, can I benefit from the Advanced PDX? Absolutely, you are the exact candidate we have in mind when we developed this program. The Advanced PDX will allow you to tap into the knowledge database (and video and data) built up by the SCCA PDX/CTT instructor core. The staff will be able to show you the line around the track, discuss appropriate passing zones with you, show you the optional line in some turns, and generally assist you in becoming comfortable driving High Plains Raceway at speed. Several of our instructor staff are successful road racers, and they will be sharing their secrets from this fantastic new facility with you. Rumor has it that a previous SCCA National Champion will attend one of the drivers meetings to relate some of his experience at HPR to the Advanced PDX drivers. Don’t miss out on this.
7. I have been to several open track days at HPR, and I know my way around the track, should I still attend? You bet. Drivers can always benefit from having another set of eyes observing their driving, and we can all become smoother, more consistent drivers (and faster too). Tiger Woods has a golf coach, Johnny Rutherford coaches and mentors new Indy Car drivers, and the best tennis player in the world relies on his coach to improve his game.
8. I want to drive in Club Time Trials, I have been auto-x’ing for 3 years, but I never seem to have time to attend the normal PDX events, should I sign up for Advanced PDX? Yes, yes, yes. You already know the basics of driving, auto-x is the perfect training ground for the aspiring track driver. The Advanced PDX will allow you to graduate to Club Time Trials in a single day provided you get the approval of your instructor and the chief instructor.
9. What is required to graduate to CTT from Advanced PDX? Simply put, does your instructor feel safe sharing the track with you? Smooth driving, consistently on-line, good track awareness, good traffic awareness, passing the flag drills, clear passing signals, and not “scaring” your instructor, are all key elements of safe track driving.
10. I really want to graduate to CTT, what should I avoid doing? Don’t be late to Registration, don’t be late to the drivers meeting. Listen and comply with the directives issued by your instructor. Don’t show off, you won’t impress the instructor, and may even be asked to park the car for the rest of the session or the rest of the day. Don’t put 4 wheels off the track. The Advanced PDX is built around driver improvement, and while we expect drivers to make mistakes while experimenting with new techniques, or new lines; the stewards and instructors DO expect drivers to remain in control at all times, and to drive within their abilities. Because most drivers will use their daily drivers, and the cars do not meet the rigorous standards that road race cars must pass, drivers are expected to drive within their comfort zone, not beyond their abilities.
11. I went 4 wheels off during practice, what now? Any car going 4 wheels off during any session, will be black flagged, and will return to pit lane, and will not participate in the remainder of the session. The Chief Instructor, the Driving Instructor, and the Driver will then discuss the circumstances leading to the car leaving the track. Should a driver go 4 wheels off twice during a day, the driver will be black flagged, and the car and driver is done for the remainder of the day.
12. I was pushing the limit, and I spun the car, ending up with two wheels off track, what happens to me? Any driver who spins during a session, may be black flagged, and asked to speak with the Chief Instructor, or Chief Steward to clarify what happened. The Chief Instructor, or Chief Steward, may, at their discretion, allow a driver to continue the session.
13. The program standards appear to be very strict, why? Most drivers who participate in the PDX and CTT programs use their daily driver street cars. The programs maintain high standards in order to provide the safest possible environment for our members to enjoy their vehicles on track. Any track driving is dangerous, and members should be aware of this before driving on track, but the PDX and CTT programs do everything in their ability to ensure the events are conducted in the safest possible manner
14. What safety provisions are there at the event? The PDX and CTT events are held alongside SCCA regional road race events. This means that corner bunkers are staffed by experienced and trained corner workers, there is an ambulance and wrecker on standby at the track, trained safety workers are ready at a moment’s notice, and the road race stewards and officials are available to assist and guide the programs own staff.
15. How do I get more information about the PDX or CTT programs? Please visit www.sccatimetrials.org