First HPDE event impressions - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Olddudesrule · 01-09-2016, 07:37 PM

First off, if you haven't done one, please do! It was an absolute blast. I joined NASA, and had my first HPDE1 event today. The group was great, very friendly and helpful with everything. Four classes and four 20 minute track sessions at the local Wildhorse Pass Motorsports Park East track (formally Firebird Raceway). I drove this car harder and faster than any car I've had, and learned a ton from my classroom and driving instructor. Even though it was just HPDE1, I really got to drive hard, and learned a lot about the limits of the car as it is now (pretty much stock).

I did the recommended DOT4 brake fluid change prior, as well as changing the engine oil, trans fluid and rear end (Royal Purple all) mainly for peace of mind. Car ran flawless, oil temps got to about 258 max. My G2's had about 1000 miles on them prior to the event, and I thought they performed great. Never had an issue where I felt they got greasy or lost considerable grip. Overall, I'm really happy with the way the car performed. I had purchased new brake pads for the front (went with EBC Yellow Stuff simply due to quick availabliity), but decided not to change out after seeing that the stock pads still had plenty of material left (16000 miles on them). I never felt fade at all, and when my instructor drove the car, he beat it good, and commented that the brakes felt strong.

The only car in my group that seemed to out class the 1LE was a brand new 911 GT3. With that PDK transmission, he was noticeably quicker in the transitions, but I also think he was a more experienced driver than I was. The 1LE pretty much ate everything else in the group, including M3's, Mustang GT's, a Gallardo, and other 911's. Probably a lot of driver experience issues there as opposed to the cars themselves, but it felt good nontheless.

I guess the bottom line is, I've had quite a few track worthy cars, and never pulled the plug before....wish I had, especially on the Z06's....

Oh yea, one other thing. I have clear bra over the entire front and lover sides of the car, and was damn glad. The windshield suffered a few little surface chips too. I'd consider clear bra or invest in a good amount of painter's tape before you go......

If you're thinking about it, DO IT! You will not be disappointed.

Next stop, Chuckwalla??

KaBoom1701 · 01-09-2016, 08:13 PM

Congrats.

Once the HPDE bug bites you it's hard to stop going.

Have a look at Kurt's topic for SoCal HPDE's. We already have a full schedule set up for 2016. Hope to see you out on the track some day!

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=387006

Olddudesrule · 01-09-2016, 08:59 PM

Thanks!

MuIIet · 01-09-2016, 09:59 PM

I love the Arizona region. I worked race control for them for years. Volunteer to work the flagging stations, and you can get credits to offset the price of registration. I'll put you in contact with Ramin if you'd like.

BMR Sales · 01-11-2016, 11:58 AM

It's addicting!

Olddudesrule · 01-11-2016, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuIIet

I love the Arizona region. I worked race control for them for years. Volunteer to work the flagging stations, and you can get credits to offset the price of registration. I'll put you in contact with Ramin if you'd like.

Thanks, Mullet. They were a great bunch, no egos to speak of, very helpful and willing to answer any and all questions. I may take you up on the offer.

backeddy · 01-11-2016, 10:39 PM

Welcome to the club! Wait until you see what that windshield looks like after 20 track days......

Nor Cal ZL1 · 01-11-2016, 11:39 PM

You could have clearplex installed on the windshield and prevent that.

http://www.clearplex.com/

Olddudesrule · 01-12-2016, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backeddy

Welcome to the club! Wait until you see what that windshield looks like after 20 track days......

Crap, I noticed that after one. Got about three or four good chips in there, and a decent surface scratch on the hood scoop. Glad I have clear bra over the nose! Hell, I have glass coverage

KaBoom1701 · 01-12-2016, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backeddy

Welcome to the club! Wait until you see what that windshield looks like after 20 track days......

No kidding. lol I've already replaced one windshield and the current one is getting bad...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nor Cal ZL1

You could have clearplex installed on the windshield and prevent that.

http://www.clearplex.com/

Dam, didn't know tis existed. How much does this cost to have installed?

MuIIet · 01-12-2016, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Olddudesrule

Thanks, Mullet. They were a great bunch, no egos to speak of, very helpful and willing to answer any and all questions. I may take you up on the offer.

Chuckwalla and INDE are great tracks, so don't pass them up. Become friends with the Corvette guys as their take-off tires may become useful to you. The Arizona region is top notch which why I stayed with them for...6 years. I just moved to Portland in March, and NASA AZ is the only thing I miss about Arizona. It's the biggest family you'll ever meet.

Olddudesrule · 01-12-2016, 10:28 PM

My instructor, Rod, was a C5 owner and part of the AZ Vette Racers group. As a former Vette owner, I naturally had a lot to chat about with them. Rod actually drove my car, and was very impressed with it. Will be trying to make Chuckwalla, and will make many other events. Great advice on the tires, and I'm already keeping my eye on CR for lightly used G2's..

01-09-2016, 07:37 PM	#1
Olddudesrule Resident nomad Drives: 2014 Summit White 1SS/1LE Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 1,766	First HPDE event impressions First off, if you haven't done one, please do! It was an absolute blast. I joined NASA, and had my first HPDE1 event today. The group was great, very friendly and helpful with everything. Four classes and four 20 minute track sessions at the local Wildhorse Pass Motorsports Park East track (formally Firebird Raceway). I drove this car harder and faster than any car I've had, and learned a ton from my classroom and driving instructor. Even though it was just HPDE1, I really got to drive hard, and learned a lot about the limits of the car as it is now (pretty much stock). I did the recommended DOT4 brake fluid change prior, as well as changing the engine oil, trans fluid and rear end (Royal Purple all) mainly for peace of mind. Car ran flawless, oil temps got to about 258 max. My G2's had about 1000 miles on them prior to the event, and I thought they performed great. Never had an issue where I felt they got greasy or lost considerable grip. Overall, I'm really happy with the way the car performed. I had purchased new brake pads for the front (went with EBC Yellow Stuff simply due to quick availabliity), but decided not to change out after seeing that the stock pads still had plenty of material left (16000 miles on them). I never felt fade at all, and when my instructor drove the car, he beat it good, and commented that the brakes felt strong. The only car in my group that seemed to out class the 1LE was a brand new 911 GT3. With that PDK transmission, he was noticeably quicker in the transitions, but I also think he was a more experienced driver than I was. The 1LE pretty much ate everything else in the group, including M3's, Mustang GT's, a Gallardo, and other 911's. Probably a lot of driver experience issues there as opposed to the cars themselves, but it felt good nontheless. I guess the bottom line is, I've had quite a few track worthy cars, and never pulled the plug before....wish I had, especially on the Z06's.... Oh yea, one other thing. I have clear bra over the entire front and lover sides of the car, and was damn glad. The windshield suffered a few little surface chips too. I'd consider clear bra or invest in a good amount of painter's tape before you go...... If you're thinking about it, DO IT! You will not be disappointed. Next stop, Chuckwalla?? __________________ Sold: 2007 Z06 2002 Viper GTS/ACR 2003 Z06 1965 FFR Cobra 2012 Nissan 370Z ADM LSA Stage II, Roto-Fab CAI, Kooks LTH/HFC's, Phastek CC, ported TB, Mishimoto radiator and oil cooler, BC Racing ER Series CO's, JPSS 32mm Black Magic rear bar, JPSS front inserts, R1 Concepts Premier slotted rotors/Goodrich SS lines, Schroth ASM harness, MGW flatstick, Brey-Krause HB, Tuned by NicD, at Cordes Performance Racing.

01-09-2016, 08:13 PM	#2
KaBoom1701 KaBoom1701 Drives: 13' ZL1 Red M6 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: I.E. SoCal (Yucaipa) Posts: 8,630	Congrats. Once the HPDE bug bites you it's hard to stop going. Have a look at Kurt's topic for SoCal HPDE's. We already have a full schedule set up for 2016. Hope to see you out on the track some day! http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=387006 __________________ Mods: Roto-Fab Intake, WW Res. kit & Big Gulp Air Scoop, Elite Catch Can, ATI Super Damper & 18% OD Pulley, LF Idler pulley bracket, Metco CC breather, ID850 Injectors, Stainless Power Headers w/ ceramic coating, TR71X Spark Plugs, JMS Fuel Pump Booster, Bo White TB, Tuned by Ted @ Jannetty Racing, Ron Davis HX, D3 Reservoir, Pfadt 1" Springs, Moreno Camber Plates, ZL1 Addons Splitter guard washers, Tow Hook kit & rock guards, Hurst Shifter Billet Plus 6 Speed Short Shifter, ZL1 DRL lighting harness, ZL1 Recaro Seats.

01-09-2016, 08:59 PM	#3
Olddudesrule Resident nomad Drives: 2014 Summit White 1SS/1LE Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 1,766	Thanks! __________________ Sold: 2007 Z06 2002 Viper GTS/ACR 2003 Z06 1965 FFR Cobra 2012 Nissan 370Z ADM LSA Stage II, Roto-Fab CAI, Kooks LTH/HFC's, Phastek CC, ported TB, Mishimoto radiator and oil cooler, BC Racing ER Series CO's, JPSS 32mm Black Magic rear bar, JPSS front inserts, R1 Concepts Premier slotted rotors/Goodrich SS lines, Schroth ASM harness, MGW flatstick, Brey-Krause HB, Tuned by NicD, at Cordes Performance Racing.

01-12-2016, 10:28 PM	#12
Olddudesrule Resident nomad Drives: 2014 Summit White 1SS/1LE Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 1,766	My instructor, Rod, was a C5 owner and part of the AZ Vette Racers group. As a former Vette owner, I naturally had a lot to chat about with them. Rod actually drove my car, and was very impressed with it. Will be trying to make Chuckwalla, and will make many other events. Great advice on the tires, and I'm already keeping my eye on CR for lightly used G2's.. __________________ Sold: 2007 Z06 2002 Viper GTS/ACR 2003 Z06 1965 FFR Cobra 2012 Nissan 370Z ADM LSA Stage II, Roto-Fab CAI, Kooks LTH/HFC's, Phastek CC, ported TB, Mishimoto radiator and oil cooler, BC Racing ER Series CO's, JPSS 32mm Black Magic rear bar, JPSS front inserts, R1 Concepts Premier slotted rotors/Goodrich SS lines, Schroth ASM harness, MGW flatstick, Brey-Krause HB, Tuned by NicD, at Cordes Performance Racing.

01-09-2016, 09:59 PM	#4
MuIIet Drives: 2013 Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 45	I love the Arizona region. I worked race control for them for years. Volunteer to work the flagging stations, and you can get credits to offset the price of registration. I'll put you in contact with Ramin if you'd like.

01-11-2016, 11:58 AM	#5
BMR Sales Drives: Race Car Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Seffner, FL Posts: 6,226	It's addicting!

01-11-2016, 10:39 PM	#7
backeddy Banned Drives: 2011 Boxster Spyder (best car ever) Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: San Jose, Ca Posts: 1,529	Welcome to the club! Wait until you see what that windshield looks like after 20 track days......

01-11-2016, 11:39 PM	#8
Nor Cal ZL1 Drives: 2013 ZL1 M6 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 1,825	You could have clearplex installed on the windshield and prevent that. http://www.clearplex.com/