Any other NASA HPDE students/instructors?

[Wheelman13]

I'm working my way through NASA's HPDE program, and was curious if there were any other Tennspeeders that might be attending events this year.

I just signed up for the CMP event mid-February (Good excuse to be MIA on Valentines day). Curious if anyone local might also be down there.

[ZacCarter]

Road Atlanta I suppose? I wish there were more NASA events in tn.

[Mitch Detailed]

i found a nasa shirt at goodwill! scoRE!

[Wheelman13]

i found a nasa shirt at goodwill! scoRE!

Hellz yeah!

[Slowlane]

I think I will be trying to do a few HPDE's this year

[Brent]

I'm working my way through NASA's HPDE program, and was curious if there were any other Tennspeeders that might be attending events this year.

I just signed up for the CMP event mid-February (Good excuse to be MIA on Valentines day). Curious if anyone local might also be down there.

I won't be at CMP as I had to give up either that weekend or the weekend afterwards(VIR with NASA-MA). VDay + gf's bday on the 17th= no track time for me that weekend. I really can't complain, my gf is awesome. She comes with me to every event and is 100% self suffcient while we are there. I will be at RA in March.

[WynnS123]

I'm working my way through NASA's HPDE program, and was curious if there were any other Tennspeeders that might be attending events this year.

I just signed up for the CMP event mid-February (Good excuse to be MIA on Valentines day). Curious if anyone local might also be down there.

Won't be at CMP, but I'm signed up for RA in March with NASA. I'll probably do a few events with them this year.

I will be at RA in March.

:thumbup: Have you run RA before? This will be my first time.

[Brent]

:thumbup: Have you run RA before? This will be my first time.

Yep. One of my track friends that hangs out in our group there has a turbo S2000. Not sure if he is running in March or not. Very quick car! See you there. :woohoorun:

[WynnS123]

Yep. One of my track friends that hangs out in our group there has a turbo S2000. Not sure if he is running in March or not. Very quick car! See you there. :woohoorun:

Sweet. Any advice you can give me on RA for some quick lap times? Will you be instructing?

[Brent]

I'm sure you'll be fine. It's always good to link up with someone with a car like yours that knows the track to show you the line. Not sure what group you will be running in, but NASA is really good about pairing you up with an instructor with a similiar car. I can have someone try to tell me the subtle improvements on the line from the passenger seat, but I pick things up alot faster riding with someone. Off the brakes earlier and back in the gas here, turn in later there... you know how it is. Watching video's helps me alot, but generally not until I've driven the track. I'm kind of weird like that I guess. I don't really play video games either, but Forza 2 and 3 are spot on for Road Atlanta with the exception of turn 12(coming over the tunnel and down the hill onto the front straight). I will be instructing and running TTS.

[WynnS123]

I'll be in level 1 with NASA because this is my first event at RA. I prefer to have an instructor with me anyway since I'm a noob. Would you mind if I ride with you for a few laps? I'd like to get all the instruction I can.

[Wheelman13]

I'm sure you'll be fine. It's always good to link up with someone with a car like yours that knows the track to show you the line. Not sure what group you will be running in, but NASA is really good about pairing you up with an instructor with a similiar car. I can have someone try to tell me the subtle improvements on the line from the passenger seat, but I pick things up alot faster riding with someone. Off the brakes earlier and back in the gas here, turn in later there... you know how it is. Watching video's helps me alot, but generally not until I've driven the track. I'm kind of weird like that I guess. I don't really play video games either, but Forza 2 and 3 are spot on for Road Atlanta with the exception of turn 12(coming over the tunnel and down the hill onto the front straight). I will be instructing and running TTS.

I would say that T3 is also pretty friendly on the game compared to reality. The point of that curb will really unsettle the car if you hit it wrong. I may be at RA as well, we'll see how the car holds up at CMP and take it from there.

I'm planning to get a check-ride into DE 2 at CMP. This will be my 4th round of DE1, and while I won't say I know it all, I've got a pretty good handle on the basic subject matter in 1.

[Brent]

I'll be in level 1 with NASA because this is my first event at RA. I prefer to have an instructor with me anyway since I'm a noob. Would you mind if I ride with you for a few laps? I'd like to get all the instruction I can.

Sure. Be glad to help.

I would say that T3 is also pretty friendly on the game compared to reality. The point of that curb will really unsettle the car if you hit it wrong. I may be at RA as well, we'll see how the car holds up at CMP and take it from there.

I'm planning to get a check-ride into DE 2 at CMP. This will be my 4th round of DE1, and while I won't say I know it all, I've got a pretty good handle on the basic subject matter in 1.

I'm sure the video game let's you get away with alot. I've only played it a few times so I haven't noticed too closely about any of that. I meant more along the lines that turn 12 is longer and not as steep in the game as it is in real life.

Awesome! I'm sure you'll be in DE2 without a hiccup! Have fun driving the kink!

Speaking of turn 3:
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb31/memphisraines82/MeyerMotorsports.jpg
That's Eric Meyer(the guy that was in the black RX-8 at Nashville on Saturday).

[Mitch Detailed]

Hellz yeah!
also found my "i love my honda" shirt at goodwill :)

[WynnS123]

Sure. Be glad to help.

Speaking of turn 3:
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb31/memphisraines82/MeyerMotorsports.jpg
That's Eric Meyer(the guy that was in the black RX-8 at Nashville on Saturday).

Thanks man.

That RX-8 was loud as hell. I was working turn 9 and every time he passed my ears were ringing.

[Wheelman13]

Ok, yeah, couldn't see that picture at work...lol. Last time I was at RA a dude in a new-ish bimmer about lost it after just bumping that curb with a rear tire (remember DE1, so noobz).

I haven't been to CMP since they changed the back half of it, so that'll be interesting. I remember everything up through the kink though. I recon I should be able to work up to no-lifting it this year. Last time I was on street tires with (as I later discovered) a blown shock, this time I'll be on R888s and Koni yellows.

[coolhandluke]

I was planning on being at the NASA event at RA in March as well.

[WynnS123]

I was planning on being at the NASA event at RA in March as well.

:thumbup:

[Brent]

Ok, yeah, couldn't see that picture at work...lol. Last time I was at RA a dude in a new-ish bimmer about lost it after just bumping that curb with a rear tire (remember DE1, so noobz).

I haven't been to CMP since they changed the back half of it, so that'll be interesting. I remember everything up through the kink though. I recon I should be able to work up to no-lifting it this year. Last time I was on street tires with (as I later discovered) a blown shock, this time I'll be on R888s and Koni yellows.

Turn 3 is tricky. You can hit turn 3 pretty hard, but it can hit you pretty hard right back like you said. It took me a while to get use to it and, more than anything, it took me riding with a mentor of mine and showing me how it's done and just how much you can take of it :) Mike Skeen(pro driver) has all kinds of great footage of Road Atlanta that is worth checking out. It's very entertaining and educational. Here's one from Road Atlanta:
http://www.vimeo.com/7230201

Here's a kart video of his from CMP, every time I watch this I want to go buy a kart(720p is the best resolution):
http://www.youtube.com/user/michaelskeen#p/u/1/cjBrjikKfzw

[WynnS123]

Nice! Thanks for posting the videos, Brent. I've seriously been thinking about picking up a shifter kart. It doesn't get any purer than that; short of an F1 car. There is a kart track in Dekatur, AL about an hour and a half from Nashville. I went with Jade Buford ( http://jadebuford.com/ ) last week. He let me take his shifter kart for a few laps. The track was cold though and I never got the tires up to temp but it was still a blast. His kart is geared up to 110mph! On the that track we didn't get up to those speeds though because it's a pretty tight course.

Watch for Jade in the Rolex 24 at Daytona this weekend. He'll be driving the Racers Edge #30 Red Mazda RX-8 GT Car in the Rolex GT Class on Saturday and Sunday, January 30th and 31st.

[Brent]

Sweet man! I remember seeing on facebook that he got a kart for Christmas. Jade is living the dream! I met him briefly at Barber back in the summer when I paddocked next to him and his dad. They had the porsche with them. I ran into his dad at Road Atlanta at the Peachstate PCA event back in October and talked to him for a while. Being a rotary guy, I was green with envy when I found out he was driving one of the 3 rotor cars this year!

[Wheelman13]

Brent, were you up at VIR last June with NASA MA by chance? I know I took some pictures of at least one V8 FD while I wasn't busy blowing up my MR2.

[WynnS123]

Jade is living the dream!

For sure. I wish I had that kind of support growing up. My parents were too afraid of me getting hurt, lol. I guess I can't blame them. I'm going to get my son in to carting once he turns 5 if he's interested. I'd like to get into it myself beforehand, so I know what's going on.

I was talking to Jade about his race car. It weighs in at 2k lbs. and puts down 450whp all motor 3 rotor! That thing has got to be insane to drive. They limit it to only 9k rpm though, otherwise it would be too competitive.

[85rx-7gsl-se]

Awesome combination of talent and growing up with money. Racing tends to be a sport that requires both.

[Brent]

Wasn't me. I was there in June for the MazdaDrivers event, but my silver car has a rotary.


Brent, were you up at VIR last June with NASA MA by chance? I know I took some pictures of at least one V8 FD while I wasn't busy blowing up my MR2.

[Wheelman13]

Racing tends to be a sport that requires both.

I'd argue that "racing" per se, really just requires time, and just a little money. You can probably field a rules-legal E30 or NASA "lightning" Civic (or similar) for relative pennies (like $2k or less if you can weld and get a hookup or two). Winning at racing, on the other hand, requires substantial talent and money.

[85rx-7gsl-se]

I meant moreso this kid would not be where he is at today without affluent parents. Its just part of the game. Now if you are older you can race lower class stuff on you own budget but to attempt to go pro at a young age requires alot of financial backing. Not a complaint just a fact of life.

[Brent]

I don't think any kind of racing is cheap, and I'm doing a lemon's race next weekend... which is suppose to be as cheap as it gets. Money is relative though, cheap for one person is expensive for another. Sure you can get a car together for cheap, but actually racing and maintaining the car is what costs money... gas/fuel to the event, race fee, gas for the car, brake pads, tires, hotel or camping equipment, other stuff that breaks, accidents, etc, etc, etc.

Not to mention all your safety equipment, which is a direct reflection of how much you value your life. Like Ross Bentley lists as #34 of his speed secrets "If you can't afford good safety equipment, you can't afford to go racing." Cages, generally speaking, aren't cheap. A good seat(with halo for side impact) with a good head/neck restraint and harness is prob. $2000 alone. Not to mention suit, gloves, shoes, helmet, and so forth.

[WynnS123]

That's why I'd like to get into karting. Much cheaper and the limits on those things are much higher than any "race car" a regular person can afford to build.

[WynnS123]

Shifter karts aren't cheap either though, but all the wear items costs less. I think Jade's kart was $9,000.

[85rx-7gsl-se]

True Wynn. I would like to run a shifter cart in F125 Solo racing if nothing else.

[Wheelman13]

I don't think any kind of racing is cheap, and I'm doing a lemon's race next weekend... which is suppose to be as cheap as it gets. Money is relative though, cheap for one person is expensive for another. Sure you can get a car together for cheap, but actually racing and maintaining the car is what costs money... gas/fuel to the event, race fee, gas for the car, brake pads, tires, hotel or camping equipment, other stuff that breaks, accidents, etc, etc, etc.

Not to mention all your safety equipment, which is a direct reflection of how much you value your life. Like Ross Bentley lists as #34 of his speed secrets "If you can't afford good safety equipment, you can't afford to go racing." Cages, generally speaking, aren't cheap. A good seat(with halo for side impact) with a good head/neck restraint and harness is prob. $2000 alone. Not to mention suit, gloves, shoes, helmet, and so forth.

That's why I mentioned welding skills. If you can weld your own cage out of a mandrel tubing kit, that saves a lot right there. I agree completely that maintenance & upkeep is a big part of it, but if you just want to get into a field and not die (nevermind being competitive), you don't need a built engine, you don't need $$$ suspension, you can get take-off tires, etc.

But yeah, trying to go pro real young, is a luxury not many have available. Hell my dad is a car nut, but I still couldn't talk my folks into a go-kart when I was young, much less a shifter kart or something like that. I'm just glad to see that the shelf life of your average pro driver has been extended quite a bit it seems...gives those of us starting relatively late some hope :)

East TN = Fail for serious karting. I know of nowhere around here to run those things aside from autocross. Probably a business oportunity in there somewhere for an ambitious land owner.

[85rx-7gsl-se]

Road racing/kart racing in TN is fail.

[Wheelman13]

At least Nashville has some type of road course in NSS, even if there aren't that many events there. Knoxville is a minimum of 3 hours to anything. I swear, if I hit a lottery....

[85rx-7gsl-se]

Well we lost our track in Memphis so in the same spot.

[usafdarkhorse]

That's why I mentioned welding skills. If you can weld your own cage out of a mandrel tubing kit, that saves a lot right there. I agree completely that maintenance & upkeep is a big part of it, but if you just want to get into a field and not die (nevermind being competitive), you don't need a built engine, you don't need $$$ suspension, you can get take-off tires, etc.

But yeah, trying to go pro real young, is a luxury not many have available. Hell my dad is a car nut, but I still couldn't talk my folks into a go-kart when I was young, much less a shifter kart or something like that. I'm just glad to see that the shelf life of your average pro driver has been extended quite a bit it seems...gives those of us starting relatively late some hope :)

East TN = Fail for serious karting. I know of nowhere around here to run those things aside from autocross. Probably a business oportunity in there somewhere for an ambitious land owner.

Give me 30 years and I will build a track. JUST YOU WAIT lol.

Seriously though, I'm going to start buying up parcels of land toward retirement and I want to do that.

[autoxDC2]

If someone in Nashville would build a course like the Bluegrass, that would be sick. We could definitely use it, and I'm sure there would be LOTS of support from locals.

[Brent]

If someone in Nashville would build a course like the Bluegrass, that would be sick. We could definitely use it, and I'm sure there would be LOTS of support from locals.

I just wish Bluegrass would build Bluegrass :bash: Been a big disappointment having date after date broken with them. They are alot closer to completetion than alot of other tracks that are being built though.

I think we'll see a really really nice, large track built by the National Corvette Museum in vicinity of Bowling Green in the next 5-10 years.