in Pennsylvania -- 10/19-20/2002: Ran the event on Dunlop SP9000 street tires.These track videos were taken when I attended different driver's schools run by NASA. They run HPDE's (High Performance Driving Experience) events throughout the country at different road race tracks. HPDE's include classroom sessions for theoretical discussions of driving a vehicle fast on the track & on track sessions with an Instructor to put the theoretical into practice.
This IS NOT racing as I'm not competing against anyone & none of the laps are timed. In some of the videos, you can see an Instructor in the passenger seat. In other videos, I'm by myself as the Instructor has "signed off" on me effectively saying he's allowing me to Solo because I've learned the track well enough & my driving abilities have improved enough so I'm not a hazard on the track.
All passing of other vehicles is done on pre-determined sections of track and only with a "point-by". (The person being passed has to point out his window indicating to the car wanting to pass 1) he sees him behind him; 2) will slow down to let him pass; & 3) give him the pass.) This ensures the safety of all involved.
in Pennsylvania -- 10/19-20/2002: Ran the event on Dunlop SP9000 street tires.
Lap of BR - One of my 1st solo outings in Intermediate run group.
The Spin - Occurred on turn 11 just before entering into turn 12 & the front straight.
Reeling in a Porsche 911.
(Summit Point Raceway) in West Virginia
11/2-3/2002 -- Ran the event on Falken Azenis street tires:
Lap of SPR - Solo in Intermediate run group.
Dicing through traffic.
7/16/2005 -- On Kumho MX street tires with boost turned down to 10psi b/c of the oppressive heat. Instructor group which allows open passing (passing anywhere on the track) with a point-by.
Chasing down that pesky MR2.
8/27/2006 -- On Hankook Ventus RSS Z211 R-compound tires in Instructor Group.
The 350Z driver looses his brakes entering T10.
Following an SM. I've got the HP but he's got the superior suspension. Watch my tach to see where I let off to keep from running into him.
in Connecticut
11/11/2002 -- Ran the event on Falken Azenis street tires. The track was often wet & slippery so I turned the turbo boost down to 7psi from a normal of 12psi.
Lap LRP - Solo in Intermediate run group.
Tailgating for the pass.
11/10/2003 -- Boost set to 12psi. Running on Falken Azenis street tires.
04/08/2006 -- Full FMII Turbo kit @ 12psi on Kumho Ecsta MX street tires. VERY cold track & overcast day.
Oops! (Passed by an STi even though I never gave a point-by & then a little sideways at the top of the uphill)
Pretty quick lap, given the conditions.
in southern Virginia
02/22-23/2003 -- Ran the 1st day on Falken Azenis Street tires in the pouring rain. This video was of the last run on the 1st day when the rain was abaiting. Nothing like going down the back straight @ 100+mph in the pouring rain!
VIR - Instructor on board in Advanced run group
Off Track Excursion - Instructor on board in Advanced run group
02/18-20/2005 -- Attended the L1 Instructor Clinic & got my Instructor's License. Following vids were shot running in Group 4 on Kumho Ecsta MX street tires:
Chasing down an M3.
How NOT to make a pass!
07/31/2005 -- On Kumho Ecsta MX street tires with boost turned down to 10 psi b/c of the oppressive heat in Instructor Group:
North Course with a student on board to show him the racing line.
02/19/2006 -- On Kumho Ecsta MX street tires in Instructor Group. Full FMII turbo kit @ 12psi:
What happens when you brake too deeply into T1. (The anti-lock brakes were pulsating like mad & I stiil didn't make it.)
Two pretty clean laps.
in the Finger Lakes Region of New York.
09/22/2003 -- On Falken Azenis Street tires. The guy who passes me in the race prepped Neon is an Instructor going out for a spin.
3 laps of WGI full course in Intermediate run group.
09/28/2004 -- On Kumho Ecsta MX street tires. The car I'm following, a Spec Miata, is lighter & has a tighter suspension than a street Miata. I'm trying to learn his line.
3 laps of WGI full course in Advanced run group.
05/08-09/2006 -- On Kumho Ecsta MX street tires. Boost @ 12psi on 93 octane pump gas.
Keeping up with the "big boys" - a Porsche 968 & Corvette. On one of those laps, I turn a 2:30.768
3 Miata - I mix it up with 2 Spec Racers who are doing Competition School exercises.
Squirrelly Integra - A driver trying to pass me in Bus Stop has a "moment" at +80mph
05/08-09/2007 -- On Hankook Ventus RSS Z211 R-compound tires. Boost @ 9psi.
Being passed by Sonny Whelen's Speed World Challenge GT Corvette
Being passed by a HEAVILY modified Honda Prelude & held up by a C5 Corvette
A squirrelly moment with some funny commentary
in Pennsylvania.
07/17/2004 -- On Toyo T1S street tires in the FMII '95 M-Edition Merlot Miata. Boost set to 10psi.
08/29/2004 -- South Course with same set-up as prior Pocono event except at 12psi of boost.
08/01/2005 -- In Instructor Group with a student on board to show him the school line. On Kumho Ecsta MX street tires with boost turned down to 10psi b/c of the heat.
in South Carolina
02/10/2008 -- In HPDE Group 3/4 with Open Passing rules. Boost at 12psi on Hankook Ventus RSS Z211 R-compound tires. My first time at that track & I'm just starting to learn it.
just outside Atlanta, Georgia
03/16/2008 -- In HPDE Group 1/2 because I was in classroom all day & didn't get to learn the track until late in the weekend. Boost at 12psi on Hankook Street tires. My first time at this track.
Always drive to where the car was -- not spinning to...
A Nissan 280Z dumps oil all over me.
A few fun laps & drifting.
Savannah, GA
05/18/2008 -- In HPDE Group 4. Boost at 12psi on Hankook Ventus RSS Z212 C50 R-compound tires. My first time at this track. Video is taken from a "bullet cam" mounted in the mouth of the Miata on the right side. (Sorry, no car sounds.)
Rockingham , NC