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NASA Pro Racing at PMI, July 21-22

Old Jun 5, 2007 | 05:06 AM
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Default NASA Pro Racing at PMI, July 21-22

Anyone interested in going? Bill McMahan from MAC Autosport says he will probably be down there, I am thinking hard about going, anyone else interested?

See the details here

Dave
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Old Jun 5, 2007 | 06:45 AM
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ANDREW!!! SEAN!!! Here is your chance to run PMP!

Let me know how those StopTech help vs the OEMs Dave. Good luck and be safe.
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Old Jun 5, 2007 | 06:50 AM
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Yeah, I should mention that they break it down into groups, including a group for those with no track experience whatsoever, known as Group 1. In Group 1, you actually get an instructor ride along for a couple of laps, which can be very helpful. Passing rules are restricted by group, all the way to Group 4, which is no passing restrictions at all.

Based on the HPDE that Nissan Sport magazine put on, I would classify myself as group 2 or 3.

For anyone who has never taken their car to the car, the best way I can describe it is like riding a roller coaster, that you control the direction and speed. It's a blast!

Dave
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Old Jun 5, 2007 | 07:59 AM
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You know I'll be there! Glad to hear that Dave (and hopefully some of our other recent track converts) will be attending.

And not to hi-jack, but here's a link to my just-posted review of my experience with NASA at La Junta this past weekend:

https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....93#post3867893

July 21 - 22 at PMI is the PERFECT opportunity for track newbies to come see what it's all about. Like Dave said, if you've never been on track before, you'll have an experienced instructor in your passenger seat from your first session until you get signed off to solo (basically, when you move up to HPDE group 2). And I agree with Dave that anyone who has attended one of the Nissan Sport/dkmura events should be qualified for at least group 2, if not 3 (although you can always start in group 2 and then get a check ride to move up to group 3 when you feel ready...just because you start a weekend in a particular group doesn't mean that you don't have the opportunity to move up if you and your instructor/group leader feel you're ready).

Every track session is followed by a required classrooom session to discuss the session with your group leader and other drivers in your group, and expand your skills. And when you're not on track, you can hang out in the paddock with your fellow Z/G enthusiasts, or wander over to some of the viewing areas to check out the action of some of the other groups on track (including race groups...some of which put on a GREAT show.)

NASA has a great program for pretty much anyone involved in, or looking to get involved in, tracking your car on a road course.

Thanks for posting this up, Dave. I'll see you there!
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Old Jun 5, 2007 | 08:01 AM
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Originally Posted by GaryM05
Thanks for posting this up, Dave. I'll see you there!

I guess that answers my question I asked in your review thread!
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Old Jun 5, 2007 | 08:06 AM
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Originally Posted by Dave 90TT
I guess that answers my question I asked in your review thread!
LOL - I just saw that and was about to reference my answer over here.

This'll be a fun weekend...it'll be nice to have more Z's/G's on track (you can't imagine how many times I've been asked "where are all the other Z-cars & G35's" at previous NASA events).
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Old Jun 22, 2007 | 01:50 PM
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So, who's going besides me and Gary?

1. Dave 90TT
2. GaryM05
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Old Jun 22, 2007 | 02:02 PM
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My wife will be there, running her Audi wagon in HPDE group 2, hoping to move up to HPDE group 3.

1. Dave 90TT
2. GaryM05
3. Joanne
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Old Jun 22, 2007 | 02:04 PM
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Nice!
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Old Jul 1, 2007 | 08:01 AM
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So, anyone else up for this?
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Old Jul 1, 2007 | 01:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Dave 90TT
So, anyone else up for this?
I was just about to post that same question.
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Old Jul 6, 2007 | 07:10 AM
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I'll be there if I can get the necessary equipment (rotors and pads) by next weekend. The pads should be here next week and I'm waiting to hear back from Zeckhausen on the rotors. Are any of you signed up for the night session?

1. Dave 90TT
2. GaryM05
3. Joanne
4. jgray (very probable)
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Old Jul 6, 2007 | 03:04 PM
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Good luck to everybody going to PMP! That weekend is scheduled for RIGHT after my next surgical evaluation. If I have enough range-of-motion and reduced swelling, I'll get the ACL reconstructed the Friday before.
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Old Jul 6, 2007 | 03:22 PM
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Originally Posted by dkmura
Good luck to everybody going to PMP! That weekend is scheduled for RIGHT after my next surgical evaluation. If I have enough range-of-motion and reduced swelling, I'll get the ACL reconstructed the Friday before.
Good luck yourself - reading this made me wince! Glenda says 'hello' and promises a care package.

Joel
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Old Jul 6, 2007 | 07:29 PM
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I'll try not to make anybody wince... Say hello to Glenda and I'll look forward to whatever care I can get! LOL
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Old Jul 7, 2007 | 08:20 AM
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There are only 3 or 4 more spots left open in HPDE 1 and 2, so anyone who was planning on going and running in one of those groups should sign up ASAP.

David M - hope everything goes well. We'll be thinking of you at the track.
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Old Jul 7, 2007 | 09:08 AM
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Well, I just registered (I had been putting it off due to some possible work concerns, but screw work, I'm going anyways!)

I registered for Group 3, but based on this being my first NASA event, and my racing experience being limited to autocross (in a different car, years ago) and the Nissan Sport HPDE (which was a lot more track time than the HPDE's that NASA has, it looks like), I think I might be more suited to Group 2. Sent an email to the NASA website, and as son as my forum registration is validated, I will post on the NASA forums.

What do you guys think? Should I be in Group 2 or 3? I'm fully comfortable with open passing, but since this is my first NASA event, maybe I should try 2 first?...
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Old Jul 7, 2007 | 09:55 AM
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Originally Posted by Dave 90TT
Well, I just registered (I had been putting it off due to some possible work concerns, but screw work, I'm going anyways!)

I registered for Group 3, but based on this being my first NASA event, and my racing experience being limited to autocross (in a different car, years ago) and the Nissan Sport HPDE (which was a lot more track time than the HPDE's that NASA has, it looks like), I think I might be more suited to Group 2. Sent an email to the NASA website, and as son as my forum registration is validated, I will post on the NASA forums.

What do you guys think? Should I be in Group 2 or 3? I'm fully comfortable with open passing, but since this is my first NASA event, maybe I should try 2 first?...
Yeah, you're at a Group 3 level. That's were you want to be.
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Old Jul 7, 2007 | 11:02 AM
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Originally Posted by Dave 90TT
Well, I just registered (I had been putting it off due to some possible work concerns, but screw work, I'm going anyways!)

I registered for Group 3, but based on this being my first NASA event, and my racing experience being limited to autocross (in a different car, years ago) and the Nissan Sport HPDE (which was a lot more track time than the HPDE's that NASA has, it looks like), I think I might be more suited to Group 2. Sent an email to the NASA website, and as son as my forum registration is validated, I will post on the NASA forums.

What do you guys think? Should I be in Group 2 or 3? I'm fully comfortable with open passing, but since this is my first NASA event, maybe I should try 2 first?...
That's a tricky question. You'll have more fun in Group 3, and given how well you drove at the Nissan Sport event, I agree with Joel and I think you'd do fine there, but I'm not sure NASA would put someone in Group 3 right off the bat who has had one track event under their belt (although we all know that that one track event was really the equivalent of 3 or 4 days at the track).

I'll dig up Dave Balingit's (NASA Rocky Mountain Regional Director) email address and PM it to you, as he'll be able to give you a solid answer as to where to start. And even if they do ask to start you in Group 2, there's no reason you couldn't get an instructor check ride in your second session on Saturday and move up to Group 3. You'll find that all the NASA officials are very reasonable, and are all focused on providing a safe and fun environment for everyone at the track.

One other thing: even Group 3 isn't open passing...there are still designated passing zones requiring a point-by, etc., so even in Group 3 you'll have had more experience passing than most of the other cars, given the passing/driving drills we did at the Nissan Sport event.
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Old Jul 8, 2007 | 06:27 AM
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Good thoughts Gary. For some reason I was thinking Dave had attended more than one of dkmura's HPDE classes.

Dave, it would be good for you to follow up with Gary's advice and at least let Dave Balingit know your current level of experience. He'll make the final call and as stated earlier, you can always start at Group 2 and work up to Group 3 within a few sessions. My assessment is that you're at a Group 3 level, but since this is your first NASA event, there's no harm in taking things in at a slower pace. You'll have a great time no matter what level you start at.

Joel

Last edited by jgray; Jul 8, 2007 at 01:02 PM.
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