"Driver's Ed" HPDE at PIR track (Portland OR)

9

95two-top

New Member
Jun 8, 2005
8
0
0
#1
HERE'S A CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE HOW YOUR CAR FEELS "AT SPEED"--DRIVE IT AT THE SHELBY CLUB "DRIVERS' EDUCATION" EVENT JULY 11---

After being referred to stangnet by several SVT owners at the All-Ford show & swapmeet at the Hillsboro fairgrounds last Saturday, we decided "This is the Place" to look for SVT/Mustang/Ford owners who'd like to drive their cars on a "road course" track and experience the performance capabilities designed into those cars, but without having to (1) take the risks of (a) getting a (nasty) ticket or (b) losing that driver's license, or (2) deal with all those folks that are really just "along for the ride" even though they're occupying the "driver's seat" in their vehicles on the public roads.

"We" are a couple members of SAAC NW, the Portland-area Shelby club, which is doing our next "Driver's Education"/HPDE event at PIR, in Portland OR, on Monday, July 11 (that's the day after the Portland Historics Vintage Race weekend). We're looking for folks who'd like to try out an HPDE event, and for those who've already experienced it and want to do it again. One BIG clarifier at this point--what we're doing is NOT racing; there're no prizes, no sponsors, no timed (or other) competitions. It IS an opportunity to drive your car on a (nearly) two-mile road course, in controlled conditions, with advice from experienced drivers; to enjoy your car beyond what's legally possible on public roads.

After 10 years of participating in these events, I can say that it's the most fun you can have in your car, with your clothes on...and after you turn 50, you don't need that qualifier about clothes, either.

If you're interested in participating, contact me directly, or go to the saacnw website--- http://saacnw.org/ ---for more detailed information; you can also download the trackpack file there.
 

  • Sponsors (?)


#2
Hey yah, sounds like fun (given the right track conditions). I would like to know what time everyone is meeting up and is there any kind of a fee?

Also, how did you find out about the All-Ford show & swapmeet at the Hillsboro fairgrounds last Saturday? The fairgrounds is about 5 minutes from my house and I missed it :( .

Ill be the guy in the blue mustang.

filburn
 
#4
filburn said:
Hey yah, sounds like fun (given the right track conditions). I would like to know what time everyone is meeting up and is there any kind of a fee?

For all the details, go to our website, read the latest notes on the home page and then follow the link to the trackpack page--7 pages of info, instructions and requirements--tech specs, clothing & safety gear (helmet & gloves, etc), safe & courteous *on-track* behaviour, a page on the flags you'll need to understand, a map of the track...you'll want & need to get familiar with BEFORE the event. Best option is to down-load & print the package...and you'll need to *at least* download the application page so you can send it (AND your prepayment, eh?) in ASAP.

In a nutshell, (a) gates open at 7 am, and you'll need to be there "about that time"--definitely before 7:30--especially if this is your first time out. (b) Things you'll need to get done between arrival & the driver's meeting (ie, by about 8:30 am) - "find" us--we'll be operating in the pro-pits; there'll be signs, check in, "unload" & arrange your gear, get through tech inspection, walk over to the restrooms at least once (as an instructor in a different area liked to say, "That may be the last time for several hours that you really feel like you know what you're doing.")....

FEE--$119 IF you get registered (including PAID) by June 24; $130 from June 25 through "day of the event". We're happy to accept applications at PIR "on the day (morning, until *start* time) of the event", but due to the increasing (and non-refundable to us) costs of putting on these events, we HAVE to have enough folks committed to cover our costs, or we'll be forced to cancel the event. And yes, all prepayments ARE held until the deadline (of June 24, in this case) and will be refunded in full if we actually have to cancel. OTOH, once past that date & the club's committed, it's basically "no" refunds, and the event runs *rain or shine*.

Also, how did you find out about the All-Ford show & swapmeet at the Hillsboro fairgrounds last Saturday? The fairgrounds is about 5 minutes from my house and I missed it :( .

We have members that also belong to other "Ford" clubs--Mustang clubs, Fords of the 50's, etc--so it "always" gets put on our calendar.

Ill be the guy in the blue mustang.

filburn
Click to expand...

See ya there, eh? I should have my 88 Notchback (with a few upgrades--360 rwhp, and brakes & suspension to "deal with it").
 
#6
I went out to one of last years saac events good group of people. Ill go again work / weather permitting. Watch out for hicaliberbullit, he takes the corners way too fast. Only prayer is stay in front of him on the straits. :D
 
#7
After 3 of you prepay, we're 1/3 of the way there...

fast99cobra said:
I went out to one of last years saac events good group of people. Ill go again work / weather permitting.
Click to expand...

fast99--

Yeah, I remember you & your car--we first met at a show at Landmark Ford, right? I had my 00 R at the show (it's gone now, to a new home in SoCal...).

It'll be great to see you out with us at PIR again this year.

And to all the rest of you who've expressed an interest in participating on July 11, think of it this way--once you've all pre-registered, we're at least 1/3 of the way to having the minimum number of sign-ups we need. So, time to "get -r-done", eh?

I'm looking forward to meeting/seeing ALL of you at PIR on July 11.
 
#8
Follow Up

Just touching bases with you folks who've expressed interest in attending the SAAC NW HPDE/"Drivers' ED" day at PIR on Monday, July 11. Gotta get those applications in by June 24, eh?
 
#12
What are the qualifications required for each group?

My concern is the abundance of newbies in group 4. A few of us in this forum that are interested in the Shelby Clubs track day have participated in one driver training class with Team Continental. I realize this in no way makes us experts. However, we are past the newbie stage. One of my biggest complains was being stuck with slowbies in their Saturn’s and Honda Del Sols in one of the two beginner groups. :notnice:

How flexible is the club with the make up of the groups?

Will they move people into a different group after they demonstrate their competence level?

Can a group be split into separate groups if needed?

I know this HDPE will be a blast. It will be even more fun if we are in a group that closely matches our competence level.

Keith
 
#15
They will allow you to move around if you are faster than the rest of the group. Sometimes group 4 is faster than group 3 because everyone thinks that they can run fast and enter group 3 and group 4 is less crowded.

People are told to let faster cars pass and there are flags to tell the driver to pull to the right lane to allow the faster cars to pass. Faster does not mean faster on the straights, it is who is faster in the turns. If the Del Sol is faster in the curves, the fast straight away people are suppose to lift on the straight to allow the Del Sol to pass, after the next turn the Del Sol would be out of reach.

When I first got my 94, I put on my suspension and brakes for the first year. I felt like I had to lowest HP car out there. But I was running over everyone in the curves (BTW I have been doing this for years now) so the fast cars would have to idle for half the straight in order for me to get around them. Half way through the turn 1, I was gone.

Key to taking your car back home in one piece (I have seen some not make it), start slow and build up your ability. Do not overdrive you or your car. I have seen a new C5 and a new 350Z not make it because of driver error.
 
#17
Even those Mechanix gloves will work for group 4. Probably same for group 3. I don't think they have to be fancy racing gloves, but they do recommend using proper safety equipment whenever possible (i.e. nomex fire resistant stuff...)

-Mike

My app will be in the mail in a few minutes!
 
#19
autoX said:
Even those Mechanix gloves will work for group 4.
Click to expand...
Well, I have some Mechanix gloves. But they're well used and I won't be using them to touch my steering wheel :).

Another set of Mechanix gloves would be about $20 if I remember the price correctly. "Real" driving gloves start at $45-50.

Dave
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

L
Mid West Waterford Hills Raceway Open Track April 21 2013
Replies
1
Views
605
Regional Forums and Event Information
lClutchl
L
CarMichael Angelo
On The First Day Of My Vacation......
Replies
6
Views
935
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
95BlueStallion
95BlueStallion
MRaburn
Get In Line For The Great American Pony Drive 2014
Replies
0
Views
1K
StangNet Site News
MRaburn
MRaburn
wallyfm3
New Racing event
Replies
6
Views
381
The Welcome Wagon
wallyfm3
wallyfm3
sportscars
Feb 3 & 4 CentexSVT/Shelby/Ford event
Replies
0
Views
585
Regional Forums and Event Information
sportscars
sportscars
Top Bottom
Back
New
Hot
Menu