This weekend NASA held its Beach Party weekend at Gingerman Raceway. I signed up for HPDE1 with the eventual goal of doing TT. I chose NASA for its HPDE1 beginning ladder structure requirement and learn something about driving technique.

It was a great weekend of learning! The structure of the HPDE weekend presents a great learning environment with the same instructor all weekend who reinforces the classroom syllabus with on track exercises.

Thanks to NASA for its program. I feel way more confident on track now than 2 days ago. And damn that ‘14 GT can be fast!

Shout out to @Vettel-ish. His S197 Julie is an awesome fast car.

NASA has one of the best programs out there and the ladder system no only helps one go through techniques, speed, track awareness, etc. at a solid pace to learn and understand how to go faster. Enjoy the Instruction and you will find yourself in Time Trials before you know it. I personally feel NASA has the best system to reach Time Trial proficiency in the Nation. Not to take away from other programs but NASA is the most comprehensive and delves into all areas with more thoroughness than other groups.

Keep us posted and Gingerman is a fun track to learn at -- my son had his first track school there over 23 years ago with the Viper Challenge Series.

Bill Pemberton said:

NASA has one of the best programs out there and the ladder system no only helps one go through techniques, speed, track awareness, etc. at a solid pace to learn and understand how to go faster. Enjoy the Instruction and you will find yourself in Time Trials before you know it. I personally feel NASA has the best system to reach Time Trial proficiency in the Nation. Not to take away from other programs but NASA is the most comprehensive and delves into all areas with more thoroughness than other groups.

Keep us posted and Gingerman is a fun track to learn at -- my son had his first track school there over 23 years ago with the Viper Challenge Series.

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Perhaps I might switch to NASA when I have gotten to SCCA Advanced HPDE and TNiA...and when I have double the money! Haha.

Bill Pemberton said:

NASA has one of the best programs out there and the ladder system no only helps one go through techniques, speed, track awareness, etc. at a solid pace to learn and understand how to go faster. Enjoy the Instruction and you will find yourself in Time Trials before you know it. I personally feel NASA has the best system to reach Time Trial proficiency in the Nation. Not to take away from other programs but NASA is the most comprehensive and delves into all areas with more thoroughness than other groups.

Keep us posted and Gingerman is a fun track to learn at -- my son had his first track school there over 23 years ago with the Viper Challenge Series.

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Bill, you suggested that I go through the NASA HPDE ladder system. Upon looking into the program and comparing it to others, the concept of all TT entrants having to go in at the same level of driver preparation was the clincher.

The bonus was how much information was delivered and then coached by the in car instructor. Classroom subject matter was reinforced in the following in car session was a great teaching method. Eye opening exercises like early vs late apex, threshold braking were things I would never done on my own and demonstrated keys to being way faster. Demonstrating and reinforcing the correct point to pass method and responsibilities was a great way to get 19 HPDE1 drivers on the same page.

Thanks Bill

As noted there are other solid programs, but NASA is very competitively priced for two day events. I have been an SCCA member for 43 years and Track Night in America is a great introduction, but there are many folks who do not have a track close enough to do something mid week and a full 2 day compliment of training is often more efficient for those who have to drive.
What is nice is so many groups are now offering training and with SCCA, NASA, and PCA having many years of experience they are key places to begin.

Bill Pemberton said:

As noted there are other solid programs, but NASA is very competitively priced for two day events. I have been an SCCA member for 43 years and Track Night in America is a great introduction, but there are many folks who do not have a track close enough to do something mid week and a full 2 day compliment of training is often more efficient for those who have to drive.
What is nice is so many groups are now offering training and with SCCA, NASA, and PCA having many years of experience they are key places to begin.

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Thank you for the info! Was hoping I was on the right "track". I live 2 hours away from about 2-3 tracks, so I will learn with SCCA with seat time, then progress up to NASA once I want to go full HPDE/TT car and buckle down!! This forum has been fantastic to help me figure out where to go in each step of learning, appreciate you all helping this youngin' out!!

Just like it is often good to learn from a variety of Instructors , tracking with various groups is also a good way to get different perspectives ( even though they are often small ). Going faster and faster on track often becomes fine tuning the small things as you often reach a threshold on your skills and then the gains become more difficult. What is surprising as you go on the journey is how so many seemingly small items can make a big improvement in your driving and your times.

Cant say enough good things about the NASA organization. Robin is HPDE 3 is such a good guy and an amazing teacher. He does out downloads.... then jumps in his car and wins races. What a role model to follow.

@Boss4Me Awesome meeting you! Great weekend!

Vettel-ish said:

Cant say enough good things about the NASA organization. Robin is HPDE 3 is such a good guy and an amazing teacher. He does out downloads.... then jumps in his car and wins races. What a role model to follow.

@Boss4Me Awesome meeting you! Great weekend!

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It was nice talking with you Andy. Your S197 race car is amazing either sitting quietly on the paddock or roaring around the track.

Vettel-ish said:

Cant say enough good things about the NASA organization. Robin is HPDE 3 is such a good guy and an amazing teacher. He does out downloads.... then jumps in his car and wins races. What a role model to follow.

@Boss4Me Awesome meeting you! Great weekend!

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