SCCA Track Night in America - Your Intro to HPDE

351stang

Beast ZL1
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Lots of events added to the SCCA's Track Night in America schedule. With a coupon code you get ~60 minutes on track for $125. Novices are welcome and it is great for first timers. There are also free Parade Laps that you can drive the tracks at low speed for free and without a helmet. This is where you can enjoy the full capabilities of your GT500, Cobra, Vette, or even a GT350.

2019 Track Night in America Driven by Tire Rack Schedule

$25 Discount code: Tradd25 (From Tradd's Photo's in the Carolinas)


Atlanta Motorsports Park; Dawsonville, GA
April 3, May 8, June 5, July 10, August 7, September 11

Auto Club Speedway; Fontana, CA
February 23, April 5 (Full Sports Car Course), June 22, August 24

Blackhawk Farms; South Beloit, IL
May 2, June 12, July 16, August 7, September 11

Carolina Motorsports Park; Kershaw, SC
May 10, June 26, August 6, September 10, October 16

Charlotte Motor Speedway; Concord, NC
April 26, June 6, July 19, August 16

Dakota County Technical College Driver Training Facility; Rosemount, MN
May 17, June 21, July 25, August 15, September 13

Dominion Raceway; Woodford, VA
April 18, May 17, June 27, August 15, September 19

GingerMan Raceway; South Haven, MI
May 16, June 13, July 17, August 8, September 12

Harris Hill Raceway; San Marcos, TX
March 20, April 10, May 8, June 5, September 18, October 16

Heartland Motorsports Park; Topeka, KS
April 25, May 17, June 13, July 12, August 8, September 19, October 17

High Plains Raceway; Deer Trail, CO
May 29, July 17, August 14, September 18

Lime Rock Park; Lakeville, CT
May 22, May 23, June 13

Memphis International Raceway; Millington, TN
March 26, April 23, May 14, June 11, July 9, August 13, September 10

MotorSport Ranch; Cresson, TX
March 19, April 9, May 7, June 4, September 17, October 15

New Hampshire Motor Speedway; Loudon, NH
May 24

New Jersey Motorsports Park; Millville, NJ
April 23, May 21, June 25, July 24, August 13, September 10

NOLA Motorsports Park; Avondale, LA
March 21, April 11, May 16

Pacific Raceways; Kent, WA
May 24, June 21, July 17

Palm Beach International Raceway; Jupiter, FL
February 19, March 19, April 23, May 21, June 18, August 20, Sept 17, Oct 22, Nov 12, Dec 10

Palmer Motorsports Park; Palmer, MA
May 2, June 6, June 27, July 18, August 8, September 5

Pittsburgh International Race Complex; Wampum, PA
April 24, May 22, June 6, June 22, July 23, August 14, September 11

Pocono Raceway; Long Pond, PA
April 17, May 9, June 13, July 11, August 27, September 16

Portland International Raceway; Portland, OR
May 17, June 7, July 5, August 9

Ridge Motorsports Park; Shelton, WA
May 16, June 6, July 23, August 7, September 12

Road Atlanta; Braselton, GA
April 24, June 27, July 26

Sebring International Raceway; Sebring, FL
September 12

Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park; Thompson, CT
April 23, May 9, June 18, July 11, July 30, August 22, September 12, October 3

Thunderhill Raceway Park; Willows, CA
March 21, April 18, May 23, June 13, August 15, September 12

VIRginia International Raceway; Alton, VA
July 25
 

351stang

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A bunch of questions I answered on another forum about running a ZL1 at Charlotte Motor Speedway:

1. The website is a good source of info. Three 15-20 minute sessions. Track Night in America
2. Helmet info. It says no loaners are available, but I'm pretty sure they have them at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Need a Helmet? - Track Night in America
3. What to expect videos Track Night Facts by Mazda Motorsports - Track Night in America
4. You want to make sure your tires, brakes, and brake fluid is in good condition especially for a speedway track like Charlotte Motor Speedway. I've hit 157 MPH out there. Brake pads should be no less than 50% worn, rotors shouldn't have any cracks, lug nuts should be torqued to manufacture's spec.
5. You normally need to take 2-5 psi of air pressure out of your tires. I target 36-38 psi hot towards the end of a 20 minute session. I usually take a few more psi out after the first session.
6. Top off your tank before you get to the track and go refuel between the 2nd and 3rd session. A ZL1 will burn more than 19 gallons at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 3 sessions. More than 1/4 tank is needed on the banked speedway for proper fuel pick up.
7. Track Night in America is set up for beginners. You'll have a cold lap to learn the track and "download" meetings with an instructor after each session.
8. This is not a race. There are no lap times or trophies. It is about going as fast as you feel comfortable to do safely.
9. I drive to all of the events. If you have a trailer, then that is cheap insurance in case you have a mechanical issue. I over prepared and brought all kinds of gear with me my first few events. I now just take a small cooler for drinks and a toolbox with 2 qts oil, mechanics gloves, funnel, paper towels, glass cleaner, torque wrench, 22mm deep socket, GOOD tire pressure gauge, zip ties, needle nose pliers, cheap infra red thermometer, and a small 12V compressor to put air back in the tires.

Other things I thought about:
1. I recommend taking all 4 wheels off the car and inspecting brake pads, brake lines, rotors, front sway bar end links, shocks, etc. I've never had a problem with my sway bar end links, but it has been reported frequently on Camaro forums.
2. Check brake fluid level
3. Check oil level and add some if it is not at the top of the range after sitting over night. If it is in the middle, add 1/4 qt. Don't over fill.
4. Check the oil level between sessions after sitting for 5-10 minutes. Target the middle of the dipstick. I sometimes add 1/4 - 1/2 qt after 2 sessions.
5. Take everything loose out of your car interior, including the floor mats.
6. For CAMAROs: For the first few sessions I would use Track - PTM Sport 1. This keeps stability control on. This is a bad crutch long term, but good for beginners.
7. More experienced drivers in "slower" cars will have faster lap times even if you dust them on the straights. If you see a Miata in your mirrors twice, then give him a point-by and don't try and chase them.
 

svtfocus2cobra

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Thanks for the info! Now that I have a Fiesta ST as a daily I have been also thinking it would be a great car to start tracking to learn the ropes since I have always wanted to get into racing since I was just a kid. Im gonna read into this more and really look into it.
 

CobraBob

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Wonder why the Thompson Speedway events in your post aren't showing on their Events Calendar.
 

blk02edge

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Thanks for the info! Now that I have a Fiesta ST as a daily I have been also thinking it would be a great car to start tracking to learn the ropes since I have always wanted to get into racing since I was just a kid. Im gonna read into this more and really look into it.
Get some kind of fia cert and come up to my track, $100/day as my guest max 3 days/year.
 

lilcoop03

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I've been considering doing one of these. I'm used to doing full events that are around $300 so the price is good but my main concern is having too many novices on track slowing me down or worse - some uninstructed first timer out there with a car he cant respect or handle and crashing into me.
 

351stang

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I've been considering doing one of these. I'm used to doing full events that are around $300 so the price is good but my main concern is having too many novices on track slowing me down or worse - some uninstructed first timer out there with a car he cant respect or handle and crashing into me.

Run in Advanced, there is still controlled passing via point-by, the other drivers will all have good awareness. I've seen a couple single car incidents, but there is inherent risk any time on a race track. You can check out a bunch of Track Night Videos on my Youtube and judge if it is right for you or not. I personally love going to the less crowded and cheaper ($125) events like Carolina Motorsports Park. I've had 5 plus laps with zero traffic and when you hit traffic they get you by quickly.

Edit: I see you're in SC, so that is even better. Have you run at CMP before?

 

lilcoop03

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Run in Advanced, there is still controlled passing via point-by, the other drivers will all have good awareness. I've seen a couple single car incidents, but there is inherent risk any time on a race track. You can check out a bunch of Track Night Videos on my Youtube and judge if it is right for you or not. I personally love going to the less crowded and cheaper ($125) events like Carolina Motorsports Park. I've had 5 plus laps with zero traffic and when you hit traffic they get you by quickly.

Edit: I see you're in SC, so that is even better. Have you run at CMP before?


I have not ran at CMP before, but would like to. I hear the track is hard on tires. I really enjoy Road Atlanta for its speed and elevation change, so I worry that CMP might be kind of a let down in those regards..
 

lilcoop03

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BTW, I can really appreciate this post.. Most people that read it likely haven't done any HPDE's before and this is an excellent way to try it out.

Trust me folks, once you do it, you're hooked and these $125 days are dirt cheap.

HPDE's are the most fun you can have with your pants on, hands down.
 

lilcoop03

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Does TNA allow passengers with a signed waiver?

Will that coupon code only work for one event?
 

blk02edge

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BTW, I can really appreciate this post.. Most people that read it likely haven't done any HPDE's before and this is an excellent way to try it out.

Trust me folks, once you do it, you're hooked and these $125 days are dirt cheap.

HPDE's are the most fun you can have with your pants on, hands down.
I think the majority on this forum are hellcat owners lol.
 

kevinatfms

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Hmm. I am tempted to book for VIR and Gingerman. Hopefully my GT350R arrives in May
VIR in July sounds miserable. I cant imagine how hot that day is going to be. Amazing track but damn that heat.

I definitely want to do the Dominion September event. Should be cool enough to enjoy.

Jealous of the GT350R. Youre going to have a blast with that thing.
 

AustinSN

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I'll be honest, I wasn't hugely impressed with TNIA. I don't know why they are considered the holy grail of safety, I put myself in the advanced run group and had to deal with a lot of people who had no business being out there.

It seems like the thought is, if you have a fast car, you should be in advanced. That's not true at all.

I prefer NASA, I like that you have to have instructors in the car with you until you get signed off at 2 tracks (at least out here).
 

blk02edge

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I'll be honest, I wasn't hugely impressed with TNIA. I don't know why they are considered the holy grail of safety, I put myself in the advanced run group and had to deal with a lot of people who had no business being out there.

It seems like the thought is, if you have a fast car, you should be in advanced. That's not true at all.

I prefer NASA, I like that you have to have instructors in the car with you until you get signed off at 2 tracks (at least out here).
Haha yup, track days are full of people who have no business being there. But passing GT3 porsches in a stock focus ST hasnt lost its luster to me yet
 

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