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NASA Hyperfest 2011 Summit Point Raceway
Posted by
davecarama
,
06-20-2011
·
1,153 views
If you have never been to a Hyperfest... you have to try it at least once. it is an experience, that is for sure.
So what is Hyperfest? Picture your normal NASA event, where they switch between HPDE groups and race groups, now make it a spectator event, that includes tuner style venders, bands, models, give-aways, beer, and minimally clad girls handing out stuff (what stuff? Who cares, they are all but naked).
I like to show up to the track for these types of events in my race car, with no tools or parts or anything that can get stolen... but that is my strategy.
The place is a zoo. Usually it is standing room only, and the place is PACKED with non driving type people who walk everywhere and have no concern for people trying to drive.
I know... I am painting quite the picture here
That said, it is fun. The staff do a great job running things, and the police do a great job keeping the spectators under control. This year, I don;t think there was a single wreck on either Saturday OR sunday. And that goes for all groups, HPDE and Race.
Let me do a solid and post a photo every now and then to keep your interest...
So I was contacted prior to the event. There was an individual who asked if he could do group 3 for the first time. Our group 3 is pass anywhere with a point. My conversation with the event director concluded with keeping him in group 2 and sending him to 3 in the next event if he was a good boy. He did awesome, so group 3 it is for him next time!
My group one guy was a mechanic who borrowed his shop's race car. He was somewhat knowledgable about the car, but the line and inputs needed some working on. We worked on them through the weekend and he ended up doing a great job by the end of the weekend!
Saturday, during the Hyperfest activities, In addition to instructing, I drove with HPDE Group4 which was instructors only. I remember a few oddities:
#1 - being permitted to go out in short sleeves.
-I just plain feel odd not being in my suit now and driving
#2 - having to wait for points to pass.
-I remember getting onto the track, slow double yellow lap 1, followed by a feeling of "green flag start". I was saying in my head "point-by point-by point-by" so I wouldn't forget... but as I was saying it, turn 1 got slowed down by people slowing at the 8-10 marker, so I pulled out to pass them all and brake at the 3... but then I remembered that is a no-no... so I pulled back in (and perhaps giggled to myself a little).
No HPDE is now kinda boring... But hyperfest has... entertainment... that most other events don't have.
As saturday rolls by, All I tend to work on is lapping consistently. I have the consistent thing down pat I think, I need to start improving now! So, again, one of the BEST things about Hyperfest is driving with an audience. There is truly standing room only, this event is CROWDED!!!
After the road racing ends, the drifters come out to "entertain":
And the roll-over competition:
And you can't forget the "Daisy Duke" contest:
Sunday, not as er-herm... "entertaining"...
I did more instructing (less actually, because I was able to sign off one of my guys, and the other only decided to do two sessions). I also competed in Time Trials! This past weekend I parked with Weekend Warrior since King Rat was not in attendance. Alan Olsen, and Joey Zarrella, and Ron Roderick are awesome guys to hang around a paddock with.
TT is fun, and the contingencies are out of this world! The first session was raining. I recently purchased a set of Hoosier H2O tires though, and was excited to try them out. Not everyone staged for this wet session, but I saw it as a great opportunity to test the rains. Turned out, that I was a pretty quick wet driver! A 2nd gen Miata did end up being faster than me, but who cares, when 2 Mazda Miatas are the fastest cars, even faster than vettes and subarus, what more could you ask for!
I stayed at the track for 2 more of my TT sessions. I ended up (unofficially) with a 3rd place in class... to the guy with the blower (1:26ish)... and the guy with a well prepped PTE car (1:28ish). So I feel pretty good! I ended up with a 1:30;24, Pretty consistent there in the 1:30s. I can't seem to break that number though. I seem to have hit a plateau. I'll take my 3rd place though, and order a free Hoosier asap! But I have to figure out how to drop that one more second so I can drive in ITA with my friends! I might have to start throwing parts at the car soon...
So what is Hyperfest? Picture your normal NASA event, where they switch between HPDE groups and race groups, now make it a spectator event, that includes tuner style venders, bands, models, give-aways, beer, and minimally clad girls handing out stuff (what stuff? Who cares, they are all but naked).
I like to show up to the track for these types of events in my race car, with no tools or parts or anything that can get stolen... but that is my strategy.
The place is a zoo. Usually it is standing room only, and the place is PACKED with non driving type people who walk everywhere and have no concern for people trying to drive.
I know... I am painting quite the picture here
That said, it is fun. The staff do a great job running things, and the police do a great job keeping the spectators under control. This year, I don;t think there was a single wreck on either Saturday OR sunday. And that goes for all groups, HPDE and Race.
Let me do a solid and post a photo every now and then to keep your interest...
So I was contacted prior to the event. There was an individual who asked if he could do group 3 for the first time. Our group 3 is pass anywhere with a point. My conversation with the event director concluded with keeping him in group 2 and sending him to 3 in the next event if he was a good boy. He did awesome, so group 3 it is for him next time!
My group one guy was a mechanic who borrowed his shop's race car. He was somewhat knowledgable about the car, but the line and inputs needed some working on. We worked on them through the weekend and he ended up doing a great job by the end of the weekend!
Saturday, during the Hyperfest activities, In addition to instructing, I drove with HPDE Group4 which was instructors only. I remember a few oddities:
#1 - being permitted to go out in short sleeves.
-I just plain feel odd not being in my suit now and driving
#2 - having to wait for points to pass.
-I remember getting onto the track, slow double yellow lap 1, followed by a feeling of "green flag start". I was saying in my head "point-by point-by point-by" so I wouldn't forget... but as I was saying it, turn 1 got slowed down by people slowing at the 8-10 marker, so I pulled out to pass them all and brake at the 3... but then I remembered that is a no-no... so I pulled back in (and perhaps giggled to myself a little).
No HPDE is now kinda boring... But hyperfest has... entertainment... that most other events don't have.
As saturday rolls by, All I tend to work on is lapping consistently. I have the consistent thing down pat I think, I need to start improving now! So, again, one of the BEST things about Hyperfest is driving with an audience. There is truly standing room only, this event is CROWDED!!!
After the road racing ends, the drifters come out to "entertain":
And the roll-over competition:
And you can't forget the "Daisy Duke" contest:
Sunday, not as er-herm... "entertaining"...
I did more instructing (less actually, because I was able to sign off one of my guys, and the other only decided to do two sessions). I also competed in Time Trials! This past weekend I parked with Weekend Warrior since King Rat was not in attendance. Alan Olsen, and Joey Zarrella, and Ron Roderick are awesome guys to hang around a paddock with.
TT is fun, and the contingencies are out of this world! The first session was raining. I recently purchased a set of Hoosier H2O tires though, and was excited to try them out. Not everyone staged for this wet session, but I saw it as a great opportunity to test the rains. Turned out, that I was a pretty quick wet driver! A 2nd gen Miata did end up being faster than me, but who cares, when 2 Mazda Miatas are the fastest cars, even faster than vettes and subarus, what more could you ask for!
I stayed at the track for 2 more of my TT sessions. I ended up (unofficially) with a 3rd place in class... to the guy with the blower (1:26ish)... and the guy with a well prepped PTE car (1:28ish). So I feel pretty good! I ended up with a 1:30;24, Pretty consistent there in the 1:30s. I can't seem to break that number though. I seem to have hit a plateau. I'll take my 3rd place though, and order a free Hoosier asap! But I have to figure out how to drop that one more second so I can drive in ITA with my friends! I might have to start throwing parts at the car soon...
