NASA DE question

I'm thinking about doing the NASA HPDE thing at Infineon (aka Sears Point) later this month, which takes place on the same day as several classes of racing. My question is: how much track time should I expect? Half as much as normal? 25%? 75%???

I recently did a HPDE / race school with NASA and they did a normal 4 run group schedule with one group as the race school.

You will get 4 x 20 minute sessions I believe. My biggest complaint of NASA however is that your first 2 sessions will be close to each other in the morning, but then you have a 3-4 hour waiting period until your next 2 sessions start. At least, that's how it's always been for me in group 1 & 2.

Well if your a beginner which is Group 1(w/instructor) you will be grouped with Group 2(no instructor) and I have to say going thru the laps is very slow(say conga lines) but being the first time it's good to have an instructor to learn the line/brake points/shift points etc. Sessions run about 20 minutes and you get 4 of them. Waiting wasn't an issue for me because there's alot to see ie races and cars(lots of them-pretty overwhelming esp the Porsche Racing Club). If you are familiar with the track(Sear's Point) then should register for Group 3. Regards. Mike

IMHO there are better values for DE than NASA, in terms of cost per track time. I have participated in their East coast DEs at Summit Point and VIR and was somewhat disappointed in the lack of track time. Basically, the racers have priority, so if there is an incident, the racers still seem to get their laps and the difference usually comes out of the DE time. Also, I've found that because there is racing and qualifying going on, the number of break downs and crashes is higher than at a typical DE, which causes more delays for clean-up and tow ins. Even though the schedule usually has things wrapping up by around 5 PM, most days I was there until 6 or later to get my last run. Things may be different with the West coast organization, so it's probably best to talk to some people that have run with them out there. Karl

I'll be at Sears Point (Infini what?) with the BMW school in a few weeks. There MIGHT still be openings. It's $525 for two days. I am not too hot about NASA events, aka, carnage on wheels events. Not to sound elitist or anything, but the $150 entry fee means you'll get people driving cars that are worth far less than yours. And while that as a whole is not a big deal, when they are in close proximity to your PorkChop, and ESPECIALLY in the fast group with open passing, it just might make you think twice about the school. They will NOT hesitate to use the black flag at BMW schools, and in the two years that I have been tracking, I have only seen one wreck. Heck, they might even demote you if you spin. I am in the process of getting a 996TT, and will continue to go to BMW schools for their safety record and the instruction. Just my $0.02 Andy

Carnage on wheels is a definite with the spec races but have gone to 6 Nasa events and have to say haven't seen too much going on with the HPDE groups(cross my toes). On another hand saw 2 cars totaled on a SCCA runned HPDE at Thunderhill and they run chicanes and very concerned with safety how it happens who knows. Definitely group 4 is a step up towards real racing and yes passing anywhere would be more of a risk but its a matter of time when you want to gravitate towards that. Regards. Mike