Willow Springs Sept. 11-12 2004

Anyone here by any chance going up to Willow Springs on the 11th and 12th of September. Its a NASA event and I honestly think they are the best. I have a garage and I will more than happy to help any of you going. Good luck and hope to see some of you....

And I will be at Buttonwillow the same weekend...

I have never been to an autox or track event, but I REALLY want to go. I am only 18, is it still possible? if it is then I will try and go to that for sure. thanks in advance for the info.

sure its possible, as long as you have a valid drivers license. This is how it works, NASA host a variety of racing series and there are stepping stones you can follow if you have no experience at all. Those stepping stones are the HPDE classes. There is HPDE 1 thru 4. HPDE 1 is a school so you only have to do it once, but you still get plenty of track times, as a mater of fact you will get just as much as everyone at the track. After HPDE 1 you go into HPDE 2 where there is less class talk, and some instructor driving, limited passing. After HPDE 2 you ask your instructor to sign your log book( I forgot to mention you get a log book to measure your progress) and he will know if you are ready for HPDE 3. HPDE 3 is a bit harder because you are completely on your own, still limited passing but its mostly practice. You still will have to report to what we call download sessions which occur after you have gotten off the track. All of your group will talk about your experience, problems, anything you would like to share as a group, basically ask questions. HPDE 4 is harder to get into, you will have to prove to your instructor that you are worthy, safe, and a fast paced driver. HPDE 4 is advanced you will have other drivers who climbed up throught the levels and you will have experienced race car drivers who are practicing, or are not racing so are driving the family car and so on. HPDE 4 is also where the race groups also sneak into so that they can set up their cars and be ready for their race. HPDE 4 is also shared with ME or better said the time trial group. I must mention HPDE 4 is for real, open passing anywhere and any way one can. you can get passed in a corner under braking or on straights. HPDE 3 some cars have R compounds and some dont. HPDE 4 all have R compound tires. By the time you get to group four you will already be very acquainted with Marshals, organizers and regulars so its really easy at that level to get your race license. Or you can start competing in the Time trial group which ever suits you best. Its fun. I must mention, I mean just in case you are in a hurry, it usually takes about a whole season before you reach HPDE 4 status, unless you are Michael schumacker, but I have seen it done. If you have any questions PM me or visit Nasa's website, www.NASAPRORACING.com O by the way HPDE class DOESN'T require you to have a roll cage. I hope this isnt to long. If you want to go and watch Ill be there saturday and sunday. Silver E46 coupe 328. Car #10.

Ok, guys here are some pics that I took at the track, no action shots since I went alone.

http://photos.e46fanatics.com/showph...cat/500/page/1

http://photos.e46fanatics.com/showph...cat/500/page/1

Missed this post...

Thanks for the pics. Good to see another bimmer at the tracks! Btw, are those magnetic numbers? Or vinyl decals?

Originally Posted by Mpower619

Ok, guys here are some pics that I took at the track, no action shots since I went alone.

http://photos.e46fanatics.com/showph...cat/500/page/1

http://photos.e46fanatics.com/showph...cat/500/page/1

they are vinyl. I bought ten sets for the whole season. I take them off when I come home. Thanks for the support, we BMW drivers have to show everyone else that we know how to drive our cars and are not just snobs in expensive toys. I hope you had fun. Good luck in future rides..