BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)
 





 

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      07-22-2008, 04:29 PM   #1
Charles1
Second Lieutenant
18
Rep
243
Posts

Drives: 135i
Join Date: May 2008
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

HPDE without safety equipment = crazy?

For everyone that thinks HPDEs are 100% safe. Every event I have attended at least 1 car has wrecked.

http://www.nasaforums.com/viewtopic....st=0&sk=t&sd=a
Appreciate 0
      07-22-2008, 05:07 PM   #2
J Tyler
My ride: bimmergirl84
United_States
22
Rep
302
Posts

Drives: For free.
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: SloCal

iTrader: (0)

Like any other activity in Life, it's as safe as YOU make it.

If there's a fast/dangerous section of track, like T8 at Summit where the wall is right there, then it's up to YOU to realize that you should not be pushing yourself in that particular section of track. If you want to go fast safely in a dangerouns section of track, then you need to upgrade your safety equipment. Otherwise you very well may put yourself in the hospital.
Appreciate 0
      07-22-2008, 06:17 PM   #3
larryn
Lieutenant General
United_States
2146
Rep
10,176
Posts

Drives: '97 332ti, '21 X5 45e, '16 GT4
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Seattle

iTrader: (2)

I've almost been hit a few times by people going out of control, at >110mph both times.

I think the safest group to run in most of the time is one of the middle run groups, but anything can happen at any time.
Appreciate 0
      07-22-2008, 08:09 PM   #4
m3bs
Captain
m3bs's Avatar
62
Rep
657
Posts

Drives: 95 S54 M3, X5, GT4, GR Corolla
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: North Augusta, SC

iTrader: (1)

I'm concerned that the level of horsepower showing up at HPDE events may ultimately lead to the demise of these events. I'd like to think we can all play nice, but I've seen too many near-misses lately. With the speeds some of these cars are capable of, the incidents are only likely to get more serious.

Last week was my 100th track event, and I'm not ready to give it up yet. I do have a full cage, etc., but I'm not sure how much good it would do at 160+. My car can't get anywhere close to that speed, but every time a C6 Z06 blows by, I wish it could!
Appreciate 0
      07-22-2008, 10:58 PM   #5
Charles1
Second Lieutenant
18
Rep
243
Posts

Drives: 135i
Join Date: May 2008
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

I have had some close calls also... Just want everyone to realize HPDE can be a great place to explore you driving but at a risk...

In addition, if you ball up your car you pay the bill.
Appreciate 0
      07-23-2008, 02:08 AM   #6
J Tyler
My ride: bimmergirl84
United_States
22
Rep
302
Posts

Drives: For free.
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: SloCal

iTrader: (0)

"The price of man in motion is the occasional collision."
- Carroll Smith

That's an inevitable fact of cars, bikes, airplanes, roller skates, shopping carts, etc etc etc. To do those activities, you need to be OK with that fact, and plan for it. Make your car safe, and use common sense behind the wheel.

Personally, I think that well-run HPDE's make better drivers out of most people, and thereby result in the creation of safer and more competant street drivers. I think this gain in competancy, accident-avoidance ability, and car control ability far outweighs the cost (and risk) of the occasional on-track HPDE incident.


- $.02
Appreciate 0
      07-23-2008, 05:39 AM   #7
Endre
Lieutenant
Endre's Avatar
Norway
17
Rep
420
Posts

Drives: E36 M3 3.2 (321hp)
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Molde

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2008 E82 120d  [10.00]
hehe, i have never been on this site before, but when i click your link it says i am banned.
__________________
120d, M-sport, H&R springs,Remus Exhaust, 135I kidneys, 18"BMW performance with Toyo T1R.(summer) 17" style 207 with Michelin Xice(winter), 17" M3 replica with Toyo R888 (Track), Hardwired H/K GPS 810. SOLD! Now driving E36 M3 3.2 (321Hp)
Track and Autox
Appreciate 0
      07-23-2008, 03:37 PM   #8
jrc
Second Lieutenant
37
Rep
257
Posts

Drives:
Join Date: Mar 2008

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by m3bs View Post
I'm concerned that the level of horsepower showing up at HPDE events may ultimately lead to the demise of these events.
Unfortunately this is sad but absolutely true. I've done track days going back 15 years and it's amazing how much more powerful all cars are now. Back then it was only the exotics that cracked 300hp -- now even our baby 1er does that.

I was at a NASA event last year when a guy that should have known better (he looked to about 50'ish), running in the novice group, stuffed his brand new ViperGTS into a concrete retainer. He walked away but the car was history. Whether its related or not, I have no idea, but that track no longer runs NASA events, and I consider NASA to be one of the best run/safest HPDE outfits around.

Although I'm not a big fan of auto-x, I still think it's by far the best way to get to know your car safely before tapping into the big speed (and big trouble) that you can get into in HPDE.
__________________
"To add speed, add lightness." Colin Chapman
Appreciate 0
      07-24-2008, 12:11 AM   #9
Charles1
Second Lieutenant
18
Rep
243
Posts

Drives: 135i
Join Date: May 2008
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

Cars killed at HPDEs I have attended

Supercharged S2000
Intergra Type R (my brother)
GT2
Viper GTS
MINI
2 - STI
Appreciate 0
      07-24-2008, 01:11 AM   #10
J Tyler
My ride: bimmergirl84
United_States
22
Rep
302
Posts

Drives: For free.
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: SloCal

iTrader: (0)

Cars killed at the bajillion HPDE's I've attended:
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:49 AM.




1addicts
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST