High Speed Driver's Education Event (Special Ed & I)

[CarolinaViper]

Ed and I attended the HPDE course last weekend (May 14-15) put on by NASA-SE, at Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw SC, overall I would rate it a 10. This was the 3rd track session for me and the 1st for ED. Ed was driving a 2015 TA-2 (number 001), what a car very very nice. Although, we had a heavy class load in the HPDE-1 event over 20 cars, we had plenty of track time - five 20-minute session each day, with three 20-30 minute classroom session. I can't speak for Ed's instructor, but mine was great, his name was Dez White, been driving for 11 years or so (Ex-NFL player) and really understood the track, Viper, and my capabilities. Dez is the best instructor I have had in three visits to the track (sorry Tim), he was just great. This was Ed's first visit to the track, hopefully he will get the itch like I did and want to go back.

I going to insert two videos the first is 17 min (all the GoPro would record) to show what its like driving in a HPDE-1 class with heavy traffic...still great, had plenty of open road at times, to advance our skills, and also allowed us to adjust our braking points when driving behind slower vehicles. For those that wonder what the driving experience is like with other than Vipers on the track, watch the entire video.

The second video is with ED and I driving in front of the class. Both our instructors wanted us to see what it was like having a fast car in front and then having a fast car behind you. Believe it or not, you have to learn not to follow the car in front nor worry about the vehicle behind, other than where it is on the track, because you can easily not drive the proper line if you not paying attention.

If you guys are interested in finding your and the Viper's capability in a safe environment with very qualified instructors this is the way to do it.

[DaveW]

Exciting!!! Great driving! Uh, what kind of sedan was that which caught up with you guys?

[Josrocket]

Sorry I couldnt make it. I had major fitment issues with my new stop tech big brake kit upgrade. The rears were not fitting. Finally finished them last night. I will post photos later. The car stops soooo well now. Money well spent. Also got my race pads for the next track day.

[CarolinaViper]

Exciting!!! Great driving! Uh, what kind of sedan was that which caught up with you guys?

It was some sort of Audi (8cyl with 400 plus HP) don't know the model. We were going slower do to traffic ahead. At the beginning we had the open track because Ed and I were #1 and #2 but then we caught up to the slower traffic.

[CarolinaViper]

Sorry I couldnt make it. I had major fitment issues with my new stop tech big brake kit upgrade. The rears were not fitting. Finally finished them last night. I will post photos later. The car stops soooo well now. Money well spent. Also got my race pads for the next track day.

Brakes are an important thing...The next time I'm going will be in Nov (2-3-4) if they have anything in the summer it will be to hot, plus we have our Region events June-July-August-October.

[DaveW]

It was some sort of Audi (8cyl with 400 plus HP) don't know the model. We were going slower do to traffic ahead. At the beginning we had the open track because Ed and I were #1 and #2 but then we caught up to the slower traffic.

Just ribbing ya, Jeff. I watched every bit of the 2 videos and could "feel" you taking the turns slower as you caught up to traffic, then blasting by when you got the clear-to-pass and the Audi dropping back. I want to get me a GoPro now! Awesome video.

[CarolinaViper]

Donna got me one for Christmas, still haven't figure it all out yet. Neat thing is that you can operate it from your iPhone...once you figure it out. That's why I only had two videos, a lot of operator error.

[Special Ed]

I realy enjoyed the weekend. This was the first time I ever tracked a car. How do you not track a TA2.0. I love this car. I enjoyed following Jeff in or last session so I could watch, follow and observe someone else's line.
The only down side was wearing out a front set of corsa's. Thanks to JohnB I'll have a new set for the Dragon.

[Wx-manBen]

I am glad you guys had a blast! My dad (Ed's Instructor) kept updating me and sending me pictures! He had nothing but good things to say! He said things went better when you two were following each other. CMP is a lower speed course with pretty much all late apex corners. NASA always does a good job with their events and I love running with them. Another good way to learn the track is to take rides with an Instructor. Dad did not take the Cobra or he would have taken you guys out.

[Josrocket]

Now that I got my brakes Im gonna do NCCAR or road atlanta next. I will do CMP in Nov with you as well.

[TCurtner]

I realy enjoyed the weekend. This was the first time I ever tracked a car. How do you not track a TA2.0. I love this car. I enjoyed following Jeff in or last session so I could watch, follow and observe someone else's line.
The only down side was wearing out a front set of corsa's. Thanks to JohnB I'll have a new set for the Dragon.

wearing out the fronts at CMP? Unless you went into the event with them well worn, that's too much wear - check your alignment, and have it set up (even if it's not out) by a good performance shop somewhere - go with a compromise setting for track/street. I did this on my 08 viper one year and went from wearing out fronts on any track, very quickly (with the factory alignment), to probably doubling the tire life thereupon - and with much better handling on turn in. Might try it anyway...

[Special Ed]

wearing out the fronts at CMP? Unless you went into the event with them well worn, that's too much wear - check your alignment, and have it set up (even if it's not out) by a good performance shop somewhere - go with a compromise setting for track/street. I did this on my 08 viper one year and went from wearing out fronts on any track, very quickly (with the factory alignment), to probably doubling the tire life thereupon - and with much better handling on turn in. Might try it anyway...

I'm not sure what you are call factory alignment as the TA is a very different spec than a SRT or GTS. The alignment was done two weeks before CMP. The specs were -2.5 fr cam, -1.5 rr cam, 0.14 fr toe, 0.24 rr toe, 6.3 fr cas, .07 rr cas. If you have different numbers that you have used with success I'd be happy to give them a try.