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| Another very early picture of Annie from her HPDE days. |
HPDE 2 – Learning the Track
HPDE 2 is very similar to HPDE 1, except passing is slightly expanded to other parts of the track such as smaller, shorter straightaways. In this level, you are allowed to drive without an instructor. The main focus should be concentrated on the line, and on driving smoothly. Usually, HPDE 1 and HPDE 2 run together in the same group, so a great way to learn the basics would be to do a lead-follow session with an instructor. In a lead-follow session, you do just that – the instructor leads, while you follow. Make sure you let the instructor know you’re following them though, so that they don’t leave you behind!
HPDE 3 – Learning Your Car
In this run group, you have a wide range of skill levels on the track all at one time, so be cautious. I call it the grey zone because here, you have new drivers that have barely graduated beyond HPDE 1 & 2, and drivers that are ready to move up to the HPDE 4 level. It is also scary because new drivers become too confident, and overdrive their cars. Spinning out seems to be a more common occurrence in HPDE 3 run groups, from personal observation. Though it is the next step up, HPDE 3 is much faster, and more aggressive. Passing zones are much more liberal, with restrictions on only the more technical areas of the track.
In HPDE 3, your concentration should be on refining your line, your braking points, and learning the limits of your car. On top of that you’ll have to learn how to share the track with other cars, whereas in HPDE 1 & 2, you never had to worry about another car at your door except for in the designated passing zones.
HPDE 4 – The Last Step!
This is the level where really good drivers stop short of competition racing. I’ve come across incredible drivers who have retired from racing and were out there to just have fun, and drivers who were good enough to race, but didn’t want to foot the cost of a roll cage and the other competition racing safety requirements.
For us, the idea is to fine tune the details, to develop that driver skill to be just as good as those other drivers I’ve mentioned. At this point, you’re good enough to no longer need my advice, because hopefully at HPDE 4 level, you’ll pretty much know what you’ll need to learn on your own.
If competition racing is too intense for you, HPDE 4 is the perfect run group. In this run group, there are no restrictions on passing, except for the drivers own good judgment. Short of competitive racing, HPDE 4 has the next best thing – Time Trialing!
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| Annie at Willow Springs a long time ago before telephoto lenses were invented. |
