[stamd1]

I went out yesterday afternoon and drove laps at High Plains Raceway. http://www.highplainsraceway.com/ The experience was awesome. On open lapping days, the public can come out. A 1/2 days cost $90. There were only 8 other cars lapping yesterday afternoon. The cars included: Mercedes SL55 AMG, Porsche Boxter, Cayman, 911, 1969 Carrera, a race prepped Mazda MX5, a modded VW R32 with racing slicks, and an old Alfa Romeo race car. The course is technical with a couple of decreasing radius turns and a couple of blind turns due to elevation gain and loss. On the longest straight, I was able to reach 125mph before braking. I ran my initial laps with DTC/DSC. DSC saved me a couple times from spinning out in the middle of a turn. DSC will not prevent you from sliding off the track onto the gravel if you don't make a sudden correction that would cause a spin. My outside wheels went off the track on a couple of turns. I was able to drive a couple of laps with the MX5 race car driver who also is a driving instructor. The first thing that he had me do when he got in the car was to disable DTC and DSC. The few tips he told me and the lines that he showed me were invaluable and humbling. I always thought I was a pretty good driver. I ran my car hard up to 5 laps at a time and saw the oil temp gauge hit 280F. The brakes held up well and I never noticed any fade. The car performed well and I was only at the raceway 2.5hrs before having to leave in order to fill up the tank at Byers, Colorado. I began lapping with 3/4 full tank. I will definitely show up next time with a full tank. I averaged 7.8mpg while lapping and 28.6mpg driving on interstate 70 getting to the racetrack and back. Lapping was a great experience and made me realize that I only use about 10% or less of my car's capability during daily driving.

[Appropriate]

Interesting report. Thx Stamd1.

[chanceparker]

Thanks for the information. What safety equipment do they require to run laps?

Also, will they let passengers ride along as well? I would love to take my son on a few laps, he would love it.

[forza1976]

Awesome... Sounds like a good time!

[stamd1]

Drivers must wear a racing helmet or motorcycle helmet. Passengers must be at least 18.

[nomile]

Originally Posted by stamd1

... The few tips he told me and the lines that he showed me were invaluable and humbling. I always thought I was a pretty good driver.

My suggestion: RMCCA driving school. Speak about humbling and invaluable... Not at HPR, unfortunately, but a hell of a good time.

[IN54NITY]

Originally Posted by nomile

My suggestion: RMCCA driving school. Speak about humbling and invaluable... Not at HPR, unfortunately, but a hell of a good time.

Yes... One soon finds out that driver mods are much more important than vehicle mods...

[Xiaofeng]

Originally Posted by aleckzandr

Yes... One soon finds out that driver mods are much more important than vehicle mods...

Exactly. I like to tell people that "The first and most important mod that you do to any car is to mod the idiot behind the wheel."

Unfortunately, I probably won't be able to make it to HPR this season, but there's always next spring! It looks incredibly fun!