Originally published July 12, 2019. Last updated July 15, 2024.
Most people get in a car to reach a destination, but with HPDE, it’s about the journey of getting there. An HPDE experience at the track is like nothing else. You get to drive on some of the most famous tracks in motorsports history, learn the true capabilities of your own car and develop driving skills you can use for the rest of your life.
But whether it’s your first track day, or far from your first day, a lot of drivers can’t shake the feeling of wanting more. It’s a common question: how do you make the most of these HPDE events you drive in? More laps and more driving is where many people start. But often, the best part of an event are the things that happen off the track.
Over the years, there’s been a great HPDE community developing at events all around the United States. Many drivers agree that it’s this community that is key to getting more out of your HPDE experience. Here’s how.
1. Make Friends
Some of the best friendships in life are built around shared experiences and shared passions. HPDE combines both. Try to strike up a conversation next time you’re in the paddock. Most everyone at HPDE is friendly, and you already have a lot in common. Group dinners associated with events are also a great opportunity for making friends and meeting interesting people who share your love of HPDE.
2. Get Rides
HPDE instructors are a fixture at most events. Some organizations will even require novices to work with the event’s instructors. But even if working with an instructor is not required, it can still be a huge help to your driving. If an instructor offers you a ride-along, take them up on it. Riding with an instructor is a great way to see and experience the skills you’re working to develop in action.
3. Go to Classes
Drive time is important, but there are many ways of learning and you can benefit more by combining different methods. In addition to your track time, classes are a big one. Always make a point to attend pre-track classroom sessions and after-session download meetings, if an event offers them. This mix of classroom time spent on the HPDE physics, strategies and on-track instruction help to give you the best learning experience possible.
4. Watch Other Drivers
Some of the first skills you learned as a kid probably came to you by watching someone else, figuring out what they were doing and copying them. As an adult, watch-and-learn is still a great tactic for improving skills behind the wheel. Make sure to take time to watch the other groups and sessions on the track. Whether their HPDE level is above or below you, there’s always something to be learned from everyone.
5. Study Up
Even something as simple as a memorization exercise can play a big role in helping you improve in HPDE. For your next event, try to fully commit the track’s map to memory. It can take some time to get all the turns down, in the right order, with all the details, but practice makes perfect. The benefit of memorizing the track map is that it takes the guesswork out of the equation. You’ll know for sure whether the next turn is fast or slow and left or right.
6. Prepare Mentally
Another way to practice away from the track is to run laps in your head. You’ve studied the map, driven the track, learned the response of your car, discussed everything with instructors and watched other drivers for comparison. Now it’s time to close your eyes and think your way through a session. This is a great way to develop your own personal plan on how you will handle certain aspects of the track.
Making Your HPDE Experience Your Own
Everyone goes to the track with different goals for the day. Part of feeling like you got the most out of your experience is going to be working toward your own particular goals for that session. Maybe you need to get comfortable with a new track, work on driving a faster line or want to get more involved in the HPDE community.
Whatever your goals, be conscious of what you want to achieve and pick strategies and tactics that help take you in that direction. And if you’re not sure? Ask. Let instructors and mentors at your event know that you’re looking to improve and ask for advice. You’ll be glad you did.
Finally, if you’re interested in protecting your track car from the risk of damage at your next event, Lockton Motorsports offers HPDE Insurance designed just for motorsports participants like you.
Our HPDE, track day and time trial coverage includes:
- Street-legal cars and non-licensed track cars.
- Modifications you’ve made to your car.
- Two drivers at each event at no additional cost.
- Any demonstration laps your instructor drives.
Coverage can be purchased conveniently, either ahead of time or the day of an event, online at LocktonMotorsports.com. Questions? We’re happy to help! Give us a call at (866) 582-4957 to speak to our motorsports insurance experts.