[killer_bluebird]

I'm starting to make arrangement and plans for my first HPDE and need help deciding on what to do. Here is the link to the event. http://www.racenasa.com/infopages/INFOPAGE...OHIOAPRIL06.htm

It's a 3 day event. I'm trying to decide whether to do 1 day, 2 days or 3 days. It seems like the 2 hotels closest to the track are already booked, so I made a reservation on the nearest one 10 miles away (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/banghead.gif) . I guess it is better than a 1 1/2 hr drive. I would be signing in for HPDE1. I've been to open track events before, but have never been to a driving school type event so I'm not sure what to expect.

So the dilemma is do I just go Friday knowing that there are not going to be as many people and learn as much as I can then and skip Saturday and Sunday? Go to the Saturday and Sunday events only or go all 3 days? Cost is a consideration $460 for a weekend of learning is certainly cheaper than a 3 Day acura course at mid Ohio but is not cheap either, I mean including lodging gas and equipment. I do understand that if you want to play you have to pay, I just want to be able to optimize my learning experience. Is it better to take one Day lesson at a time then look for open track days to practice before taking another lesson or Am I going to be able to continue learning as I practice during the 3 days. I do not want go to work on monday morning in a comatose state either. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

Also is is worth it to rent a transponder on your first event? I'm hoping Nelson post some open track days dates before this so I can shakedown the car as I've been busy all winter tweaking the car. Sorry for all the questions but any and all suggestions are welcome.

[jensend]

Definitely get all the in-car instruction and seat time that you can afford. HPDE,Time Trials, and similar events are all about developing car control skills and gaining "track savvy". The more feedback you can get as you are developing your skills, the fewer bad habits you'll develop. The more time you spend on track dealing with traffic, passing and other situations, the more comfortable you'll be when you go out alone on a hot track with variable traffic. Each day reinforces the learning of the one previous to it. As a result, if your car and your wallet is up to it, doing three days in a row would provide excellent seat time and opportunity to get comfortable with the track. Single day events tend to limit progress since so much of the day is spent getting familiar with the track and getting comfortable with the track driving environment. By the time things begin to "click" the day is usually just about over. Also, if you know you'll be back the next day, there's less chance of overdriving the car at the end of the day trying to "get the most out of it".