Chasing a C7… my first HPDE
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 485
Likes: 90
From: '97 Coupe & '07 Coupe in Allentown, PA
Chasing a C7… my first HPDE
I participated in my first HPDE event this past weekend. It was at Pocono Raceway through Hooked on Driving.
Here is some video from my 4th and last 25-minute session of the day.
We had a brief shower right before this final run which soaked only a portion of the 3.5 mile circuit.
I put on new rotors, racing pads, stainless steel brake lines and racing brake fluid for the event but I’m still running run-flat all-season tires which were crap on the track.
Someday I may own a C7. But on this day, I was very happy to just chase one.
And most importantly, I was able to drive my car home afterwards with no damage.
Here is some video from my 4th and last 25-minute session of the day.
We had a brief shower right before this final run which soaked only a portion of the 3.5 mile circuit.
I put on new rotors, racing pads, stainless steel brake lines and racing brake fluid for the event but I’m still running run-flat all-season tires which were crap on the track.
Someday I may own a C7. But on this day, I was very happy to just chase one.
And most importantly, I was able to drive my car home afterwards with no damage.
Last edited by Witmer; Aug 17, 2015 at 02:30 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 858
Likes: 75
From: Medford, Oregon
I participated in my first HPDE event this past weekend. It was at Pocono Raceway through Hooked on Driving.
Here is some video from my 4th and last 25-minute secession of the day.
We had a brief shower right before this final run which soaked only a portion of the 3.5 mile circuit.
I put on new rotors, racing pads, stainless steel brake lines and racing brake fluid for the event but I’m still running run-flat all-season tires which were crap on the track.
Someday I may own a C7. But on this day, I was very happy to just chase one.
And most importantly, I was able to drive my car home afterwards with no damage.
Here is some video from my 4th and last 25-minute secession of the day.
We had a brief shower right before this final run which soaked only a portion of the 3.5 mile circuit.
I put on new rotors, racing pads, stainless steel brake lines and racing brake fluid for the event but I’m still running run-flat all-season tires which were crap on the track.
Someday I may own a C7. But on this day, I was very happy to just chase one.
And most importantly, I was able to drive my car home afterwards with no damage.
These moments are fantastic in owning our Corvettes and starting to really understand your cars +/- handling capabilities, while also improving your own driving/reaction skills on a track that translates to a better driver on the street. And getting to share those moments with your kid, priceless !!! It becomes addictive, watch out, lol !! 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,361
Likes: 51
From: Dallas Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
These moments are fantastic in owning our Corvettes and starting to really understand your cars +/- handling capabilities, while also improving your own driving/reaction skills on a track that translates to a better driver on the street. And getting to share those moments with your kid, priceless !!! It becomes addictive, watch out, lol !! 
Miles of Smiles
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,180
Likes: 559
From: Omaha Nebraska
2016 C5 of the Year Finalist
These moments are fantastic in owning our Corvettes and starting to really understand your cars +/- handling capabilities, while also improving your own driving/reaction skills on a track that translates to a better driver on the street. And getting to share those moments with your kid, priceless !!! It becomes addictive, watch out, lol !! 
100%...although my daughter isn't a huge motorsports fan, I still share my enthusiasm...and we enjoy sharing those moments!
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
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Very 
and had to be a great time, especially with your kid.
and had to be a great time, especially with your kid.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 485
Likes: 90
From: '97 Coupe & '07 Coupe in Allentown, PA
LOL. No, my son wasn't at Pocono with me for the HPDE. If you follow the video link to photobucket and see photos in the same album of my son and I with a trophy, that's from bracket racing at the drag strip last year.
"There are no trophies in HPDE".
"There are no trophies in HPDE".
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 485
Likes: 90
From: '97 Coupe & '07 Coupe in Allentown, PA
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Advanced
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 94
Likes: 4
From: Afton NY
I've done a couple HPDE's thru Hooked On Driving at Watkins Glenn. Besides being the most fun you can "legally" have driving your car, it is a great learning experience. Like you, I was on new brakes and run-flats the first time. I switched to a set of Bridgestone RE-11 tires, and it made a world of difference. It's amazing what these cars can do when you learn how to correctly drive them.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,518
Likes: 37
Anyone can do this on a local track and with a stock corvette. Just look for HPDE event with a school the first time so you have an instructor and get to know the rules of the track, flags, etc.. Once you know what you are doing you can go to any HPDE event you can find and drive your car to its limits. Just be careful if you need to drive the car home!
Just mentioning that because some people think you need a specialized car to go on a track.
You do need to buy a car rated helmet to drive on a track.