As you know, a group of us attended Mazda Drivers' HPDE held at VIR (Full Course). The group included Pete, Barrie, Jeff, Mani, me and my brother Kevin (he was driving his Civic Si). We missed Skip, George, Mike, Cale and Jeff who couldn't make it out there.

My impression of the course was . I was impressed by the facility as soon as I got onto the road leading up to the race track. It was a three-lane road lined with trees on both sides. The facility was clean and well maintained. We all stayed at the Lodge, which was literally next to the race track. You can see parts of the race track from the balcony.

Overall, I thought the event was well organized. The main class room instructor was very knowledgeable, and I got a great instructor too. I noticed that this was the first event that I've attended where they actually pretty much stuck to schedule. I'm not sure if it was because of the Mazda group or the VIR track folks managing the groups' runs.

The course itself is really nice with smooth pavement, technical turns, nice elevation changes and long straights. I actually had time to take deep breaths and relax a bit on the long straights. I would say this is a track suited for high-horse power cars, but the S2000 held its own in the turns.

We all got there Friday evening to get teched and register. That's when I found out I was placed in the Blue group instead of Green. I'm not sure how that happended, but it was a great experience regardless. I found the Blue group to have less "trains" around the track compared to the Green group. I think it's probably because the Green group had guys who might not have had known when to point by drivers faster than them. In the first two sessions, I was pointing by pretty much every car trying to memorize the track and figure out how to get around the track. Once I got a ride in my instructors' car and Pete's, I was passing a lot of cars by the third session on the first day (except for most of the modded Vettes, the GT3, and a M3). I also got signed off to go solo by the beginning of the second day along with everyone else in the group. That was also a great experience!

I would love to go back to VIR one day. May be with the Audi club in November?? Better yet, may be we can do FC '08 at VIR?

Here are some pics. My camera's battery ran out, but I took plenty of pics with Mani's camera. He should post them soon. I also took some in-car video, but I don't know how to put the clips on YouTube and I ran out of tape both days during the last session, which were my fastest ones. Oh yeah... I almost ran out of gas during the third session of the second day. I was keeping the weight down by running a third of a tank and forgot to fill up after my second run. Luckily, my engine started to stall a few turns before pit-in, so I pitted, got some gas and went back out.

 

cool pictures, Calvin!!

Lot of pictures you had taken with my camera were blurry like the 4th one you've posted. I'll post the good ones tonight!

 

Nobody missed me



Thanks for the write-up Calvin, looks like you guys had a great time!

 

Edited.

 

Hahahaha I was only kidding, but thanks for the edit

 

 

 

I missed out.. I flew directly over the track saturday morning...

Greatest track on the east coast, great friends, sitting on the balcony drinking beer staring at the track...
Doesnt get better than that.
Hopefully Ill be able to make the next one!

 

I swear it was the camera.

 

The best part of the event was hanging out with everyone.

Pete and Barrie mentioned an Audi event at VIR in November. Can't remember the dates. Check the HPDE schedule thread.