Davis Silver Sti
09-06-2004, 03:33 PM
Robbie and I had a great time at the HPDE (high performance driving education) at the legendary Mid-Ohio raceway. This school is put on by the BMW CCA organization and is organized very well while providing top-notch driving instructors at high speeds.
Basically, you have classroom sessions followed by track sessions and some observations of other drivers and ride-alongs. An instructor is with you in the car and will give input on the racing line, car physics, braking techniques and many other important factors.
This was my second HPDE with the BMW CCA club. I've done other such events in Sweden and in Calif but this one has much more focus on racing lines and vehicle dynamics.
Mid-Ohio is a top 5 track in the USA and a top 8 track in the world. Considered a very technical track, it places an emphasis on proper lines and braking techniques as well as some bravery over certain blind crests at 80+. Speeds range from (in an EVO, STi, or M3) 40mph around the carosel, to 130mph at the end of the back straight. Definately a course to see and run sometime in your life if you are into road racing.
Robbie did very well and I know was at the top of the D begining class. ( I'll let him give the 1st person review :D ) The EVO looked great on track and he did a great job of putting it in the right places.
The STi did well all weekend. Last year I remembered what a beating the brakes take on this course and blew it this year by not changing out my pads before the event. I ran into some interesting brake feedback going into turn 7 at 130mph. After that I eased up on my brakes on the long straight and decided to focus more on the rest of the course. Brakes did fine the rest of the weekend (getting new pads and fluids this week I promised myself) and the power and torque of the STi was wonderful to take advantage of. I was able to keep the car in 4th gear thru much of the track and just use 5th and 6th on the straight. It was alot of fun catching up to and passing M3's :P
It is rather difficult for me to describe what driving on the track is like in a steet car. I have experience driving a race Mini Cooper, Peugeot 305, 406 and 606's, Ferrari 355 Pace car, but the STi is the first daily-driven car that I have actually tracked. It is a completely different experience that gives the driver more appreciation of the car one drives every day.
Anyways we had a great safe, fast, and fun weekend.
I have some in-car video that I hope to get online somtime this week.
Also took a ton of pics...here are a few of Robbie eating it up!
Basically, you have classroom sessions followed by track sessions and some observations of other drivers and ride-alongs. An instructor is with you in the car and will give input on the racing line, car physics, braking techniques and many other important factors.
This was my second HPDE with the BMW CCA club. I've done other such events in Sweden and in Calif but this one has much more focus on racing lines and vehicle dynamics.
Mid-Ohio is a top 5 track in the USA and a top 8 track in the world. Considered a very technical track, it places an emphasis on proper lines and braking techniques as well as some bravery over certain blind crests at 80+. Speeds range from (in an EVO, STi, or M3) 40mph around the carosel, to 130mph at the end of the back straight. Definately a course to see and run sometime in your life if you are into road racing.
Robbie did very well and I know was at the top of the D begining class. ( I'll let him give the 1st person review :D ) The EVO looked great on track and he did a great job of putting it in the right places.
The STi did well all weekend. Last year I remembered what a beating the brakes take on this course and blew it this year by not changing out my pads before the event. I ran into some interesting brake feedback going into turn 7 at 130mph. After that I eased up on my brakes on the long straight and decided to focus more on the rest of the course. Brakes did fine the rest of the weekend (getting new pads and fluids this week I promised myself) and the power and torque of the STi was wonderful to take advantage of. I was able to keep the car in 4th gear thru much of the track and just use 5th and 6th on the straight. It was alot of fun catching up to and passing M3's :P
It is rather difficult for me to describe what driving on the track is like in a steet car. I have experience driving a race Mini Cooper, Peugeot 305, 406 and 606's, Ferrari 355 Pace car, but the STi is the first daily-driven car that I have actually tracked. It is a completely different experience that gives the driver more appreciation of the car one drives every day.
Anyways we had a great safe, fast, and fun weekend.
I have some in-car video that I hope to get online somtime this week.
Also took a ton of pics...here are a few of Robbie eating it up!