I’m still working through all the data from Saturday’s HPDE event at Thunderhill but I figured I’d share some pictures, video and feedback.
Overall the day was a huge success! Despite having gone to Thunderhill for over 15yrs (as a spectator/passenger rider), this was basically my first time driving this track, and in a car I’m still dialing in and getting used to. Unfortunately since I signed up last minute, NCRC (event organizer) was completely booked but they were able to get me into the advanced (open) group given my experience at Laguna and familiarity with racing techniques/etiquette. I didn’t have an instructor per say, but rather went off my experience as a passenger and having my friend/passenger point the turns-out, especially the blind ones (which Thunderhill has a decent amount of).
Since we got a late start I only got 4 of 5 sessions in. My first session was a wash as most of it was spent learning the track and developing a driving line. Also we discovered the breather system was having major issues (more of that down below). The second session I was getting faster, more comfortable with the car but still having oil breather issues. The third session was even better but still having oil breather problems. The fourth and final session was great.