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Connect with fellow drivers. Share knowledge, setups, and track conditions.
After ten years of running HPDE events in everything from a stock Miata to a prepped E46 M3, here is the car prep checklist I run through before every single ev...
I have been doing HPDE events for about two years now and trail braking is the one technique that still feels inconsistent. I understand the concept — maintain ...
I see a lot of confusion from newer drivers about how passing works at HPDE events, especially at tracks like Laguna Seca where the narrow sections make positio...
Every debrief I do with newer drivers eventually comes back to the same root cause: they are looking at the wrong thing at the wrong time. Vision drives everyth...
Nov 8, 2025
Temperature: 58°F
Surface: Coastal fog rolled in overnight and the track was damp through the first two sessions. The Corkscrew area stayed damp longest due to the elevation and shade from surrounding terrain. Turns 8 and 9 had noticeably less grip than the lower sections of the circuit. The front straight and Turn 1 area dried first. By midday the entire surface was dry but track temperature remained cool, keeping overall grip lower than a typical summer day.
November fog events are common at Laguna Seca and the conditions can change dramatically within a single session. The Andretti Hairpin (Turn 2) collects moisture and sand blown in from the surrounding area — treat it with caution in damp conditions. Despite the lower grip, the cooler temperatures are actually easier on brakes and tires. If you are running an event at Laguna in fall or winter, expect morning damp conditions and plan your tire pressures accordingly — start 2-3 PSI lower than summer targets.
Reported by Chris Tanferno
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Just finished my first full weekend at The Glen — Group 1 with NASA Northeast. Wanted to share some things I learned the hard way so the next first-timer can be...
Oct 22, 2025
Temperature: 62°F
Surface: Heavy rain overnight left standing water at Turn 3 apex and the low point between Turns 10a and 10b. The new pavement through Turn 1 complex drained faster than the older sections. By midday the standing water was gone but the surface remained wet. Painted curbs were extremely slick — avoid at all costs in these conditions.
Track went from fully wet to damp over the course of the morning. The transition period was the most challenging — some sections had grip while others were still slippery, making it hard to build a consistent mental map of available grip. ABS was activating frequently into Turn 1 and Turn 7 even with moderate braking. Strongly recommend rain tires or at minimum a 200TW tire with adequate tread depth.
Reported by Chris Tanferno
Sep 14, 2025
Temperature: 78°F
Surface: Excellent surface condition throughout. The repave from 2022 is holding up well with no significant patches or bumps. Minor dust on the outside of Turn 1 from cars tracking out wide. The curbing at the bus stop is aggressive but intact — avoid riding it hard with a low car.
Grip came up significantly by session 2 as rubber was laid down. By afternoon the track was extremely grippy — I picked up nearly a second from the morning just from the surface improvement. Water stations are available at the paddock entrance and near the registration building. Porta-potties were clean and well-stocked.
Reported by Chris Tanferno
Aug 3, 2025
Temperature: 71°F
Surface: Heavy dew on the track surface for the first session at 8 AM — the shaded sections through the Climbing Esses and the Oak Tree complex stayed damp until about 9:30 AM. Once dry, the surface was in excellent condition. The repaved North Course sections have noticeably more grip than the older pavement on the South Course connector. Small patch of rough surface at the exit of Hog Pen on the outside — not a problem unless you are tracking out aggressively.
Morning dew is a known factor at VIR from June through September. Treat session 1 as a warm-up even on a clear day — the grip level at 8 AM is dramatically lower than at 10 AM. By the afternoon sessions the track temperature was well above ambient and grip was exceptional. Tire wear was moderate — the surface is abrasive but not as harsh as Sebring.
Reported by Chris Tanferno
Jul 19, 2025
Temperature: 88°F
Surface: Surface in good overall condition. The concrete patches on the back straight have slightly less grip than the surrounding asphalt — noticeable under braking for the Keyhole. Minor bump developing at the apex of Turn 4 (Keyhole) that unsettles the car under braking. The curbing throughout is relatively mild compared to other tracks — you can use most of it without penalty.
Extremely hot day — track surface temperature was well above ambient. Tire degradation was noticeable by session 4, especially on soft compound tires. I was losing grip progressively through the long right-hander at the Keyhole and the fast left at Thunder Valley. Heat management was the story of the day — both the car and the driver. Short sessions (15-minute) worked much better than the 20-minute sessions in these conditions. Multiple cars had overheating issues.
Reported by Chris Tanferno