Instructor = Fail - aka "Dan's last day as an Instructor"

"I wasn't going to post this initially because it seems to be popping up everywhere, but after consideration I wanted to make certain that everyone had a chance to see how not to instruct your students on track.  This guy is an embarrassment to all driving instructors. 

Please note that the good folks that run Hooked on Driving  have made certain that "Instructor Dan" is done with HOD events.

2010 Midwest / Great Lakes HPDE Schedule

The cold days and snow are starting to drag me down, so I thought it might be best to start thinking about, and planning for, the warmer days ahead. (Hopefully dry and warm days ahead)

So to that end I starting compiling a master schedule of Mid-Western/Great Lakes HPDE's for 2010. Looking forward to seeing you at the track in 2010 and don't forget to check out the rest of ScuderiaAsinoGrigio.

PLEASE POST CHANGES / ADDITIONS IN THE COMMENT SECTION BELOW!

Image via (Road America on Facebook)

April 3-4 - Gingerman - Gingerman Open Track Weekend

April 9-11 - Mid-Ohio- NASA GL

April 10 - Gingerman.- 3BallsRacing

April 10-11 - Putnam Park- MVP Tracktime

April 17-18 – Gateway International - NASA

May 1-2 – Autobahn CC - Windy City BMW

May 15-16 - Putnam Park - NASA

May 15-16 – Autobahn CC - Northwoods Region Shelby Club

May 22-23 – Brainerd International - NASA

May 22-23 - Autobahn CC - TrackDaze

June 7- Autobahn Country Club (FULL 3.56 mile track) MVP Tracktime

June 12-13 - Blackhawk Farms - NASA

June 14 - Blackhawk Farms - Badger Bimmers

June 26-27 – Gingerman - Windy City BMW

July 2-4 - Gingerman - SEMPCA

July 12 - Blackhawk Farms - Badger Bimmers

July 12-13 - Road America - PCA Nord Stern DE

July 17, 18 - Autobahn Country Club- NASA

July 23-25 - Mid-Ohio- NASA GL

August 9- Autobahn Country Club (FULL 3.56 mile track) MVP Tracktime

August 13-15 - Mid-Ohio- NASA GL

August 21-22 – Putnam Park- NASA

August 23-28 - Road America - BMWCCA Octoberfest - Badger Bimmers

August 28-29 - Calabogie- 3BallsRacing

September 3-5 - Road America - PCA-Chicago TRAC

September 11-12 - Autobahn CC - NASA

September 18-19 – Eagles Canyon TX MVP Tracktime

September 26-27 - Putnam Park - Windy City BMW

October 1-3 - Road America - BMW Octoberfast- Badger Bimmers

October 9-10- Putnam Park- NASA

October 16-17 -Road America - MVP Tracktime

November 20-21 –Road Atlanta - MVP Tracktime

AdvanTech Studios HPDE Tribute - Calabogie

A great look at Calabogie Motorsports park provided the AdvanTech Studios. Not only do they make a HPDE look as cool as a shuttle launch, but the productions values are off the charts. If you like Porsches, especially GT3RS's and Carrera GT's this will be a great use of the next three minutes of your life. Enjoy!

Potentially the Ultimate Track Day Video!

Gotland Ring from Anders Bäckman on Vimeo.

Autobahn Country Club

The Autobahn Country Club in Joliet, IL is a terrifically fun private driving club track designed by Alan Wilson.  While I am not currently a member, the track is available for rental by various private driving groups as well as by NASA and SCCA sanctioned clubs.

When I first started out in HPDE's I hated the Autobahn CC.  It felt like it was impossible to find any type of rhythm to the track, and whenever you built up some momentum, there was crazy slow, or double apex corner that threw you off.

Now I have to admit that the Autobahn CC is one of my favorite tracks, with lots of neat corners, minor elevation changes, and technical challenges to keep it interesting.  

I thought that I would include a clip from a fun day there this last July.  As you watch it please note that the Z06 Corvette is behind me for the first couple of laps, and is driving a much better line than after he passes.  Enjoy!

Welcome!

This blog has been a long time coming...so my apologies to anyone that has been searching it out.  

I thought that the best way to start would be to burn a few lines describing what I am hoping that this blog will become, with the hope that if you start with a goal you are more likely to hit it, instead of wildly flailing and missing the target completely.  

So here goes...

I see this blog as three things,

1. A place to record my development, both as a driver and as a person.
2. A listing of local, regional and sometimes national HPDE's and Auto Racing Events.
3. A catch-all for observations, car-culture news,  racing results, and other junk and stuff.

So these are my goals in starting down this path. I guess we will see where this all goes. and /or what this becomes or not.  

If you happen to read any of this, please don't hesitate to let me know what you think of the content--both positive and or negative.  Ciao for now.