Park Place Experience Academy Inaugural 2-Day HPDE

PARK PLACE EXPERIENCE ACADEMY 2 Day HPDE INAUGURAL EVENT

October 5th and 6th

Event Requirements: 

The Park Place Experience Academy (PPEA) welcomes all driving enthusiasts to attend our inaugural event. We are a non marque specific group and welcome all types of vehicles. In the interest of clarification, we would like to outline the basic criteria that should be met for this inaugural event, in order to place you safely in the appropriate run group. We make every effort to ensure that drivers are placed in run groups with other drivers of comparable "packages".  Packages is defined as the performance capacity of the vehicle and/or the driver's comparable experience and ability to extract the given vehicle performance safely.  This insures that run groups are balanced, safe and fun.  This guideline is mean to serve as a tool to help you decide where you would fit best in PPEA. Our Motto is “Safety First”

License:

You must present your valid State Issued Driver's License at registration.  Age requirement for this event is 18 years of age or older.

Run Group Criteria:

October 5th and 6th is for all High Performance Driver Education participants.  This Event will be limited to 28 participants, per each run group who will run the 1.65 mile road course with the “Roller Coaster” crossover layout at Eagles Canyon Raceway. 

We are a non marque specific group and welcome all types of vehicles.

The Novice Run Group is also known as the Red Run Group.  Must have prior experience on-track with either successfully completing a Highway Safety Course, Car Control Clinic with any other recognized program or having participated in Autocross or another Novice HPDE program.  This will be a fully instructed program designed for novice HPDE participants with “Safety First” techniques.  The group will focus on safety and introductory track day skills.  The Red Run Group will run with limited passing in restricted areas only. 

NOTE:  This run group is not designed for participants that have not been on-track before.  In the interest of Safety, our track program for basic beginners starts at our Car Control Clinics.  We hold Car Control Clinics only days 4 times per year.  This allow us to focus on providing the true beginner with a true entry level on-track program.  Our Car Control Clinic program features basic car control skills provided.

The Intermediate Run Group is also known as the Bronze Run Group.    The Bronze Run Group is our intermediate run group.  This will be a modified solo/instructed group, focusing on safety and basic advanced techniques.  We will teach the basic techniques of passing.  This Bronze Run Group will run limited passing in restricted areas only.   Must have prior experience driving solo without an instructor.  This Bronze Run Group will run limited passing in restricted areas only.   

The Advanced I Run Group is also known as the Silver Run Group.     In the interest of safety, we will run our program with grouping based on a variety of concepts, designed to peak participant’s interest while using proven techniques to maintain our goal of “Safety First”.  The Silver Run Group will feature solo advanced capable driver in lower HP/Lbs. ratios vehicles (slower) and/or participants with a limited spectrum of driver skills.  The Silver Run Group will run with enhance passing rules.  Participants will be assembled on the grid in fast, faster or fastest alignments.

The Advanced II Run Group is also known as the Gold Run Group.  In the interest of safety, we will run our program with grouping based on a variety of concepts, designed to peak participant’s interest while using proven techniques to maintain our goal of “Safety First”. The Gold Run Group will feature solo advanced capable drivers in higher HP/Lbs. ratio vehicles (the quickest group) and/or participants with an advanced spectrum of driver skills.  The Gold Run Group will run with enhanced passing rules. Participants will be assembled on the grid in fast, faster or fastest alignments.

Why are our Advanced groups not solely based on driver's experience?  The easy answer is- Place a Hamilton, Rossi or Bush in a Porsche Boxster or Mazda Miata and they may be fast in the corners, but their skill can’t help them down the straights.  Most professional races run in race groups controlled by performance, so will we.  We beleive from our experience, this makes for a SAFER EVENT.  If you are not comfortable with enhanced passing rules, then the Gold or Silver Run Groups are not your cup of tea!

Please note the above is a rough guideline.  Please contact our Chief Driving Instructors if you are not sure which group makes sense to you.  Mark Schnoerr (508-965-3851)   or Chuck Lutz (214-799-5004) 

NOTE:  We are not a marque specific organization.  Our program is designed for not only the GT performance vehicles, but for 4-door and SUV model across the whole automotive brand of manufacturers. SUV's must meet our rollover safety standards for height/length and center of gravity.  If you plan to run a SUV in this event, please contact our Safety Director: Chuck Lutz at 214-799-5004 to make sure your vehicle meets the minimum standards.

Vehicles:

We are a non marque specific group and welcome all types of vehicles.  Today most manufacturers make a GT performance based vehicle.  They are common names such as M3, Miata, WRX, 911, Boxster, 570 GT, Huracam, AMG-GT, Corvette, etc.  Most believe that you must have a GT performance vehicle.  This is simply not true.  We find the most fun vehicles are older models void of the fancy driver aid technology or the higher performance street vehicles such as the Mercedes E63, BMW M5, Panamera Turbo, Cayenne Turbo, etc.  Whatever is your flavor, bring it on.  The brand of car is not important, just bring a desire to improve one's driving skills in a safe and fun environment.  

Helmets:

Helmets with a SA-2010 or SA-2015 rating are PREFERRED for all PPEA Events.

Helmets with an M-rating are acceptable in vehicles with full stock configurations.  Motorcycle helmets do not have the proper safety requirements for car use, with a rollbar or with any non-factory seat belt system.  Motorcycle Helmets are not approved in conjunction with a roll bar or any non-factory seat belt system. 

If your helmet does not meet the above standards, we may have loan helmets available... limited sizes and quantity are available. 

Head/Neck Restraint Systems:

An approved head/neck restraint system is required for all participants when used in conjunction with any vehicle where 4-point, 5-point and 6-point safety restraints are installed and used.  All passengers must be equally restrained.  There are systems available through HANS or Simpson.  With the idea of “Safety First”, we prefer that all participants wear an approved head/neck restraint system that is designed to work with your factory installed 3-point harness system.  Simpson makes a great head/neck restraint system designed to work with a modern factory restraint system. 

Pre-Track Safety Tech Inspection:

All participant’s vehicles must have a complete safety inspection prior to arriving at the track.  The vehicle should be safety inspected by a certified dealer or a certified repair facility of the appropriate vehicle manufacturer.  Participants should bring their completed Tech Form to the At Track Tech Inspection station prior to entering on-track

At Track Safety Tech Inspection:

All participant’s vehicles must be brought to Tech Barn prior to entering the track, for a “Safety First” Tech Inspection.

• Participants should present their vehicle at the tech barn.
• Participants should bring their completed Tech Form to inspection along with their helmets. 
• Vehicles must be empty of loose items, have the numbers attached, and their run group stickers placed in the strategic locations.  These will be provided in the driver’s registration packet.
• For vehicles with Center Locks, there will be an inspection of your safety locks performed.
• If you Pass Inspection; you will receive both a Helmet Inspection Sticker and an event specific Tech Inspection sticker, if you pass inspection.  No vehicles are allowed on-track without the inspection sticker prominently displayed on the windshield.
• If you Fail Inspection; we have Park Place certified professionals to assist you in completing the inspection process.

• NOTE: Please visit Registration to get the event packet with the vehicle stickers in it.

Numbers:
All participating vehicles must have an assigned number.  Numbers range from 001 to 999.  Numbers must be a minimum of 7" in height.  You must have numbers visible from 360 degrees, this means on all 4 corners of your vehicle.
NOTE:  When you register, you will be given a chance to request a number.  Please give us multiple options.  If your number is accepted, this will be your permanent PPEA vehicle number, if requested.  First come first serve, as we will be using date and time registration stamps your request.

Convertibles:
For safety reasons, all vehicles with convertible tops (Porsche, Mazda, Mercedes, General Motors, BMW, Honda, etc.) are required to have a roll bar that meets the following two criteria in order to be eligible to run during any event.
1) The vehicle must have a factory installed roll bars system which are designed to automatically deploy.  The vehicle must run a completely stock ECU, with no modifications.  
2) If the vehicle does not have a factory installed roll bars system which are designed to automatically deploy, or if you have modified your ECU in any parameter, then a permanent roll bar must be installed.  NO EXCEPTIONS TO THE RULE.  The roll bar must allow the driver to pass the “broomstick” test which means that the top of the driver’s helmet must be below the line from the top of the roll bar to the top of the windshield. There are aftermarket roll bars which can be used to help meet these requirements.

In a “Safety First” program, we prefer that you run the vehicle with the top up configuration, but if you must run with the top down, then the driver and/or passenger must wear approved arm restraints. 

If your vehicle is a TARGA, they you are required to run the vehicle with the “top in” configuration. 

Attire:
While in Hot Pit or on track closed toe shoes, socks, long pants (no Yoga Pants) and comfortable long or short sleeved shirts are required. 

Insurance:
Track Insurance is not required, but you may consider to purchase track insurance for the day. 

NOTE: Most Insurance Policies do not cover your participation in any track day events or for the accidental fender bender.  Hagerty is a great source for track insurance. 

Fuel:
Gasoline: Unleaded 93 and Race 100 unleaded will be available on site.  Credit Cards are required for pump operation.

Gate Hours:

Gates open a 6:30am on the morning of events.

Passenger Policy:

The ONLY time there may be a passenger on track is:

• If the Driver is a registered PPEA Instructor or Coach.
• If the Passenger is a registered PPEA Instructor or Coach.
• Non-entrant passengers MUST sign in and receive the proper wristband.

PPEA_Tech Insp_FINAL 8 11 2019.docx PPEA Center Lock Wheel Inspection Policy.docx