[s-cars] NHIS driver education event 4/11-4/12

[Brett Dikeman]

Just a heads up that the NEQ NHIS event is right around the corner 
(11th-12th) and there is still room available in all run groups.  On 
line registration and payment is available at the club website. 
www.neqclub.org.

YOU DO NOT need a "new" or even "recent" Audi (you actually don't even
need an Audi at all), turbos, quattro, big wheels, fancy tires, trick
suspensions- just a willingness to learn and a car that is mechanically
sound; the club even has helmets for rent if you don't have an SA or M 
1995 helmet.
You won't feel out of place no matter what you bring- you'll see
students and instructors running everything from Coupe GT's and 4000's
to an RS6 or two, and a number of non-Audis come to the events too.

   No, we don't just drive around the oval in circles- NHIS has a road 
course
that splits off the oval, and the club uses chicanes at either end of
the oval as well...NHIS features probably more turns per mile than any
other track the club goes to, and it's actually more balanced left vs
right turn than LRP, which only has one left turn ;).  With Lime Rock
Park fees up this year, not to mention NHIS lodging being almost half of 
LRP's...NHIS is
probably the bargain event of the season, especially given how much
track time everyone will get.

This is NOT a racing school.  There will be NO racing, timing, or
competitive driving allowed- this is an instructional school.
Participants are divided by experience, and passing is controlled by the
person being passed, so there's no worries of 'rubbin' fenders' or
people zooming past you without you letting them!  Before I got involved 
with
the club and learned more, I had an image of getting passed unexpectedly 
and people
going into turns side by side- nope, most certainly not the case!

You'll still have loads of fun and learn a lot, I promise.  I've been to
two events as a student and volunteered at almost a dozen, so I can say
with good authority that it's the most fun you'll have in your car with
your pants on. You'll spend all your on-track time with the same
instructor, unless you have been to NEQ events before and have been 
signed off for solo.
You get opportunities to ride with your instructor in their
car for a session.  Some low-speed car control exercises are a new 
addition in the last 2-3 years to the event, and
they're so popular, experienced students wanted to know why they didn't
"get" to run them :-)  The remainder of your time is spent in the
classroom with the most experienced instructors in the club.

   The paddock is fully paved and garages are available (you can split
them with another person, they're 2 cars wide), the weather is usually
nice and cool since it's early in the season...I think it can
be in many ways one of the nicest events.  The way things stand at the
moment, there won't be any worries about a crowded track.  As of this 
afternoon, the plan is for 3 run groups and each run group running 25-30 
minutes(quite long!) so things will be relaxed, and given the low head
count, there will be plenty of track for everyone.

More info on the NEQ website, www.neqclub.org.  Yes, it is a weekday
event, and before anyone complains about that- NOBODY gets weekend dates
at racetracks except racers :-)

The quick how-to:

-you have to be a member of ACNA (it makes things simpler for everyone
if you sign up with the national organization beforehand, but you can do
it as part of the event.  Make sure you get your membership #!)

-your car has to be inspected by a certified mechanic or dealer before
the event.  The club provides a "pre-tech" form on the website in PDF
form that -they- have to fill out.  Audi of Nashua offers free tech
inspections for club events- I believe there are a few others, contact
me if you need more info on this.  Do not leave this until the last
second!  The pre-tech consists of basic mechanical fitness
checks...suspension, brakes, etc.  The club gives a limited check for
basics when you get to the track, but the pre-tech is the most
important, and you're not allowed on the track without it.

-register for the event on the club website.  Payment via paypal is
available- you'll get a "bill" from the club through paypal after you
sign up.  Checks are taken too, I believe.

-You'll get an information packet electronically which you really should
review at least once before the event, -especially- if it's your first
driver education event or event with the NEQ.

When you get to the event, you'll have to empty the car of anything not
bolted to the car.  That includes floor mats, anything in the
glove box/door pockets, anything in the trunk/trunk compartments, you
name it.  It's generally best to do this at home once first, then load
the car :-)  Bring a tarp in case it rains if you're not renting a
garage space.  Glass cleaner/towels, tire gage, wheel chocks of some
sort (setting the e-brake with really hot brakes = pads becoming 'one' 
with rotor), and
a torque wrench are good items to bring, although torque wrenches are
about a dime a dozen at events and it's usually possible to borrow one.


On a related note, if you're out of work or in school and would like to
pick up some money for hanging out at a race track with some Audis, the
club is looking for some extra corner workers.  Those with SCCA
flagging/communications (or similar experience) followed by individuals 
who have
a working knowledge of track activities (as a DE participant, for 
example) will be given preference.
   The event usually also needs some help with
simpler stuff like helping direct traffic, checking armbands and
run group stickers at the track entrance, helping unpack the club's
trailer, and so on; this is a good way to help the club and at the same
time check out what events are like before coming as a participant.  For
people on a tight budget, camping overnight at the track might a
possibility- I'd have to check if anyone is interested in doing that.
Anyone interested in corner working or volunteering should email me ASAP
for more information.

Lastly, NEQ events are always open to members and the public to check
out.  You'll have to sign a waiver or two to get onto the facility, and
you can also take a ride with an instructor in their car during the
instructor run groups, for a small donation to charity.  The event master
would probably appreciate a heads-up via email if you're thinking of
stopping by- you can reach Mike Collier via mcollier at empire.net.

Note- this is not an official NEQ announcement.  Anything you've heard 
from the club takes precedence over information here.

Brett
-- 
"They that give up essential liberty to obtain temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Ben Franklin
http://www.users.cloud9.net/~brett/