NEQ HPDE - Palmer Motorsports Park 2022

 

Palmer Motorsports with NEQ -  Friday, July 1st

Always wanted to take part in a High Performance Driving Event (HPDE)?  We have got an event for you – NEQ's event at the fabulous Palmer Motorsports Park in Massachusetts.  Palmer Motorsports Park is 2.3 miles long, 40-feet wide, over 190 feet of elevation. Designed by grassroot racers and professional track designers and carved out of Whiskey Hill granite, (courtesy of J Read Corporation )  the road course is a 15-turn rollercoaster ride around a scenic and secluded alpine wilderness.

This is an all abilities high performance driving school.  All vehicle makes are welcome.  

NEQ's High Performance Driving Schools are suitable for all skills levels.  We always welcome novices with open arms and enjoy running with the most advanced of drivers. The school combines classroom and on-track instruction in a closely supervised and controlled environment. Students are divided into "run groups" according to their prior experience and evaluations from previous schools. In between the track sessions, students get classroom instruction in an environment appropriate for their skill level. 

 

2022 COVID-19 policy and in-car instruction

In 2020, the Audi Club was one of the few clubs able to develop and deliver education for all abilities while conforming to COVID safe practices.  In 2022, NEQ will remain focused on the safety of our members. Specific policies and procedures will be communicated to those attending prior to the event as the local policies continue to fluctuate.

• ONLY where allowed by local & state ordinances, we will support in car instruction with the following restrictions:
  • Students and Instructors must have a full face helmet with visor, or a face covering when closer than 6 feet such as in car.
  • Windows down.
  • Face coverings required for in-classroom attendees and at driver's meetings.
• In car instruction will be optional for students and instructors and both parties must opt in. Lead / Follow will be used in all other situations.
• Attendees are responsible for adhering to state requirements for travel quarantines or vaccine mandates, which are subject to change. Please plan accordingly!
• Full refund for cancellation at any point if attendee is experiencing ANY COVID-19 like symptoms.  Please contact Event Master as soon as symptoms present.  A doctor's note or test result (positive or negative) may be required for full refund.  ** DO NOT ATTEND EVENT IF YOU MAY BE SICK! **

 

Registration Fees

Students:  Cost is $395 per student
Instructors: There is no cost for instructor registration for this event

 

What is a High Performance Driving School?

The purpose of a driving school is quite simple: to improve your driving skills. We conduct the school on a racetrack under the close supervision of experienced and trained instructors. You will learn how to handle and control your vehicle at speeds not normally attained on public roads. This will help to prepare you for emergencies in normal driving. It will also allow you to explore your capabilities as a driver and those of your vehicle in a controlled environment. At no time will you be pushed or encouraged to go any faster than is comfortable. All participants will be organized into run groups in accordance with experience, skill, and type of vehicle.

What you learn on the track depends on your driving skill. Beginners are taught driving style (smoothness, consistency, the ability to read the track), more experienced participants continue to work on consistency, while developing new skills such as trail braking and threshold braking. Every time you are on the track, you will have an experienced instructor in the passenger seat.

For the most experienced drivers, you can be “signed off” and drive solo when you have proven to your instructor and the Chief Instructor that you understand the basics of high speed driving, you can consistently drive the correct line, and you show proper etiquette on track. Maturity, good judgment, skill, and significant experience will lead to being signed off for solo driving.

Though you are on a racetrack, other drivers of similar driving skills, it is not a race. Passing in corners is not allowed, and you are not expected to shift at redline, or go screaming through each corner with the tires squealing. Safety of the event is of the utmost importance. Driver conduct will be diligently monitored throughout the day by the staff, instructors, and corner workers.
 

Track Time

You will have four on-track sessions each day varying from 20-30 minutes each. At the end of the 1-day event you will have had between 1.5 - 2 hours on-track. That’s a lot of driving time and a lot of personalized high-quality instruction!
 

Classroom

Your day is divided between driving on the track, classroom sessions, and free time. Yes, this is a school, and there is mandatory classroom time. All participants are required to attend classroom sessions throughout the day to learn vehicle dynamics and driving techniques.

In the classroom, you learn a lot of high speed driving theory. Learn about the difference between an early and late apex. You’ll get a better understanding of car dynamics so you understand what is really happening when you brake or why your car understeers or oversteers in certain circumstances. Each classroom will also include an opportunity for Q&A.
 

Do I need to own an Audi?

We welcome all makes of cars  -- you don't have to drive an Audi to enjoy our events.  This school is an excellent way for you to improve your driving skills and have fun, too!  

All participants must simply be members of the Audi Club of North America (ACNA).  There is a $49 fee for annual membership. To join or update your membership, please go to the ACNA website (http://www.audiclubna.org/) and click on "Join ACNA" at the top of the page.
 

First Time Students

Our club is a friendly community of individuals who share a passion for driving their cars.

We know what it’s like to drive on a race-track for the first time and we customize your experience to make it an enjoyable as possible. We love welcoming first-timers to our events and we have a good number of first-timers at each one – you will not be alone.  Your novice classroom teacher and your personal in-car instructor are ready to make you comfortable and give you the tools and confidence to enjoy driving your car on the race-track. Don’t forget – this is not competition driving. There is no overtaking in corners or racing other cars. This is all about having a safe and enjoyable experience.

We have some restrictions on driving convertibles and you will need a helmet. Requirements are on the next page. We have rental helmets available if you need one. Should you have any questions which are not answered on this page, please contact us and ask. We want to make you comfortable and we’re happy to talk with you. Use the "Contact Host" button on the right side of this page.

This YouTube video shows even more about events with our club.

 

92db Sound Restriction

Please note that Palmer enforces a strict sound limit of 92db.  If you have a modified car (street cars are not an issue) it is your responsibility to ensure you do not exceed this number.  The volume is monitored at various fixed and random spots around the track.
 

Lodging

Hotels -  There is no official base hotel for this event but there are many options including two that have offered the club reduced prices for the event.  Be aware there are limited room numbers at these facilities so, book early.

Trainmaster’s Inn – In the center of Palmer, about 10 minutes from the track.  The hotel has an attached restaurant with priority seating for you as well as a free dessert as a hotel guest.  413-531-3281

Sturbridge Host Hotel – In the center of Sturbridge with several good restaurants nearby.  One of the largest hotels in the area, and about 20 minutes from the track.  Call the front desk and ask for the Palmer Motorsport rate of $79.00. 508-347-7393.  

There are also several other hotels in Sturbridge that will likely have rooms available, but have not offered any special rate.

Holiday Inn – $143 per night. 508-347-8000, Comfort Inn – $148 per night. 508-347-3306, Economy Lodge – $58 per night.  508-347-2800,  La Quinta -- $157 per night. 508-347-5141

Tech Inspection

Registration and Tech inspection will take place at the track on Friday morning, from 7-8 AM. 

Interested in attending or have other registration questions?

Please continue through to the next page for more information about the event and helmet and technical requirements. Please Contact:  Eventmaster - Alex Sunseri with any questions.

Check here, Facebook, or the NEQ website for updates on this event.