The PDX Corner - Part I.

by Ken Berchak

The new year is already 2 months old. Competition cars are either still in their trailers or sitting snugly in the shop under going service work, modifications, and or repairs for the coming season. As I looked out the window I watch the magic of Mother Nature in full bloom - snow flakes gently floating from the sky, covering the ground in a blanket of winter white beauty. As I watched, the thought of how much gas do I have for my snow blower flashes through my mind. Oh well.

The PDX Corner is a new column for the Observer Stand. It is not going to be a series but articles for and about the September, 2010 PDX event. My intent is to define what a PDX is, what is necessary to have a safe and enjoyable event, and some tips on driving this type of an event.

I guess the first item on the list is who can enter this type of event. Well, just about anybody that has a legal driving license, hold an SCCA membership, and has the desire to learn more about driving. Autocrossers, rally-crossers, future racers, and people that are tired of getting speeding tickets are candidates.

What is a PDX. Well PDX means Performance Driving Experience. In SCCA’s terminology a PDX is a level 1 Time Trial. Per the rules, "Level 1 events are NON-COMPETITIVE and are based on the instruction and practice of performance driving and car handling." This definition is critical.

What does the term NON-COMPETITIVE mean. Well, for starters, there is no timing of the entrants laps - EVER!! Second, beginning and intermediate level students ride with a qualified instructor. Advanced students may or may not have a "riding" instructor. Third, the purpose of the instruction is car handling, often at speeds exceeding open highway limits. And fourth, there are restricted passing zones.

OVR holds their events at Mid-Ohio Road Racing Course in Lexington, OH. Per SCCA’s rules, "the course should be chosen as to maximize exposure to a variety of car handling situations, while minimizing exposure to hazzards." Mid-Ohio fulfills this definition. The track has been called a "driver’s track" ever since it was laid out. Of all the tracks that I have driven, Mid-Ohio has the lowest average speed per lap. The reason is the keyhole, station 3, the "S", stations 7, 8, and 9, Thunder Valley, and the Carousel. The track has 16 turns in 2.4 miles. The longest straight is from the keyhole to the beginning of the "S". Even that "straight" has a kink in the middle at station 5. As I have often said, I have screwed up every turn but one - pit lane entrance. In short the track requires concentration, awareness, and belief. The apex of the turns are not always visible. Many of the turns require a little "bold leggedness" to take at speed. Even though Mid-Ohio is a safe driver’s course, there are places that can be nasty, especially if the driver insists in going "off-road". In places, the barriers are close to the road edge or within easy striking distance for a car at speed. The turns also have FIA curbs. These "high" curbs will redirect a car in a turn, sometimes with crushing results. But most of all, a fast clean lap is the ultimate joy!

OVR holds a PDX in compliance with SCCA’s rules. As such, beginning students are required to attend classroom instruction during the event. The intent is to put the classroom instruction to use during a riding instructor session. Our schedule permits additional classroom instruction between sessions to answer any and all questions that are on the students mind. The most important part of the driving session is with the riding instructor. IT IS NOT THE INTENT OF A PDX THAT THE STUDENT SHOULD TEST THE FORTITUDE OF THE INSTRUCTOR. This type of student driving, first, will be called out by the instructor, if this doesn’t work, I will talk to the student as Chief Instructor. It is my goal that the event be a safe and enjoyable event for ALL participants, instructors and students.

As noted, a PDX has restricted passing zones. The passing zones are laid-out to provide sufficient distance for a clean pass. There is NO passing in the corners! Passes can only be made with a signal from the car being passed. Usually, this is a "point-by" from the car in front. A hand out the driver’s window. Passing is only on the left, right side passing is a no-no . With restricted passing zones, some problems develop. A student or instructor that misses a faster car coming up and doesn’t issue a "point-by" can cause a back-up in traffic. Although not always used, the "passing flag", a blue flag with a yellow diagonal strip, may be shown to the lead car. It is the responsiblity of the lead car driver to let the following car by at the next passing zone. This can be interesting, especially if the lead car is has more power than the following car. To see a Mini pass a Ferrari is always enjoyable!

Next on the list is the car. What type of car is ideal for this type event. When I first joined SCCA, I would have said bring out your MG, Triumph, Alfa, Turner, Lotus, etc. Now I suggest any sports sedan, current sports cars (Matia, Mini), pony type car (Mustangs, Cameros), auto-cross cars (stock and limited prepared) even an econo-box. What isn’t allowed are vans, pick-up trucks, SUV’s, cross-over type vehicles, and semi-tractors. The rules even allow for IT competition cars. What I don’t recommend, especially for beginning or intermediate level students are single seater sports racers. Formula cars are also on the not allowed list. (Single seaters, by their definition, don’t allow for a riding instructor.)

Per the level 1 rules, "any car that is street legal will NOT require a roll bar/roll cage, except for Convertibles and Targa top automobiles. (A Targa top vehicle is a semi-convertible car body style with a removable roof section and full width fixed "B" pillar and roof section. The rear window can be fixed or removable (some Porsches, and Corvettes and GM pony cars.) If your car is in this group, contact your PDX official. For the purpose of a PDX only, a street legal car is defined as a car which meets local requirements for inspection and the car must possess CURRENT, VALID registration.

Of the cars so defined, what is the best. Well, there are many. What I have found for beginning students is not a car with high horsepower. In fact, the run of the mill econo box does very well. The lower power level requires the student to concentrate on driving the corners and not having him worry about getting down the straights. Yea, it is fun to come out of the keyhole, put your foot down and rocket down the straight. The skill level required to carry the speed through the corner is usually greater than a beginning and some intermediate students can handle. Thus, the recommendation of a lower powered car. Even beginning students can drive this type of car closer to the car’s limit, hence the student learns more about car handling and performance driving, which happens to be the idea behind the PDX!

The next area of concern is the car itself. The rules state that a legal street car can be used. What about safety gear. First off, at the minimum a 3-point seat belt DOT is required, the type that are installed in the car from the factory. Multi-point belts, 4, 5, and 6 points are also allowed as long as both the driver and instructor have the same type of belts. There is no age limit on the belts as long as they are in good condition, i.e., no fraying or cuts of the web material.

Both student and instructor must wear an M-95 or higher helmet. Long sleeved shirts and paints (100% cotton material recommended) must be worn by both in the car when it is on track. Shoes which fully cover the foot at least to the ankle are to worn while the car is on track. These are basically the same requirements that an auto-crosser has. 100% cotton material garments are not common today. Blended cloth, cotton and other synthetic material are more common. What to look for is the highest cotton content possible. The higher the cotton level, the more comfortable the garment will be, especially if it a warm day.

The next article will deal with the car it self and what preparation is needed, both to pass tech and student/instructor safety. Till then, remember, keep the shinny side up.

2010, February