2026 HPDE Season Kickoff

[Dark Helmet]

First time for me. So gonna try them and see how it goes. They are half the price of Turn 2 and HOD. Open passing makes me very aware of what is within 100 feet of my car.

 

[LAPS C7]

Looks like this is with OnGrid. How are they? The advanced groups are all open passing. That makes me nervous.

Having driven with OnGrid a few times before, I don't recommend their track days. They are cheaper but you get what you pay for. They have no requirements to sign-up for the track days and drivers self-select their own run group.

1. No driver's education aspect. No instructors required. No sign-off process for solo or advanced groups. This results in having people of widely differing skill levels in the same group, as you can simply register for whatever group you want to regardless of experience. Most drivers still give point-bys even in open passing, but there's always a couple of guys who drive like they're racing wheel to wheel and have nothing to lose.
2. There's no tech inspection, so there's a higher rate of mechanical failures and red flags.
3. The sessions are very crowded, lots of traffic. Huge speed differences in the same run groups. They combined the two fastest groups (4 and 5), and the time attack competitors also can join this run group. This is way too many cars in one run group in my opinion.
4. Fewer sessions, shorter sessions, and they are spaced far apart. Only two morning sessions. There is a three hour gap between 2nd and 3rd sessions. In total you only get 90 min of track time (3x20, 2x15). While at Turn2, you get 140 min of track time (7x20).
5. Attracts a more cars and coffee crowd, not a track day enthusiast crowd.

An example of their schedule:

 

[Dark Helmet]

Having driven with OnGrid a few times before, I don't recommend their track days. They are cheaper but you get what you pay for. They have no requirements to sign-up for the track days and drivers self-select their own run group.

1. No driver's education aspect. No instructors required. No sign-off process for solo or advanced groups. This results in having people of widely differing skill levels in the same group, as you can simply register for whatever group you want to regardless of experience. Most drivers still give point-bys even in open passing, but there's always a couple of guys who drive like they're racing wheel to wheel and have nothing to lose.
2. There's no tech inspection, so there's a higher rate of mechanical failures and red flags.
3. The sessions are very crowded, lots of traffic. Huge speed differences in the same run groups. They combined the two fastest groups (4 and 5), and the time attack competitors also can join this run group. This is way too many cars in one run group in my opinion.
4. Fewer sessions, shorter sessions, and they are spaced far apart. Only two morning sessions. There is a three hour gap between 2nd and 3rd sessions. In total you only get 90 min of track time (3x20, 2x15). While at Turn2, you get 140 min of track time (7x20).
5. Attracts a more cars and coffee crowd, not a track day enthusiast crowd.

An example of their schedule:
View attachment 34519

Thanks for the info. I'll keep my head on a swivel

 

[nordique14]

Yes, thanks for the lowdown on OnGrid. Generally you do get what you pay for. The marquee car clubs (PCA, ACNA and BMWCCA) plus HOD seem to be the best bets in the PNW. Of course they are also the priciest.

 

[Kawman]

Hooked On Driving is the organization I like best so far. Great management, attracts a great crowd of people, driver debriefing meetings between sessions, good driving habits on the track, end of day cook outs, bands and fireworks at multiday events, free camping in the paddock, etc. An all around great time. I'll be doing their 4th of July event at Watkins Glen again next year.

MassTuning in the northeast is along the lines of OnGrid. Cheaper track fees and lax on things. Self select your run group and wider range of skill level in the groups. Sometimes a little laxness can be a appreciated, but sometimes it can lead to trouble. They have events at Monticello in NY, which is a rare to see track day events at that private club. Overall another good time.

ChinTrackDays - From what I've heard, amongst the crowd they attract are some very good drivers and people with higher end cars. I will NEVER be able to drive with them as they are far to strict. It doesn't matter that a person has "X" number of track days and currenty in the advanced group with HOD and MassTuning. First time with Chin you go to A-novice group with an instructor in the car. And you'll be there for a few days, then you get promoted to A-solo and waste a few more days continuing to drive with the newbies. The internet is littered with stories of people complaining about not being able to advance and switching to other organizations. Work your way up to the advanced group and then try going to another track for the first time. I'm not talking about your first time at a given track, just your first time there with Chin. You go back to the A-novice group with an instructor and have to work your way back up at every single track. Instructors don't have the authority to promote you. They approve you for a "check out" ride with a different person in their program. Not for me!