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DwD 0721:  Brad Goes to his First HPDE Solo

DwD 0721: Brad Goes to his First HPDE Solo

Garage Heroes In Training Aug 22, 2025 58 min
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About this episode

Brad shares his journey from novice to solo HPDE driver with NASA Rocky Mountain, detailing his experiences at High Plains Raceway in his 2024 BMW M440. The conversation covers track layout, car handling, tire pressures, and managing traction control. Brad reflects on his nervousness, learning moments, and instructor feedback, including a near-miss incident and passing his level three test. The hosts discuss the supportive racing community, training structure, and Brad’s goals for improving car control and vision on track. The episode captures the excitement and challenges of progressing in HPDE events and the camaraderie of grassroots racing.

Topics: hpde experience high plains raceway bmw m440 track driving traction control and tire pressure racing instruction and feedback driver progression and testing track layout and driving techniques racing community and events car control and vision training motorsport challenges and adrenaline
Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Mazda MX-5 / Miata
MercurySable99 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Mazda MX-5 / Miata

"Go ahead. Run me over with your little orange Miata. I know. Okay."
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Nissan Gtr
Calreyn88 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Nissan Gtr

"you could call him, he had a GTR and he was participating in level three and they ..."
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Bmw M
MrWalkr (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Bmw M

"...great after that. So how would you compare a 2020 BMW M series to a 1993 Honda? I mean, they're almost th..."
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Toyota Gr86S
DestinationFearFan (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Toyota Gr86S

"...ld blow the doors off with some of this. Like the GR86s, I get a point by with them and it would just be ..."
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Shelby Cobra
Spurzem - Lothar Spurzem (CC BY-SA 2.0 de)
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Shelby Cobra

"...like very over the top cars. There was one Shelby Cobra and there was one M3 competition"
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BMW M3
Matti Blume (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

BMW M3

"There was one Shelby Cobra and there was one M3 competition that was brand spanking new."
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BMW E46
Dinkun Chen (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

BMW E46

"...u need to track our buddy. Yeah, I mean, I got an E46, but it's an all-wheel drive and that thing pushe..."
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Ford Bronco
Calreyn88 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Ford Bronco

"...er to a BMW Ultimate Drive event. They did at the Bronco Stadium parking lot out here. Nice. And they were..."
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8 cars featured

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