Education - Expectations

What do I expect of incoming drivers for 3/4

I truly enjoy teaching the HPDE 3/4 group for NASA. The main reason I teach for NASA is to make people faster, simple as that. I try to transfer my ‘wisdom’ of being on the track for 20+ years and see if it helps you go faster.

That being said, I have a few expectations and rules for my group

What should drivers know about driving with NASA

I’ll assume you’ve been through our HPDE 1/2 program with an instructor and have at least two weekends under your belt, or you’ve been with other clubs and have an understanding of the track.

Education - Topics

In the category of Eductation, I want to write articles about the following:

  • Expectations for HPDE 3/4

  • Modifying your car, should you and when

    • Tires
    • Suspension
    • Engine
  • Car computers and “Nannies”

  • Going Offtrack and why it’s important to know how to

  • Going Faster

    • Brake zones and ABS
    • Driving techniques (healtoe, Trail Braking, left foot braking)
    • Distractions
  • Vehicle Dynamics (over/understeer)

Technology behind justneverlift.com

I wanted to start a category around Technology, so that anyone who’s curious can see what I spend my time with when I’m not at the track.

Since I’m not much of a writer, more of a technologist, I wanted a very simple way to accomplish a few things:

  • Have a simple place to put down my thoughts (in Markdown)
  • Host images for this or other sites

I’ll try to list out some of the technologies I use and built to make this all come together. I hope you enjoy

Redesign

Happy New Year everyone!

Getting back to my website and changed the theme to MainRoad. The older one (hugo-light…) was constantly breaking, so went with a new one that seems easier.

Hoping to post more this season, including more around the Education area. Wish me luck :)

Building the Education part..

For 2026, I’m going to make a real effort to add to my Education section.

Those of you who have been in my classroom for NASA 3/4 know that my goal is to make everyone faster - Period.

At the end of the day, there are some simple techniques I’ll cover that should allow anyone who wants to go faster go faster.

Please send me any feedback you like - john@compunique.com

Chuckwall Feburary '25

Huge field, not a lot of action

A great kick-off to the 2025 racing season at Chuckwalla Valley Raceway. A hell of a drive to get there, but pretty awesome once you’re settled in.

I was able to qualify on pole in the ‘95 Red Miata with 20 less horses than we should have, that’s OK, the Hoosiers always make up for it.

Chuckwall December '24

A fun race Saturday at Chuckwalla CCW

Didn’t qualify due to time in classroom, so that’s OK, makes it more exciting.

Lap 1 - Came out of the bowl and Alex that it would be OK to slam into my drivers side, it’s OK, I owe him lots. For some dumb reason, I thought going over 9/10 at a hot clip for the first lap was a good idea, immediately lost grip, into the dirt and THANK GOD no one hit me, very stupid move. Now I’m at the back of the whole pack, lets go

Nationals 2024

Not our best showing

Showed up at Miller for Nationals and HP was down ~30hp. Didn’t catch a break at all, Transmission was going out. Ed ran the race, we didn’t do well :(

Pics

A few pics from the event

Our car at Nationls Racecar

Packing up

Race Day