NASA HDPE at Buttonwillow Raceway: April 2025

NASA

April 2025: Buttonwillow Raceway

Tom Paule leading the HDPE Intro/HDPE1.

Track is hot.

TT2-class Mustang GT.

BMW 2-series also in same session.

Toyota's program to encourage GR-car owners to come out works.

Aviotti Jet Club?

Control building.

Passenger rear tire after one session.

Passenger front tire after one session.

Drivers front tire after one session. Definitely more work turning left on a CCW track.

The pits.

Spec E30's (mostly).

Chip'ed GTI.

Neuspeed BBK.

Lots of instruction for HDPE1/HDPE intro.

IIRC this is the organizer's GT350.

That is... interesting wrap.

With instructor Colin.

Caged G37S sedan. Nice.

Passenger rear tire after three sessions.

Passenger front tire after three sessions.

Wilwood BP-10 pads held up well to repeated 120mph stops.

Drivers front tire after three sessions. Definitely more wear here on a CCW track configuration.

Drivers rear tire after three sessions. Rear wear much more even.

Filled up about 20 minutes from Buttonwillow, plus 60 minutes on the track, plus driving to the auto parts store and back.

Miata in STS.

Heading' home up a nice green Grapevine.

Made it from Buttonwillow, an hour on the track, errands, and all the way home.

Given how badly under-tired the car was at the previous track day at Buttonwillow, was eager to see how much better things would be with a set of new Bridgestone RE-71RS in 245/45/17.

Narrator: it was much better.

Still too much power for the amount of tire, but still pretty close to life-changing. Originally did Buttonwillow Classic Track configuration #13 counter-clockwise (CCW) the first two sessions, with a fastest 2:35 lap, but due to a pothole, did configuration #14 CCW the last session. Instructor (Colin) was superb, emphasizing smoothness and using the whole track. Gave him three laps where he did an easy 2:17 in comparison to my 2:32 best, so I know the car has a lot more in it. Guessing significantly faster than 2:17 given Colin wasn't even pushing it. RE-71RS held up well, although will have to see how long they ultimately last with so much power through the front wheels.

Ended up being an awesome day. Oil cooler held temps well in check, and the car appears to be great and ready for more. Also helped out another newbie driver there who had issues with his GTI, so skipped the 4th (final) session-- but was all good, given it had been a long day already.