High Plains Raceway near Denver

Keith's great video makes this look like a relatively safe, fun and fast place for a track day. Fast compared to my "local" track of Hallett. It would be a nice 1000 mile road trip for me one way. I love that part of the country. I think I'd take the Cobalt SS as the 325is is 20 years old. Anyone with experience there who would be willing to share any comments or tips, here or by PM?

Looks as if the Longhorn Inn in Byers would be the place to stay. Raceports with shade are a bit expensive, but probably the way to go. Looks like Fridays are the available days, which is fine. Anything a clueless newby might need to know? Thanks in advance.

The hotel(s) in Byers are dumps. DUMPS. Crap holes. The. Worst. Ever.

There's no 91 octane at the track, only race fuel. So plan accordingly as the gas station is 20+ miles away.

Fridays are open days, plan on no concessions being open although it usually is. Typical greasy spoon type of stuff.

No instruction on those open days. Fast group and slow group unless there are motorcycles there, then all the cars get grouped together.

There are a few corners there you can hurt yourself or the car, try to get a ride with someone who's been there before. Or better yet, sign up for one of the multiple club outings (PCA, BMWCCA, NASA etc) that run there and that way you get an instructor...

High Plains is a tricky- technical track, and a lot of fun. There will be a fairly steep learning curve, as there are a bunch of blind corners / off camber stuff. Take it easy until you get familiar with where the track goes.

It is near......nothing. As has been stated, Byers isn't much to write home about. The track itself is nice, but it's pretty isolated. (it's out past Denver International Airport--- in the plains) Bring food and supplies.

It's also dry out there--- so bring plenty of water / Gatorade for hydration.

I did my first track day there, and felt very safe the whole time. Plenty of runoff everywhere except by the start/finish. The track was pretty tricky, and the "mini-corkscrew" snuck up on me my 5th or 6th lap in when I forgot about it. The main straight is pretty fast, and there are great sightlines on most of the corners. You'll have a blast.

HPR is my home track. I'll echo what is said above: technical, a lot of fun, lots of runoff in most (but not all) corners. I learned to drive here and was a real hack when I started. So, over the years I've been off in nearly every corner where that can be safely done. I've never been off in 4, 5, 10, 14. The rest of it.. yep, been out there.

I never want to go off in turn 5 (dirt past track out is steeply off camber hill). I never ever want to go off in turn 10 (dirt past track out is very steeply off camber hill).

5 is not a difficult corner. Just take it easy there till you get the hang of it. 10 is down hill, so brake to a comfortable speed. Then get on the gas early to keep the rear end heavy and sticky.

13-14-15 is the mini corkscrew. The apex of 13 is at the crest of a hill. So brake to slower than you think you need to be. Then on the gas early to keep the back end heavy and sticky. Entering too fast will put you backwards in the dirt. This is by far the most popular place to go off. But it's a pretty safe place to do it.

It's surrounded by farmers fields, so yes, middle of nowhere. It can get hot and is very dry in the summer. I always bring double the drinking water I think I'll need, and end up using most of it.

I used to live in Denver and I have run two lemons events there in two separate cars (e36 and then miata).

Super fun track. I love the elevation changes. You will have a blast.

Good advise from LuxInterior. I 'almost' went backwards into the dirt from entering 13 too fast once (in the miata). Had a tank-slapper and got the black flag from the judges, but it was probably deserved. I was definitely dragging the back wheels through the dirt and keeping the front two on the track - perfectly spaning the rumble strips - in one of the most spectacular "oh-e36 M3-and-lift" induced drifts of my life**.

** this last sentence may or may not have been slightly embellished for editorial interest.

Well, I had a great time. Went with a buddy and took a side trip to the mountains afterwards, managed not to break the car.

The advice, which I printed, was very helpful. Of course, it took quite a few laps to give it context and start remembering it on track. This is a tough puzzle of a recetrack and I can't wait to go back. Maybe next year as those 2000 mile roundtrips use up all sorts of resources.

We stayed for the vintage races Saturday and saw all manner of wonderful things.

Yep, poor old Byers. The natives informed us sadly that there is no longer any restaurant there at all. "Five miles up the Interstate in Strausburg." And the restaurants in Strausburg are on their last legs. There is a market in Byers with a deli and lots of takeout prepared food, chicken, pizza, BBQ and such. I have to admit I thought the racetrack food trailer was excellent. I had a good, fresh caesar salad. The lady in the Byers liquor store was very nice. I was prepared for the Longhorn Inn and have stayed in worse places. It was shabby but clean and, contrary to the track website, there is a High Plains discount, so it was fairly close to free. I absolutely cannot wait to go back, Longhorn and all.

Thanks, all.