Glen Wiley Racing DHPD

Welcome to the Director of High Performance Driving Page (DHPE) We kindly invite you to connect with Mr. Glen Wiley, our go-to expert for all your High Performance Driving inquiries. Whether you're looking for tips, advice, or insights, Glen is here to help you elevate your driving experience. Let's hit road to high performance together!

Little bit of information about Glen Wiley

The Corvette Club of Western Mass created a Non-Voting Board of Directors position entitled “Director of High Performance Driving” as a resource for the club. The purpose of this position is to share information about High Performance Driving Education (HPDE). Glen Wiley accepted this role and is available to answer questions about HPDE events and basic car preparation.

Glen Wiley’s Background with HPDE:

Glen's high-performance driving began in 2012 at Bob Bondurant school of high-performance driving. At that time, he had a 2009 C6 Z06. He spent 3 days driving C6 Grand Sports on the track along with many classroom sessions. The fourth day was spent Driving Formula Ford entry level race cars. That gave him the desire to drive his Corvette on the track. Work and life were busy, and it was not until 2015 that he started to attend HPDE events with the NEQ (Northeast Quatro Audi Club).

In February of 2015 he was diagnosed with Liver Cancer and realized that if he wanted to experience the thrill of High Performance Driving he better “Just Do It”. He was very lucky and his life was saved by a stranger through Organ Donation, and he received his gift of life (Liver Transplant) in November of 2015.

In March of 2015 he traded in his 2009 C6 Z06 and purchased a new C7 Z06. He went to Ron Fellows school for C7 Z06 owner’s in June of 2015. He also started attending NEQ High Performance Driving Education events (HPDE). NEQ (Northeast Quatro) is part of the Audi Club of North America. As a non-profit the NEQ mission is to teach driving skills in a safe fun environment. Starting as a beginner (Green Group) with NEQ in 2015 he participated in 5 to 6 High Performance Driving Education 2-day events per year advancing to the highest run group(Red Group) in 2020. He was recruited into the NEQ instructor program in 2023 and graduated in 2024. He also attended many local track events at Palmer Motorsports Park starting in 2016.

HPDE is not racing. The significant difference is that passing can only be done with permission of the driver of the car being passed. Many organizations provide HPDE days, and numerous tracks host OPEN Track days that include HPDE sessions for beginner drivers. Safety is the number one goal of HPDE events and Fun is a close second.

In Glen’s experience he has met many HPDE participants and found that there are many different goals that people have. Some folks participate in one or two events per year and enjoy learning about the basic capabilities of their car and improve their driving skills. At the other end of the HPDE spectrum some participants become obsessed with high performance driving obtaining dedicated track cars and some get into competitive racing events.

EXAMPLE of Pre HPDE event CHECKLIST

ALL BELTS: No cracks or fraying, tight.

ENGINE & DRIVELINE: No leaks. Clean coolant, reservoir filled to correct level, properly operating.

FUEL SYSTEM: No leaks at injectors, seals, lines or fittings. No pinching or abrasion of lines.

BRAKE FLUID: Clean, filled to correct level, DOT 4, reservoir is not cracked or leaking. Must be changed at least once a year, within 6 months preferred. Date of last change: _____ /_____ / 202_

BRAKE PEDAL: Firm, no excessive travel.

BRAKE LINES: In good condition, no cracked rubber lines or frayed stainless braid, no leaks.

BRAKE PADS & ROTORS: Pad thickness above 50%. Rotors above wear limit & free of cracks.

BRAKE CALIPERS: Clean and dry, no torn boots or sticking/dragging pistons, no leaking seals.

WHEEL BEARINGS: No leaking grease, zero or minimal play, quiet operation.

WHEELS: No cracks. Must be round, true, well balanced & free of high speed vibrations.

TIRES: 3/32" minimum tread, H (130mph) rated or higher speed rating, & DOT approved.

TIE RODS: No play, no torn boots.

SUSPENSION: No rust at stress points, no excess play in joints or bushings

SHOCKS & STRUTS: No sticking/leaking pistons. No leaking lines, external reservoirs or valves.

LIGHTS: Fully operational & clearly visible. Turn signals, low/high beams & brake lights.

STEERING: No fluid leaks. No excessive play or pull, vehicle brakes in a straight line.

GLASS & MIRRORS: No dangerous cracks, driver's & front passenger's windows must roll down. Inside & Outside mirrors present and securely attached.

WIPERS: Operational, fresh wiper blades / inserts, no streaking.

EXHAUST: Integral, muffler required. Note: Certain tracks have dB limits.

CHASSIS INTEGRITY: No significant structural or body rust.

SEAT & RESTRAINTS: Factory three-point required unless harnesses installed and bolted to factory points. Passenger seat & belts must be of similar design as the driver's. Supplemental systems installed per manufacturers recommendations. If harnesses are used, dates are <11 years old.

ROLL BAR (If Present): A straight edge from the windshield to the roll bar must have at least two inches between it and the helmet of both driver and passenger in their normal sitting position.

FIRE EXTINGUISHER: Recommended, not required. If present must be metal to metal mounted.