I am doing a DE event on Friday at Laguna Seca and the organizer has asked me to move up to the expert class? I have not spoken with them live yet but there message they left said the intermediate will be to low for me to have fun!
I am more concerned with driving now in the advanced group with open passing not really looking to swap paint with someone because someone felt they could dive inside me on a turn! So I ask this group what would you do/say based on this information?

 

You don't HAVE to move up if you're not comfortable with it.

tw

 

Take it as a compliment, but as TT Tommy said, don't do it if you are not confident. Regarding swopping paint, the reds/blacks in my region, there is nothing of the sort, aggressive driving gets you black flagged.

 

I understand your concern, I would be very nervous if I were running in advanced group before I was mentally ready.

 

Well I stayed in the intermediate but made sure I was first in line for each session and it worked out great. Got lots of clear track before I would catch up with the back of the pack. Couple of photos from the day which was beautiful conditions.

Z8 following me through the "corkscrew"


Coming out of the "corkscrew"

 

If you are not comfortable Don t do it!!!
but talk to your instructor...next track day start in your group...if you feel comfortable and feel good about your driving then try the advance group in the next session with an instructor...if it goes well do it solo..and then your comfort level should be where it need to be, if not then go back to your group...no point to stay in the advance group if you are not having fun....safe fun
Good luck and have fun

 

Very cool picture. I've dropped through the corkscrew hundreds of times on my Sony Playstation (GT4) but have never seen it quite like that.

I was in a similar situation where I got moved from Novice to Intermediate to Advanced in the span of three events and I chose to stay in Intermediate for awhile. There is so much to learn that you really do not need to put additional pressure on yourself having to look over your shoulder all day long or worry about slowing others down or pushing yourself beyond your capabilities. I think it is best to stay where you are comfortable. It can be a pain getting stuck behind a caravan but at that point you can pull off and reenter to give yourself some open track.