If you can think back to your first day of HPDE, it was probably something you found a bit overwhelming. Now, imagine how overwhelming it might be for someone who buys a car, gets a notice from Toyota, and then reports to the track for their first track day, something they never saw coming and might not even fully understand.
Given the success of the Toyota GR Experience, and its continued popularity among buyers of Toyota’s GR line of cars, NASA MidAmerica decided to create a position at the track specifically for those drivers. NASA MidAmerica member Helmut Derra is the ambassador for the GR Experience.
Derra welcomes the new drivers and helps them make the most of their day in HPDE. Derra is there to point out where to go and when and help these new drivers navigate the day smoothly.
In his professional life, Derra has had roles as varied as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army and vice president of remanufacturing and distribution operations for the United States and Canada for the Haldex Corporation. After spending more than 20 years with Haldex, Derra opened his own AAMCO service center in Kansas City in August 2023. Derra earned his bachelors from the University of Kansas and his masters from Central Michigan University.
At the track, Derra is easy to spot not only because his TT4 Audi A4 is something of an anomaly among track cars, but also because its factory livery makes it stand out.
We caught up with Derra to find out more about how he makes the GR program tick for NASA MidAmerica.
Q: NASA MidAmerica and NASA Northeast have GR “ambassadors,” if you will, which is kind of neat. How did you become the GR ambassador for NASA MidAmerica?
A: I had been instructing with NASA since 2020, including Toyota GR clients. The car count in our region continues to grow, and at the start of 2024, Donna and Randy asked me to lead the program. My work commitments were winding down, so I was excited to jump into this new opportunity.
Q: Walk us through your Saturday and Sunday routines for Toyota GR drivers. How do you welcome them and get them ready for the day?
A: A successful weekend for our GR clients starts with good preparation well in advance of the event. Two weeks out: welcome email, track map, tech sheet, track info and accommodations. One week out, reminder email, instructor assignments, classroom and on-track schedule. All are required to attend the driver’s meeting, and after that I lead a GR breakout session where I welcome them, review track logistics — where to park, classroom, grid, etc. — safety, try to get them to feel relaxed and have fun mind set. Next, I make sure they can participate in the parade laps because most clients have never been to a track, and this helps immensely for future sessions.
Q: Where do you greet them? How do you make sure they get to the first download meeting?
A: All are required to attend the driver’s meeting. After that I lead a short GR breakout session where I welcome them personally, review track logistics, safety, review classroom and on-track session times and try to get them to feel relaxed and into a “have-fun” mind set. I emphasize that classroom sessions are mandatory and skipping them results in lost track time. So far, I haven’t had any issues.
Q: What is their mood like when they arrive? Are they excited? Nervous?
A: Overwhelmed, nervous, cautious….
Q: How do you get them to settle down and focus?
A: I try to create a relaxed and learning environment, I tell our clients, “This is not racing. There are no IMSA, F1, NASCAR scouts here. Instead, this is an opportunity to enjoy a fantastic Toyota GR vehicle on track and explore its capabilities safely.” My deliverables to them are safety, fun and learning.
Q: So, throughout the day, what is your system or method for helping these new drivers enjoy themselves?
A: It is critical to have constant touch points with our clients throughout the day. We strive to have one-to-one client/instructor ratio. I really push to make sure all instructors develop a rapport with their clients and engage with them as much as possible. As a region, we also encourage camaraderie between clients. We park them together, grid together and our seating chart in class reflects grid positions.
Q: How did you come up with that system?
A: Race tracks can be intimidating for any new comer. I think it’s critical that we make folks feel welcome. This is really a focal point for Donna and Randy, and it shows. It’s my personal experience, too. I’ve been a NASA member since 2014. I keep coming back for the people experiences. I have experience with other racing organizations also. It was tough to break into the organization, and quite intimidating.
Q: Do they respond better to in-car instruction or lead-follow sessions on track?
A: Typically, in car.
Q: What’s most common correction you have get them to make?
A: Braking too early and early apex.
Q: What are some of the kinds of comments and reactions you get from them? Are the majority of them having fun?
A: Lots of smiles and “That was awesome!” comments. I haven’t encountered a client yet that wasn’t having fun.
Q: Were there any GR drivers who could not get over their nerves ?
A: Yes, I did have a client that was really uncomfortable on track at Heartland Park several years ago. It just wasn’t for her. We tried to accommodate as much as possible.
Q: What is your favorite anecdote or memory from your time as the GR ambassador?
A: GR Toyota driver, Brandi Bengston and her son Cash. I had Brandi and Cash in my classroom sessions. She was nervous about getting on track. Aaron Florkowski, her in-car instructor, did a great job calming her fears on track. Aaron is just one of many high-quality instructors that support the NASA MidAmerica GR program.
Q: How many GR drivers return for more days of HPDE? Roughly.
A: At our last NASA event at Ozarks International Raceway, we had a 50 percent conversion rate.
Q: Anything else? What did we miss?
A: I’d like to thank Donna and Randy Lane for giving me the opportunity to lead the Toyota GR Program. They have done a fantastic job with the region. They are highly professional, client focused, and growing our GR driver base. I also want to offer special thanks to Terry Bouge, Chief Instructor and Robert Burdiss, Director of HPDE programs for all their support.
