Bill Pemberton
0ld Ford Automotive Racing Terror
Simple rule is with NASA you will need a point by in HPDE groups 1 and 2. Due to this many folks actually stay in Group 2 because they are just out to have fun and frankly have no desire for times, trophies ,etc. Once into Group 3-4 , depending on the Region, passing is more lenient, but then the drivers involved had to pass into that level. Pure Open Passing is often relegated only to Time Trialers who have gone through the 4 levels and been passed forward to the Timed Group -- for Class Trophies, etc. There are plenty of folks who, again, stay in groups 3 and 4 , are exceptionally good drivers, and they enjoy a bit more openness for passing, but they also realize they are with faster drivers who have also gotten to said higher HPDE levels.