Car Preparation

[JimLill]

Let's list the things we've learned, sometimes too late, about what to do before you take your street car to the track.

[Kompressor]

1. Take the center caps off your nice wheels before going on track so you dont loose them.

2. Make sure you can afford a new engine/transmission if you break it on track if you cant, or if the car is your only car you shouldnt go. I learned that the hard way still driving around with no second gear. and had to put a differential in last fall and ive only been to 2 track weekends.

3. I'd say a minimum brake upgrade should be done to any street car before going on track, upgrade to include better pads, steel lines, and better brake fluid. rotors can remain stock, but do something with the brakes because after the first weekend youll be faster then your brakes can handle and it will hold you back. (course the learning how to drive with no brakes may be useful)

4. torque those lug bolts before every session saw someones wheel almost come off. damage to the car included bearings and the tie rod as a safety precaution. the wheel had around 1/4 inch of play so the vibration messed it up. lucky to not have lost the wheel.

5. get a good tire pressure guage, and an air compressor its not fun to always pester someone for thiers. they may get annoyed as they would like to use thier tools on thier car. I think tempurature guage for the tires may as well be bought too even for first timers.

6. BRING REPLACEMENT PARTS!. brake pads, calipers if you have spares, maybe lugs, heck maybe a spare wheel or two.

7. leave the crap at home I had my car manual various insurance crap cd's basically accumulated inside car stuff would be best left at home not all stacked in the paddock area same goes for things you wish to remove do it before leaving, ie rear headrests. trunk decks, rear floor mats etc..

8. bring a few cleaning products for yourself, and for the car windows.

9. bring plenty of food and water, and SUNSCREEN!

10. proper eyewear sunglasses, eyeglasses whatever, and make sure they fit in your helmet comfortably. (my head was hurting and my glasses were cramped in my helmet, had to make several on track adjustments)

[Conan]

Originally Posted by Kompressor

1. Take the center caps off your nice wheels before going on track so you dont loose them.

NOW you tell me! I lost one of mine at MAM.

[Kompressor]

NOW you tell me! I lost one of mine at MAM.

I luckily lost mine in the paddock area, i had just pulled the car to a stop gotten out, I walked up to inspect my drivers side front wheel 20 seconds or so had elapsed, i was starting to bend down when PONNNG the center cap shot off the car and went 5 feet. i was almost shot in the face with it . the centers just have that rubber gasket but the center heats and cools at different speeds then the wheel. when the conditions get right its bye bye centers. needless to say my next session they were all off the car. (also a side note dont be a moron and do what i did and run over and pick up the center cap right away that hurts! really i had no idea it would be that hot lol)

[JimLill]

I'll not attempt to list everything at once, here's a few:

- change your brake fluid, even if just to new normal stuff. BF is hygroscopic and absorbs water. The water will turn to steam and raise hell if things get hot.

- Use a better brake fluid when possible. ATE Typ 200 is a good one that is reasonable in cost. ATE Blue is the same stuff but is blue and some dealers freak when they see Blue BF. As it is blue, it is NOT DOT compliant.

- check your hoses. Belching any fluid is not good for your car or others on the track. A loose oil line is the worst thing that can happen. Consider using safety wire in some fashion to add security.

- check under your seats to make sure there's nothing "trapped" that will roll out under hard braking.

[billy]

I think the cost of engine and transmission are good points. 10k for a Porsche tiptronic tranny, the engine is I think 7/8k for a factory replacement plus labor. Thats a lot of potatoes for this irish man. Looking in to switching to a 944 for this reason. A whole car costs 2k.

[Lobo6]

Originally Posted by JimLill

Let's list the things we've learned, sometimes too late, about what to do before you take your street car to the track.

I take this an educational question for newbies? If so, besides making damn sure your car is track worthy, check your ego at the gate, have an open mind, your instructor knows more than you do. Your object is smoothness not speed. With smoothness comes the speed. No one will be impressed if you are fast and half way out of control with the instructor yelling in your ear.

Here's what I bring, besides a well prepped car. A set of rain/wet tires because I run Hoosiers. A lightweight jack, jack stands, tire pressure guage w/ bleeder valve, a valve stem core tightening tool, a portable air compressor (Campbell Hausfeld, I bought at Walmart for about $30+, runs on charged battery and can be run from cigarette lighter also), torque wrench, extra brake fluid, a set of brake pads, basic tools, (don't bring every tool you own, there are always people in the paddock who have the one thing you forgot (just make sure you return it) a large cooler full of water bottles and Gatoraide. (dehydration is a real killer on track during the hot months...yes I spelled it wrong too) Bring more than you need, save a friend. A hat, sunscreen, a few folding chairs, dry socks if the weather is "iffy". Well it sounds like a lot and I do tow with a full size SUV, but you can just go with the basics.

[Toycar 1]

I just bring my pit-crew (a.k.a. Carm) so I don't have to worry about tire pressure, oil levels, torquing the wheels etc. - all I do is drive (Yes I know, he is waaay to good for me...)