Hey guys, first off I'd like to say you guys have a wealth of knowledge here on this sub-section. The amount of reading I have done learning about road racing and what not is insurmountable. I am usually on another forum, under a different user name, pertaining to D-series engines as I am cheap and love that motor.

Secondly, I always wanted to get into road racing and I believe HPDE would be a great oppurtunity for me to experience on-track driving. I drive a bone stock 2000 Honda Civic DX. In order to prep the car for HPDE, I will be buying Hawk HP+ part# HB218N.583, ATE Blue brake fluid, Brembo "blank" rotors part# 09.5285.10.

Thanks to iheart.net, I have access to all the dates of trackdays available here in CA.

For my first time out, I am considering doing a Hooked on Driving as they provide an instructor with your time on the track.

Does all this seem right to you guys? Am I missing anything while planning this out? Thanks!

 

Sunscreen, snacks/food, a folding chair, some basic tools, extra oil, tire pressure gauge, a hat, long sleeve shirt and pants (if required by the org), nut & bolt the car, a helmet, fresh brakes, and a good attitude.

Have fun!

 

Bring a torque wrench and socket so you can check your wheel lug nuts - good to do that before each session. Also, I've heard when you get off the track, that when you get back to the pits, do not set the emergency brake as the heat could damage the rear brakes.

As far as the club to go with, I haven't driven much with HOD. I started off with Nasa (http://www.nasaproracing.com/ with its forum page http://www.nasaforums.com/ ) as they were less expensive. If you drive with Nasa, then you start off with HPDE-1 with an instructor, and eventually, they will sign you off for HPDE-2 where you drive without an instructor, but share the track with HPDE-1. If you decide to try Nasa, then hang around the instructor's area around 10' before the HPDE-4 sessions with your helmet, as some of the instructors drive in HPDE-4 and they might allow you to be a passenger so you get a feel for the course at high speed. Personally, I learned a lot in HPDE with Nasa in Norcal especially with the HPDE-3 group/group leaders. Nasa is also nice in that there are so many cars and race groups to watch.

If you eventually need more track time in Norcal but without an instructor, then NCRC (Norcal Racing Club at http://www.ncracing.org/ ) is also good and is one of the least expensive. NCRC runs at Thunderhill, Buttonwillow, and occasionally at Laguna Seca. If you want to drive at Laguna, then you will need to have a fairly quiet car (92db or even 90db as sensed on the right side of the track after turn 5. - Jim

 

Well said guys.....
OP.. Brembo anything isnt necessary. Not now for you.
Run your stock rotors unless they are shot.
Most of us dont even venture into the aftermarket rotor and caliper world as the wonderful world of honda/acura gives us plenty of bolt on options that sometimes exceed the expectations of the more popular big brake kits.
Have fun, listen to your instructors, and remember you are out there to learn.

Fyi two of us are from the bay area and would be willing to help you with your questions and concerns

 

Thanks for the heads up so far guys.

@Xian I got all those except for a helmet. I was hoping to rent one until I can afford one I really want.

@Calif_Kid I was considering HOD because I assumed with the other organizations you would have to pay for instructors. $350 is a bit much but if NASA offers instructors I think I might research that option further.

@dirty19 I was also considering the Centric premium rotors as well. My rotors have been resurfaced once during my ownership of the car. Before that, I don't even know if they have ever been replaced lol. I don't have a micrometer either to spec them. Thanks for the offer for the help too. I'm located here on the peninsula near SFO.

 

Have fun, man. Don't get caught up trying to be the fastest car out there. No trophies in HPDE. Nice to see someone else is glad to track a single cam.

 

For your permanent helmet, make sure to actually try it on to make sure that the fit is really good - don't just order it thru the mail. I bought my helmet (Pyrotect) at IO Port Racing in the East Bay as they had a nice selection and took time to make sure that the fit was right. They have some helmet sizing info at http://www.ioportracing.com/Merchant...ategory_Code=H. IO Port Racing is located in the middle of a residential area so you might think you're lost (I did). Another local shop that will have a good selection is Wine Country Motorsports at Infineon (Sonoma) raceway. I'd suggest going with a full face helmet.

PS - there are quite a few Honda racers scattered across the Bay Area. - Jim

 

@Calif_Kid thanks for that tip. I was thinking of ordering helmet according to hat size but your right, it is actually better to test fit it on. I consider that the same for seats as well.

The Bay Area folks ever get together for track events? The closest thing I've done for track stuff is the Wednesday Night Drags at Sonoma. Won 2nd place my first time out! But I have experience doing drag somewhere other than the track.

 

Go to WineCountry Motorsports at Sonoma Raceway to try on helmets. Good folks and yes spend some time with them on to make sure they not only fit, but are comfortable for 20-30 minutes.

 

When you guys went on your first hpde, which organization did you choose? NASA is definitely more affordable but is HOD worth the price? Seems like HOD is geared more to the layperson or non-enthusiast. I am a complete noob on the racetrack but I am not a noob with cars and driving in general.

 

I'd also like to add that I will be on 185/70/14 Falken Ziex-912 lol. I would get another set of tires since these are my daily but it is not feasible at this time.

 

It sounds like you will be completly removing/changing the old brake fluid, and that is a great idea. The brake fluid will slowly adsorb moisture, so if it has been in the car for a few years, then you could have brake fade issues as the brakes will get a lot hotter than they will on the street, so good decision on replacing the brake fluid. - Jim

 

My first year or so of hpde I did it on ziex 912s and they were fine. It wasn't until my speed carrying improved that they became over worked and greasy (it was really hot as well).

 

Dont worry about your tires for now, just get out there and run.
Helmet is important.
You dont have to have the best just one that has a SA rating.
Depends on your budget but you can get one at a reasonable price.
Check out wine country or IO port

 

Enjoy! Its a hoot! Be sure to warm up your tires tho!
Check tires pressures, lugs are all tight.

Water for drinking, and window cleaner are both good to have on hand.

 

Man, I am super excited for this. It's like I'm a little kid again lol.

@dirty19 do they offer rental helmets? I'd like to save up for a nice helmet that I'll use forever.

 

I recommend to buy a helmet...rentals with dried up sweat from others is just not good in my head. barf.

 

@robin6 lol good point

 

What? You don't like fishing for a helmet out of the lice bucket? :blech:

 

Thanks for tip, will stop in. Buying online is so easy but it's just best trying it on so there's no disappointments.

OP: Torque wrench, small metric socket set (you never know), water, some sort of food, some plan for shade. You will be tired after.

If you rent a helmet buy a balaclava at least as a barrier against the nasty they are cheap and you can use it later when you buy a helmet. File it under "you never know".

 

You can spend a ton or not, up to you, but the yuck factor is just to much for me to rent a helmet. Heck I would not let anyone use mine because how sweaty I get mine...lol
I personally like lightweight...couldnt think of doing anything heavy on the old rock bucket on these shoulders.

 

I dont know about the hooked on fishing guys... you should contact them and see if they have loaners.
Personally just go buy one.

 

A lot of good points have been made and I just wanted to add a couple more.

Brakes: I wouldn't waste money upgrading the stock civic rotors/pads. Run what you have if your pads have decent life left. Fluid change isn't a bad idea. Upgrading to the Integra front knuckle/caliper/rotor is cheap and at that time I would recommend getting the new pads and rotors.

First Track Day: I went with Hybrids.jp back in 2002 on a private test day and just got a bunch of ride alongs. I was instantly hooked. Since then I've used SpeedVentures mostly. NCRC is good as well for your NorCal folks.

Car Prep: Along with checking lugnuts, etc, make sure you remove everything from your car. I've instructed a lot of people that still had **** in their door panels, cup holders, floor and trunk. Take everything out of the car! You don't want anything rolling around and getting caught up in your feet.

The most important thing is to have fun, learn and not focus so much on lap times or speed. Riding passenger with faster drivers helps a lot too. You get to see a lot of things you normally wouldn't notice as a passenger.

 

^^^I can back Jackson up regarding SpeedVentures.com, a great organized event and a great bunch of guys/girls at the events all the time. Their training is tops as well, keeps it all safe.

 

Thanks for all the tips so far guys. I really do appreciate you guys taking the time to show me what's up. I will probably end up going with a NASA HPDE since it is a bit within my price range.

The cheapest full face helmet I found was a Zamp helmet from Wine Country Motorsports.
http://www.winecountrymotorsports.co...oducts_id=1019

I just inspected my brakes and my driverside pad is at 4mm. My passenger side is a little over 3.5mm.

I used a ruler to measure my rotors lol. But my driver side is at 19.5 mm and passenger side is at 20mm.

Service limits for pads is 1.6mm and for rotors it's 19mm according to Helms. It's funny how the dealership I use to work at use to recommend pads at 3mm lol.

So I guess I should be good? I will do a brake fluid flush for sure with the ATE blue and I will replace the passenger side caliper bolt since I can see it stretching a little. That caliper is aftermarket so those bolts are soft as hell.