i'll be going to my very first track event next week and i'm totally nervous but totally excited at the same time. now, i've done some searches and stuff and things i need or should do, but here are some questions i have. first, i haven't had time or to get new pads or brake fluid, but i'm thinking that i may not need new ones yet since i only have about 4000 miles on my car so far. would you guys recommend that i still get a back-up set of pads and change out the brake fluid? i'm thinking that since i haven't logged too many miles yet, i should be okay on that. if so, do you guys know of any places where i'd be able to get what i need in time (have exactly 1 week till the track day). any other suggestions or advice is also greatly appreciated.

 

Definitely, at the very least, get a set of extra street pads.
I burned through a set of nearly new stock front pads in ~45 minutes of track time this past weekend in my lighter (but with smaller brakes) SE-R. In fact, I was "almost" screwed for the drive home. The stock pads were burned to the backing plate and all I had were some MetalMaster pads with <2 mm of material left on them to get me home...

Have fun and be careful... Where are you running?

Andy

____
'91 SE-R
'00 GS-R

 

dayam. i thought i could get away with not getting new pads. you know where i could get some r4-s' by friday? or any other good set for that matter.
running at streets of willow. never heard of it myself, but i guess it really dusn't matter for my first time, eh?

 

You should only need front pads. I can send you an extra set of brand new front R4-S that I have. $100 by Paypal shipped to your door by Friday.

 

OGRacing (www.ogracing.com) can probably get you ATE SuperBlue fluid and Performance Friction pads in time. Call them today to be sure. PF has several pad compounds, their ZRated (CarboMetallic?) street pad would be a good choice for a first time at the track, since you can use it on the street as well.

Of course, I still recommend Hawk pads, but not sure if any suppliers could guaruntee delivery in time.

At a bare minimum, get some spare pads from TrackAuto and bleed the brakes with whatever fluid you can get. A remember to bring the proper tools to the track so you can rebleed and do pads if needed.

 

Streets of Willow is a good track to start on (equivalent to Jefferson Circuit for us East Coasters), flat, 5 or 6 turns... Should be a good time!

The big course (Willow Springs) looks like a LOT of fun... Lots of elevation change and some serious straights...

Andy

 

Note quite flat. Streets of Willow is built on the side of a hill and has significant elevation change, a fast chicane, and a large banked turn near the back. It's medium-heavy on the braking, so fresh brake pads are a strongly suggested. Excellent for beginners, except DON'T take the chicane too fast until you know what you're doing. I bent my suspension there.

This is a very popular test track for C&D, R&T, SCC, and other magazines.

Glen

 

thanks for all the help and pointers! and i'm definitely glad that this is a good course for beginners, which i am definitely.
quick question though, what is a chicane? (jus so i know what to look out for)

 

chicane = S-turn. quick left, then quick right. they can be tricky because you don't have much time between turns to let chassis settle.

 

ahhh. thanks!
getting more and more excited...

 

Have fun and welcome to the addiction.

Since it's your first time and you car is new .. I think you will be fine with brakes. The Type-R has great breaks. Just think you have 2x the pad surface area and like 20-30% more rotor then the GSR to stop a lighter car. Your brakes will do fine. Bring enough tools to bleed your front calipers just in case.

If you do decide to get some new pads, R4-S are a good choice for mixed street/track pad.