First HPDE coming up soon, some general questions
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From: On The Beach in, FL
First HPDE coming up soon, some general questions
Well times come to do my first HPDE in a couple months and i've read many threads and had friends who have done it so I just had a couple general questions. Right now suspension wise all i'm running is H&R sport springs, stock brake pads and everything else is stock also. I do have 4 brand new Azenis old style RT-215 
that i'm definitly going to use. I'm just not sure if I should spend the money to buy some new wheels or not to mount these on. If i do i dont want to spend much more than $300 so what would my options be, slipstreams ect and what size would you guys recommend? The car IS daily driven despite what some fockers on this board think so i'm not looking to make this a full race car haha. Of course i have to get the car checked out by a certified mechanic before i do the event just to make sure everythings up to par. Basically what do you guys recommend I do or get for this event to have a successful and fun time. Should i even upgrade the pads ect use ATE Blue ect?
that i'm definitly going to use. I'm just not sure if I should spend the money to buy some new wheels or not to mount these on. If i do i dont want to spend much more than $300 so what would my options be, slipstreams ect and what size would you guys recommend? The car IS daily driven despite what some fockers on this board think so i'm not looking to make this a full race car haha. Of course i have to get the car checked out by a certified mechanic before i do the event just to make sure everythings up to par. Basically what do you guys recommend I do or get for this event to have a successful and fun time. Should i even upgrade the pads ect use ATE Blue ect?
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From: vancity
Re: First HPDE coming up soon, some general questions (Lifter2012)
I'm coming up on my first event ever this season too. Yeah for n00bs 
There are plenty of peeps out there running full stock with no problems. I'd imagine that the first day will be theory with some basic driving instruction.
Maybe upgrade to a DOT 5.1 fluid and change your front pads to something like PBR, Cobalt, Hawk HPS, etc. I'd leave everything else alone for now. See how your car does then make the appropriate changes.
A lot of parts people change on their cars is due to them not being satisfied with their performance on the track. But it's THEIR preference. Some things work better for others in certain situations. It's hard to say what will and won't work for you, within reason.
What size are the Azenies?
There are plenty of peeps out there running full stock with no problems. I'd imagine that the first day will be theory with some basic driving instruction.
Maybe upgrade to a DOT 5.1 fluid and change your front pads to something like PBR, Cobalt, Hawk HPS, etc. I'd leave everything else alone for now. See how your car does then make the appropriate changes.
A lot of parts people change on their cars is due to them not being satisfied with their performance on the track. But it's THEIR preference. Some things work better for others in certain situations. It's hard to say what will and won't work for you, within reason.
What size are the Azenies?
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From: Warning, gRand Return imminent,, NY, USA
For you, first event all I would recommend is a brake fluid flush and new pads. I used ATE Super Blue in my R and will in my TSX when I start tracking it. I ran Axxis Ultimates at first but the dust they gave off was too much for me. I switched to Cobalt GT Sports and they were a great beginner/intermediate pad that didn't dust much at all.
As far as wheels it's a personal thing. I did a few events and autox's on my stock ITR wheels and Azenis. Car felt good but when I switched to the 7 inch wide Kosei's the change was like night and day. Turn in was faster and the car felt a lot more nimble and responsive.
Don't go broke, see if you like it first, and when you do (lol) then worry about future upgrades.
Most important thing, go with an open mind, a helmet and be willing to listen when someone tells you you're doing something wrong.
As far as wheels it's a personal thing. I did a few events and autox's on my stock ITR wheels and Azenis. Car felt good but when I switched to the 7 inch wide Kosei's the change was like night and day. Turn in was faster and the car felt a lot more nimble and responsive.
Don't go broke, see if you like it first, and when you do (lol) then worry about future upgrades.
Most important thing, go with an open mind, a helmet and be willing to listen when someone tells you you're doing something wrong.
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From: FaRcyde
Re: First HPDE coming up soon, some general questions (Lifter2012)
The R handles great in it's stock form. Stay as close to stock form as possible and save your $$ for more track events.
The only worthy upgrade for a newbie is your brake pads and brake fluid as mentioned.
The only worthy upgrade for a newbie is your brake pads and brake fluid as mentioned.
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From: Tampa, Fl
Re: First HPDE coming up soon, some general questions (Lifter2012)
sebring?? when I had my R I just had the handR's as well but I would change the pads I ate up my stock ones pretty fast but they already had 40k miles on them just get some cobalt gt sports and have at it. 
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From: On The Beach in, FL
Re: First HPDE coming up soon, some general questions (neo_)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by neo_ »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
hahaha, no comment!
And pleez son, ill wreck you on the track!</TD></TR></TABLE>
GTFO of my thread
i dont see you doin this so STFU
hahaha, no comment!
And pleez son, ill wreck you on the track!</TD></TR></TABLE>
GTFO of my thread
i dont see you doin this so STFU
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From: Coming to a parking lot, near you
Re: First HPDE coming up soon, some general questions (Lifter2012)
Dopie has the right idea. I would only worry about pads. I recommend Gt-Sports also. I am sure that Cobalt will have a special for Expo attendees again this year. If you choose to change to Super Blue that is good, but I just used Valvoline Dot 3 and had no problems. I even used my DD tires, RE-010's and they stuck very well, esp. late on the 1st day when the track was hot.
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Re: First HPDE coming up soon, some general questions (Lifter2012)
as far as your RT-215, besure to break them in before taking them to the track....
these tires chunk a good bit...even broken in properly.
these tires chunk a good bit...even broken in properly.
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From: Hollywood Babylon
Re: First HPDE coming up soon, some general questions (KayOs)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by KayOs »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The R handles great in it's stock form. Stay as close to stock form as possible and save your $$ for more track events.
The only worthy upgrade for a newbie is your brake pads and brake fluid as mentioned.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
stock tires y0!
Ryan, who wishes he had the chance to drive on the stock 010's
Honestly, its your first track day. dont go into it thinking you are mario andretti. check the basics, top off the fluids, and go for it. take it easy, learn a lot, then upgrade and make changes from there. youll have fun regardless.
The only worthy upgrade for a newbie is your brake pads and brake fluid as mentioned.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
stock tires y0!
Ryan, who wishes he had the chance to drive on the stock 010's
Honestly, its your first track day. dont go into it thinking you are mario andretti. check the basics, top off the fluids, and go for it. take it easy, learn a lot, then upgrade and make changes from there. youll have fun regardless.
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From: Bite Me, TX
Re: First HPDE coming up soon, some general questions (RTW DC2R)
-GT Sports
-Valvoline dot3/4
-Maybe new rotors
-Typical tune up depending on mileage
How long have you had those springs on your stock struts? Might look at getting some Koni Yellers if they've been on for over 15k.
-Valvoline dot3/4
-Maybe new rotors
-Typical tune up depending on mileage
How long have you had those springs on your stock struts? Might look at getting some Koni Yellers if they've been on for over 15k.
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From: blavica
I "might" have a set of slips you can borrow for the event. I would bring the car up here, we can go over everything mechanically. We can prep both cars the day or 2 before and then ride out.
As for what to do? I would flush the brake fluid. Use whatever you want, most prefer the ATE superblue but that's up to you. If your pads a new or close to new run those. One thing I didn't see mentioned is your rotors. Again if they are new/close to new use those, otherwise plan on changing those right before hand. Go into it with an open mind and remember it's not a race, it's a drivers education event. The biggest thing is to go out and have fun. I know I will. See you there homie....
As for what to do? I would flush the brake fluid. Use whatever you want, most prefer the ATE superblue but that's up to you. If your pads a new or close to new run those. One thing I didn't see mentioned is your rotors. Again if they are new/close to new use those, otherwise plan on changing those right before hand. Go into it with an open mind and remember it's not a race, it's a drivers education event. The biggest thing is to go out and have fun. I know I will. See you there homie....
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From: Chicago
Re: (Dave_B)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dave_B »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I would flush the brake fluid.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I agree.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dave_B »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Use whatever you want, most prefer the ATE superblue but that's up to you.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Actually, a lot more people I know use Motul RBF 600 these days, for its higher boiling points. That's what I use. You can see the boiling points and prices for most performance brake fluids in this topic. But as Dave says, use whatever you want.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dave_B »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If your pads a new or close to new run those.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I agree with Dave on this (and we disagree on it with pretty much everyone else). The stock pads are fine for your first time on the track! After all, your first time out there, you won't be using up the full capabilities of your car anyway. But what I would suggest is this: If you have plenty of pad material on your pads (50 percent or more), then leave them alone; if you have less than that, then change them beforehand. Regardless, buy an extra set of pads (I really like the Cobalt GT Sport pads that others have mentioned) and bring them with you to the track. If your current pads wear out, you can change them at the track; even if you've never done it before, it only takes about half an hour and just about anyone there can show you how to do so (it's the same on the ITR as on most other cars). And even if your current pads don't wear out, you can use the new pads sooner or later anyway.
Rear pads wear a whole lot more slowly than front pads, so you really don't need quite as much material back there to be worrying about them. But if you have less than 50 percent on the rears, buy a set of pads because, again, you'll need them sooner or later anyway.
To give you an idea of how long brake pads last, I get an average of 350-500 actual track miles to a set of front pads, and 1300-1600 actual track miles to a set of rear pads. Each HPDE event typically gives you 150-200 actual track miles.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dave_B »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">One thing I didn't see mentioned is your rotors. Again if they are new/close to new use those, otherwise plan on changing those right before hand.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Unless your rotors already have stress cracks visible in them, don't worry about them at all; they will be fine.
Oh, and if you haven't changed the oil and oil filter in the preceding 3-4 months, don't forget to do that beforehand, too.
Have fun!
I agree.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dave_B »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Use whatever you want, most prefer the ATE superblue but that's up to you.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Actually, a lot more people I know use Motul RBF 600 these days, for its higher boiling points. That's what I use. You can see the boiling points and prices for most performance brake fluids in this topic. But as Dave says, use whatever you want.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dave_B »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If your pads a new or close to new run those.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I agree with Dave on this (and we disagree on it with pretty much everyone else). The stock pads are fine for your first time on the track! After all, your first time out there, you won't be using up the full capabilities of your car anyway. But what I would suggest is this: If you have plenty of pad material on your pads (50 percent or more), then leave them alone; if you have less than that, then change them beforehand. Regardless, buy an extra set of pads (I really like the Cobalt GT Sport pads that others have mentioned) and bring them with you to the track. If your current pads wear out, you can change them at the track; even if you've never done it before, it only takes about half an hour and just about anyone there can show you how to do so (it's the same on the ITR as on most other cars). And even if your current pads don't wear out, you can use the new pads sooner or later anyway.
Rear pads wear a whole lot more slowly than front pads, so you really don't need quite as much material back there to be worrying about them. But if you have less than 50 percent on the rears, buy a set of pads because, again, you'll need them sooner or later anyway.
To give you an idea of how long brake pads last, I get an average of 350-500 actual track miles to a set of front pads, and 1300-1600 actual track miles to a set of rear pads. Each HPDE event typically gives you 150-200 actual track miles.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dave_B »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">One thing I didn't see mentioned is your rotors. Again if they are new/close to new use those, otherwise plan on changing those right before hand.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Unless your rotors already have stress cracks visible in them, don't worry about them at all; they will be fine.
Oh, and if you haven't changed the oil and oil filter in the preceding 3-4 months, don't forget to do that beforehand, too.
Have fun!
Re: First HPDE coming up soon, some general questions (Lifter2012)
my biggest advice for a first event(er)...besides the pads fluid oil change stuff...
Get some good sleep...wake up early the day before and get to bed early that night..be prepared to be shot after your event and dont think your going out to the bars that night...
Get some good sleep...wake up early the day before and get to bed early that night..be prepared to be shot after your event and dont think your going out to the bars that night...
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From: kuidaore
Re: (nsxtasy)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nsxtasy »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Have fun!
</TD></TR></TABLE>
What Ken said, + Fun!!!
Fluid & pads besides basic tune-up as per your current mileage = lotsa fun out there!
Have fun!
</TD></TR></TABLE>
What Ken said, + Fun!!!
Fluid & pads besides basic tune-up as per your current mileage = lotsa fun out there!
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From: Chicago
Re: First HPDE coming up soon, some general questions (obviousBOY)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by obviousBOY »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">my biggest advice for a first event(er)...besides the pads fluid oil change stuff...
Get some good sleep...wake up early the day before and get to bed early that night..be prepared to be shot after your event and dont think your going out to the bars that night...</TD></TR></TABLE>
That's REALLY good advice, and something that most people forget to mention.
Get some good sleep...wake up early the day before and get to bed early that night..be prepared to be shot after your event and dont think your going out to the bars that night...</TD></TR></TABLE>
That's REALLY good advice, and something that most people forget to mention.
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