Yeah, I'm a track noob. What items should I bring to the track?

So far:
-2 sets of rims/tires
-Torque wrench
-Socket set
-Tire Pressure gauge
-Jack/stand or 2
-Brake fluid
-Oil
-Helmet
-Chairs


I've seen people spraying their rims with water or something. Is that to cool the lugs/studs? Do I need something like that?

Thanks for all construction comments.


Modified by WhiteOnRice at 10:52 AM 9/13/2007

 

My first event I had brake fluid, and tools.

I would suggest to go along with what u have.
extra set of pads, probably rotors too.
brake fluid, something to bleed brakes
oil
tire gauge
water/snacks
chairs
all I can think of right now. I noticed you're from wisconsin. Where are you doing this event at?

 

Plenty of gatoraid / water
Snacks to eat ( I usally brings something sweet and something salty. ie cookies and chips)
Chair
Shade
Helmet
Hat
sunscreen

People are spraying their tire to cool them down.... you won't need to do this. People do this to maximize their score on a timed run ( you won't be competing or be timed.)

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Gong Show &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I noticed you're from wisconsin. Where are you doing this event at?</TD></TR></TABLE>
It's at USA International Raceway. It's normally a go kart track but they expanded (a lot) and now have open track/drift days.

http://www.usainternationalraceway.com/

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by WhiteOnRice &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">http://www.usainternationalraceway.com</TD></TR></TABLE>
no ****? never even knew it existed. Is there a group that is putting the event on? or just the facility itself? How did you find out about it?

- If the event requiers you to run numbers, bring some magnetic numbers or painters tape
- Air Supply (no not your favorite driving cd... i kid, i kid) a small air compressor or air tank. dont always rely on the track to have it, this way you can easily make adjustments too.
- Your Brain and a smile! Seriously. Theres a lot of things that can turn a track day into a huge headache but as long as you stay possitive, are willing to learn, and think first you'll have a blast

 

here are some more ideas

This is my check list of **** to bring to the track

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1910873


Modified by Crazydave at 4:43 PM 9/13/2007

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BAR296 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">- Air Supply (no not your favorite driving cd... i kid, i kid)</TD></TR></TABLE>

lol!

just what these guys are saying.... bring lots and lots of water to drink

and make sure to leave the ego at home

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BAR296 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">no ****? never even knew it existed. Is there a group that is putting the event on? or just the facility itself? How did you find out about it?</TD></TR></TABLE>
It's in my hometown. People that live there don't even know about it. The facility is rented out to a car club and they sell the sessions. You don't have to have numbers or anything. They don't time anything and I've never seen aggressive passing.

 

There are all kinds of things you'll want to bring, as already mentioned. After a couple events, you'll probably start bringing more and more to the track, so you might want to just go ahead and get a big Rubbermaid storage box or some sort of storage chest to throw all your junk in. Consider getting something bigger than you currently think you need. There's always something you'll end up needing after you gain experience.




Home Depot and Lowe's has stuff like that.

Also, make sure you keep your tools dry in case of rain, especially your socket drives!

 

make sure to leave your ego at home

you are about to really learn how to drive for the first time.

 

There isn't any training there and I don't know anyone else that will be driving but I know what you mean.

 

what?
they do hpde1 with no instructor or help?

 

Yup, it's just doing what you want with your 3 sessions. I could ask the guy who's renting the track for that day. A guy I talked to last year took 2 seconds off his time with the guy's lines.

 

man i would seriously look at hooking up with NASA or another similar local organization that will teach you for your first time. whole day of classroom, instructor in the car.

its more than just learning the line, its learning how to drive the right way (hand positions, braking, turning in, etc) and track etiquette and rules. once you get bad habits its hard to break them.

 

ahh Kamin beat me to it. Looks like you got all the tools covered. Please please leave your ego at home, it's gonna make your learning experience THAT much better and ultimately make you faster. Also find an experienced driver to sit with you, it helps alot. And if he has any sense, he'll probably tell you to concentrate on driving the line and being smooth and not worry about going fast and shifting for the first session out. First timers tend to get caught up in getting the fastest time and that's when they are all over the place, being jerky with inputs, and losing control and go home with bruised egos worn tires and not much learned! Good luck

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Kamin &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">man i would seriously look at hooking up with NASA or another similar local organization that will teach you for your first time. whole day of classroom, instructor in the car. </TD></TR></TABLE>
That's the thing. I can't a way to get into racing like that. Is there a website?

 

http://www.nasaproracing.com/

 

local PCAs, BMWCCAs, Stang clubs, Miata clubs, just google stuff. Bigger organizations like PCAs and BMWCCAs will provide instructors that they train. I've never actually done an event with NASA, from what I've seen PCAs or BMWCCAs are slightly easier on the wallet.

 

Yeah, it isn't real big in Wisconsin. Just the local track and road racing at Road America. You guys kind of scared me out of going to this track (without instructors). I don't want to learn any bad habits. I think I'm going to wait until next spring.

 

When you run with groups with instructors there is a lot to be learned.

They have classroom sessions where they talk about everything from track etiquette, flags, corner workers, driving skills and techinques, things to be aware of, things to do, things not to do.

These are very valuable lessions that you may not ever learn unless you attend a session like this.

They also have feedback, and talk with all the drivers so that you too can learn from other peoples mistakes and from the proper application of what they learned.


The HPDE gives you the basic tools to drive at high speed on the track with other cars and do it safely. If you have never been on the track before I would highly recommend that your first time, be with a group that provides in-car instruction, and classroom instruction too.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by WhiteOnRice &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Yeah, it isn't real big in Wisconsin. Just the local track and road racing at Road America. You guys kind of scared me out of going to this track (without instructors). I don't want to learn any bad habits. I think I'm going to wait until next spring.</TD></TR></TABLE>
No need to wait. http://scca-milwaukee.org/Road....html look at the last date. There is an HPDE @ Road America on Oct. 5th. Since it being put on by the SCCA I can garuntee that they will have instructors available during this event and will put you into an appropriate class for your driving skill level. I have done HPDE's with Milwaukee Region in the past and they really know how to put on an event like this.

 

Pit babes are needed. Not enough eye candy during HPDE's.....

 

Having instruction is so important for both your learning and safety. Do the SCCA PDX / HPDE if you can prior to this other event.

It wouldn't hurt to get a few books about HPDEs if you haven't already including Speed Secrets and Going Faster.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by WhiteOnRice &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">There isn't any training there and I don't know anyone else that will be driving but I know what you mean.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Talk to people and make friends Ride along with someone more experienced if it is allowed. If not allowed, try to follow a better driver around the track just to see their line.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">try to follow a better driver around the track just to see their line.</TD></TR></TABLE>

If you're doing this (again, another great reason to have an instructor help especially novices), be sure to look ahead. Too many people find themselves following someone else, that driver goes off the track, and so does the person following them.