I guess I'll start off by saying that this is my FIRST post in HT & I'm actually kind of uneasy putting it up. I frequent the ITR forum & it seems that newbies are ripped to shreads.

Well at the end of april it will be my first time road racing, I'm actually taking a performance driving school.

Just wanted to see what things you gurus recommend to know/do for the track.

I read a thread about "your first time" & a lot of people said that walking the track A LOT (8-10 times) is a definite

Any other pointers/tips?

 

Those are only the useless newbies that are burned at the stake.

Are you road racing or doing a driving school?

Walking the course is done only at autox. On a road course a few laps at 7/10ths (or whatever pace you're comfortable with), will help you get accustomed to the track.

Remember this mantra: "slow in, fast out"

Try to soak up as much information as you can gather from the instructor (if it is a driving school).

Get a good night's rest the night before the event, and have a light breakfast to start your morning off right.

Welcome to H-T.

Also, ignore the advice that "soup ****" gives in the ITR forum, it's always incorrect and/or misleading.

 

Good brake pads!

<--------Learned the hard way with some EBC greens at Jefferson Circuit during my first time on track.

 

hehe sorry, it is a driving school held at a road course.

sounds good, I'll probably do something like that with the instructor

Check, check & check


thanks! :D

aren't YOU "soup ****"???
or am I getting my mods confused???

Are you saying EBC Greens aren't good enough?


[Modified by REFLUX, 5:52 PM 4/1/2003]

 

folded up shop towels are probably better than ebc greens, though i've heard they have a "new, improved" compound.

check the sticky, there's links to sites & threads that probably answer 99% of your questions. ask the other %1 here, you'll get good answers

joel

 

Take it easy, don't forget that it isn't a race, there is no prize for coming in first and it doesn't matter how many people pass you up. Don't twiddle with the car too much (air pressure, shock settings, etc...) Just drive what you have and have fun. Oh, and start saving up for your *next* event after his one.
-Adam

 

Usually its the guys who ask about street racing, or ask a question that's already been asked by another n00b (one that is still on page one!), or something completely and utterly off topic that gets people tarred and feathered in RR/AX.

OK...I assume you're driving your own car. That said...

1. Check your ego, if you have one, at the gate. Seriously. Be there to *learn*, not to pass that guy in the Corvette.
2. At the very least, flush your brake fluid and replace it with fresh. For your first school there's no need for high dollar brake fluid.
3. Listen to your instructor.
4. Pack a cooler full of water/gatorade. This will take more out of you than you might imagine, especially if it's hot outside.
5. Ask your instructor if you can ride with him if he does not ask you. In *hig* car, not yours.
6. Wear sunscreen.
7. Bring an umbrella.
8. Take the McDonalds wrappers and spare change out of the car before you hit the track.
9. Don't run out of gas. You'll use a lot of it.

And finally...

10. Have fun!

There's countless other things, these just were off the top of my head.

 

thanks a lot guys!!

& yeah I checked the sticky before I posted (didn't wanna get the infamous HondaTech "USE THE SEARCH BUTTON" phrase )

I guess I'll be keeping my car stock for now and as mityVR6 said...save up for the "next" event

thanks again!!!!!!

to HT


[Modified by REFLUX, 9:46 PM 4/1/2003]

 

I actually walked a road course once, summit point. It took a while since I was sick as hell and it was about 20 degrees out, but it really helped. I walked it after the 1st day was over and I was quicker the 1st session of the next day than I was the best of the day before...of course I was able to play the track over and over in my head all night and all that, but walking the course did help...tho i'd use a scooter or bike next time if I could. Anything slow and not in a car to give you a more acurate feel for surface changes from material to bankings.

http://www.turnfast.com has some good info if you haven't checked them out


[Modified by DSC240sx, 6:23 AM 4/2/2003]

 

Drink plenty of water. Don't wait till you're thirsty, drink often.

Listen to your instructor. If you aren't clear on something, ask questions.

Lock your ego in the glove box and don't take it out until you get home.

Water. Drink plenty. If you aren't stopping by the bathroom every hour or so, you're not drinking enough.

The better you learn, the more fun you'll have...and you want to have fun, right?

Did I mention water?

 

The folks over in Porsche Club do this EVERY event. At the end of the day, they all grab a beer and walk the track. I've never participated because I'm generally tired as hell and don't want to walk several miles at the end of the day but some people swear by it. I would say that if anyone is going to walk the track, you should do it after a couple events so you know how to interpret what you see.

 

biggest thing is to watch out for We-Todds


remember to listen to your instructor
remember that if you drive your car to track you have to drive it home too

 

I'm not sure walking a track is useful before your first time out.

after that, for sure.

sometimes we take a pickup truck and just stop at each corner, which is ok, but its better to walk the whole thing. the main straight at summit is a real hike, but there's still stuff to notice. the JC is a great track for walking, since its short and the contours are so important on it.

joel

 

we did this at BeaveRun during a NASA event at lunch, was pretty cool...Funny how different things look when you're standing still.

 

I'm sure it must be annoying to see how that straightaway that takes 15 seconds in a car, takes 30 mins to walk.

 

We walk the track every weekend that the weather is not real bad.

We discuss lines through the corners, offs, women, cars, beer, 40s, beer, urination, etc.

Of course we are very drunk before the start, and we usually walk the turns backwards. (ie:9,8,7,etc.)

If you off during the day, you have to "Pour one out for the lap i didn't make it"

 

If you have an ITR I recommend OEM pads over EBC Greens. They lasted me for a 2 day HPDE. Also don't be afraid to slow down on long straights to reduce wear and tear on brakes. You really don't learn much going fast on straights its the corners that are fun.

 

Fuzznuts? Moderator? I quit.

 

Is that like pouring one out for your dead homeys?

 

After a weekend on the track, I can't AFFORD to waste perfectly good

 

that's why we use 40's, it ISN'T perfectly good beer.

 

werd

 

Everything posted above is correct.

Try and do a ride-along with an instructor before you put your car on the track. Or at least early in the first day. Sometimes classroom instruction gets in the way, so you'll just have to keep trying.

Walking the track is extremely useful at the end of the first day. It gives you time to pick out brake markers, turn-in points, etc without having your hands full with a car and an instructor talking to you. It's also a good way to unwind with friends and a beer.

Check lug nut torque and tire pressure before every session. Change oil and brake fluid before weekend. Use ATE SuperBlue or Motul 600 or Ford HD or similar. Check tie rod ends, ball joints, and CV boots before the weekend - replace any with tears or obvious wear. Other than that, just make sure car is in good working order.

Bring a basic tool kit (enough to do brakes, wheel changes, etc). And a decent jack and jack stands. Somebody with a trailered car probably has all the big tools you might need for more involved tasks. Bring oil, coolant, brake fluid, spare brake pads (cheapo Autozone will do, they're just backups to get you home if you fry your main pads).

 

As far as the walking the track is concerned...(Hi Terry!) I would do it but the track you'll be on might take you too long.

I've been on walks where the instructor doesn't really say much.... he has a smoke and points out obvious things like..."here's a crack you'll want to avoid...."

You'll know if you went for a learning experience or a walk in the park when you hit the 1st corner. Ask a lot of questions.... all of the suggestions here are essentials...

water is my favorite....even in the barren cold winter wasteland you'll be at....

bring backup supplies.... Imagine me, being caught with brakes boiled and burned down and NO brakefluid...not even a damn bleeder!!

As a result...I missed two 20min sessions running around pleading for the right hardware to get me back on track.....

 

I think walking the track is very useful, especially if there are changes inthe pavement's surface, but also to help determine good lines. I have found that walking the track both forwards and in the opposite direction really can help establish the best line through the corner - try it. If possible, bring either rollerblades or a bike to tour the track several times in short order.

Have a fun and safe time learning!