ok, i'm a little excited b/c of it, but i jsut decided since i was gonna come check out the ECHC race that same weekend (Aug 2-3) i might as well do driving school.... i more or less just wanted to share my excitement more than anything else

 

Have fun and be safe

 

I'm trying to go that one too, along with another guy on here. Maybe I'll see you there. Are you gonna be in HPDE 1? I'd like any first time track advice also.

 

Make sure you have the turbo tuned very well, and better pray you have the means to keep the temp down.

 

Pay attention in class. Learn the flags. Listen to the instructor. Remember you are not racing. Look in your mirrors. Be patient with other drivers. Remember you do want to drive your car home. If an aftermarket turbo car, watch the guages.

The first time on track tends to be overwhelming. There is a lot of info coming at you in a short time. Trying to learn where you are on the track, the line, how to get the car to go on the line, where the flag stations are, what the flags mean, who am I catching, who is catching me, what it the instructor saying now. AND you want me to look at the guages too? Your brain will be fried, try to notice when it is happening and cool it when needed.

Track schools are great fun, but remember you are not racing, you are having fun. If you get balked by another car or some other frustration remind yourself it's not racing, position on track does not matter, no trophies.

Bring lots of water, gatoraid(or similar) food if it will not be made available. Helmet, torque wrench and know your lug nut torque. Sunscreen, hat, raingear. Car, tires, brakes in good condition, new brake fluid. Read everything they send you before the event. Everything you take care of before the event is one you don't have to think about when there.

 

i plan on hitting up the VIR and the CMP HPDE events

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DunReit &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Make sure you have the turbo tuned very well, and better pray you have the means to keep the temp down.</TD></TR></TABLE>
you mean like an oil cooler, and upgraded fans?? if so, then that won't be a problem, if not, then please elaborate

 

like oil cooler... big farking radiator... anything you can do to keep the temps at a manageable level. I hope you have accurate water temp and oil temp gauges as well as an EGT probe.

Oh, and dont drink gatorade or soda. Only water. Bring two gallons a day and drink them - because if you do dehydrate, you're fooked for the weekend and when you are dehydrated you get fatigued and make mistakes - and places like south bend are not going to be forgiving if you **** up there.

 

aight, sounds cool, and yeah, i have autometer air intake temp, EGT, oil temp, and water temp guages, as well as oil pressure, boost, and a wideband a/f guage, i could monitor the spaceship with all the damn guages i have.....

yeah, i know all about the water thing, i spent 2 summers at ROTC summer camp in Fort Jackson SC, water water water, the best thing about gatorade is that it will re-hydrate you quickly, but won't keep you going like water will

anyone go any sugestions on tires, brakes etc???

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Boosted97Lude &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">anyone go any sugestions on tires, brakes etc???</TD></TR></TABLE>

Falken Azenis
Carbotech Panther+ or Panther XP

Thats all you need to know

 

anyting else i should do to the car??

 

A gatorade, or other carbohydrate source is good every now and then.

A common practice of mine is to have one 20oz gatorade for every 64oz of water I drink. Yes, I go through a lot.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Boosted97Lude &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">anyting else i should do to the car??</TD></TR></TABLE>

Brakes:
Flush brake fluid - replace with Motul 600 or ATE SuperBlue or similar.
Fresh pads (call Cobalt or Carbotech). Bring a spare set too (stock will do, these are to get you home if you fry the track pads).
Check brake lines (when you're bleeding them) for cracks or dry/brittle if rubber

Drivetrain:
Fresh oil and tranny fluid. bring a few bottles of oil with you - cars tend to burn it when running at WOT for extended periods.
Check CV joint boots

Suspension:
Check tie rod ends, balljoint boots, etc.

Wheels/tires:
Use whatever tires you have for the first event.
Torque lugnuts properly with a torque wrench.
Add a few psi over street level for track use

 

bring a good attitude....................... do not believe your car is some kind of rocket ship and should be faster than everyone else, cars are fast, people are not

keep an open mind and take in all the info you can, worry less about getting your car prepped beyond the basics like proper tires, brakes functioning properly, car running properly and worry about getting yourself ready like sleep, nutrition, leaving your ego at home

and biggest of all remember to have fun, you are not racing, you are not fighting for the win, you are just driving a little faster legally

 

i am occasionally cocky auto-xing, but usually to the rice, but to be honest, i will be too excited to be on a real track to even think about being cocky, plus you and Corey will be there to bitch slap me if i need it

 

we will offer any adivce or help we can.....

I guarantee you will be overwhelmed by the experience after your first session

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mohudsolo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Pay attention in class. Learn the flags. Listen to the instructor. Remember you are not racing. Look in your mirrors. Be patient with other drivers. Remember you do want to drive your car home. </TD></TR></TABLE>

what he said

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Falken Azenis
Carbotech Panther+ or Panther XP</TD></TR></TABLE>

that too

 

Yeah, this stuff is VERY addicting. You have been warned. (In the event that you spend every last cent of your hard-earned money to make your car faster on the track).

Cheers!

 

Don't go backwards through the uphill esses

Brian

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Brian*Blue95M3 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Don't go backwards through the uphill esses

Brian</TD></TR></TABLE>

especially in front of me

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Brian*Blue95M3 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Don't go backwards through the uphill esses

Brian</TD></TR></TABLE>

the event in august consist of only the north course which turns off to the right before the uphill S's, i will also be in attendence to this hpde

 

flatfoot the crossover er... maybe not in group 1

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Brian*Blue95M3 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Don't go backwards through the uphill esses

Brian</TD></TR></TABLE>

In other words, keep it in the throttle and whatever you do DON"T LIFT AT THE TOP of the uphill esses or you will end up in North Carolina

You will find out why we all love the esses

Ahhh, just read all the way through the post. No uphill esses for us. I have heard great things about the crossover though New track to learn

Mike

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 92sleepR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

In other words, keep it in the throttle and whatever you do DON"T LIFT AT THE TOP of the uphill esses or you will end up in North Carolina

You will find out why we all love the esses

Ahhh, just read all the way through the post. No uphill esses for us. I have heard great things about the crossover though New track to learn

Mike</TD></TR></TABLE>

i have been on the north course crossover multiple times and it is a fun long sweeping uphill right and it would be wise to keep in the throttle all the way thru the turn

 

RJ. you never know whats going to happen in group one with the bear killa in it!