"jglaze" (jglaze)
10/28/2013 at 15:01 • Filed to: track day, tips, racing
4
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"jglaze" (jglaze)
10/28/2013 at 15:01 • Filed to: track day, tips, racing | 4
| 12 |
I've finally decided to commit to doing my first track day, and I would like your input; but, first, a little about me.
I'm not completely ignorant of my way around a track or a car. I've done the autocross thing, I've worked as a marshall at several non-pro and pro track events, and I even went so far as to convince my wife we needed a 5-spd family car (not an SUV) when we found out she was pregnant. I'm the lucky guy that ended up with this UrS6 (and an amazing wife)
...the dog is staying home.
So, apart from, "get plenty of sleep, check air pressure, top off fluids, don't be an idiot, and most of all have fun", what tips do y'all have to keep from ending up in a compilation video like this?
I'll either be at Sears Point or Laguna Seca (pending confirmation of work travel), either of which should be amazingly fun. When it's all done, I'll post up a report with my own learnings and tips should anyone be interested.
Obligatory: photo of my young gear-head in training at Sears Point this past weekend.
Cheers - jg
Mosqvich
> jglaze
10/28/2013 at 15:09 |
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Empty the car completely. Not even a loose floor mat. If you have a helmet, make sure it's rated for track days (some motorcycle helmets are not). It should be a Snell 2005 (or newer) certified helmet.
KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
> Mosqvich
10/28/2013 at 15:16 |
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Some places are okay with Snell M2010 motorcycle helmets. Some will only accept SA2005 or SA2010 Snell helmets.
And second emptying the car.
ZHP Sparky, the 5th
> jglaze
10/28/2013 at 15:17 |
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Looking at that compilation video, I think it's clear that most of those crashes were purely a result of hot-headedness. From the limited experience I've had on track (I live in the Bay Area too!) I'd say these are the things I think are most important :
- It's not a race/you're not trying to impress anyone (seriously, nobody else even notices you...unless you mess up and make a fool of yourself) - stick within your limits - listen to your instructor (assuming you have one, highly recommend for beginners) but if they're pushing you too hard, just let them know you're getting past your comfort limit
- Understand the limits of your car and the track conditions, and keep within them
- Stay relaxed and calm, but be attentive to your surroundings (the times I've been most scared on track were with other drivers doing really idiotic/unexpected things)
- Drive your line - it's easy to get caught in a train of cars and follow the guy in front of you....off the cliff. If the train gets too frustrating, just give yourself space/pit in and ask to be let out with more space. You really don't lose much by doing so, if anything you get more quality track time without congestion.
- KNOW YOUR GROUP - some clubs are more safety oriented and are very professional about their track days...while others are very loosely run and can attract the hoonigan crowd. As a rule of thumb, you get what you pay for.
Have fun out there and report back after your outing!
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KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
> jglaze
10/28/2013 at 15:20 |
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Flush the brake fluid. Get a buddy and have him pump the brakes while you work the bleeder screws.
I'm not joking. Your brakes are fine on year old fluid on the street, because you aren't constantly using them. On the track, you are doing 70-30 every few seconds. That is murder on the fluid temperature.
Brake fluid temperature rises, the more likely it is to boil. The older the fluid is, the more likely it is to boil. Boiling fluid will mean you get spongy brakes.
And get mixed street/track pads. They will hold up to the higher temperatures.
You do not want to have any question in your brakes capabilities. Ever.
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KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
> ZHP Sparky, the 5th
10/28/2013 at 15:25 |
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The good places will have the advanced people instruct the novice group. There may also be a follow-the-leader session/parade lap to start with.
And I hope to God that every novice pays attention at the driver's meeting. If you have any doubt about anything, ASK. Flag colors, lighting system, corner flag stations, passing zones, passing rules (point-bys, etc), what you should do if something goes wrong.
And be predictable. Dear God, be predictable.
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ZHP Sparky, the 5th
> Mosqvich
10/28/2013 at 15:25 |
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It can get REALLY annoying noticing random rattles and crap moving about under the Gs during a track day you wouldn't feel during regular driving. Highly recommend taking EVERYTHING that can be removed out of the car.
jlmounce
> jglaze
10/28/2013 at 15:27 |
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I'm assuming this will be your first on track experience here. The best advice I can really give, is to absolutely 100% listen to your instructor. They will make you faster. Don't worry about making any modifications to your car, adding power or grip. They will all hurt you in the beginning. Go with as stock of a car as you can. The lower power and grip levels combined with braking systems that sometimes are not up to the task really help to better your driving.
You've already mentioned getting sleep, getting rest etc. so we don't really need to talk about that. However they are among the most important items regardless of how many times you've been on track.
One thing that always comes up and can really mess with your braking is using your parking break. When you end your session you should have a lap of cooldown. Drive the circut at a pace that you can make every corner without having to touch the brakes. Then, when you enter the paddock, stop the car and put it in gear...do NOT apply the parking brake. This creates uneven heat in your rotors and can warp them. This translates to shimmy and shake on the track which can be unnerving if you're not prepared for it. A good instructor will point this out to you, but some don't.
There's also a really cool seatbelt trick that you can use to help keep yourself positioned correctly. The more secure you are in teh seat without having to use the wheel as an anchor, the more stamina you'll have. It also makes it easier to place the car in the turn. To do this, slide your seat as far back as it will go on the track. While sitting in the seat, buckle your belt and tug on it hard enough to engage the lock. While holding the belt tight against the lock, move your seat forward so that the belt pins you to the chair. You want it tight enough not to unlock, but not so tight that it's making it hard to breath, or cutting in to you.
Bring a pair of basic tools along with a couple brake rotors and pads. Usually one front rotor and one rear rotor with a change of pads will do. You usually won't need them, but you don't want to be stuck at the track unable to run, or get home because you cracked a rotor or burned through pads. Obviously, you'll want to bring brake fluid and motor oil as well.
Top of your fluids as needed. It's not unheard of to burn a quart or more of oil during a lapping weekend.
Finally I'll reiterate the listening to your instructor. You'll probably find at first they are pressuring you to actually go faster. Let them show you how to apex each corner correctly and where your braking and accelerating points are. A good instructor will push you on the track in order to make you better. As your skill starts to improve along with your confidence, that same instructor will restrain you when it's needed.
Have fun and good luck!
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KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
> jglaze
10/28/2013 at 16:32 |
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Oh, and bring a camera. Because shenanigans. Here are some from my track day last Friday. I did run into the 5GB upload limit though.
https://vimeo.com/user22167106/v…
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jglaze
> jlmounce
10/28/2013 at 17:05 |
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I'd heard about the parking brake before, but an excellent reminder. I'll be running with Hooked On Driving and their instructors seem to have a good rep, but all good points to keep in mind.
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jglaze
> KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
10/28/2013 at 17:07 |
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Thanks fellas - I'm in group A for beginners...and I'll definitely be paying attention in the driver's meeting/listening to my instructor. If I ding up the car, I lose my ride to work in the morning!
Predictable - check.
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jlmounce
> jglaze
10/28/2013 at 17:16 |
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I did want to add, if you get to the point where you skill is starting to outpace others on the track, use your hot pit. Instead of sitting around waiting on the person in front of you to give you a point bye, pit. The workers will get you out in the least amount of traffic possible. While waiting to be sent back out, don't use the brake, specifically to avoid the same issue related to the parking brake.
LimitedSlipDiff
> jlmounce
11/05/2013 at 14:05 |
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Just thought I would pass this on regarding rotor warp: http://www.stoptech.com/technical-supp…