Track Days Don't Have a First Place

"Little Black Coupe Turned Silver" (littleblackcoupe)
12/01/2015 at 20:44 • Filed to: None

It seems like lately there has been a flood of posts about people picking up new track toys, since this is the prime time to buy one. Lots of summer cars are sold, instead of storing them for the winter. Most of these cars are the C6s, the 911s, the M3s. The “perfect” car for a track day, something that’s fast and fun, but still able to drive itself to the track and back.

So many people think you need gobs of HP, RWD and crazy amounts of carbon fiber to be successful on track. While that might be true for racing, it’s a very different world at a track day. As long as your car is safe, it can be tracked at a HPDE. Tires with tread, good brake pads and fluid, and basic maintenance go a long way to getting out on track.

When you first start driving, you will be slow. Accept this. It doesn’t matter what your car is, there’s a steep learning curve to driving on a track. You have to learn that smooth is fast, and fast is smooth. A fast driver can make a slow car fast. You can’t just rely on a car with all the HP and nannies to get you around a track quickly. I’ve had friends track all manner of daily drivers when their track car is down, and they get around the track just fine.

Any track day worth being at is going to have strict passing rules in place for the beginner drivers, if not every driver there. I know some groups allow their most advanced drivers open passing, and that’s ok because at that level drivers often have a competitive wheel to wheel license. Passing at HPDEs is done via point-by, only in designated passing zones. The car that is being passed must literally put their arm out the window, and point cars by to pass. This is done for safety, to reduce the chance of contact between cars.

I’ve seen the argument made that fast cars are needed, so that a driver doesn’t spend the entire session giving point-bys. Again, a beginner driver will be slow in any car. You might spend what feels like the whole session being passed, but it happens. Get more seat time, get a good instructor with you, and eventually you will reach a point where that doesn’t happen as much. As the title says, there isn’t a first place, it’s ok to be passed. If you’re in a no passing zone, anyone behind you just has to wait. Check you mirrors when you’re getting close to a passing zone, and let anyone who is back there to go by. The corner stations might throw a blue passing flag at you, it’s not the end of the world as long as you follow the rules and let people pass if you see one. Checking you mirrors and being aware of other cars on track is an important part of driving, especially if you want to reach the level of wheel on wheel. Getting a fast car so that no one can pass you isn’t realistic, and will be detrimental to development as a driver.

Track days are about having fun, developing skills, and growing as a driver. The only way to win is to have a running car at the end of the weekend, that you can then drive back home.

DISCUSSION (12)

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > Little Black Coupe Turned Silver
12/01/2015 at 21:07

For me track days are about making new friends also, because people are awesome until they prove otherwise

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > Little Black Coupe Turned Silver
12/01/2015 at 21:49

Don’t be this guy:

911e46z06 > Little Black Coupe Turned Silver
12/01/2015 at 22:04

Everyone wins at track day

Needmoargarage > Little Black Coupe Turned Silver
12/02/2015 at 09:30

I can’t give this post enough stars!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Little Black Coupe Turned Silver
12/02/2015 at 10:04

My first track day was in my old ‘05 Mazda 3s hatch. I was definitely the slowest out there, but it was a great time, and very educational. Now that I have my M3, it is quite fun to be one of the faster cars in my group (intermediate), but I still know I’m learning and have no shame in giving point-bys (even to a Miata!). Another good tip if you find yourself in traffic (in front of you or behind) is to pit in safely, stop for a second, and then get back on the track after the cluster of cars is on the other side of the track. Doing this can relieve much frustration if you find yourself in a train of cars.

And you’re right: it is an awesome feeling to beat the hell out of your car all day at the track, and then drive it home in relative comfort, confident in its reliability. Astounds me every time...

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > 911e46z06
12/02/2015 at 10:05

Except the guy who stuffs it in the tires halfway through the first session - ha! What modifications have you done to your Z06 for the track?

uofime-2 > Little Black Coupe Turned Silver
12/02/2015 at 11:31

but, but, but, corner entry is hard! I need moar power, so I can botch it and still pass on the straights

911e46z06 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
12/02/2015 at 13:31

Well, there’s that. No mods for me. It’s plenty fast as is. Just swapped the shitty run-flats for Potenza Pole Positions.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > 911e46z06
12/02/2015 at 13:53

Nice. I’ve only done exhaust & tune, tires, brake pads and fluid on my M3, and think that’s about right for a car will only see the track a couple times a year. If it becomes more of a toy 5 years from now, then I might get a little more crazy, but the car is far more capable than me at this point!

911e46z06 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
12/02/2015 at 14:08

Yeah, my M3 just has a K&N that the last owner put on, Forgestar wheels, and Potenzas. I used to be all about modding, and still am for some stuff (like my expedition rig), but for performance cars, I’ve kind of converted to the idea of just buying something that already goes as fast as you want to go.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > 911e46z06
12/02/2015 at 15:51

There’s something to be said about trusting some of the finest engineers in the world and leaving the car they way they set it up - ha!

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Little Black Coupe Turned Silver
12/10/2015 at 14:00

This is the one reason why I can never go to a track day. Too competitive. And crap, I’d crash someone for sure.

I'll stick to karting.