Track Day (bro) Questions

"bobbe17" (rob-runte) 09/01/2016 at 09:45 • Filed to: None

2

11

After two years with the M3, I’m finally getting around to getting it out on a track like nature intended. I’m planning on signing up for the September 26th track day event at Road America.

As this is my first event, I’m wondering about vehicle prep and what to be prepared with. I’ll be doing an oil change sometime before the event and will also be doing a brake fluid flush. All other fluids were done last year so those should be ok.

I haven’t touched the pads or rotors since I bought the car 18k miles ago and have no idea when they were put on the car. That being said, they feel great and the pads appear to have plenty of life left. Should I buy pads specifically for the track day event or continue running on what I have anticipating that I’ll replace them after if necessary?

Also, my yaw rate sensor is out which causes the ABS to go crazy on occasion. If I turn off traction control there’s no problem and that’s the way I’ve been driving it for the past year. This won’t be an issue with the instructor or organizers will it?

And finally, I’m planning on getting track day insurance just to be safe. Is Lockton what most of you have gone through? I’m an SCCA member but it looks like it can’t get me a discount for this one. Any other discounts or trusted companies that may be cheaper than Lockton’s $168 for the single day event?

Any other advice for a first timer?

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > bobbe17 09/01/2016 at 09:55

1

Change your pads with track focused ones first and make sure you’re using good Dot 4 brake fluid. The cheap Dot 3 stuff will boil. I use Motul RBF 600 and have never had an issue. The organizers won’t care that TC is off because that’s how everyone runs anyway. Track day insurance is expensive because of the nature of what they’re insuring, but I don’t really have any experience with that. If I threw my track car into a wall, it would be cheap to get another non-running shell to swap my good bits into. Only advice really is have fun, make sure your wheels are torqued correctly, and keep an eye on the rear-view mirror and be courteous of slower cars that are going faster than you. You don’t want to be that asshole who’s slow everywhere except the straights where passing is allowed preventing the other guys from being able to push in the corners.

DutchieDC2R > bobbe17 09/01/2016 at 10:06

0

Some general advice (you seem like a responsible person, but I’ll advise anyways): No need to run on limit or try to break track records. I dont know if this is your first time ever, but just go with the flow, go your own speed, your own tempo, what you feel comfortable going.

Im sure youll be passed by dozens of Miata’s and other, smaller, ‘slower’ cars, but dont be triggered by that. You never know who is behind the wheel and how much experience they have.

Regarding the vehicle, check your tires, tire pressure, check for leaks, if you have the space and time, do a basic check under the car to see if everything is bolted properly. I try to do that before I do a full-day track event. It’s not mandatory and I don’t see a lot of people recommending it, but remember, youre putting a lot more strain on your car compared to regular driving, something you dont notice during regular driving might fail/cause problems during a track day.

Last but not least, have fun! Above everything else, have fun. Track days are not only meant to make people known with the track and get the most out of their car, they are, above everything else, meant to make people have fun, in a responsible manner.

miadaman? yes please > bobbe17 09/01/2016 at 10:27

0

Have fun! Some tips and cautions:

- DOT 4 brake fluid
- high temp pads, rotor is fine as long as it has enough meat.
- no leak anywhere, everything in car must be secure.
- ensure your instructor know any faults with your car (ABS or otherwise)
- SNELL approved helmet (2010 or later), check if they have loaner
- listen to your coach and learn to drive, not race
- do not miss driver’s meeting
- take note of where track marshals are and always pay attention to see if any flag is up.
- let faster car pass, slow down for lower HP if required (some school do passer pull off racing line, some school the other way around)
- always do 1 full warm up lap and 1 full cool down lap, keep an eye on temp gage.
- hydrate more than you think is necessary
- track insurance is up to you, if the school is reputable there are rarely screw ups. I have never gotten track insurance.

yamahog > bobbe17 09/01/2016 at 10:33

0

What year is your M3? If it’s a newer (read: heavier) one, you might want to upgrade to a track pad (make sure you allow for proper bed-in before your track day and change rotors if necessary) then swap back to use up the rest of the life on your regular ones daily driving. I use EBC bluestuff on the Camaro, which my track instructors were pleased with. Traction control off has been OK with every org I’ve dealt with, and I also use Lockton. The SCCA discount applies to the Track Night in America events, which are nice if you can get to a participating track on a weeknight. Between the Lockton discount and the Long novice discount, TNIA cost me less altogether than my track time alone normally runs.

Arrivederci > bobbe17 09/01/2016 at 10:35

0

I’m going to disagree with a few others on the pads. If this is your first time out, I wouldn’t bother upgrading them. If you decide you love tracking, then go with a better pad and rotor setup and the RBF600. Just listen to what the pedal is telling you - you don’t want to be headed into a tight corner off a straight and have it go to the floor.

Will you have an instructor with you? Listen to what he/she says.

Hydrate more than you think is necessary.

Get good driving gloves. My hands get sweaty and that can result in poor grip on the wheel and/or missed shifts.

Make sure to make the drivers meeting and tech on time. You don’t want to be that guy.

Don’t hold anybody up - you have a fast car and will be quick on straights, but others will be faster in the turns. If someone has been trailing you closely throughout the twisty bits, let them pass on the straight. Straightaways are boring anyway.

bobbe17 > yamahog 09/01/2016 at 10:49

0

It's an E46 so it isn't obese but isn't a lightweight either. I already was walking on thin ice with the wife when I said it'd be about $500 for the track day + insurance so if I don't need new pads that'd be nice. Thanks for the advice!

minardi > bobbe17 09/01/2016 at 10:54

0

Tires, tires, tires. Check them all and (of course ;-)) the pressure.

bobbe17 > minardi 09/01/2016 at 10:55

0

Tires were the main reasons I didn’t do track days the past two years. It was either $500 for two tires or $500 for the track day. Tires are for sure in good condition.

yamahog > bobbe17 09/01/2016 at 11:01

0

Lol no worries :) also if this is something you enjoy and want to continue, I’d suggest incorporating into your household budget plan so it’s not a surprise. Tires/pads/track time/insurance/memberships add up. My fiancé and I take some time in the spring to go through the events we want to do and plan accordingly. He likes autocross, which is cheaper, but also put a lot into his car this year, I had some unforeseen bike repairs and tow vehicle issues that kept me out of two bike track days I’d already paid for, and the way things worked out, I only get one track day per vehicle (Camaro and R6) this season.

GTiceman > bobbe17 09/01/2016 at 11:14

0

You won’t need track focused pads for your first event, I have never ran with NASA ... yet, but you shouldn’t be going fast enough to need the bite and the e46 is not that heavy.Don’t worry about going out there and trying to catch people or if people are passing you in your group, focus on what the instructor says.

Check your tire tread and for any signs of cording or low wear on the edges. Pressures are key. Set them when cold based on manufacturer specs and then check them immediately when you come off track, i mean immediately, and bleed them down depending how much then come up. Usually you can find good things on the google about pressures for your car and tires for the track, use with a grain of salt. Also check the torque of your wheels.

Tell your instructor about the yaw rate sensor and ABS piece immediately so he they are aware of what you are working with. If it is the yaw rate sensor it can really mess with the DSC.

Check your car overall for lose hoses, bolts, etc. Brake fluid flush is also key. Bring Windex with you to the track and paper towels. Bring lots of water! Drink constantly. I know not car related but I drink about 8 bottles of water a day when at the track even if cold.

Lockton is the best, it is not cheap and the deductibles are crazy but it might make sense to get a larger deductible depending on the value of your car.

Have fun! I loved my e46 and was sad to see it go, it is a fantastic track car.

marshknute > bobbe17 09/01/2016 at 11:38

0

It’s almost certainly worth upgrading to a more aggressive brake pad. Stock pads start to fade pretty quickly, although it’s probably overkill to jump straight to full race pads (which make a deafening squeal unless they’re up to temperature).

While you’re at it, it would be smart to use Dot-4 brake fluid since it has a higher boiling point. And unlike squeaky race pads, Dot-4 has no side effects for street driving.