First Track Day Pt2

"uofime-2" (uofime-2)
08/09/2016 at 13:53 • Filed to: Track day, wrx, autobahn country club

track layout of autobahn north circuit

I planned to arrive when the track gates opened at 7am to give myself the maximum amount of time to prepare, but I was delayed a little bit topping off my gas tank because it turns out not all stations are running before 7am on a Sunday. After stopping to sign away my life at the front gate I was able to park in the paddock and start getting ready. That meant tearing all of the stuff out of my car torqueing all my lugs, check fluids and set tire pressures (also taking Dramamine, because I get seasick and I had a sneaking suspicion track driving would cause me to go into a similar state). On the recommendation of a friend I went with 38psi all around for my tires, that meant adding a little air to them all and by the time I was done with all of that it was time for the drivers meeting.

The drivers meeting consisted of the event staff going over all of the flags they would be using. I knew a lot of these but there were some new ones I didn’t know like the changing surface flag (yellow and red stripes). It’s a good thing I remembered that one because it got used with some serious consequences later! The second half of the meeting was to go over the track and racing line, this was required for beginners like me, but optional for everyone else. I was happy to see that pretty much everyone stayed. They gave us a sort of cheat sheet that attempted to explain the basic line and turn-in points and the instructor went over it as well as giving some basic car control instructions. Despite trying hard to pay attention to everything he said it was really hard to internalize and understand what he was saying about the racing line.

After the meeting we had about 30 minutes for final car preparations before the track went hot. For me that meant finally installing that Accessport I’d been waffling about. The only minor challenge was running the wire such that it stayed out of my way and finding a place to stick the device, fortunately my cell phone holder held it well enough and that got stuck on top the dash next to my multi-function display that was set up to show oil temperature ( which for some reason is not a default) and some other stuff I didn’t care about. As it was finishing up flashing the ECU the advanced/intermediate group was called to start the track session. That meant I had 20 minutes before it was my turn to go out there. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. I spent the time watching them go and nervously munching on some peanuts and forcing down some water because it was already getting hot despite being only a little after 9 o’clock .

Soon the call came over the loud speaker, “ beginners to grid” so I pulled on my helmet and got in my car. I had backed in to the space to facilitate dumping my trunk and upon putting the car into gear and going to leave I stalled the car. I should have anticipated this because I knew the reflash remapped the notoriously top loaded accelerator pedal, but I waited till the last minute to do it despite knowing better so I got what I deserved. After restarting and giving the car more of a boot full than usual I moved towards the pit lane. It was at this point that the downside of choosing this inexpensive event for a first track day became evident, there was one instructor and a whole bunch beginner drivers. That meant I was going out by myself. As I was lined up behind the starter waiting for the cars to be released one by one I tried to remember the instructor’s notes and what that cheat sheet had said and unfortunately the picture was rather murky. Soon I was at the front of the line and the marshal was waving that it was time for me to go.

Part one can be found here:

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To be continued with part three, probably the last part, probably tomorrow.

DISCUSSION (4)

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > uofime-2
08/09/2016 at 15:38

Oh man, that sounds scary haha. Just being tossed on the track and being told "have at it" basically. I could imagine having an instructor for a few laps would make it a lot more comforting. Also, did the track not have a gas station located there? I would imagine it being more expensive but certainly much more convenient in that case.

WRXerFish - WRX-Wing pilot > uofime-2
08/09/2016 at 16:23

Will wait till tomorrow, probably!

I want to hear the rest of the story.

uofime-2 > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/10/2016 at 10:47

I learned after getting there that they do have gas onsite. They were however 9+$/gal! For 93, somewhat oddly 105 wasn't much more! Considering I managed to burn 15 gal that day it's a good thing I found a close station or the gas would have cost as much as the track time!

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > uofime-2
08/10/2016 at 13:09

Holy shit, I knew it would be expensive but that is ludicrous!