The purpose of this thread is to provide useful info for those about to drive on a racetrack for the first time. I wrote it with the S2000 in mind, but many of the tips apply to any car/driver. If anyone who reads this thread learns something then I guess the thread’s purpose will be fulfilled. (Note: I first posted this at s2kca.com. I’ve edited it a little and updated it with some of the other good ideas that were posted afterwards.) I hope this helps!
When I went to my very first racetrack event, I knew very little. In fact, I didn’t even know how little I knew! During the dozens of track days since then I picked up a few things and would like to pass them along so the first-timers that read this might be a little more prepared than I was. For those of you who know a lot about tracking your car, please feel free to add some things to the list (tips are not listed in any particular order)… Oh, and if you have a different opinion on any of this, please speak up so we can get a discussion going.
If you are really hard on your brakes, you might want to bring an extra set just in case your stock pads don’t last. Consider upgrading to brake pads designed for racing or autocross. Hybrid street/race pads are great when you’re first learning.
Flush your brake fluid and replace it with ATE SuperBlue or Motul 600. The stock fluid can boil (fluid fade), causing your brake pedal to get mushy and compromising your car’s ability to slow down properly.
Read “Going Faster” or “Speed Secrets” to familiarize yourself with racetrack driving and the physics of what you’ll be feeling out there. It’s way, WAY different than driving hard on even the twistiest road. If you think your highway & byway skills will automatically translate to the track you’re sadly mistaken.
Get familiar with how to bleed your brakes. If your fluid boils you might have to bleed them at the track.
Remember to be real easy on your brakes during the cool-down lap so your brakes can well, cool down. In fact, try to avoid using them at all for a full lap, and then drive around the paddock awhile before parking. Failure to cool them down sufficiently can cause your fluid to boil and/or crack your brake rotors.
Speaking of rotors, do NOT put your parking brake on right after you come in from a track session. Doing so when your brakes are hot (yes even if you’ve cooled them down on the cool-down lap) can result in warped rotors.
Make sure you check your tire pressure after each session, especially the first one. Be sure to let a little air out as the day goes on. The tires get really hot out there and with the heat come increased air pressure. With higher pressures come decreased traction and the possibility of a tire failure.
Learn the racing line at each track you run. (For those of you on the left coast, you can view turn-by-turn descriptions of Thunderhill, Laguna Seca, Buttonwillow, and Sears Point at this Porsche Club website: http://www.pca-ggr.org/ttvenues.html#thunderhill)
Please understand that you are not going to be actually “racing” out there. If that’s what you’re expecting, you’ll be disappointed. Take it slow and easy, building speed throughout the day as you become more comfortable.
Slow the hell down! There are a number of cliches out there, and none are more true than “slow down to go faster.” It’s all about smoothness: Be gentle with the steering input (don’t jerk the wheel,) and remember to go easy on and off the pedals.
Tracking your car involves risk to your car and your person, so check with your insurance company about coverage in a “non-competitive driver education event.” Don’t be surprised if they say tough luck. Nevertheless be assured that if you drive well within your limits there’s little chance that you’ll need to worry about insurance.
Get your tech inspection done by a reputable race garage or knowledgeable mechanic-buddy. Have the inspection done at least a few days before the event, just in case something is wrong and needs to be fixed.
Ask the event organizers for in-car instruction before the event. This is very important no matter how well you carve up twisty roads. Racetracks are a totally different animal, and are WAY MORE FUN TOO!!!
I’ve heard another one that seems to hold true in the midwest: If you want to get better on track day, get to those autocross events. Autocross provides MUCH less room for error than does road racing simply due to the lack of time to make up for a mistake or an improper line. It is a good way to get familiarized with pushing your car to its limits without having to wait until the next track day to do so. You may not go as fast, but you’ll be learning what your car can do in the corners, nonetheless.
^ I totally agree. Save for skidpad practice, nothing teaches car control skills as quickly as an autocross. That’s not to say that you cannot track your car first, because I had about a dozen track days under my belt before I tried autocross, but you’ll very likely get good quick if you do mix in some autocross experience.
^ I’d take exception to that. For those who have done enough to get good at either style it becomes a matter of preference. Some prefer autocross, some prefer the track.
Make no mistake, driving at or very near the limit on a track is exhilerating and very, very difficult. Now, I don’t suggest that anyone new to it drive anywhere near the limit out there, not until your skills have had plenty of time to develop, but do understand that the speeds involved on track far exceed autocross, and that adds another level to the whole experience.
When you get good at it, the luxury of having time to make up for your mistakes goes away as you become too fast to have the luxury of time that you had when you were new to it. At that point it becomes increasingly more important to look WAY down track and more advanced racing priciples take center stage.
All good points for starting off. I’d add the following:
A. Bring food and water. You are going to be outside all day for two days (for a full weekend track event) and need to keep hydrated and alert. You will feel better and be more cognizant of whats going on around you with food and water in your system.
B. Bring a good assortment of basic tools and supplies with you. Sometimes when they check your vehicle (depending on the group running the event) something will be found that needs to be fixed or secured.
C. Don’t forget your instructor is there to help you learn how to get your car around the track in a safe manner. They have lots of experience so listen to what they say and apply it as best you can.
Autocross and Trackdays are a little different in approach. In autocross, you have to know where the cars limits are because you only lose time if you aren’t on the limit. The best way to know the limit of your car is to go over the limit, which can be safely done at an autocross since speeds are usually 60mph max. It is a race against time and the goal is to be the quickest in your class around the course.
With trackdays you are basically working your way up slowly to the limit over time because consequences of going over the limit on track can be harsh… in other words you should go with the attitude that your car being totaled is a reality that could happen (whether it is your fault or not). The goal is to learn the track and what your limit is for that track, which should increase as you gain more experience. There is no race against time, just the drive to become better acquainted with the track and striving to increase your driving ability.
Autocrossing experience is valuable for low speed corners on a track. I would suggest having a couple of autocross events behind you before the first track day if possible. You will feel more confident behind the wheel and have an idea of what the car feels like when it’s on the edge (which you don’t really want to be pushing on a roadcourse). Most oncourse problems that get your car on the edge are not in the fast parts but in the slow parts anyways (like the end of braking zones for corners, corner entry, and corner exit).
There is a saying that goes “Autocrossers make excellent roadracers”. It’s like the progression from Kart racing to Formula 1, Kart racing gives you the foundation to build upon.
Aight guys lately what i’ve been doin is launching and just flying through my gears. I havent been letting go of the gas. I just push the clutch in and shift. Does this make you go any faster or is it just a waste of time?
I’d take exception to that. For those who have done enough to get good at either style it becomes a matter of preference. Some prefer autocross, some prefer the track.
