Track Day Preparation

[Hotwire]

Hi All,

In the next few months I'm hoping to make it out to a track day at our local circuit (Mallala) to do some laps, and I was thinking of what prep I should do before heading out. The obvious things I can think of are:

• Service done (fresh oil/filter)
• Check coolant level
• Check brake fluid level
• Check brake pad material (>5mm worth?)
• Check tyre pressures
• Trans cooler fitted for all us auto folk
• AYC Serviced

Is there anything else others would recommend before heading out?
Also, has anyone actually taken their auto out on the track? how did it go for heating/surviving? Did you use the auto do downshift coming into the corner?

Cheers

 

[leebutts]

Have an extra serve of bravery for breakfast so that you can keep your foot off the brake peddle that little bit longer

 

[Hipsi]

bravery? who needs that, red contact lenses will do

 

[Hotwire]

LOL - red mist is a must whenever trying to overdo it
I suppose I'm a little worried about having the auto on the track - ie. less engine braking, but then again I suppose I'm looking to those that do track days regularly (in a manual) and try to gauge whether they engine brake much or rely on the stoppers - i.e. in an Auto will I kill my brakes more-so being auto?

 

[Hipsi]

a wise rediculously experienced driver (enter one Jim Richards) once provided this advice, you make the most of the equipment you're given. Hence if you can engine brake, do it, if not, you're left to rely on the brakes, but drive to the limit of the equipment, not over it. In other words, if you have to rely entirely on the brakes to pull you up, make them last, don't fry them in the first couple of laps. If they start to get spongey, back off to let them cool, do not just continue to put them under the same level of stress.

 

[leebutts]

Not that I have been to a "track day" as such, but I find that engine braking unsettles the car and feels rough whereas a nice heel-toe downshift feels so much better - except I find the brake pedal too far down and away from the accelerator under hard braking to be able to heel-toe easily. I need to find some good aftermarket pedals...

 

[Hotwire]

Well that sounds good - and if I want to go to track day with auto I might need some RDA rotors and EBC pads...... unfortunately I dont have $500 spare for now so will just take it easy with what I have

(till the red mist comes down)

 

[Hipsi]

moderation is you're best friend on a race track Lee (hotwire).

 

[matchtheclown]

Your going to have loads more fun pushing the front into corners with later steering and less brakes anyhow.

Like Hipsi said if something starts feeling strange slow down a bit or even finish the session early and figure it out before you head out on the next one.

 

[bradc]

The only problems I've had on tracks have been the engine overheating and brake fade. On stock pads you'll only get in 2 or 3 laps before you have fade. Be very careful at the end of long straights, in saying that Mallala doesn't really have any long long ones.

 

[Hotwire]

Your right there are no particularly long straights, but malla does have a reputation for being somewhat hard on brakes. Particularly the north hairpin after the back "straight" can be quite harsh, as well as the entry to the esses:

Seems like I'll just have to take it a few hard laps at a time - 2 hard, 2 cooling just to keep the car in good check
Did you ever take your car to the track as an auto brad?

 

[bradc]

Yeah I went around pukekohe when my car was Auto. As you know it has a very long straight. I found that using tiptronic mode for engine braking when the revs dropped to about 4500-5000rpm in each gear, then jumping up to 6500-7000rpm after the change made the transmission shift VERY badly after 2 laps. I then kept it in tiptronic mode but changed down much lower down, at say 3000rpm or so and the gearbox kept changing nicely for up to 10 laps at a time.

 

[Nick]

Lee,

I am not Jim Richards by any shot, but have had my fair share of track days in all different cars.

For a street/track car that is your everyday car....most important....keep it in one peice.

The day is meant to be fun, you cant speed like this legally on the streets, so enjoy the straights, but be careful on the corners. Get all your braking done BEFORE corners! That is the number one rule.

I could tell you a thousand other tips, but these are the two most important ones IMO.

1 - On the warm up laps, use them wisely. Even though it sounds stupid, "pretend" you are going fast, and pick your lines, get your front tyres where you would want them getting into the corners, and learn where you need to match corners in order to reduce inefficiency.

2 - Get all your braking done BEFORE the corners. When you approach a corner, braking will cause the weight of the vehicle to transfer to the front of the car. Thus putting a lot of weight on the front wheels. This is good becuase it will allow you to point the car where you want to go. Then enter the corner hitting your apex, and then as the corner permits, power OUT of the corner. Let AYC do the rest!

Ask Joe for some advice, he just spent all Sat on the track. See what he says about it.

 

[Hotwire]

^Excellent! That's the sort of feedback I was looking for I look forward to seeing what I can do around Mallala.
As for times, I would love to be able to do under a 1:30, as a lot of street skylines can get around 1:25-1:28 with just suspension, street tyres basic mods (cat-back exhaust, boost control etc) so would love to get near them. A friend in his NA Supra managed a 1:29 as his personal best (generally 1:31s or so) so I'l be happy if I can beat him in a station wagon LOL

 

[pu-11-me]

Yeah I went around pukekohe when my car was Auto. As you know it has a very long straight. I found that using tiptronic mode for engine braking when the revs dropped to about 4500-5000rpm in each gear, then jumping up to 6500-7000rpm after the change made the transmission shift VERY badly after 2 laps. I then kept it in tiptronic mode but changed down much lower down, at say 3000rpm or so and the gearbox kept changing nicely for up to 10 laps at a time.

Hmmmm.... Thats interesting to know actually

I would assume this has to do with gearbox oil temp?

 

[bradc]

yep! quite a few people in England have done the same thing.

 

[Guest]

just as nick said follow those rules and you will have fun..
dont follow other people and try and beat mates infront of you as it leads to sloppy driving and bad habits.(i experienced this on sat.lol)

if you cant afford good brake disks at least try get some good pads up front,EBC green stuff is fine, trav (hipsi) sells them at a good price..

get some good tires, dont skimp on this as it wiil reduce your lap times if you have rubbish tires..

and as nick says let the ayc do its job, you will experience under steer out of the corners but if you exit the corner with power on the ayc will pull you inline.. dont put too much power through the corner strait away just see whats good for you and you skill level.
and make sure you do service/oil change before your track day..

if your water temp goes past 3/4 on the stock temp gauge just slow down a little and the temp will drop, just constantly be aware of your temp..
i prob have missed a few things but you will learn as you go, thats how i did it and i also have great mates that have done a lot of track work so they advised me well(nick)..
good luck and have fun, cant wait to see photo's and vid's..

 

[jungle]

All good tips. 2 more;

1. breath everytime you come onto the main straight- people often concentrate so hard they forget to breath.
2. if using road tires, pump them up to 40psi. This does 2 things, 1, stops you rolling them off the rims in high speed corners, ( I know of a guy that did this in his mums BMW....and she didin't know he had it- yes rolled the car complete right-off) 2,You will find you can get more feedback and they'll talk to you more.

 

[Guest]

very true.. i had mine at bout 38 cold and they were at bout 41 hot, i was really suprised with the handeling of my tires..

 

[Guest]

Lee,

in terms of advice, pretty much what others have said...its very similar to doing a hills run through clarendon/summerton/hahndorf etc, except its on a predominately flat open area.

in terms of being prepared, take the following:

jerry can (or two) full of fuel.
spare brake pads/fluid etc
tool box with common tools, spanners, sockets, screwdrivers, pliers etc.
trolley jack/jack stands

and just general repair/maintainence stuff, because you just never know!

let me know when u head out there, ill come out to spectate/support/pit crew - i MAY just bring the pulsar out to keep you company........