Track Day Advice (5/18).

[superdog]

So I have had a few people offer advice for my upcoming track day. I am going to ask here instead of sending PM's. Any kind of discussion would be appreciated.

It is coming up this Friday. The forecast says rain. They are giving me until Wednesday to reschedule if I want.

That said, it was suggested I rent one of their cars. It is literally only $200 more for the day.

They suggested I would be sure to need new brakes and tires after a day on the track. And that I would be much better served in a far lesser car. I am sure this is the smarter route.

I am not a man of ego. Not with things like this. They suggested a tier 1 car which is a BMW 240i. They feel I will learn much better on this. I am inclined to agree.

I imagine that any of you guys with experience will agree with this?? I really just wanted to take my car on the track. I want to see what it can do. They did say that if I want to, I could use my car for one of the last 2 sessions so I could see what the car can do.

I have been googling this all for weeks. I have seen tons of guys with cars that they clearly are not skilled enough to drive properly. I am quite certain that I too am one of those guys.

I would also love to save my brakes and tires. That would be an added bonus.

Any thoughts from you guys that have experience, or even thoughts from the guys that don't are welcome. As long as you are not calling me a weenie.

[Abdullah71601]

No experience to respond to the question at hand. But I know when I learned to fly they didn’t start me out on a jet.

Have fun Seth. Whatever you choose will be a blast.

[droptopman]

Seth,

Definitely use their car(s). Get some laps in and get comfortable with the lines of the track and how to manage it. I would guess after some time out there in their car you will know whether or not you want to track yours. If I was in the same situation, I may take my car out for some 80% ish laps so I do not destroy the brakes and tires, but get a fair sense of what the car is capable of doing...without getting a ticket or going to jail.

Most importantly have a blast. Nothing makes my heart race like racing a car.

[Redtele58]

- Rent their car for the first time - especially if it may rain. (It's highly doubtful you'll go through tires/brakes on your car however - you won't be driving that fast/aggressive)

- Listen to everything they tell you and have an open mind. Track driving is different that you think it will be.

- Check your attitude at the door. You'll be humbled when you see how a pro drives compared to how you drive.

- Have fun!

Being on the track can get very addicting - it's a great time to learn new skills and meet great people.

[Rolex addict]

Use their car. This will be a learning experience. Race lines, when/where to brake, etc. I haven't done it in a car, but been out on motorcycles getting pro tips. Enjoy it because the day will go by very quickly.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

No experience to respond to the question at hand. But I know when I learned to fly they didn’t start me out on a jet.

Have fun Seth. Whatever you choose will be a blast.

good analogy. makes sense.

[superdog]

looks like it is unanimous.

thanks guys.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by droptopman

Seth,

Definitely use their car(s). Get some laps in and get comfortable with the lines of the track and how to manage it. I would guess after some time out there in their car you will know whether or not you want to track yours. If I was in the same situation, I may take my car out for some 80% ish laps so I do not destroy the brakes and tires, but get a fair sense of what the car is capable of doing...without getting a ticket or going to jail.

Most importantly have a blast. Nothing makes my heart race like racing a car.

same here. And that is simply on the street which is minimal at best.

and not really racing. looking forward to this.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by Redtele58

- Rent their car for the first time - especially if it may rain. (It's highly doubtful you'll go through tires/brakes on your car however - you won't be driving that fast/aggressive)

- Listen to everything they tell you and have an open mind. Track driving is different that you think it will be.

- Check your attitude at the door. You'll be humbled when you see how a pro drives compared to how you drive.

- Have fun!

Being on the track can get very addicting - it's a great time to learn new skills and meet great people.

This is great advice. Thank you!!

[sco]

I'd also use their car, knowing how I'd feel if something happened to my pride and joy (in car terms). Sounds like a great day, don't forget the pictures!

[RHIII]

1000% use their car!

Have fun my friend - can’t wait to see pics!!


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[77T]

Originally Posted by superdog

It is coming up this Friday. The forecast says rain. They are giving me until Wednesday to reschedule if I want.

My advice: reschedule



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[superdog]

Originally Posted by 77T

My advice: reschedule



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Yeah, I think regardless, this is the route I will take.

I really want to get the most out of the day.

[1st amg]

The best time to get full experience and really learn the physics of cars on a track is when it is wet. You will naturally be forced to drive much slower as the limits are not as high when it is dry and you will get a good sense of what the car will do when you take the wrong apex or not trail brake. You will learn a tonne. Take their car this time, with the option if it clears up later in the day, do a session with your car, if weather permits. As far as the brakes, your ceramics will not suffer. As for tires, oh well, I am sure your rears are already down a few tenths from city light sprints to 60. Keep us posted.

[77T]

Originally Posted by superdog

Yeah, I think regardless, this is the route I will take.



I really want to get the most out of the day.

I agree - Rain HPDE means you will drive a rain line and not the dry (normal apexes). Typically the apexes are “on camber” so fill with water.

That, plus the risk of another driver clobbering you due to their mistake, means you actually risk less.

Lastly, track time gets reduced in the wet if drivers get in trouble and need to be removed before session can resume.


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[swils8610]

Rent. They aren’t kidding about needing new brakes and tires.


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[GSDLover]

A voice of dissent.
I don't know what car you own, but my first track experience was with a Ferrari 430 (the car I owned). I learned more about my car and how to drive it safely and correctly in that one short session than in the previous 9 months I had owned it. I had an instructor sitting next to me and we did things with that car that I did not think possible.
I came out of that experience a better driver on the public roads.
I guess it depends on your goal. Do you want to learn about how to track somebody else car or what your car is capable of.

[swatty]

I've done a couple of BMW driver training/ track days. I would definitely use their car. Last time I started in a 328i and spent the afternoon session in an M3. I had just as much fun in the 328i as the M3 (although the M3 in the strait was awesome) . We trashed the M3 tyres in the afternoon session.

[RichM]

Only advice I can give is to take it seriously, but have fun.

Almost forgot, wear the WG OF Daytona.

[Laszlo]

Seth, the best advice from me is just play it safe and have fun!!

You’re gonna have a blast!

[breitlings]

Have fun!

[fastmd]

I have been tracking for years and now have dedicated race cars. Started with BMW, then Viper, Ferrari, onto Porsche and back to Viper, Mclaren. Still own all the brands.

I would reschedule, get the full experience in the dry. Depending on where you go gives you time to watch also. Wet would be good once you have some fundamentals.

My advice, drive in your comfort zone. If you are slow, don’t let your ego get in the way.

Don’t overdrive.

Smooth is fast. Read online about vehicle dynamics/definitions if you don’t already have a good understanding.

Come home safe. It’s addicting.

[enjoythemusic]

Love love LOVE rain day track days as then you REALLY get to have fun with car control. Some of my best race wins were in the rain.

If the $200 includes insurance if you wall it, GO FOR IT!. Besides, for only $200 you know you get a car that is properly prepped.

If you're using your car, basically you'll need to check tires, brake pads, change brake fluid to Motul....

Enjoy the wet track and have fun! Wow, am jelly.

PS: If you're a track newbie, yeah, agree you may want to reschedule for the dry / sun.

[superdog]

I just booked to use their car, and asked what open days they have in June.

Being that it is my first time, I do want to do it on a dry track. I like what Nick had to say about a wet track, but for my first time, I would like to push it as much as is reasonable.

I will keep you guys updated.

Many thanks to you all for your guidance.

[mannyv11]

I went to the corvette driving school outside of vegas a few years ago and the tires and brakes absolutely get eaten up if you're driving aggressive.

Have fun Seth it is going to be an awesome day.

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by superdog

I will keep you guys updated.
Many thanks to you all for your guidance.

AWESOME and look fwd to pics :)

[Carrera911]

My story is great for you.
I took my Mustang GT to the track a couple weeks ago for the first time ever. When I got back from the track I didn't really notice anything special. I felt car got back home as normal.
The day after I started hearing a noise coming out of the breaks. It was pretty loud. I took the car to get serviced the next day (I also needed to get my scheduled oil change).
I didn't tell them anything about tracking the car, I admit I was dishonest and told them "I find it odd that a car less than a year starts making noise from the breaks."
An hour and a half later I go to the service window to check out my car. 5 mechanics with flashlights are looking at my wheels all around the car and looking at the breaks. I asked the service manager whats going on and he said he's waiting for the Mechanic director to come check out my car. 5 Minutes later the director comes up to me, introduces himself and gives me a firm hand shake. He goes "It's obvious the car's been tracked, I don't know what type of track you've been to but it's been tracked".
He takes me to the car to show me whats up. Shows the signs on the tires and shows me how the breaks have been burnt.
He tells me this "It's fine that you tracked the car, these cars are meant to be driven hard. We're going to replace your break pads but please note that once your warranty is out this could be pricey for you".
I asked him how much, he said the breaks would run me $800. They are performance "brembo" breaks.

Anyways I ended up getting the breaks replaced for free. But just think about it - I burned completely new break pads on a day at the track just because I am an unexperienced track driver.

Get the $200 loaner. I would!


Edit: You're going to have a blast. I got the track day as a birthday gift from my wife and I couldn't wish for a better experience.

[Pix]

Go Mental with the Rental.

[antbkny]

if you can be comfortable in the slightly out of control state, you will have a blast.

[SG56]

Originally Posted by superdog

So I have had a few people offer advice for my upcoming track day. I am going to ask here instead of sending PM's. Any kind of discussion would be appreciated.

It is coming up this Friday. The forecast says rain. They are giving me until Wednesday to reschedule if I want.

That said, it was suggested I rent one of their cars. It is literally only $200 more for the day.

They suggested I would be sure to need new brakes and tires after a day on the track. And that I would be much better served in a far lesser car. I am sure this is the smarter route.

I am not a man of ego. Not with things like this. They suggested a tier 1 car which is a BMW 240i. They feel I will learn much better on this. I am inclined to agree.

I imagine that any of you guys with experience will agree with this?? I really just wanted to take my car on the track. I want to see what it can do. They did say that if I want to, I could use my car for one of the last 2 sessions so I could see what the car can do.

I have been googling this all for weeks. I have seen tons of guys with cars that they clearly are not skilled enough to drive properly. I am quite certain that I too am one of those guys.

I would also love to save my brakes and tires. That would be an added bonus.

Any thoughts from you guys that have experience, or even thoughts from the guys that don't are welcome. As long as you are not calling me a weenie.

When i had the MINI, i wanted to do the same thing.

A friend who is a car racer with years of experience and track records told me NOT to do it.

He said, i'll need new brakes and rotors and all the fluids will need to be flushed. He said to rent one of theirs and not to worry about it.

So, i'd say it's a no brainer.

And i'm jealous! :) And i'll do it the first chance i get.

Which track?