Thinking about starting to go open track days...questions.

[smockers83]

With gwoods always talking about IoS track days, I started looking at road courses here in Michigan and there is apparently one of the better ones in the country about an hour away. They pretty much go all day with an all for all race for whoever is left at the end of the day--you get 3 runs approximately 15 minutes each from what I gathered. I've never been to a track so I was curious about some of the things I should know in terms of my car. Stuff like coolant--more water than glycol? OEM brakes and fluids should be up to the task right, or should I upgrade those (been thinking about going to synthetic oil on the first change this spring)? What size wheels and tires should I look into for the most all around performance in acceleration and handling--I've heard bigger rims are better to corner with, but what about weight? Any other things I should take into consideration?

I think I might head out there for a day to see the track and volunteer to get to learn it. Or something.

[oldandslow]

Check out nasaproracing.com.It's a great way to start,and the cheapest too.The HPDE program is perfect for beginners.You will get a free teacher to ride shotgun with You.Their website has great info on how to get started and how to prepare Yourself and the car.To get started, I would change brake fluid. All Your other fluids should be topped off or changed if old.Most important is to have nothing leaking.They will inspect Your car before letting You on the track, and wont let You on the track if anything is leaking.They will also look for battery held down tight,seat belts in good shape(stock ok) and helmet meets current SA ratings.I highly recomend fire rated gloves.Not for grip,but to be able to use Your hands to get out of the car,in case of crash and burn.Stock brake pads still in good shape should be OK,but if You want to get new pads,try EBC GREEN,or HAWK HPS.On the wheels and tires,I would use 17" because there are a lot of options for inexpensive light weight forged wheels .Get a Grassroots motorsports magazine and check out the ads in the back.Also try Tirerack and others.The latest max perf summer tires are all pretty good, so take Your pick, but people seem to like Bridgestone potenza RE-01R, and Yokohama advan neova .Jeff F

[smockers83]

Cool, thanks for the info. That site is pretty good. The track that I'm looking at says they have people on hand for those who want an instructor to go with them. The first OTD is May 10, we'll see if I can get situated by then.

[goneracin]

Try SCCA.com. Offers lots of racing from autocrossing (think open track in a parking lot full of cones) to hill climbs (racing against the clock up a mountain), to open track like you mentioned. The autocrossing is a great way to start and gives you great experience.

[C-Kwik]

Don't worry so much about upgrades to the car before heading out to the track. Focus on driving within your limits before trying to increase your vehicle's limits.

This will also give you the opportunity to see where your might need some improvement. You don't need to be the fastest car out there to have fun.

[gwoods]

Check out nasaproracing.com.It's a great way to start,and the cheapest too.The HPDE program is perfect for beginners.You will get a free teacher to ride shotgun with You.Their website has great info on how to get started and how to prepare Yourself and the car.To get started, I would change brake fluid. All Your other fluids should be topped off or changed if old.Most important is to have nothing leaking.They will inspect Your car before letting You on the track, and wont let You on the track if anything is leaking.They will also look for battery held down tight,seat belts in good shape(stock ok) and helmet meets current SA ratings.I highly recomend fire rated gloves.Not for grip,but to be able to use Your hands to get out of the car,in case of crash and burn.Stock brake pads still in good shape should be OK,but if You want to get new pads,try EBC GREEN,or HAWK HPS.On the wheels and tires,I would use 17" because there are a lot of options for inexpensive light weight forged wheels .Get a Grassroots motorsports magazine and check out the ads in the back.Also try Tirerack and others.The latest max perf summer tires are all pretty good, so take Your pick, but people seem to like Bridgestone potenza RE-01R, and Yokohama advan neova .Jeff F

you really do want to stay with 17" on a car for a number of reasons tire selection being the main one.

Your car stock is perfect for starting autocrossing. I agree with CKwik 100%

But if you have to change something...

#1 Tires make all the difference in the world. If I can enter a turn 5 mph faster then you and exit 15 mph faster then you I will lap you sooner then later even if I'm not as good a driver.

You can also run shorter tires and make your car accelerate quicker.

I run Kumho V710's. They are cheap ($270 each) and wear a long time.

#2 Brakes, my factory brakes did not survive a single trip to the road course. The front pads melted to the rotors after the second 15 min set. The back breaks wore out. I am running EBC with custom drilled and slotted now.

#3 Strut tower brace, drop springs/spindles and sway bars.... I'm not that extreme and you usually end up giving up some comfort for a firmer suspension.

I would go out and watch one weekend, talk to some racers and then come out the following weekend.

One word of warning RACING IS ADDICTIVE, kay thats three words but your going to get hooked in a potentially very exspensive sport/hobby. On the plus side your going to be a safer driver on the street and not speed as much as you do now (assuming you speed).

[smockers83]

Awesome, all good stuff. The only mod I have is the JWT/Z-tube. I wasn't asking too much on upgrades to go faster, more of the likes of brakes and what not that would be up to the challenge for my own (and others) safety and to keep the car operating safely. I have a good & bad feeling it's addicting, so I guess its a good thing they have OTD only 3 times a summer (once a month until July) and I can't make the June one for sure. The May date may be pushing it, too. I don't want to do autoX so if I have no other option, then I guess I'll have to find a drag strip.

So it sounds like a different set of brakes is in hand and some tires. I'll look into those before I make any other decisions haha. Thanks guys.