Thread: Track Day for Newbies...general track day questions here

Wow! I've always thought this was going to be around $200.

It would have been close to that, but we had a couple of major sponsors step up and that brought the price down. Now no one has any more excuses.

Great job getting the price so low. Next question: Will my M2000 helmet be allowed, or do I need to ask Santa for an A model?

I'm working on an answer for that. Anyone else know???

Also...Does anyone know how many slots the track event is limited to?

Unlimited as far as the track is concerned. She told me thay have run groups as large as 20-25 on the track at a time. We will try to have much smaller groups, especially if we have a large number of novice drivers.

^^ Big run groups cause traffic trains. From personal experience the smaller you can get away with the better. It gives drivers more open space. What can happen out there is that the beginners forget to point by so when the faster guys catch up to them you have the start of a back up.

I know its all dependent on how many guys sign up, just my heads up on the topic since I"ve been in more then one track day train. Two things that help the situation are to get people in the right groups so their skill levels match, and to remind everybody to keep an eye on their rear view and give point by's when needed.

Run good tires ! dont go out there with your wan-li tires and expect miracles, buy a nice front set for good traction KDW's , Pole positions etc.

I did the mistake of ruinning some Khumos once and i was sliding and spining tires during my autox

It could depend on the track, if they dictate it; or it could depend on the group organizing it (formerly SERCA). I would contact the track, and ask them if they have a preference and go from there. I would think either a M or SA 2000 helmet would be acceptable for our group - tech is the least "thorough" with our group than any group I've been with.



I disagree. For guys who have never done a HPDE, I would tell them to just put fresh brake fluid (something decent like Valvoline Synthetic) and make sure everything is functioning correctly - brakes, ball-joints, etc. Don't worry about buying 2 tires that may not be used again or special brake pads. Most newbies won't push their car hard enough to put that much of a strain (you do have to realize the cars limits as prepared). If your tires get greasy, then let off for a lap - let the car and you relax and re-focused.

Make sure the car is good, and get out there and have fun. The key with the low price is to get people involved and do it - not scare them into thinking they need $100 track pads, $300 front tires, etc. A stock SE-R will be just fine on track if in good shape.

Make sure to bring a quart of oil and check it after every session.

Setting up good run groups is nice, but if you get stuck in a "train"; then pull into the pits and wait for a gap. Checking the mirrors and point-by's should be preached in the driver's meeting and by instructors. I really recommend instructors for guys who have done 2 or less events - it can be overwhelming on track (so much going on) and easy to miss corner workers or cars behind you.

This is not a race! It is a way to challenge your driving abilities, and most people will be mentally exhausted at the end of the day.....and it is fun as hell.

Josh

^^^Great post!

I've got an email into the track, I just thought that maybe someone who had been in contact with Roebling Road knew this or not.