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

I have very little money, my car never ever over heats even under very heavy driving. I do only have one fan, will this be an issue if I do proper cool downs? I have stock brakes, so what is a recommendation for some killer pads?



Are slip on shoes ok? I know it sounds silly, but my vans slip ons are my favorite driving shoe. They cover the whole foot snugly. Also, I have no rear seatbealts, I assume this is not an issue but I have to ask?



I am worried about my brakes. I had a little HPDE of my own on the highway the other night, and experienced some brake fade. I can't afford AD22s so I need some good pads I guess.

Also about tires, I was just going to get some Azenis because I don't have the cash for an extra set of wheels and NT-01s. Would the NT-01s on the front with Azenis in the rear cause terrible oversteer? Should I just stick with the Azenis? I am worried about massive wheelspin.





Thank you I was thinking that too.



That would be really great, especially for passengers



Good question

This is merely my opinion, and Joe (or whomever's ass/checkbook is on the line will probably make the final decision):

Passenger: if this is your 1st or 2nd HPDE, I think NO passengers other than an instructor (which ideally will be for every one of your runs). If this is 3+ events, you probably could have a passenger IF an instructor has ridden with you; and they feel you are safe. SERCA isn't as strict as PCA, BMWCCA, etc.

Shoes: not my call, but if you can prove your slip-ons won't slip off while on track; you probably are OK. Normal tennis shoes should be fine - some people swear by Chuck Taylor's, wrestling shoes, indoor soccer shoes, if you don't want to buy special ones (really no need for that for most of us).

Tires: Azenis should be fine. Honestly, street tires will probably be even better for most people doing their 1st event. I wouldn't buy special tires just for this. If you need to take cool down laps every 3-4 laps then just do that - do the event, and worry about tires later. The most aggressive I've ever run is Azenis - I need to upgrade though.

Brakes: I was a very big fan of my Carbotech Panther +'s when I had AD22's. I am only guessing, but their Bobcat pads would probably be a decent pad for this that could also be used as an auto-x pad - I only say that after reading opinions of people who have run that pad.

Cooling: flush your coolant system, clean coolant, no leaks, and spend $8 for a bottle of Water Wetter. You live in FL for crying out loud.

Rear seat belts: no passenger back there = no need.

For most people with typical bolt-on cars, your car is probably significantly more capable on track than your driving (no offense). Listen to the car and have fun.

My $0.48.

Josh

^^^I agree on the tire thing. I drove my Se-R at CMP with Falken Ziex 512's and the car was just fine. If you pull back on your driving once the tires start getting greasy you'll be alright. This track also is not heavy on brakes. Only one semi hard brake zone which is the brake zone after the main straight.

Passenger: I am just hoping to take Lisa for a few laps around the track in my car

Shoes: My slip-ons never come off, I'm sure I could prove this somehow. I couldnt shake them off if I tried. I don't own any other shoes at the moment, and this will just be another convention expense.

Tires: If I bought special tires, they would be for future HPDEs and conventions, not just this. I suppose the Azenis are really my only affordable option, but I know I am going to spin them in second coming out of the corners.

Brakes: ok Carbotech it is, leaving my stock pads would be stupid.

Cooling: I was going to get the watter wetter!

I know my car is far more track capable than I am, I'm just worried about it being more track capable than my tires.

Thanks for the help Josh, you always seem to be sending it my way.

yea, if your boosted get some good pads. I used up my oem nissan pads (AD22's) in 4 sessions.

Corrections, it was 8 sessions total, not 4.

very good to know

Holy cripe 4 sessions? How long was each session? Were they new?

I have Axxis ultimate's up front on my ad22's and I am considering getting the same for my rears.

You guys really think we will be eating the pads out? I'm not trying to set any track records in braking distances here.


Dudeman

He is boosted, so he will (probably) be seeing higher speeds than you. Also, aren't the Axxis Ultimates basically a decent street pad? I ran them on my Z32 for street use, but never tracked that.

If you do run those just make sure and bring some spare pads.

This track really only has one braking section. I wouldn't worry about brakes too much. Track newb here though, so take that as you will.

Sorry I need to correct myself. It was 2 track events 4 session each. I forgot I went road racing 3 weeks before.
Each session was 15-20 mins long. This was at the 07 Chicago convention. Before boosted oem pads were fine for a track day.




Very good point. This track does not seem to have corners were braking is harsh.