My First Track Day..Suggestions Please...


sturvin

Mom,...I do Grip....
Joined
Jul 11, 2008
Messages
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So i will be going to Mobara Speedway in Chiba, Japan next week. Its my first track day :shocked: and i am very open to all suggestions and help you guys might have. I think i have the car set up very nicely..for me.... i have been in the mountains and local spots tweaking and tuning, but since its my first time at the track i need all the help i can get, so i dont go out and be a dumbass.
im looking for advice, set ups, and regular track tips, along with any other comments you have. :secret:
Thanks!!
 
Check your fluids regularly, oil/coolant.
Build your speed slowly - let the tyres warm along with your confidence.
Check tyre pressures.
If it is an 'open pit' day - dont stay out too long - 15 mins to start with.
Use those mirrors!
If its your first trackday, dont worry too much about setups etc, just have fun :nice:
 
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That's what i'm talking about, great info!! thank you very much.
its gonna be a great day! and like you said it is an open pit day, so it's a real good opportunity for me.
i hope to have some video taken, might be more funny than it is cool, but its a learning experience.
thanks again for the info haitch :nice:
 
Make sure you have Brake Pads suited for track use, high performance street pads WILL NOT WORK. New brake fluid will be nice also. Change your oil and filter before you go, AND when you return.

Thats the most important think i can think of :D Can't have fun if you can't stop.
 
Thanks Blinx, just got done breaking in a set of pads and rotors, i actually planned that one pretty nicely. Will surely do the oil/filter job before heading out. also with the pads/rotors i put some braided lines in, so that fluid is super new!!!
Cant wait to get there, 6 more days and i can hardly sleep now :shocked:, ha ha ha
 
Make sure you have Brake Pads suited for track use, high performance street pads WILL NOT WORK..

Disagree

I used OEM honda discs and pads on track recently and they were brilliant, no Fade whatsoever and i wasn't being soft on them! Obviously high performance pads will be better but OEM ones work just fine :)

Like Haitch said just enjoy yourself! you will get more donfident as the session goes on and might feel like pushing your car a bit harder.

Watch out though! Its Addictive!
 
For some oem pads & discs are ok for a first time, others upgrade the pad to say Ferodo DS2500 or Hawk HP+. Its all down to conditions - if its wet you wont push that hard, your driving style - some like to stomp on the brakes last second, the track - big straights where you will brake harder as you wil be faster, driver skill etc.
But most first time on track with road tyres oem is good enough.
 
Good thread, im doing a track day, well its £25 for 25 mins on snetterton race track.
About the oil change before and after... thats kinda expensive isnt it? for me its around £45 each change...
 
yeah for me too, i am in japan and good oil isnt cheap!!!! :angry2:
but a new motor is even more expensive!!! so ill be doing the oil changes!! ha ha
also the track days here arent bad if you get a local shop to rent the track, for me it was 12,500 yen, for all day, thats around 6 heats, each one around 15 minutes long.
 
brake pad choice is dependent on the driver as well as the track.

Some tracks just aren't as demanding as others when it comes to braking. I've gotten away with stock ITR brakes on a high speed track when slowing down is just not as important as finding the right line.
 
Lots of good advice, don't forget to look after yourself during the track day. Drink plenty and make sure you eat! Its easy to forget in the excitement!

Enjoy your first day on track :)
 
hey guys great info, i am glad every one has an opinion and something to say.
its a learning experience for all i am sure.
as for brakes i believe i am covered, i am running Endless CC-R's all around with mugen sloted rotors all around. they feel great and now that they are broken in i took them up to Hakone mountains last night and gave them a good beating.
no fade, and the hotter the better. it was a nice feeling, especially after coming off of stock pads and rotors all around.
nice tip, stay hydrated and fed! i will take that one for sure!!! :nice:
 
hey guys great info, i am glad every one has an opinion and something to say.
its a learning experience for all i am sure.
as for brakes i believe i am covered, i am running Endless CC-R's all around with mugen sloted rotors all around. they feel great and now that they are broken in i took the car up to Hakone, in the mountains last night and gave them a good beating.
no fade, and the hotter the better. it was a nice feeling, especially after coming off of stock pads and rotors all around.
nice tip, stay hydrated and fed! i will take that one for sure!!! :nice:
 
Disagree

I used OEM honda discs and pads on track recently and they were brilliant, no Fade whatsoever and i wasn't being soft on them! Obviously high performance pads will be better but OEM ones work just fine :)

I suppose driving style may play a huge factor in this then... i tend to roast oem pads even off the track during spirited driving :( ...then again i do have a bit more power than your average NA Honda, oh well, i now for me upgraded pads are a must.
 
Yeah i agree

The track closest to me there are really only 4 points where your brakes are used. The fact i am running the 300mm twin pots aswell which are a whole lot better than OEM brakes probably plays a big part in heat dissipation etc therefore better cooling and less fade...No fade at all infact of around 1hr 30mins of hard driving
 
Check everything about your car.It feels nervous but excited in your first track.Just enjoy what you are doing and keep safe as always.
 
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