Track Day Advice

[LS2_307]

Hi All

I'm going to a track day/competition driving school next Wednesday and was wondering if you had some advice for me.

Was thinking of taking off the Bridgies and destoying some cheaper tyres.
Any ideas on what tyres to get?
How much$$
Should I get the pads changed?
Etc Etc

For the cubby VE R8

I need to get it done Mon/Tues ready for Wednesday

[R Dirty 3]

Is it a PDC at AHG?

[LS2_307]

Hi All

I'm going to a track day/competition driving school next Wednesday and was wondering if you had some advice for me.

(Barbagallo Raceway)

Was thinking of taking off the Bridgies and destoying some cheaper tyres.
Any ideas on what tyres to get?
How much$$
Should I get the pads changed?
Etc Etc

For the clubby VE R8

I need to get it done Mon/Tues ready for Wednesday

sorry, didnt know how to edit post

[R Dirty 3]

I assume Long circuit? Depends really on hard you want to drive. If its your first time out there you wont be going all that fast.
Putting on some cheap tyres will probably help the life of your good current tyres, but shitty tyres will offer crap grip...so you wont get as much out of the day as you would want.
Wanneroo kills brakes. If you have standard brakes you will probably get the front rotors very hot if you plan on driving 10/10ths....or even at 9/10th. Reason is you will probably come down the hill somewhere the other side of 200kph then stand on the brakes to slow it down to probly around 60kph. The skyline i race hits a top speed down the hill of 246kph...brakes dont last long.

If i were you, id leave it as it is. Up the tyre pressure a bit, maybe change the brake fluid, do an oil change if its due soon and go and have some fun. You will get a lot more out of learning the right lines at a reasonable pace than trying to set lap records.

Hope that helps.
Cheers :D

[Mungrel]

Hey mate, is it during the day or night? (night time will typically offer cooler conditions)
If it's night time, normal pads and street tires will be fine. Chances are you'll end up doing what i did and going for a speedy cruise as opposed to giving the car an absolute hiding like SAJ and a few others on here to.

But hell, if funds allow get some RE55's, they seem to be the people's choice. Having said that, i've raced at both Barbagello and Queensland Raceway on the same set of Federal 595's - found their limitations at QR mind you, but they still have bucket loads of tread left on them, even after the drive across from W.A.

If you do have a bit of time to spare and wanna spend $60 or so, maybe look at rigging up some temporary brake ducts for the track day. At least that way if you wanna push a bit harder, you might be able to fend off brake fade for an extra lap or two.

Above all else mate, just remember you're only there to race yourself, so just keep an eye on your mirrors, and you're gauges and enjoy yourself. Its a great experience.

Oh one other thing. If it were me, go out there with the car standard, get a feel for it all and then if you decide you like it and wanna get more serious, start buying semi slicks and doing suspension upgrades. I'm sure Brad (R Dirty 3) will have a few tips on suspension goodies :)

[vscorsa]

I assume Long circuit? Depends really on hard you want to drive. If its your first time out there you wont be going all that fast.
Putting on some cheap tyres will probably help the life of your good current tyres, but shitty tyres will offer crap grip...so you wont get as much out of the day as you would want.
Wanneroo kills brakes. If you have standard brakes you will probably get the front rotors very hot if you plan on driving 10/10ths....or even at 9/10th. Reason is you will probably come down the hill somewhere the other side of 200kph then stand on the brakes to slow it down to probly around 60kph. The skyline i race hits a top speed down the hill of 246kph...brakes dont last long.

If i were you, id leave it as it is. Up the tyre pressure a bit, maybe change the brake fluid, do an oil change if its due soon and go and have some fun. You will get a lot more out of learning the right lines at a reasonable pace than trying to set lap records.

Hope that helps.
Cheers :D

Sorry to go off track with this thread, but what lap times are you running to be doing 246kph down the back straight?

[R Dirty 3]

Sorry to go off track with this thread, but what lap times are you running to be doing 246kph down the back straight?


1:05.
246kph is what the RSM recorded. I dont look at the speedo at the time LOL
The car has 600+hp and big brakes. we also run the RE55's. to get it to 240+kph we push it very hard. I would say an average for it would be closer to 235kph which is a high 1:05

[C4B]

Hi All

I'm going to a track day/competition driving school next Wednesday and was wondering if you had some advice for me.

Was thinking of taking off the Bridgies and destoying some cheaper tyres.
Any ideas on what tyres to get?
How much$$
Should I get the pads changed?
Etc Etc

For the cubby VE R8

I need to get it done Mon/Tues ready for Wednesday

Having done a few track days in my time (and seen a couple of people have some expensive issues) this is my advice: Before you go on the track, ask yourself one questions: Can I afford to lose this car, and what are the implications if I do?

This may sound like a party pooper attitude, but I have personally seen two incidents where the owner has made a mistake resulting in SERIOUS financial implications. The first was at Lakeside when a guy in a WRX put it into the wall coming out of Carousel (Tail out, overcorrected, into armco) The damage for this was approx. $6000 :bawl:

The second occured at a HSV Owners Training day at QR. A Clubsport lit the rears coming onto the main straight and once again, the back stepped out, he overcorrected and put it into the pit wall. This was a BIG ONE, the car was a writeoff, Passenger was injured (not seriously), Airbags Deployed the lot. The car looked like a banana (it hit the wall facing almost backwards). :bawl::bawl::bawl::bawl::bawl:

This doesn't mean don't do the day. But just be aware that unless it's just a toy you can afford to do without, stay well within your limits, and avoid AT ALL COSTS trying to be a hero. :)

[R Dirty 3]

C4B....very good point!
I have the attitude of "drive as fast as you can afford to".

[Road Warrior]

Having done several trackdays on a bike, I would say to you that el cheapo tyres: NO. Elcheapo in price usually means el cheapo in grip as well and the last thing you want at a track like Barbs is going to play in the sand at turn 7 or turn 1 where there is a goddamn wall right there.

R Dirty 3 is right, Barbs is very hard on the brakes, esp at turn 6 and 7 but unless you are going all out at race pace (and for your first outing on the track I doubt it - no offence) the stock brakes will be fine.

Although I would be inclined to let the tyres down instead of inflating them some more :confused: but that's probably just a bike thing.

Also R Dirty 3 - you're doing as well as many of the 600cc Clubman/Superstock racers if your doing 65's up there :)

[lorry21]

http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=101778&page=2

[HSV Listy]

Just a idea it would not hurt to put a bit better set of brake pads in. Check all oils, tyre pressures and a general walk around by checking wheel nuts etc

Not sure that every track day you go to you need to plan to crash your car because then not many people would show up.
I dont plan to crash my car at any track day at all. I drive to the conditions and to my and my cars abilities. That is it.

There is one corner at Hidden Valley where the wall is a bit close for my comfort and I always take it easy around that corner even though I have been past it many many times.
Take it easy at first, learn the track, learn your comfort zone and grow from there with confidence. Bloddy enjoy the feeling of using you car in a envoirnment without police on you case. That is what it is all about.
Dont be scared or put off as that way you will be nervous, in tha back of you mind what if what if and will not be driving to your real abilities or your natural abilities.
A bloke recently had a small off up here with some damage and he come into the pits and basically said he did not know the cars abilities, he went out too fast and it was his fault completly.
Another good idea is to learn, listen and grow from the experianced guys out on the circuit.

[Car Lo]

Sound like first Track day coming up.
I have done a few in the past.
Add a bit more oil then normal ( allows for the movement of oil in the pan )
Check tyre pressures, up around 40 PSI
Power steering fuild OK, a power steering cooler comes in handle if the run is long ( cooks power steering pumps if no cooler at high RPM )
Make sure brake pads are good. ( the most important thing , brake fade )

If it is the first time, remember to have fun and go home with a smile on your face.

Don't worry about the tyres, The front out side wheel might wear abit. Bit have fun.

[LS2_307]

Having done several trackdays on a bike, I would say to you that el cheapo tyres: NO. Elcheapo in price usually means el cheapo in grip as well and the last thing you want at a track like Barbs is going to play in the sand at turn 7 or turn 1 where there is a goddamn wall right there.

R Dirty 3 is right, Barbs is very hard on the brakes, esp at turn 6 and 7 but unless you are going all out at race pace (and for your first outing on the track I doubt it - no offence) the stock brakes will be fine.

Although I would be inclined to let the tyres down instead of inflating them some more :confused: but that's probably just a bike thing.

Also R Dirty 3 - you're doing as well as many of the 600cc Clubman/Superstock racers if your doing 65's up there :)


Thanks All

Some good advice and links to other threads for me to ponder.
The bike day is next on the list....
Going down to Bunbury today to pick up a 1098R Ducati. Then I will be asking you for advice on that at the track

Cheers
BM

[R Dirty 3]

Also R Dirty 3 - you're doing as well as many of the 600cc Clubman/Superstock racers if your doing 65's up there :)

Yeah mate shes a quick car.
We are hoping over summer we can get the car into the 4's and possibly just touch a 3 :)
Just changed the turbo, exhaust, suspension and stripped the interior so it should go faster :)


Just another option to help you learn Wanneroo Raceway and have qualified instructors available to you is the NoLimit Events night. Great fun and great value. You will learn so much in 1 night, you will be surprised.

[saj]

Hey mate, is it during the day or night? (night time will typically offer cooler conditions)
If it's night time, normal pads and street tires will be fine. Chances are you'll end up doing what i did and going for a speedy cruise as opposed to giving the car an absolute hiding like SAJ and a few others on here to.

But hell, if funds allow get some RE55's, they seem to be the people's choice. Having said that, i've raced at both Barbagello and Queensland Raceway on the same set of Federal 595's - found their limitations at QR mind you, but they still have bucket loads of tread left on them, even after the drive across from W.A.

If you do have a bit of time to spare and wanna spend $60 or so, maybe look at rigging up some temporary brake ducts for the track day. At least that way if you wanna push a bit harder, you might be able to fend off brake fade for an extra lap or two

Even with brake ducting wannaroo is hard on brakes

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g24/saj_01/shane2012072-1.jpg

[R Dirty 3]

Saj, Red rotors front and rear.
Im Impressed! :D I assume thats at the bottom of the hill?

[saj]

Saj, Red rotors front and rear.
Im Impressed! :D I assume thats at the bottom of the hill?

No, end of the pit straight running the short track. They get REALLY hot at the bottom of the hill on the long track.:eyes:

[Mungrel]

Even with brake ducting wannaroo is hard on brakes

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g24/saj_01/shane2012072-1.jpg

:rofl: we're not all running 402 strokers, :p but yes point taken :eyes:

[Y55-7UT]

engine oil wise, i hear a lot of people run up to a litre more than reccomended...so whats safe is my question, becasue ive read that running more wont damage these lsx motors where as the older motors it can blow seals and gaskets out, also for everyday street use not just track days

[saj]

engine oil wise, i hear a lot of people run up to a litre more than reccomended...so whats safe is my question, becasue ive read that running more wont damage these lsx motors where as the older motors it can blow seals and gaskets out, also for everyday street use not just track days
I run about an extra litre of oil for track days with no problems at all.