Taking a lot-stock 2012 GT (Brembo pkg) to Infineon Raceway for the Jim Russel Driving School (Performance Driving 1) in December. With about 5k miles on the ODO, other than oil change, what should I do to prep the car for the track; if anything? This is the first time tracking the car.

Thanks in advance for your comments and opins.
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http://www.jimrussellusa.com/program...ance-driving-1

 

I'd just see how ya do before thinking of making any changes. You should do just fine especially with a Brembo car. I took my car and it did fine also even though I do not have the Brembo package.

Things you might think about include removal of the headrests as those do get in the way of a helmet although not horribly and make sure you keep an eye on tire pressure as it will increase dramatically as the tires heat up. I found I had to lower the pressure around 8 PSI after the first track session.

Also make sure to hydrate between sessions.

You will have a blast!

 

I have a couple suggestions:

1. Buy racetrack insurance (http://hpdeins.locktonaffinity.com/Default.aspx?cID=1) - it'll cost you probably around $250 for the day but better than having your car totaled at your expense. It's a school, which means there will be rookies all over so still dangerous even if you drive great.
2. Have a freakin' blast. I've done one driving school (not in my Stang, in a '85 RX-7!) and it's one of the most fun weekends of my life.

 

Definitely keep your car stock. it'll take a bit before you can out drive it. The only thing I might suggest is a brake fluid swap. I found that the factory brake fluid doesn't tolerate heat as well as I'd like. With the brembo package I didn't notice and fade with the braking system at PPIR, but the pedal got a bit mushy about 3/4 through each day and required a bleed.

Bring LOTS and LOTS and LOTS of water!!!!! Seriously, don't skimp on this.

Oh and here's a little pro-tip for you and others like me that don't have race seats and 5 point harnesses.

When you're staging, move your seat all the way back, put your seat belt on and yank on it real quick to lock it up. Then with pressure still on the seatbelt, move your seat back to your normal driving position. This cinches the belt against your chest and helps keep you motionless in the seat, allowing you to simply modulate the wheel instead of holding on to it to stay upright.

Have fun!

 

I had my first instruction/track session last Sunday and I agree with all of the above. I did not do anything except check the oil, other fluids and tire pressure. I also removed or secured all loose objects and completely disabled stability and traction control. These cars handle great and it was well beyond my driving skill without any mods. I have a CG Lock for my seatbelt and it really holds you snug in the seat. You can get one at www.cg-lock.com or www.soloperformance.com.
(I am not a vendor, just a happy customer)

 

Couple other things I thought of after reading other comments:

• Make sure you have a torque wrench/socket to retorque your wheels after EVERY session. Do this and save yourself a potential big accident.
• Open your hood after every session to let heat get out.
• While it's open, check your oil after each session. Bring a quart or two as spares.
• Check your tire pressure after each session. If you want to test different pressures to see how much you're rolling onto your sidewalls, an easy way to do that is with white shoe polish/window paint. Put in on the sidewall and you can see how much roll you get in the tires.

 

Thanks guys, awesome tips. Will post back on the experience.

So, no *great* need to tape headlights or put clear bra on bumper or wheel wells? Just thinking to the motorcycle track days where taping and sometimes safety wire is required.

 

Most tracks are meticulously cleaned. You're probably in greater danger of getting chips from the drive to the track then on the track itself.

However, doing a tape job of the bumper, after of wheels etc isn't going to hurt anything, so if you want to be safe, have at it.

More than likely what you'll see most of is rubber smears from the rubber pebbles than can get thrown from tires. A quality solvent easily removes these. You can even use a quick detail spray for such things.

 

Hot rubber does go flying in these events...so it might be a good idea to tape off areas.

 

Wouldn't hurt to do a quick wax of bumper and behind wheels as well. At least like the spray and wax like quick n slick or something. It'll help wipe that stuff off later. Painters tape works too. I like the neon green.

 

Neon green FTW!

 

Yes, do this! But not as soon as you get off the track. Rather right b4 you go back on when they have cooled.

 

Agree with you ….if we invest some amount in track insurance than it would be advantageous for us.