First Track Day

[Roady68]

I registered for my first track day HPDE at Watkins Glen this weekend. I travel extensively for work and will actually be home for this weekends event. The good news is that they had a spot open and I am signed up. Bad news is that I haven't done anything to the car since I picked it up from the dealer. Its a 2023 Mach 1. I don't have the track performance pack. But car should be more than capable for my current skill level. I did the Track Attack and was hooked. Anyway, a lot of good information is in this forum on getting car ready. But with quick turnaround, there isn't much I can do before next week. I will swap brake fluid tomorrow and I have parts to separate the master cylinder for clutch from brake reservoir. Question I have is, will stock brake bads be acceptable for the track? I hadn't ordered new pads when I ordered the fluid as I wasn't sure what to get.

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[luc]

I registered for my first track day HPDE at Watkins Glen this weekend. I travel extensively for work and will actually be home for this weekends event. The good news is that they had a spot open and I am signed up. Bad news is that I haven't done anything to the car since I picked it up from the dealer. Its a 2023 Mach 1. I don't have the track performance pack. But car should be more than capable for my current skill level. I did the Track Attack and was hooked. Anyway, a lot of good information is in this forum on getting car ready. But with quick turnaround, there isn't much I can do before next week. I will swap brake fluid tomorrow and I have parts to separate the master cylinder for clutch from brake reservoir. Question I have is, will stock brake bads be acceptable for the track? I hadn't ordered new pads when I ordered the fluid as I wasn't sure what to get.

Stock pads on the Brembo are totally fine for a beginner
The common reservoir for brake and clutch has never been an issue, even in extended track use
Why are you modifying that system ?

 

[saleen367]

You'll be just fine running it bone stock, so long as you are aware of your own driving limits. The brakes and pads are plenty sufficient for track days.

The tires and lack of a track alignment will be your biggest challenge. While the Pilot 4S are excellent street tires, they don't have the overall grip you'd find with a cup2 or even a 200tw dedicated track tire.

You'll want to start your tire pressures lower than what you'd drive on the street. I'm sure someone in the forum will have some experience with the 4S on track and can recommend a good starting pressure.

Don't forget your helmet, top off the tank with 93 since you'll go through a tank in 4 - 5 sessions.

Have a great time and enjoy your weekend!

 

[Mikegotamach]

Hey roady are you doing Friday through Sunday with PCA? I will be up there too, happy to see another mach 1 out there! With the weather forecast showing some rain alot of guys will be running ps4s tires on saturday so you shouldn't worry. If you feel them getting greasy sunday just let up a couple laps. No need to worry about breaks the brembos perform well and I have not had any heating issues.

 

[Roady68]

Thanks all. Its the CHIN track day at Watkins Glen, Monday & Tuesday. I have a slew of modifications to do over the winter for next summer. Picked up a new race/track helmet. I am trying to understand how camber plates work, and maybe a second set of wheels and tires so I can optimize track settings and still have a streetable car.
As for divorcing the clutch master cylinder, I think I read hear, that the higher temperature brake fluid didn't play well with the clutch slave cylinder. I could be wrong. But I figured it was a cheap fix.

 

[13GetThere]

Hey, you're not going there to win the race. You're going to learn your car and develop your skill. First time, go with what you got. Then decide what changes you want to make.
Besides, do you really want to make modifications to your car this close to your first track day and risk not being able to run, or worse.

 

[tosha]

Hey, you're not going there to win the race. You're going to learn your car and develop your skill. First time, go with what you got. Then decide what changes you want to make.
Besides, do you really want to make modifications to your car this close to your first track day and risk not being able to run, or worse.

This ^^

for the first time, mach1 will be more than enough even in stock and without any performance packages. Do fresh brake fluid, engine oil and it'll be fine.

WGI is heavy on brakes, keep an eye on your pads and if you still have time, you might want to grab a backup set

roady are you doing Friday through Sunday with PCA?

What group are you in?

 

[Mikegotamach]

I'm in green it's my first year on track. I have had a couple great experiences with PCA instructors at NJMP so looking forward to this weekend. You going to be there?

 

[tosha]

I'm in green it's my first year on track. I have had a couple great experiences with PCA instructors at NJMP so looking forward to this weekend. You going to be there?

Yes, not with the mustang though, but will be there too.

 

[GTP]

While

Thanks all. Its the CHIN track day at Watkins Glen, Monday & Tuesday. I have a slew of modifications to do over the winter for next summer. Picked up a new race/track helmet. I am trying to understand how camber plates work, and maybe a second set of wheels and tires so I can optimize track settings and still have a streetable car.
As for divorcing the clutch master cylinder, I think I read hear, that the higher temperature brake fluid didn't play well with the clutch slave cylinder. I could be wrong. But I figured it was a cheap fix.

While the engine bay gets hot, it doesn't get brake rotor hot. I can't imagine the master cylinder gets hot enough to cause any problems. I wouldn't even bother to change your brake fluid.

Though time is short, it would be nice if you could get your camber plates working for track day. Setting them to max is better than running the street camber. Otherwise you will be wearing the outer shoulders of your newish tires early, especially if they are 255/40.

Otherwise your car is perfectly track ready in every other regard.

Personally I disagree with the "start your tire pressures lower" advice. The one time I experimented running lower pressures I corded the outside shoulders of all 4 PS4 tires that otherwise had plenty of tread. Starting at street pressure of 32psi and then the typical +7psi gain puts you at 39 which is about right. I've been running even higher than that, and that helps the tires last.

You can start in Sport Mode if you like, but switch to Track Mode as soon as you are comfortable. You need to learn to control the behavior of your car with throttle just as much as with steering and brakes.

Chin is a great group. I believe they teach 1) learn the line, 2) learn to roll on the throttle to track out, and 3) work up to threshold braking. I strongly recommend working on the first two, but not the third for your first track day.

 

[MrMike]

Your car is perfectly fine as it is straight from the shop. Mach 1s are very well equipped for the track from the factory.

As for divorcing the clutch master cylinder, I think I read hear, that the higher temperature brake fluid didn't play well with the clutch slave cylinder. I could be wrong. But I figured it was a cheap fix.

I read this in multiple places here as well and have seen multiple DIYs w/pictures of it. I am quite surprised to see it decried in this thread.

The reasoning I read was that the clutch slave cylinder did not like the more aggressive brake fluids like Castrol SRF.

Was there no real evidence to this in the first place, just hearsay?

https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/remote-clutch-fluid-reservoir.119792/

https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/remote-clutch-reservoir-install-with-pics.147938/

 

[Mikegotamach]

@tosha awesome assuming the other car is a Porsche? If the wifey allows another toy it would be a c7 or older manual porsche 911. I will likely set up away from the action by the snack stand tomorrow so the kids have some space but feel free to say hi!

In terms of clutch master cylinder I am under warranty still so don't want to touch anything that isn't an active issue. But there are people we'll smarter than me lol.

 

[WItoTX]

OP mustang for pads after this weekend. Only have to divorce the reservoir if running SRF, and even then, it's hit or miss on whether it will cause an issue.

I just divorced mine, and TMO has a 3D print file you can use to make a nicer looking bracket.

Enjoy the weekend, love the M1 sound!

 

[tosha]

@tosha awesome assuming the other car is a Porsche?

Nah, it's a hyundai. There's way more fun in trolling the crowd in an ultracheap 4 door practical family sedan, especially in the rain . Which we'll have plenty of looking at forecast.

You're in a white mach1?

 

[Mikegotamach]

Yea that's me! We're you the elantra n? It lookes great with the white rims!

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