Questions on Tracking a GT

[Lorne34]

I have a 2016 GT Premium (non-PP). I am wondering about the pros and cons of tracking the car. I have seen classifieds for people selling their mustangs and a lot of times you will see comments such as "never tracked or auto crossed"
I am a few hours away from Road America and was going to do their intro track day since I have never been on a road track with any vehicle before.
Two Questions:
1. I have a few mods, lowering springs, barton shifter and vertical links. Otherwise stock with stock perellis. Should I consider other mods before I can safely track it?
2. What are the disadvantages of tracking a GT? Decreased life, wear and tear?
The event I am looking to go to is very organized and supervised. I don't really have any reservations in regards to safety.
Any input would be appreciated....

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[nelson]

Theoretically tracking voids your warranty, that might be the biggest drag for some folks. Other than that, there is additional wear and tear, and risk from other drivers on the track.

You can buy track insurance in the event of a collision on track because normal insurance will not cover you. It's usually a few hundred bucks.

Tires, brakes, and brake fluid are the main wear items. Keep an eye on your temps, do a cool lap if temps get too high.

 

[fionic]

Theoretically tracking voids your warranty

I mean, why would you tell the dealership you track the car?

 

[nelson]

I mean, why would you tell the dealership you track the car?

Hence theoretically..

 

[Automobilist]

In my opinion (and experience), you're set up fine to "track" the car. In reality, all the mods won't really make a bit of difference, other than image.

By far, the best "mod" you can do is get some quality instruction. All the aftermarket stuff guys tack on these cars is functionally useless, if the driver doesn't have a fairly high level of skill. And, yes, I know we ALL think we're a great driver, etc...

So unless you simply want to tell your friends you've "tracked" it, go to a real high performance or racing school, rather than just a DE day, etc.

That said, after getting several days of quality instruction, and a few dozen days actually running a track, you WILL be a far better driver, better than 99% of the population. And you won't be that guy who smokes the tires leaving a parking lot show...

Downsides:
The whole point of driving a car on a race track, (other than parade laps) is to extract maximum performance, of both car & driver. You spend most of the time at either full throttle, or full braking. This is very, VERY hard on a street car. You should never pull out of the hot pit without a full understanding that you may well blow your engine, trans or rear end, spin off into the wall, have major contact with another car, on your first lap. In other words, be fully prepared to completely destroy the car, and be ok with that.

If you have any hesitation about that level of commitment, you'll never push it like you should, and never progress as a driver. Again; all the little "mods" guys love to do may boost the ego, but they don't lower the lap time unless the DRIVER is fully up to speed.

As been written so many thousands of times: The best mod you can make is a high quality driver school.


Oh, it should be obvious that you'll go through a stock set of tires, brakes, and probably shocks in a good weekend on track. (If you're doing it right...)

Have fun!

 

[Triton54]

You should do it, I did at B.I.R. Road Am, is a Magnificent track!! back in 1992 I was there with a bunch of SVO mustangs, ( I had a comp. prep. 86) its super fun! then in 07. Took my brand new Infiniti G35X to Brainerd Intl. for a day school, you had some class room with the track pro's, then quite a few 20 min. sessions through out the day, you could just drive yourself, or have a pro ride with you, or have a pro drive your car, (with you in it) they tell you how to let faster cars by, and the best lines around a circuit. Automobilist is right, your either on the gas, or brake ALL the time! I had to leave the track to get some gas, ( to finish the day) also, thankfully it was a very cool, somewhat windy day, so I didn't totally cook my brakes, tires took a beating, as they were just oem all seasons. I plan on going back up there this year when my non PP 18 comes in.....

 

[millhouse]

"However, a Ford representative sent us this clarification: "Ford vehicles such as Mustang, GT350, Focus RS, Focus & Fiesta ST and Raptor are designed for spirited driving and will be covered by warranty if the vehicle is operated within the limits and guidelines outlined in the vehicle's owner's guide and warranty manual, including when the vehicle is driven in 'track mode,' a feature that is contained on some vehicles, if it is driven on a track in a manner that is consistent with the guidelines. Ford does not recommend racing these vehicles in timed competitions or sanctioned race events, as they are designed and built to be driven as delivered from the factory, and the vehicle warranty does not cover mechanical failure or damage caused when a vehicle is used for racing."

https://www.autoblog.com/2017/02/27/new-car-warranty-valid-race-track/

There is a difference between tracking your car and actually racing for competition.

 

[EFI]

You should check out the road racing section...plenty of info there on purely this subject.

 

[BmacIL]

The only thing you really should do (especially because Road America has VERY long straights), is brake upgrades. A higher friction pad and higher temp fluid should be enough for a novice. Brake cooling (like JLT's kit) would be good for someone with a bit more experience. You absolutely can make do on stock stuff, but you'll have to brake much earlier and at a lower rate in order to preserve them for full sessions.

An item that will help you drive better is something like the Scrotch Quickfit (get with Harness pads if you don't have the recaro seats). It'll keep you planted in the seat, which allows you to focus on your line and to drive with 'light hands'. It's also easily removable afterwards.

 

['stangerza]

Gotta do it, as said above, with professional training, only way to experience what you can get out of your car. Other than honing your skills and learning what your vehicle is capable of, I also learnt how exhausting a full day on a track can be.
The track I use is properly marshaled, car are grouped according to performance, no tailgating is allowed, no overtaking under braking on corners etc, so the environment is controlled to avoid accidents.

 

[millhouse]

The only thing you really should do (especially because Road America has VERY long straights), is brake upgrades. A higher friction pad and higher temp fluid should be enough for a novice. Brake cooling (like JLT's kit) would be good for someone with a bit more experience. You absolutely can make do on stock stuff, but you'll have to brake much earlier and at a lower rate in order to preserve them for full sessions.

And track insurance!

 

[Lorne34]

Thank you all for the input! I guess I am looking for an experience that will get my feet just a tiny bit wet and help me to decide if it's something I really want to dig into or go back to twisty country roads. I know that the Mustang Club of America has regional events all season where they offer track time at various venues.. that would be quite a ways down the road for me.
If anyone is interested, here is a link to the program at Road America I was going to sign up for in spring..
http://www.roadamerica.com/experiences/get-on-track/track-days.html

 

[Lorne34]

In my opinion (and experience), you're set up fine to "track" the car. In reality, all the mods won't really make a bit of difference, other than image.

By far, the best "mod" you can do is get some quality instruction. All the aftermarket stuff guys tack on these cars is functionally useless, if the driver doesn't have a fairly high level of skill. And, yes, I know we ALL think we're a great driver, etc...

So unless you simply want to tell your friends you've "tracked" it, go to a real high performance or racing school, rather than just a DE day, etc.

That said, after getting several days of quality instruction, and a few dozen days actually running a track, you WILL be a far better driver, better than 99% of the population. And you won't be that guy who smokes the tires leaving a parking lot show...

Downsides:
The whole point of driving a car on a race track, (other than parade laps) is to extract maximum performance, of both car & driver. You spend most of the time at either full throttle, or full braking. This is very, VERY hard on a street car. You should never pull out of the hot pit without a full understanding that you may well blow your engine, trans or rear end, spin off into the wall, have major contact with another car, on your first lap. In other words, be fully prepared to completely destroy the car, and be ok with that.

If you have any hesitation about that level of commitment, you'll never push it like you should, and never progress as a driver. Again; all the little "mods" guys love to do may boost the ego, but they don't lower the lap time unless the DRIVER is fully up to speed.

As been written so many thousands of times: The best mod you can make is a high quality driver school.


Oh, it should be obvious that you'll go through a stock set of tires, brakes, and probably shocks in a good weekend on track. (If you're doing it right...)

Have fun!

Thanks, I have heard this from numerous people that the drivers skill is paramount. I was more concerned about if there was anything glaring on a Non-PP S550 that I should do before going out there. I know the PP has a bigger radiator, stiffer suspension, better brakes etc.. The PP is not a GT350 (with the coolers) but it does seem like it is more track ready than my standard GT. The Road America program includes alot of instruction and people are divided into different skill levels.

 

[BmacIL]

Thanks, I have heard this from numerous people that the drivers skill is paramount. I was more concerned about if there was anything glaring on a Non-PP S550 that I should do before going out there. I know the PP has a bigger radiator, stiffer suspension, better brakes etc.. The PP is not a GT350 (with the coolers) but it does seem like it is more track ready than my standard GT. The Road America program includes alot of instruction and people are divided into different skill levels.

Yes, there are no performance items you really need to track the car at a Novice level. Brakes are the only thing you really should do, to keep you safe (and best case, to allow you to enjoy the car for the full day), as I mentioned earlier.

 

[Vato]

I’ve been watching videos and stock mustangs seem to do well. I was thinking I needed a PP to safely run a mustang on track due to the oil coolers they’re outfitted with. This coming weekend I will finally put the stang and myself on track. I haven’t done an HPDE in about a decade. I’m excited to get back on track.

I recommend watching your gauges. Keep that engine and oil temp gauges as your primary focus. Also focus on your brakes. If they begin to fade, pull into the pits. One last recommendation, make sure to have enough gas in the tank. Last thing you want to do is run out of gas on track. Depending where you are stopped, it will cause the entire track to stop. Other drivers will lose track time. You will get some ugly looks.

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