Track day preparation (non HP)

[driving_for_fun]

I’ve replaced the fluids. Will the stock tires/alignment and brake pads hold up without excessive wear? Anything else to watch out for?

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[K4fxd]

Will the stock tires/alignment and brake pads hold up without excessive wear? Anything else to watch out for?

If HPDE bring another set of tires and brake pads.

 

[derklink]

IMO you’re fine. Even if you were all stock. Unless you wanna drive 9/10 or 10/10 but then I’d get camber plates and a different wheel/tire combo.

 

[EFI]

Will the stock tires/alignment and brake pads hold up without excessive wear? Anything else to watch out for?

Yes, but it depends on how you drive. A pro driver will destroy those in a few laps, a novice driver can do a dozen track days before having to replace consumables.

Keep an eye on your temps and watch out for brake fade. Other than that, just keep it on the shiny side.

 

[Optimum Performance]

Bring a torque wrench.

 

[Bluvodo]

Yes, but it depends on how you drive. A pro driver will destroy those in a few laps, a novice driver can do a dozen track days before having to replace consumables.

Keep an eye on your temps and watch out for brake fade. Other than that, just keep it on the shiny side.

Agreed, focus on your driving and have fun.
The car will take care of itself if your new to the track.

 

[767.mph]

As others have mentioned, I would also do a brake fluid swap for higher temps, is always good practice. Pads and tires should be stock initially so you know what it feels like. Then you will totally appreciate all the money YOU WILL spend on upgrades. Track is addicting and you will appreciate these additions this way and know what you are getting for your money. Save higher spec tires to the very end as they can mask your skills as a driver and again you want to know what those tires bought you in the end.
Just my 2-cents and 20+ years of track driving.
Welcome to the track!

 

[Rael]

OP, as a novice, you need to get a feel what it's like driving on a track. You need to learn what it's like to drive near the limits of your car and your abilities, so you won't start out trying to drive as fast as you will later on.

For now, don't worry about changing wheels or brake pads at the track. You won't need to do that kind of stuff for a while. One thing I take (I've only been on a track half-a-dozen times) is a good tire pressure gauge. You might want to lower your tire pressure a little at the track. You might also want a portable air compressor to pump them back up for the drive home, depending on how far you have to drive.

Lastly, I learned to take an ice chest with drinks and something to eat, a chair, and a hat, because some tracks have no shade and few facilities. You'll have a blast.

 

[Traffic22]

I agree with @Rael, even a first time basic learning day at the track requires a lot of logistics to be comfortable.

Water…You can’t bring enough, you’ll sweat out about 5 lbs worth.
Chair, hat, something to give you shade and keep you cool.
Food
Torque wrench. (Check before and after you drive.)
Small air pump….unless the track has air at the pumps.

If you really want to be prepared not a bad idea to bring a basic tool kit, jack, jack stands.

Like others have said, focus on bringing the car home in one piece, learning the racing line and learning your limits, and the limits of the car. If your club offers a coach, not a bad idea to drive a session or 2 with him.

Something no one ever mentions but is really important, is learn the location of all the flag stands, and get in the habit of looking for them early and often.

On tracks with blind corners and hills, they are often in a position where you can see them in advance of the blind corner. Seeing a yellow before you come around a corner or over a hill and finding a car dead in the middle of the track can save you and someone else a bad day.

 

[driving_for_fun]

Yes, but it depends on how you drive. A pro driver will destroy those in a few laps, a novice driver can do a dozen track days before having to replace consumables.

Keep an eye on your temps and watch out for brake fade. Other than that, just keep it on the shiny side.

I don’t think I’ll drive it hard. Mainly just want to focus on enjoying the car and revving it out, rather than developing my driving skills. Have done a couple dozen track days in other cars.

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