Tracking A 350 Novice Questions

[zzrat]

Have a question in regards to tires for HPDE class. First off must admit that I have zip,zilch,nada,no experience at all with a car on a track! So any advice I would greatly appreciate. There is a regional outfitter that I will most likely get involved with & while reading all of their info they suggested that first timers should go with a street tire & stay away from the track tires. I assume from being so aggressive? Well we have an R & really don't care to go to the expense of swapping out the tires. Not ready to purchase another set of wheels just yet.

So how should I approach this? Being a 60 yr old novice the plan was go & just ease into this sport. Would it be best to contact the outfitter & explain or enter & just show up with the stock R?

More questions to follow. Thanks In Advance!

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[Bossing]

You will be in the Novice group w/ an Instructor on board? If so chances are you won't even be pushing your car past 8/10ths, if that... listen to your instructor well and just focus on learning & having fun and the jitters will fade. Don't think about speed and fast laps... that will come eventually naturally as long as you're smooth and safe. Your stock setup is fine for your first track day... even the Cup2 tires and the stock brake fluid, again for your first time out.

Here's a little good reading: https://www.tracknightinamerica.com/articles/1994094-get-ready

 

[J_Maher_AMG]

The reason they tell you to stay from track tires is that they are often times much more difficult to tell where the edge of the grip envelope is. Typically the street tires are a lot more forgiving in that they squeal like pigs long before they actually reach the edge of grip, giving you lots of warning. I think they are mainly referring to actual track tires like slicks and the such that are not street legal.

I don't think you'll have an issue with the Cup 2's; when I attended the track attack I was pushing the car pretty hard, fast enough to be the quickest in my group by a decent margin, but I definitely was not pushing the tires to the limit, with that also being my first time on track. I don't think you'll have much of an issue being a novice on the Cup 2's; you will instinctively be playing it safe, braking sooner, carrying less speed through the corners, etc. You will almost certainly not go near the limit of grip your first number of times out, so I can't see you having any issues. Just go at your own pace and work your way up slowly!

 

[Tomster]

I find the cup 2s are very forgiving unlike total slicks. Slicks hold on until a point and just let go. Cup2s (when completely warm) will slide and maintain some partial grip.

Even though people preach to not learn on track tires, I argue otherwise. Take the car out learn what it can do incrementally. Your instructor will guide you along and keep you honest.

Every time you put your CF wheels in a machine to swap the tires out, you run a risk.

Enjoy the car for what it is and just don't go balls out nuts, you'll be fine.

 

[Tomster]

Austin beat me to it....

 

[TheDeadCow]

Track it stock, you'll be fine.

I did my first 2 track days with my non-R bone stock, no problems. Focus on situational awareness and lines, not your equipment.

 

[dmann]

Have fun!
I personally like to make a plan so that I can enjoy it. As mentioned about situationally
aware, this helps me in that area.
If you have a simulator at home, practice the track before going.
Map the gear you think you should be in for each corner.
If you haven't perfected Heel toe, try to do that before you event.

 

[Muligan]

Rex,

Lots of good advice already. As an instructor for NASA and other track-day groups, I've dealt with lots of first-timers. Your goal should be to have some fun, get to know your car better, and be safe. If you're bumping up against your (or your car's) limits on that first outing, then you're pushing way too hard.

Make sure the car is ready to go. I took my prior car out to the track in absolutely stock, as delivered form - stock brake pads, brake fluid, alignment, etc. All I did was a nut and bolt check under the car to make sure everything appeared secure, checked the lug nut torque, and ensured that tire pressures were okay.

Spend the time learning the proper line to take around a track, learn the lingo and flags, know what to do in case of a problem with your car on-track, get a feel for early and late apexing and how it effects corner entry and exit, learn to manage traffic (passing zones and point-bys), and develop an instinct for watching your mirrors and gauges.

Take full advantage of having an instructor in the car with you and ask your instructor (and other instructors) for rides when you're not driving. This will give you lots of time to learn and see the line.

Be observant. Watch what other, more experienced drivers are doing in the paddock and on-track. A big part of track-days is the social aspect - I like to think of it as a car show with a purpose - so make sure that you spend time talking with other attendees, especially those with the same or similar cars. Ask about things they do to prepare, what tools or spares they bring (and why) to develop a list for later events, and make a bunch of new friends.

Finally, pay attention to your physical state. Stay hydrated, eat a decent breakfast, and don't go on-track if you feel fatigued later in the day.

If you have a great first day, you'll be sure to have an even better time as you learn more about your car and yourself as a driver.

 

[key01]

^ Great information there. It really is about preparation. If you feel unprepared you may feel rushed and out of sorts and that will ruin your day. It's not a race, so don't treat it as such. I would suggest you also purchase the track day insurance. It may cost more than the track day itself, but all you need to do is make one early entry into a corner and find that you ran out of room on the exit and make a bad big noise.

 

[zzrat]

Thanks to everyone for the thoughts. Chris you brought up points that would not have entered my mind. Thank you!

Curious to know about the groups & how the progression moves along? Would suspect that different abilities may keep one in a class or move ahead.

Thanks,Rex

 

[Austinj427]

Thanks to everyone for the thoughts. Chris you brought up points that would not have entered my mind. Thank you!

Curious to know about the groups & how the progression moves along? Would suspect that different abilities may keep one in a class or move ahead.

Thanks,Rex

Progression will come as you gain more experience, the instructors are usually pretty good and will recommend you move to a different group as they see fit.

Some of the things that they will be looking for might include:

Driving the line consistently
Track awareness
Following the flags
Car control
Learning from previous mistakes
Driving on/near the limit

There is A LOT going on your first time out, don't expect to move through to different groups or get upset if the instructors tell you there are things you need to work on (I sure have plenty). It's all for fun and you'll learn a lot about driving.

Have fun, stay safe.

 

[THX 138]

I see you’re in Indiana. Deerfield is roughly equidistant to both Putnam Park and Mid-Ohio. If you decide to run at either of those tracks, let me know. I’ve done ~25 track days at Putnam, and I’ve been wanting to try Mid-Ohio for a couple years now. Putnam is a really fun track... Lots of runoff space, a good mix of turn “types,” and only a couple spots where you can actually cause damage to your car if you go off track. I was just there this past weekend. Overall, be sure to keep an open mind and listen to your instructor, even when you’re really thinking, “You want me to give it MORE throttle in this corner??!!”

 

[Mystic_Cobra]

Track it stock, you'll be fine.

I did my first 2 track days with my non-R bone stock, no problems. Focus on situational awareness and lines, not your equipment.

Exactly this. Don't change a thing on the car. The car is amazing and needs nothing.



Focus on absorbing as much as you can. Listen to your instructor(s) and do what they say. They will keep you safe. If you don't trust them for whatever reason, go to the head instructor.



Have FUN!


I've been doing track days since 2001 and instructing with NASA and other groups since 2005 and loving every bit of it!

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