BrokeAss

I'm really looking forward to driving in my first PCA Driver's Ed this weekend at Moroso Motorsports Park in Palm Beach. As a cabriolet driver, I've been prohibited from all track events because I didn't have roll-over protection. I finally had a roll-bar & multi-point harnesses installed in my cab last month. Now the fun really begins!

In the absence of track time, I've been an avid autocross nut and have really learned a lot about my car & car control. I'm expecting my education to get kiced up a notch this weekend. While autocross is a great teacher, I don't believe it's any substitute for high-speed driving education!

I've done other on-track events - but that was many years ago at Sebring in a BMW Z3 (I know, a chick-car ) I've also attended a lot of driver's ed events with my friends and have had the opportunity to study their moves and lines from the passenger seat. I've also found different ways to uh, "maximize" those parade laps they often let you do during lunch time at most driver's eds. (without incriminating myself, I think I'll stop right there)

In preparation for the event, I've taken my track tires to a garage for a proper high-speed balance. (balanced tires didn't really matter when I was only doing autocross!) I've also been reading & re-reading different parts of the Skip Barber book, "Going Faster". (what a great book!)

I need to hit the archives too - I'm not really sure what to do with the tire pressures in my Kuhmo Victoracers. (I've figured 'em out for autocross, but track driving is completely different!) July in Florida - you know it's going to be hotter than hell! Since I drive a C4, it tends to understeer - even with a larger rear sway bar. At autocross, I usually soften the front end up a LOT to get some bite and raise the rear pressures to let the ***-end rotate a little more freely. I imagine the same general principles will apply - but with a lot less difference front to rear. In consideration of safety, I'll want to leave some understeer in the car rather than running around with a loose rear-end during my first track day.

Anyone else want to chime in a with a few other D.E. suggestions?

Bill Gregory

Terry,

Kumho's should be 40 psi or less, hot.

Have a great time!

Flying Finn

Hey Terry,

Nice to see man coming to the DE, we'll defenately have fun there.

Well, basically you're shooting close to the hot temperatures but you have to start lower since tyre pressures will get hotter at track than what they do at autoX. But you're ideas sound right.

Here's a list of stuff that are good to take with you (yoprobably don't need all of them but gives you an idea):

TRACK ACCESORIES:
(Besides tech & medical forms)

-Engine oil
-Brake fluid
-Tire guage
-Windex
-Spare tyre & compressor
-Torque wrench w/ socket
-Jack
-Tools for bleeding brakes
-Paper towels & rags
-Tape for covering lights
-Sizzors
-Numbers
-Cooler with drinks (Gatorade)
-Some food
-Sunglasses
-Chair
-Canopy for shade
-Shorts & short sleeve shirt
-Camera
-Cell phone

And finally, here are 10 "golden rules" for first timers (which you kinda are) by DJ:

Rule #1: DON'T PANIC.

Rule #2: When in doubt, floor it. It may not solve the problem, but it will definitely end the suspense.

Rule #3: Don't drive fast. Drive smooth. Like a butter on a bald monkey. Fast will come all by itself.

Rule #4: Move your feet slowly, and your hands quickly (but smoothly). Squeeeeeeeeze the throttle.

Rule #5: Listen to your instructor. Do what he says. Never argue, or try to tell him why you can't do it the way he wants.

Rule #6: There is no Rule 6.

Rule #7: Stay on the line. Always.

Rule #8: Never look at the car in front of you. Look around it, over it, under it, or through it, but not at it. If you look at it, and he screws up, you will too.

Rule #9: Do not drive off the track. Stay on the pavement.

Rule #10: If your choices are a) spin, or b) drive straight off the track, drive off the track.

See you there!

Ragin' Bajan

As an experienced auto-xer, your car control skills will already be very good--I find autoXing much more technically demanding than track events. The biggest danger (for myself as well) is the driver. If you're used to being top dog, do not go to the track with the unconcious idea that you're going to smoke everyone, even if you can. Take a large bag of humility and approach it as it's meant to be--a learning opportunity.

In my limited experience, I'd say at least half of the track accidents I've seen had at least some element of ego involved, causing even experienced drivers to push their limits on an unforgiving track, and they unfortunately paid the price.

Take it slow first time out, slowly get up to speed. Aggressively let people pass--don't get pressured by others (or yourself) to stay ahead. For myself, typically there are four sessions, and I aim to make the third my fastest sessions, and try to wind it down on the fourth, concentrating on making it as perfect as I can (I've still aways to go!), which helps with keeping my speed down. At least half the incidents seem to happen at the end of the day when everyone is a little tired, yet want to end on an up note.

Oh, and of course, have fun :-)

Good luck

Bill Gregory

Another rule....if you spin, both feet in (brake and clutch).

BrokeAss

Like butter on a bald money, eh? geeez - How did you guys hear about that drunken escapade of mine in Thailand?

Your race day checklist reads like the inventory of my race bag - glad I'm not missing anything! Should add sunscreen to that list! ....you don't happen to have a pyrometer do you? ....or know someone who will be bringing one? I should probably invest in one - but I'm too broke to pay attention at the moment!

joey bagadonuts

Yes, there's no way to read that book cover-to-cover! Little bits here and there are about all I can take, too.

Other suggestions:

- Race Pads: Pagid Orange or Hawk Blues.
- Flush or, at least, bleed your brakes.
- Yes, same pressure front and rear. I liked my Victo's at 36 HOT on my C4.
- Track handling is different--the C4 is very neutral.
- Get your shifting done early.
- Don't use your brakes during the cool down lap.
- To park, let the car roll to a halt--NO BRAKES--leave it in gear and kill the engine. Keep the pads off the rotors
- If you experience brain fade, get off the track!
- If your brake pedal goes soft, get off the track!
- Check your ego at the door. Let the 914s and 924s pass you--you'll get 'em later.
Have fun and be safe.

JonSeigel

[QUOTE]Originally posted by joey bagadonuts
[B]
Yes, there's no way to read that book cover-to-cover! Little bits here and there are about all I can take, too.

Skippy's video is pretty good and certainly not boring. After viewing the video, you can look at that portion of the book if you need more detail. I bought the video through Amazon (I think) a couple of years ago for something like $15.99 for VHS.

Good luck, Terry.

BrokeAss

Thanks for the tips Joey!
I flushed the entire brake system about 5 months ago and filled with SuperBlue. I also bled the brakes during my pre-event tech-inspection. The pads & rotors are O.E.M. Porsche and are in pretty good shape. I'll probably need to get a new set of pads before our two day event at Sebring.

Thanks for the tip on the tire pressure. I'm surprised to hear you run the same tire pressures front/rear in your Victoracers. I thought you'd soften the front to reduce understeer.

Time & time again at autocross I've reinforced to myself that TRYING to go faster just doesn't work. I get my best lap times when I just cool it and try to be smooth. (Free your mind - there is no spoon!)

I think I can keep the eho in check (despite my wife's laughing!) and let the 924's by. I think I'll have the most trouble with Rule #8. I've really got to discipline myself to drive my line and not follow the guy in front of me. That will be a tough one for me!

joey bagadonuts

Glad to help. As for my tire pressures, I used a pyrometer to confirm I had the right numbers. Of course, track layout and driving style will yield different results but same pressures all around seem to work for me.

Okay, I know you're broke but you need to reconsider the race pads. I can just see you pulling in with a soft pedal after only your second "hot" session.

The thing about OEM or street pads is that they get hot--TOO HOT--very quickly and then ... they stop working. So now you have to STAND on your brakes as you enter each corner. Things start to smell a little funny and, before you know it, your pedal hits the floor. You have just boiled your fluid and ended your DE.

Sure, you could just bleed your brakes and take it a bit easier but is that how you want to spend your weekend?

Rocket Rob

I want to echo the advice given above and want to add one more item. Its been my experience that the primary difference between auto-x and DE from a car perspective is...auto-x is very hard on tires and easy on brakes. DE is the opposite. You will be carrying a lot more speed than your fastest auto-x and the braking use is correspondingly higher. Be sure to have fresh brake pads.

On my 914, I change the front pads every two events. The rears are every 4. I am running Ferodo track pads. The stock pads get too hot and become useless.

Flying Finn

I don't have it 'cause us Finns are much more used to the sun than people around here are (yeah right... )

If pyrometer is for measuring temperatures, you're in luck. We'll bring one with us (Chris has one).