1st DE, Any tips or reccomendations?
12-01-2009, 01:59 PM
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
1st DE, Any tips or reccomendations?
Wife and I are signed up for our 1st DE at Laguna Seca Raceway on December 18. We're driving our 1996 993 Targa to the event. Any special tips on preparing the car or ourselves for the event? Thanks.
Phil
Phil
12-01-2009, 02:21 PM
#3
Rennlist Member
Get the brakes completely bled as close to the event as possible, 2-3 days if you can and be sure your pads have sufficient thickness. Run street tires, not R compounds. Keep in mind that anyone can drive fast on a straight...It's the curves that take talent. Stay hydrated. Even if it's cool, drink non-caffeinated fluids. Refrain from over-indulging in alcohol the night before the event. Your instructor will tell you, but remember: "Don't drive the hood of your car. Think ahead, look ahead". Try not to get "red mist" in your helmet. It may be a race course, but you're not there to race. You're there to learn car control. Oh, yeah...Have fun!
12-01-2009, 03:24 PM
#4
#1 Relax and have fun.
#2 Brake and shift in a straight line.
#3 Smooth inputs (wheel and pedals).
#4 Ride along in one or more instructors cars (ride of your life!)
and lastly...
#5 Get ready to begin the slide, next thing you will be pricing a dedicated track setup like myself
#2 Brake and shift in a straight line.
#3 Smooth inputs (wheel and pedals).
#4 Ride along in one or more instructors cars (ride of your life!)
and lastly...
#5 Get ready to begin the slide, next thing you will be pricing a dedicated track setup like myself
Last edited by AtlJimK; 12-01-2009 at 04:13 PM.
12-01-2009, 03:29 PM
#6
Work on smoothness in braking and turning. Hit the apexes and turn-in points. Don't get mesmerized by the rear bumper of the guy in front of you -- drive the correct line. One of the big differences between street driving and track driving is the way that throttle inputs affect the car's balance and handling. Feel how the rear end rotates when you lift. Feel the difference in steering bite depending on whether you're accelerating or decelerating. As you improve, you'll find that a lot of car control is really throttle control (and no, I don't mean power slides). Give point-bys. And check your tire pressures before and after each run. You'll probably have to play with them a little to get your hot temps right.
Don't try to go too fast, you can worry about winning your run group and being on the DE podium once you improve a little.
Don't try to go too fast, you can worry about winning your run group and being on the DE podium once you improve a little.
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12-01-2009, 04:02 PM
#8
Burning Brakes
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What NC TrackRat said. Check your brakes, get them bled, and make sure your tires have enough tread left. Bring a tire pressure gauge, torque wrench, something to clean the windshield, and a quart of motor oil to the event. Bring plenty of water. Relax, learn from your instructors, and don't try to be a hero. Have fun!
12-01-2009, 04:28 PM
#9
Rennlist Member
NCTrackRat is on the money.
Get your tech inspection done at a good shop prior to the event. About a week is good; then if you need a repair you can get it done. This will save you time the morning of, and give you confidence in your equipment prior to entering the track. A good shop will usually do the inspection for free or for very little cost (<$50).
Finally, do as little as possible to the car prior to the event. Meaning drive it like you have it configured right now. This will give you some good ideas which side of the slope you want to tumble down.
It is great your wife is signed up to drive also. My wife has done several events (she had to stop for a few months to have some babies). They really helped her to drive better overall, and to have confidence is exactly what the Porsche (especially the brakes) is capable of.
If they also offer a Driver's Training piece do that also. DE = track time. DT = skid pad, solemn, and brake training type events. This is where you will really learn how your car handles at the limits.
Last, don't be a hermit. If you have a name tag wear it. PCA is a very friendly group, but usually you have to make the first effort to meet people.
Most important. Drive Hard, Drive Safe, and have fun.
--Joe
Get your tech inspection done at a good shop prior to the event. About a week is good; then if you need a repair you can get it done. This will save you time the morning of, and give you confidence in your equipment prior to entering the track. A good shop will usually do the inspection for free or for very little cost (<$50).
Finally, do as little as possible to the car prior to the event. Meaning drive it like you have it configured right now. This will give you some good ideas which side of the slope you want to tumble down.
It is great your wife is signed up to drive also. My wife has done several events (she had to stop for a few months to have some babies). They really helped her to drive better overall, and to have confidence is exactly what the Porsche (especially the brakes) is capable of.
If they also offer a Driver's Training piece do that also. DE = track time. DT = skid pad, solemn, and brake training type events. This is where you will really learn how your car handles at the limits.
Last, don't be a hermit. If you have a name tag wear it. PCA is a very friendly group, but usually you have to make the first effort to meet people.
Most important. Drive Hard, Drive Safe, and have fun.
--Joe
12-01-2009, 04:44 PM
#11
Here you go. I added a few notes so maybe it would make sense. This is a basic list of items to take, you may deviate from or add to it.
Congrats on getting the wife to sign up - that's great!
Have fun and be safe!
Congrats on getting the wife to sign up - that's great!
Have fun and be safe!
12-01-2009, 06:07 PM
#14
Three Wheelin'
Go into the DE assuming you know nothing. It makes it easier to eat "humble pie" after the event.
Learn what you can and write down what you learned for your next event.
Try to ride with an instructor in his/her car during one of their sessions.
Learn what you can and write down what you learned for your next event.
Try to ride with an instructor in his/her car during one of their sessions.
Last edited by 95C4VanIsle; 12-01-2009 at 07:20 PM.
12-01-2009, 08:41 PM
#15
Burning Brakes
Let your wife learn from her instructor, offer only praise and encouragement, not advice. Hopefully she will have a great time, and you can share and enjoy this activity many times over in the future. My wife and I have a blast together on the track. Here she is in her car, however she plans to try out the race car on some member days or DE events this year. [IMG]
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