ivangene

dont over thinik it - just have fun

like the first time you smoked crack, you can stop any time

Bob Rouleau

I prefer open face helmets. Check to be sure a Bell does not push your head forward forward due to the egg shaped bulge in the back. Tape not needed. Mother's r3 or Automotive Goof-Off for rubber marks. Bring a folding chair. reduce tire pressure, make sure tires do not exceed 40 lbs hot pressure. Street tires should be in the range of 36-38 hot in front and 38 rear measured as soon as you come off the track. Listen to and follow instructions given by your instructor, a lot of high performance driving is not intuitive - don't be surprised, just do it his way

Best,

ivangene

I disagree on tire pressure for street tires

but the reality is most newb's will notice very little gain in tire pressures
I would run them much higher - 42-44 range because of sidewall roll on stock setting/camber and compounds

just sayin
have fun..............dont get to worried about your car, it will be ok - as long as you didnt do anything stupid today, just do the same thing....NO ONE will make you drive faster or less in control than YOU will....so drive in control - like you did today

D6lc

If you have a decent motorcycle helmet check that as it may be Snell (Shoei & Arai are), if so you can use it for DE's but not racing, for racing it has to be a car helmet spec. Dont know the difference as a bike crash for a helmet is usually way more severe than a car smash.

I say this as I rented a helmet for my first training day only to find out i could have worn my bike helmet and saved the $75!, if your only doing a few a year it is worth looking into.

DaveSpeed

The difference between a auto helmet and a motorcycle helmet is the auto ones are fire proof.

fpena944

The auto helmet is also fire rated, that's the main difference between car and motorcycle.

I started off with a bike helmet since it was cheaper and I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue doing this. It was a waste because I ended up only using it twice before deciding I needed a real bucket.

Bob Rouleau

Maybe it has to do with the tracks you run. My green students (first timers) see 4 to 6 lbs pressure increase in a 20 minute session. By the third session, a 6 lbs increase. Any 911 I have been in feels greasy if the rear tires have more than 40 lbs pressure. And that's a lot of 911's since I have been instructing for more than 15 years. The modern cars have novices going a lot faster than the ones driving older cars. I wish there was a loud horn which would sound when PSM is doing its thing!!

PCA accepts Snell 2005 (and newer) SM (Motorcycle), SA (automobile) and BSI (FIA certification for automobiles, seen on Stylo, Stand21 and similar European helmets. As pointed out above, SA and BSI helmets have Nomex or equivalent linings which may be present in SM rated helmets but not required.

Thundertub

I prefer an open-faced Bell Mag 4. Better visiblility, less trapped heat, easier to talk and listen.

That said, I actually use a Bell Mag 4 full face helmet because, as an instructor, I often ride in open cars. You have an OPEN car. Yes, I see the hard top, but that is not WELDED to your car. That's all I'm gonna say about that.

Read the general instructions for the event and club that you will run with. They will tell you whether your helmet must be an SA rating, or if they allow M ratings. Either way it must be a safety-rated helmet. Although PCA is okay with M ratings, some Regions have stricter requirements.

That also pertains to clothing and shoes. Since this is your first event, if you have any of those designer driving shoes, wear those. Do not wear tennis shoes or any big shoes. The closer it seems like you are only wearing socks, the better the shoe for track driving skills. But it must be a fully closed shoe - no sandals or clogs.

Thundertub

As for trailering:

Not knowing what to expect, I trailered my brand new '93 RS America to my first DE in early 1993. That was the first time, and the last time I ever trailered. I just drive to each event and remember that I also have to drive home in that same vehicle. I have never owned or mounted an R-compound tire, high friction brake pads, larger brake rotors, or anything else that I would not willingly drive to work in hard rain on a hot or cold day.

And interesting aside - I did not trailer the '93 RS America home from that event. A friend drove it carefully in my rear view mirror because my trailer had the totalled remains of a brand new, very rare, and very expensive '92 964 Turbo (nobody hurt). LISTEN TO YOUR INSTRUCTOR NO MATTER WHAT HE SAYS. DO IT! The driver of the Turbo was at his first DE and had "issues" with taking instruction. He was never invited back.

Slopeslider

Fernando where did you get your meatball? I looking for something similar. Thx.

rideau

I have found these magnetic hood protectors to work very well. No need to tape on as they really stick as long as you put them on in warm weather.
http://www.rennline.com/Magnetic-Pro.../products/839/
I hope you enjoy your first track experience. There is a lot of good advice in the previous responses..please read carefully.

ivangene

Interesting point Bob, agree on the PSM (or other traction control)

I was instructing a guy last month who was WAY into the PSM and I commented on that - his reply, I know isnt it cool, that's why I bought it

I would love to have shut it off for him but we would have crashed in under 10 seconds!

NUTS!

dotframe

I can't stand the PSM on the track. For me it really makes driving the car pretty scary.

bornrich

As an instructor with NASA on the west coast, I usually encourage the new driver to leave the electronic nannies on if they have had no other on track experience ( autox, karting, etc), especially if it is damp or raining. Learning car control on the racetrack is not the best place experience this with other cars around. Usually after a session or two, I have a better idea of the drivers skill level. I always tell them once you turn it off always dial back their efforts to 5/10 - 6/10s until they get used to the lack of electronic support.
But as other have said listen to your instructor, he or she will help you with your technique and allow you to gain speed safely.

In regards to the use of an open face helmet, your car has an airbag and if it goes off, you are susceptible to facial injury.

Hardback

+1 Before I leave the pit I turn it off. PSM does spooky things in high speed corners.