Track Day - High Performance Driver Education Check List
05-31-2016, 05:37 PM
#16
Race Director
Add zip-ties (various sizes) and a knife to the supplies list. And some wet-wipes.
My pile-o-track-crap grows with every event.
My pile-o-track-crap grows with every event.
05-31-2016, 06:00 PM
#17
Former Vendor
^^^Zip ties is what I was going to add. The last track event I had to use some so my day wasn't finished.
If you want to work on you lap times, download Harry's Lap Timer to your phone.
-Jason
If you want to work on you lap times, download Harry's Lap Timer to your phone.
-Jason
05-31-2016, 06:05 PM
#18
Rennlist Member
Agree 100%. The right attitude is the best way to have fun and stay safe. You need "two ears and one mouth" too. Keep quiet and listen to your instructor. Be a sponge...talk to others who are experienced (like Pete), go on ride-alongs, etc...
Final point to add to your checklist, find track videos and try to mentally memorize the track ahead of time. Youtube is your friend. Find a narrated walk through, or any decent video to boost your learning before heading on track for the first time.
Final point to add to your checklist, find track videos and try to mentally memorize the track ahead of time. Youtube is your friend. Find a narrated walk through, or any decent video to boost your learning before heading on track for the first time.
Spend time with your instructor after your runs to ask lots of questions and ask for specific feedback. I also recommend spending time walking around the paddock and talking with the drivers in the higher run groups - great source of knowledge and experience on driving and car set-up.
And finally ask your instructor to take you around in your car at speed - you will be amazed!
05-31-2016, 06:12 PM
#20
Former Vendor
05-31-2016, 08:42 PM
#21
05-31-2016, 08:51 PM
#22
Rennlist Member
Walk through videos are tough to find. There is one for Palmer that was done right after it opened but most of that, if exists, is on PCA, et al local region websites and may not come up in a search. For those really dedicated to finding that stuff, figure out what PCA or BMWCC runs at the track and check the local chapter's DE page, a lot of good stuff can sometimes be found there.
05-31-2016, 09:56 PM
#23
Rennlist Member
Most clubs require car numbers - it's easy to print a set of numbers in large font on your computer at home before you leave for the track. Just tape them to the inside of the rear quarter windows after you get there (don't forget to remove after you are finished for the day or you'll probably get a few street challenges and/or weird looks on the drive home). If you forget to print the numbers, there's always the painters tape trick.
It's also a lot of fun to review your driving later - if you have a Go Pro or other portable cam mount it in your car to record the day.
You may also want to think about track insurance - most insurance companies won't cover you on the track but there are some companies that specialize in this (I use On Track).
If you haven't been on this particular track before search You Tube for the track name - that should bring up lots of videos (probably good and bad).
It's also a lot of fun to review your driving later - if you have a Go Pro or other portable cam mount it in your car to record the day.
You may also want to think about track insurance - most insurance companies won't cover you on the track but there are some companies that specialize in this (I use On Track).
If you haven't been on this particular track before search You Tube for the track name - that should bring up lots of videos (probably good and bad).
06-02-2016, 11:26 AM
#24
Rennlist Member
One more thought for the first time participant at a DE especially those showing up in a reasonably fast car like a 911 that is likely faster than other first timers:
The reason the person in the car ahead of you didn't give you a point by isn't because they are an *******, it's because they are busy.
Why does this matter? Because when you think of that (most likely overwhelmed and perhaps scared to death) driver as an *******, you get angry at them and when you get angry you drive more aggressively and, as a result, less safely. When you think of that same driver as busy, you empathize and you drive calmer and more safely as you try to position your car where it can be seen in hopes of getting a point by from this fellow beginner.
99.999% of the time a slower driver* would love to point you by and when they don't, it's because their brain is already maxed out.
*Applies only to lowest run groups. Guys not giving point bys in higher run groups are, in fact, giant ********.
The reason the person in the car ahead of you didn't give you a point by isn't because they are an *******, it's because they are busy.
Why does this matter? Because when you think of that (most likely overwhelmed and perhaps scared to death) driver as an *******, you get angry at them and when you get angry you drive more aggressively and, as a result, less safely. When you think of that same driver as busy, you empathize and you drive calmer and more safely as you try to position your car where it can be seen in hopes of getting a point by from this fellow beginner.
99.999% of the time a slower driver* would love to point you by and when they don't, it's because their brain is already maxed out.
*Applies only to lowest run groups. Guys not giving point bys in higher run groups are, in fact, giant ********.
06-02-2016, 11:33 AM
#25
Rennlist Member
06-02-2016, 11:50 AM
#26
Three Wheelin'
One more thought for the first time participant at a DE especially those showing up in a reasonably fast car like a 911 that is likely faster than other first timers:
The reason the person in the car ahead of you didn't give you a point by isn't because they are an *******, it's because they are busy.
Why does this matter? Because when you think of that (most likely overwhelmed and perhaps scared to death) driver as an *******, you get angry at them and when you get angry you drive more aggressively and, as a result, less safely. When you think of that same driver as busy, you empathize and you drive calmer and more safely as you try to position your car where it can be seen in hopes of getting a point by from this fellow beginner.
99.999% of the time a slower driver* would love to point you by and when they don't, it's because their brain is already maxed out.
*Applies only to lowest run groups. Guys not giving point bys in higher run groups are, in fact, giant ********.
The reason the person in the car ahead of you didn't give you a point by isn't because they are an *******, it's because they are busy.
Why does this matter? Because when you think of that (most likely overwhelmed and perhaps scared to death) driver as an *******, you get angry at them and when you get angry you drive more aggressively and, as a result, less safely. When you think of that same driver as busy, you empathize and you drive calmer and more safely as you try to position your car where it can be seen in hopes of getting a point by from this fellow beginner.
99.999% of the time a slower driver* would love to point you by and when they don't, it's because their brain is already maxed out.
*Applies only to lowest run groups. Guys not giving point bys in higher run groups are, in fact, giant ********.
06-02-2016, 12:03 PM
#27
Rennlist Member
Well said DT. Another thing that is amplified on the 911 that I had to learn the hard way is to never brake mid turn. No matter how fast you are going, if you just keep a little throttle it will hold. If you take your foot off the gas and brake just a little, get ready to push in the clutch as well because you are about to spin.
06-02-2016, 12:33 PM
#29
Former Vendor
I had a guy in a Chevy Volt that wasn't giving point by's to no one, then finally there was this huge traffic jam behind him. Then he started doing point-by's, I think he had no idea or was so concentrated on how much gas he was saving. Lol I was about to do a drive thru to the pits.
-Jason
-Jason
06-02-2016, 01:05 PM
#30
