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Track Day - High Performance Driver Education Check List
This is for the person who wants to take their 996 out on the track but doesn't quite know what that involves or what they will need. So here is some advice and a basic track day check list.
If you have never driven your 996 on a race track I suggest you do it as soon as possible. I suggest an autocross track not an oval. Go to a real race track not a parking lot. Go to a place where you are driving the full track not some limited partial configuration. Someplace like this:
Sign up for a "track day" or "driver education day" or "high performance driver education day" or at New Jersey Motorsports Park they call it "progressive paced laps" (which I think is the ideal introduction to driving on a track).
You are not racing anyone, so that pressure doesn't exist. You WILL be driving fast. The car is far more capable then you (the novice driver). You will never come close to the car's limits. You are driving on street tires (I'm assuming), which means the tires will break free way before you reach any G-force limits or oil pressure deficiencies. It is incredibly fun to drive on a race track.
In my opinion here are the minimum steps you should take before hitting the track:
Before you go to the track:
- change the oil - Joe Gibbs DT40 is a great choice YMMV
- bleed your brake fluid or flush out the brake fluid completely
- check you brake pads; they should be 50% or more (not any less)
- basic check of all other fluids (coolant, etc).
- set your tire air pressure (you will adjust at the track)
That's really all you need to do for the type of event described above. Can you do more? Sure, but this is about the minimum prep.
Bring to the track:
1. Tarp - a good sized tarp to put all your stuff on while out on the track. Large enough to fold over and cover all your stuff if it rains. Get the tarp.
2. Extra motor oil.
3. Extra coolant.
4. Tire pressure gauge.
5. Air compressor.
6. Window cleaner. Paper towels. Razor blade.
7. Shop towels / rags.
8. Folding chair.
9. Duct tape.
10. Camera, hat, sun glasses, sun block, umbrella.
11. Cooler with food and water.
12. Cash.
I think the list above are "must bring" items.
extras:
13. A variety of basic tools. You don't have to bring an entire MacTools truck with you. Just bring the basics that make sense for your car. Other people will probably have tools too if you need something.
14. Disposable gloves.
15. Change of clothes.
You will also need an approved helmet. Buy, borrow, or rent one.
Before you go to the track:
- change the oil - Joe Gibbs DT40 is a great choice YMMV
I would not suggest that. Great oil for the street but not the track.....a ZP Driven oil holds up better to the heat. You might want to contact LN or Driven direct on this.
This just a comment and don't want to derail this to an oil thread....cuz those are just so much fun.
As a track virgin (other than a couple of hours at Exotics Racing in Vegas), thanks for the info. I am looking forward to finally finding a day when one of our PCA autocross events doesn't conflict with a youth sports game. My biggest concern is catching the bug that seems to infect absolutely everybody who starts down this path.
BTW, your list doesn't include a Crew Chief, but I notice you've wisely brought one along.
Pretty good list. I'd add painter's tape in addition to the duct tape - duct tape can be brutal to get off of a car, especially after a hot day in the sun.
As far as a helmet - there is nothing nastier than a shared/borrowed helmet on a hot day; get yourself a helmet liner on Amazon for $5-10 if you're not using your own helmet.
and...some chocks/blocks for your wheels - you don't want to set your e-brake when your brakes are cooked right after a session, and I have seen more than a couple of images of runaway cars at track events...I think we even had one car at a San Diego autocross several years ago that wound up coming to rest against a concrete light pole base. A couple of chunks of 4x4 will work better than nothing...
DT40 Joe Gibbs Street Performance engine oil is just fine for the type of driver education event I am describing. You are not racing. You are not out on the track (typically) for more than 20 minutes at a time. If you want to "upgrade" to Joe Gibbs Competition and Racing Oils that's great but not necessary. Plenty of people go out there with good old Mobil 1.
Duct tape for instant repairs or other uses, not for paint protection. Blue painter's tape if you feel the need to tape up the front bumper / hood etc. for paint protection. (not a bad idea). I have used TrakkTape and it works great for paint protection! (follow the instructions, remove WARM it's much easier (hair dryer if needed))
Last edited by ejdoherty911; 05-31-2016 at 02:54 PM.
Don't make this an oil thread for God's sake. The reality is a first time DE participant won't do anything that makes the oil differences matter.
Most important thing missing from the list is:
A deeply and honestly held sense of humility and lack of ego.
Driving a car, any car, at speed is a learned skill that anyone with interest and dedication can become proficient at, but no matter how many "spirited" drives you've taken you honestly have no idea. If you come with the right attitude you will have fun and you will want to do it again. If you think you are smoking hot ****, well, heh, good luck with all that.
A deeply and honestly held sense of humility and lack of ego.
Driving a car, any car, at speed is a learned skill that anyone with interest and dedication can become proficient at, but no matter how many "spirited" drives you've taken you honestly have no idea. If you come with the right attitude you will have fun and you will want to do it again. If you think you are smoking hot ****, well, heh, good luck with all that.
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.
A deeply and honestly held sense of humility and lack of ego.
Driving a car, any car, at speed is a learned skill that anyone with interest and dedication can become proficient at, but no matter how many "spirited" drives you've taken you honestly have no idea. If you come with the right attitude you will have fun and you will want to do it again. If you think you are smoking hot ****, well, heh, good luck with all that.
Duct tape for instant repairs or other uses, not for paint protection. Blue painter's tape if you feel the need to tape up the front bumper / hood etc. for paint protection. (not a bad idea). I have used TrakkTape and it works great for paint protection! (follow the instructions, remove WARM it's much easier (hair dryer if needed))
I don't bother using tape to protect my paint, a few scratches here and there don't bother me. I would bring painter's tape so that if the group you are with wants to put a number on your car, you can use tape to write the number on the side. So try to get a contrasting color, blue shows well on most cars with obvious exceptions.
DT40 is not meant to exceed 240 degrees
XP5 and XP9 are not meant to exceed 750 miles
Love the list. I think emphasis on knowing a target tire pressure and checking and adjusting after every session. I meant to do this my first time but I was so excited and I didn't think it really mattered. When I finally checked, my pressure had jumped from 40 to 52psi.
DT40 is not meant to exceed 240 degrees
XP5 and XP9 are not meant to exceed 750 miles
Love the list. I think emphasis on knowing a target tire pressure and checking and adjusting after every session. I meant to do this my first time but I was so excited and I didn't think it really mattered. When I finally checked, my pressure had jumped from 40 to 52psi.
Yup, I usually change oil before event at home/hotel before event.
05-31-2016, 10:36 AM
Track Day - High Performance Driver Education Check List
