very good info, I found that a lot of what you say is very true from my last experience at the track. It would have been great if this post started way earlier, but it is very informative for novice drivers.

Tips #8,5,10 are very important in my opinion, the rest are important too to have an enjoyable time for getting faster around the track

 

Excellent point. The one time I had a really bad off was a few years ago on the very day I was first cleared to run in an advanced session. I knew the line and had proved that I possessed adequate car control skills, but... I allowed myself to feel pressured by the faster traffic, ultimately leading me to make a small mistake that turned into a bigger one and I was lucky that the result wasn't disasterous. Learned an important lesson that day! Hopefully somebody reading this won't have to drive in those shoes.

 

another tip I thought of, which could probably go unsaid but always have total concentration when driving at the track. Last time at the track for a split second I took my mind off of my line and really messed up my line and braking point. Always think ahead

 

Some really good points here.
Just one thing about the parking brake - one evo's at least, isn't that what you should do? What you shouldn't do is to use your 'normal' brake and hold the thing down while stationary cos that would really mess up your rotor.

Another minor point: Do not work on your car while it's hot. This is really obvious, but the number of times I saw people taking air out of a still hot tyre and burning their hands is sufficient for me to say this. And please, whatever you do, do not bleed your brakes when you've just come in. Brake fluid is a horrible substance. Hot brake fluid = hospital. The thing can be sitting around for 15 minutes or even half and hour and still be stupidly hot.

+100,000 to scorke and others. Too many drivers on the street hear of driving techniques like heel/toe or left foot brake and get the idea that their application will instantly take seconds off their time. Had a guy once who pulled his handbrake in every turn in his 400whp 200SX and you can just tell that he's got some real issues.

I don't know what trackdays in the US are like, perhaps it might be a good idea for some advice about letting people through.

 

I don't know what trackdays in the US are like, perhaps it might be a good idea for some advice about letting people through.[/QUOTE]

please please please let people through, let off a little let em by. please.
its even good practice on the freeway.

 

very good info bud.
gracias.

 

De nada, homey.

I've posted this thread at a bunch of forums and this one has generated a ton of excellent suggestions. The one at nsxprime added a bunch of good ideas too. One of these days I'll have to compile all of this onto a monster list.

Thanx again to everyone who replied. Keep those ideas and tips coming!!

 

If you don't understand the concept of a friction circle by just street driving for a short time you shouldn't be driving at all.

 

bump for more info. Great stuff here already. Keep it coming.

Also I think it would be great to hear some step by step instructions for some of the more "complex" techniques such as the heel-toe, trail braking, etc so that at the minimum when us novice drivers get to the point of practicing those we at least know the vocabulary and what those techniques are and have ha basic knowledge of how to do them.

 

Now, Jon, don't tell everyone all my secrets...


Just kidding!

Jon has never taught me at a track day, just used my car to whoop me at an autocross or two.


All I know about track driving I learned in one session in a Nascar stocker and from GT3/4!

 

A few things I discuss with students before I ride with them.

1) Do NOT wait for the instructor to tell you when to brake. Do it when you feel comfortable.

2) Take each instructor's advice with an open mind. Each instructor may have a slightly different opinion on how you should do something, and it is up to you to determine what works best for your car and *your* driving style. You will, however find quite a few similarities in the information. If you find yourself being told something similar by different instructors, that should tell you something.

3) If I point somewhere, look in that general direction immediately and without hesitation, even if it is out your side window. The car will magically follow where you're looking. Look at the wall and that's where you're going to end up.

4) If I tell you gas or brake, again, do it without hesitation. The reason is I can feel what the car is doing and what you're doing with the pedals. You have control over it. If you follow my instructions, it may mean the difference between a crash and a save. (3 and 4 have worked to recover from some potentially serious situations, and yes I did have to check my underwear after. )

5) An instructor will *never* (or should never) drive your car at racing speeds with you in it, although it might seem that way. We will usually drive your car faster than you would. The reason is because we want to help you to understand what to do, but if you go out and try what we just did you'll get into trouble.

6) Forget about going fast initially. Concentrate on your lines and the speed will come without you realizing it. Your fastest lap usually feels like your slowest.

7) You may be surprised at how you can upset a car that is close to the limit if you pounce on any of the pedals or yank on the steering wheel. (Most newbies do this because things are occurring really fast on the track.) Being quick but smooth takes some practice.

8) If your car wont go into gear while you're braking for a corner, you screwed up the rev matching. If you keep trying to slam it into gear, after enough of that, you're going to spend some money on either the transmission, clutch, or rear end. Get the revs back up and it will slide into place.

9) If this is your first time at the track, you will be overwhelmed with the information and in order to process it, you must clear your mind. Problems at home have no place ON the track. Deal with it after you exit the track.

10) A high speed slide at 80+mph and the inputs required to save it occur much faster than a slow speed slide at 45mph.

11) If you have a slower car (e.g- Miata) catching and pressuring you (and you're in a corvette,) let them pass. He got there because he was faster in the corners. Remember that anyone can drive fast in a straight line.

12) Once you've been on the track, realize that it is very addicting. Don't forget to have fun.

Oops, got a little long. Climbing down off my soap box now.

 

thanks for the info keep it coming im going to use some of this in my next lapping day and go from there .when i auto x i only use first and second not much gear changing i will work on my heel toe thanks again keep any pointers coming

 

No, you should still not use the parking brake, even on the Evo you will run the risk of warping your rear rotors. Just bring a couple of wheel chocks or 2x4's.

Also, one thing not mentioned yet:

- INSPECT YOUR CAR after every track session. On top of checking tires and tire pressure, take a close look at your rotors. Once things have cooled down a bit, check your engine bay to make sure nothing has come loose and there are no leaks. Also check your oil and radiator fluid level before heading out to the next session.

- Before heading out to your next session, re-torque your lugnuts. They will come loose over time.

l8r)

 

Good information for my first track day next month...thanks to all!

Being older than most in these forums, I only hope that this 'old dawg' can unlearn bad habits and learn a few new tricks.

I sure hope I get some patient instructors!

 

you old enough to know the phrase and to have played with "more fun than a barrel of monkeys"?
(what stupid toys we had)
make your turn into the corners about fifty feet later than you'd like and your instructor will think you are a natural.