I've done one HPDE day with a local Porsche club and now I'm hooked. I plan to do 2 more HDPE's this summer at least, so I want to ask some advice about safety.

Obviously the best thing to do would be to run a full Group N type cage and a fuel cell, but that will have to wait for awhile. What I'm more interested in is things like obviously the lug nuts should be at proper torque, the wheel bearings should be tight, all fluids should be at recommended levels, etc...

I've read a little about safety wiring things like the oil pan drain plug, and I think that would go for all drain plugs. Do wheel bearings need extra TLC if the car is tracked regularly?

All you people that have experience with hard-core track cars, please enlighten me!

 

Safety should be priority one and you're on the right track although I think a bit extreme for a couple HPDE a year.

Torque those lugs before and after every session to spec. I use 75 ft*lbs. I wouldn't bother with safety wiring the drain plug, but if anything just make sure it is torqued down to spec as well. I don't know what that is off the top of my head, but I'm sure some searching would find it.
Do the generic wheel bearing check before each event. This is usually part of the 'tech inspection' required by the event holders. I've heard pro racers say that they change wheel bearings yearly, but that's a bit extreme for your situation.

As far as fluids go, keep 'em fresh. Especially brake fluid. Fresh fluid once a year would probably suffice. Or if you want to be extra picky you could do it before every event.

Don't forget the 2nd priority, have fun. Get yourself a helmet, maybe some gloves, read some books about racing and enjoy yourself.

 

Okay, thanks for the tips. I'm just trying to get a sanity check since I don't know too much about what sort of maintenance needs to take place to keep a car safe for track use. I bought a SA 2000 rated helmet so that's covered, and I think gloves would be handy when it gets hotter and the fun-sweat is coming out of my palms. : )

As far as wheel bearing check, I'm assuming I just need to jack up the corner in question and try and move the wheel from side-to-side checking for noticeable play?

 

Don't forget to check tire pressures before and during the event. As the tires heat up, so does pressure, so it's good to be mindful of those levels.

 

Your track day group shoudl have a tech inspection list of things they want checked, follow that for a good guide, if you dont have one, feel free to look at the tech inspection form i have on seat-time.com it has a decent list.

I will second (or third) the Lug nut stuff, and making sure all fluids are right. But here are some other things that we do on racecars, and i carry over to Track days.. it might be "overkill" but its cheap for peace of mind and precaution.

As for the biggies, brake pads, inside and outside, both ends.. they tend towear faster as pads drop in thickness, so 50% isn't 50% life.. etc. Brake fluid. Change it each year, but bleed it before each event, 3-4 squeezes from each valve should suffice, but use a clear hose to be able to see if you have bubbles.

Hose clamps, intake tubing clamps/nuts/bolts. give each a little tighten before the event, and between days of a 2-day event.

Suspension nuts and bolts.. get out the torque wrench and the factory manual, check torque on each of them, and inspect for damage caused by rocks and curbing.. etc this is something to do before each track day, or between days on a two day as well. DONT just tighten down though, you end up overtorquing, and it just breaks stuff.

Tires, check for cuts, nails, etc that can be picked up on the road, inspect the whole tire, not just tread depth, if something is in the tire you compromise the speed (heat) rating. Also look over them between each session, a quick check should show you weird wear patterns starting.

if you can, keep the suspension as clean as possible, this will make it easy to see changes in and damage when it happens. (again a racecar thing, i know this is tough on a street car)

Couple more things.. get good rest the week leading up to an event for sure, and drink lots of water, people overlook how much personal condition has on on track performance.

Jon K
www.seat-time.com

 

Good info, thanks!

Well, I recently invested in a good quality torque wrench (Precision Industries) and my next purchase is a floor jack and some jack stands. I have some experience working on cars, but they were all old American muscle cars.

When this thread winds down, I'm going to compile all the tips into a check-list then I can just go through it before an event so I don't forget anything.

 

i'm a NASA racer, too (PS-1 and Honda Challenge H1).

i'll add a little to Jon's list:

i like to overfill the oil just slightly on all my racecars; but don't go overboard and put in way too much! this will help prevent starvation....

get a set of gauges; especially oil temp and pressure. check them frequently (each straightaway). always do a good cooldown lap after your session is over.

besides the motor oil, keep the rest of the drivetrain lubricants fresh (at least follow the 15k mile schedule).

one other thing to keep an eye on is the cv boots. once a day, peer under there and check for grease that has flown up all over the place; indicating a torn boot!

have fun!

todd

 

yeah, this list, whenever its finished, would be a GREAT resource.

 

Don't forget the most important advice-

Tighten the nut behind the wheel!

 

dont forget to prepare 'yourself' aswell.

I noticed that I drive better if I am more comfortable with myself at the track. Bring fold out chairs, cooler, plenty of water, some books or magazines, small radio, sun block, snacks etc...

depending on what organization/promoter you are running with, there might be alot of time waiting to run. And if you already have the car sorted out and double checked your tire temps, why not chill for a little?

Other stuff to remember to bring are tools, compressed air, tire pressure guage, jack, couple of jack stands, extra vehicle fluids... etc.... I am sure I missed some stuff.

and to be honest with you, if you havent tracked your car regularly for a year, then you shouldnt even consern yourself with the cars' set-up while at the road course. I know for a fact that a stock EVO (preferably 04-05 RS) is 'plenty' for a beginner to learn with. This time should be completely focused towards driving.

n

 

All this great advice...

I will be attending my first 3 day track event at the end of this month. I will be using every thing posted in this thread, Its all great stuff (very logical, but all to often over looked)

Thanks guys

Chris

 

Don't forget to have FUN!!

 

Don't worry too much, you are understandably nervous like everyone else before the first track day but despite the horror stories, most groups are quite good about educating the new drivers. There'll probably be some meetings specifically for the novice runners, and just pay close attention during those sessions and you'll be fine. And remember, it's a bunch of car nuts driving in the same direction on a closed course with no one chatting on their cell phones, fixing their makeup, or doing the many other hazardous things people do on public roads. Because of this, I think it's quite safe if you remain relaxed and attentive.

 

yeah.... having fun is what it's all about.

n

 

Be careful with that. You do NOT want to torque your lugnuts while they're still hot or else you can damage them. And when you come off the track after a quick session they'll be VERY hot. Besides, the torque won't be accurate when they're that hot.

Give them a half hour or an hour to cool down before torquing them. In other words, just make sure to torque them before each session.


Novice drivers tend to overheat their brakes badly. This is mostly down to poor technique (i.e., dragging the brakes rather than using quick, hard jabs). I would strongly consider flushing the fluid before each event. Or, at least bleed them thoroughly before each event.


The most important thing is to check your HOT tire pressures as soon as you come off the track. Pull into the pits (do NOT use the handbrake!) jump out and check your tire pressures immediately...before they have a chance to cool down. Anyway, you'll need to run your car for a few minutes to circulate oil through the turbo, so you might as well use the time for something productive.

Make sure your hot pressures are even left-to-right and front-to-back. With stock Advans and stock suspension, I generally run 40 psi hot in the front and 41.5 psi hot in the rear. I find that gives the most neutral balance with my driving style. If you find one tire wildly out of whack (say your passender-side front is 43 psi and the rest are 39 psi) that can point to a problem with your technique (in this case, you're probably entering a right-hand corner too fast, causing severe understeer). Your tire temps can tell you a lot!

Emre