OK I left my stock lines on and like you I had the braided lines in a box just sitting there. Soooo at CMP during the time attack (pics in the new sport compact car #34). I was going into turn 2 put my foot on the brake and I heard a POP and had no brakes at all, quick pump and still no brakes and now my tires had brake fluid all over them. Lets just say I had to do some good ol rally driving Brought the car in and the line had popped off at the caliper. So now I highly recommend braided lines, more for the safety they provide than the peddle feel.
Marty
#34
T2 SCCA National

 

pads and fluids are a must, as for tech, just make sure you have all items in the car taken out, especially the floor mats, I have run with the Porsche guys and here in Indy they are a great group.

also, a long sleeve shirt is usually required.

take your time and build speed slowly

 

Thank you guys for good info! I also have my first track day schduled in 2 weeks at Shenandoah (?). So, a set of good pads are must for beginners like me..??? I was just going to stay w/ stock pads for this event just to see where I stand in terms of my breaking needs. Maybe I was wrong about that. So, what pads do you guys recommend for noobs like me? I already have brake lines and a couple bottles of Motul RBF. Thanks.

smp

 

Give Kyle a call:


click me

 

It all depends on how you drive. The stock pads might last one or two very short sessions for me as I prefer to drive very fast
However, I have friends who have done multiple track events with their stock Evo pads. If you want to learn slowly, staying in the slower run groups while minimizing heavy braking, you will probably be fine.
I just don't know why you would want to
If you have the desire and need to go faster, like some of us, be prepared and get pads that will give you some bite and handle the heat. Have fun!

Johannes

 

I would whole-heartedly agree with you that a great instructor probably makes a huge difference. $300 isn't that bad, especially for the adrenaline rush and the knowledge that I'd be sure to pick up.

And you're absolutely right about the driver being the best mod!

So evey though it would be an Audi/BMW class, I'd be welcome with a Japanese car? Cool!

 

Dan - I'd recommend the NASA event first; they keep a record of your progress. Therefore, you can advance through your progress with the club. The BMW/Audi events may be less frequent?? Not sure - just a thought??

 

On the brake prep issue - My opinion is that the factory brake air cooling guides are the number one mod for track use. My experience is that the Brembo pads work fine for a stockish Evo with the cooling guides, as long as you have fresh, high BP brake fluid and use good braking technique. I'd still be using the stock pads on the track if they weren't so freakishly expensive. I use the Ferodo DS2500 right now - cheaper and similar performance to stock.

 

Your EVO would be more than welcome a the Audi events, I am one of the lead instructors as is CJ who races his EVO as well. Every year the Audi club does a Summit Point event and atleast 2 VIR events. Personally I like how the audi club doesnt allow R compounds on cars till they are Intermediate students. Audi instructors are very experienced and many are current or former racers. Also, it seems the Audi group will push you up in run groups quicker from what Im told if your skills advance quicker than others.

Marty

 

The SCCA is in the process of approving the AMS brake cooling kit as the only kit approved for SCCA roadracing. As good as the brake guides are, this should be much much better. The added cooling will not only keep your braking more consistant over your entire run but will help you save on both rotors and pads and from bleeding your brakes as much. Check out the kit on amsperformance.com

Marty

 

BMW and Audi keep records as well. You can progress from novice to intermediate to advanced, to instructor. Before signing up for a NASA event, find out how they will schedule the run groups, and what the rules are for passing. I instructed for them last May here in Minnesota. I'm sad to say that I refuse to instruct for them again unless they change their ways. They mixed novice students in the same run group with racer guys competing in time trials! Also, they didn't require contract passing, where the guy in front has to signal the faster driver to pass. My poor newbie students were scared half to death by cars passing us on both sides with no warning. Several of my fellow instructors and I gave very constructive criticism to the event manager, so maybe NASA now runs safer schools, but last May up at Brainerd was an unsafe event.

 

WHOA! That's not safe! I've heard that NASA is safe because they group the beginners together so they're not "out of their element," so to speak. I've heard that they're "practices" were very safe.....Hmmmm...

 

Sounds like a plan, Troy. I joined the NASA web site. Do I also need a membership to participate in the events?

 

Well, to be fair, this was the only NASA event I had ever attended. It was also NASA's first time at Brainerd, and I think their Midwest operation is not as experienced as their people on the coasts.

It was definitely a BIG safety no-no to mix newbies and competitive TT drivers in the same run group. As far as not requiring the point-to-pass, the NASA admins said "Race car drivers don't point to pass, so we don't want to teach that." I tried to point out that newbies need the safety of knowing that no one is going to blast past them without their permission, but my advice fell on deaf ears.

Perhaps others have had better experiences at NASA schools that we run more safely at other tracks. I had heard they were trying hard to grow beyond their reputation as the "bash for cash" club, but their program at Brainerd last May certainly didn't help. They ran an unsafe event.

 

Dan,

Yeah - they discount the events a few $$$$ for members. You also get a free subscription to Grassroots Motorsports. Also check out FATT events at Summit; pretty good - they also keep record of your progress. NASA events, at least at Summit are very tight with safety more so then their own FATT events.

Looking forward to seeing you there next year

-Troy