In about a month I will be attending a performance driving seminar at VIR. What kinds of things should I do before I take the evo to the track?

Fluid changes? Which fluids?
I've already ordered the brake cooling guides.

What kind of tread should be left on the car for it to pass tech inspections?

Any help Prep-ing for this would be most appreciated.
Thanks

 

Find a shop in the area, and have them go over it. I always check fluid levels, upgraded the brake fluid, and did fresh sync oil before leaving. What event, I am supposed to go to one this month there too? Oh, and if you are stock, I would start about 40 all the way around. I went to 42, because I had some roll issues on the stock tires.

Also, change your oil the minute you get back. I had 300 miles on my car, driving to and from track, plus two track days, and it was like crud when it came out.

JP

 

mazda driving assoc is hosting it on the 27th 28th.
40? I'm guessing you meant 40psi on the tires.
not 40mph around the track?

I plan on taking it to a shop to have them look it over and change fluids before hand. But I wanted to know what to look out for and to make sure they looked at all the things needed.

Thanks... any more advice?

 

Tire gauge, a good one, tank for air, sun shouldn't be an issue, heat maybe, in that lack of it. I would dress in layers, and bring something to take notes on. I am endlessly without something to write on.

Of course, there are the givens, food, drink, and camera. I would invest in some time of in-car camera, if you haven't already. I have spent countless hours reviewing tapes from old tracks. Just a thought.

Guys, what am I forgetting?

 

I hope you mean 40 hot. Once my Advans started warming up I had to keep bleeding air out.

 

Flush out stock brake fluid with motul 600 and a good pressure bleed.
Change oil before and after the event.
Check alignment settings and adjust if necessary.
Make sure you have plenty of life on brake pads and change if necessary.
Bring lots of water.
Don't do your last run group.

Drink beer at banquet. :-)

 

When i prepare for Track DAy, i make sure i have the car checked out by my friend.. if i need to, brakes get bled, oil and tranny fluid changed, i take my rear seat out of the car and anything tha could be harmful eg cd stacker, subs, amps..

I get my fire extuingusher checked by my local fire department, and i get my helmet ( the "Hell Mut") checked by the local scrutineer..

I pack my tools, my spare tires ,trolley jack, axle stands, a change of clothes ( we have to wear long sleeve pants and jumpers and it gets a lil warm). I take an extra 5 litres of oil, 500ml of Brake fluid and bits and pieces..

I also take like a heapload of water ( never drink coke or sugar drinks and never eat sugary foods dehyrdration is a *****) and remember no matter how cold it is inside, once you start going the cabin gets frikken hot.. usually here it doubles in temp, and we have to keep our windows up.. so also keep drinking water..

And before you leave to go home, check all your brakes and engine fluid level, and make sure the car in still running fine.. you might be liek us and have to drive the car home 45 minutes away form the track

Pete

 

Last track event I was at, I started at 42 and 40, front to back. then ended up at 43 all the way around. (PSI). It was varying between 30 and 32 degrees outside, and slight rain on Sunday. Never had to touch it again, it was on rails. I did blister the crud out of them though on the dry track. However, that is the price you pay to play.

In 30 minutes on the track, I managed to destroy front pads, all four tires, and one front shock assembly. Maybe some day I will learn to drive hard. But, I was faster than the 10 seconds faster than an STi (also stock) and was the second fastest car there. Oh, and I was 1 second off the one-lap evo, which I believe had mods at that track, again, I was stock to the filter.

Now, with track tires, red pads, and AMS stage one , I am going hunting for the big dogs. (also cage and harnesses)

 

Hmmm so It's probable that I will destroy all my tires in first 30 minutes? This thing is a 2 day seminar. Will I need extra tires and wheels and extra pads?
I want to be prepared but I don't want to overkill with the extra stuff.

Does anyone recommend superblue brake fluid?

What tires do you use for the track? Are the advans horrible?

 

I used my car at 4 track weekends last year. It was 10-11 hours of actual on-the-track time.

The stock tires are absolutely great. They had great grip and lasted for all four events. The outer shoulders are worn more than I am comfortable with now, so I am going to get them remounted to move the inner shoulders to the outside.

I used up one set of stock pads (with factory air guides) after about 3 hours of track time.

I highly recommend changing the brake fluid to a high boiling point fluid (dry BP of at least 560F) immediately before the event, and install the factory brake air guides. THese seem to make a significant difference. It is a good idea to bring an extra set of brake pads along and the tools needed to replace them.

Also make sure the front wheel alignment has the maximum negative camber possible. This will reduce roll-over of the tires and reduce shoulder wear. Also give you the most grip

 

Plan on needing a few new things after the track day. Brake pads, tires, and fluid change. Of course, this all depends on how new the equipment/fluids are when you go to the track. Good luck.

 

will i have to replace all 4 pads or just the front pads?

 

Do most people trailer the cars to these events?
I'm about 4-5 hours away from VIR.
Was planning on driving my car there.

 

I drive to the events. For me they are 4-6 hours away.

For me, the front pads wore out about 3x faster than the rear pads. Due to weight transfer, in a well balanced car (which the Evo is), most of the braking force is on the front brakes. My original rear pads lasted 3 track weekends.

 

Hey TomsSound where do you live at? Most serious racers (read: serious money) trailer their car to the track. For a few good reasons. There is always the possibility that something will break, blow up, or otherwise. That is just what you can do to your car. Now you have to think about the 10+ other drivers that are out there also. If you have the means, I suggest it. If not, just be careful out on the track.