Philadelphia's Classiest Drunkards
I thought it would be a good idea to put a little list together of some helpful tips to get you started on the right foot for your first track day. Here it is in no particular order:
1 - Wheel torque - general rule of thumb is to use the same amount of torque your engine makes on your wheels. I like to round up to 300ft lbs just to be safe.
2 - Air pressure - I usually start off around 55psi cold all around and go up from there as conditions warrant. The more pressure you run the less drag the tire makes and the faster you will go.
3 - Boost pressure - this is simple; the more the better. Run as much as you can cause you will need it.
4 - Watching your mirrors - since its a race you want to avoid pointing people by as much as possible. I have two methods I like to employ here. First, if someone is behind me and I don't want to point them by I just pretend like they aren't there. usually they'll get frustrated and pit-in after a few laps. If not, the second method I like to use is called 'the mechanical'. I use this when option 1 doesn't work. All you have to do is act like something is wrong with your car, typical excuses are "my hood was popped" or "i was getting low on fuel" or "my tires are shot". To really sell the sizzle after your session, I mean race, you should go up to the car who was behind you and tell them what happened so they know for a fact you only let them go by because it was a mechanical issue.
5 - if its your first time you should try and run R-comps cause they help you learn to go fast while you're still learning the track. If you don't have R-comps some bald street tires will work just fine. Bald street tires also help if you have to use #4 above.
6 - prepping your car. Try and install all the aftermarket parts you can BEFORE you go out to your first event. this will help you be a better/faster/safer driver and ultimately pass everyone else out there. Additionally, make sure you understate your mods if anyone asks so you can seem like a better driver than you really are. I usually tell people its a FWD lancer with a turbo kit.
7 - Brakes. If you have to use them, you should always make sure to have your braking zones be LONG, that way the car has plenty of time to slow down. I personally like to drag the brakes between turns. This accomplishes two things, first it will trick the train of cars behind you into thinking they need to brake (aka put more space between you and them) and also it will keep the pads and fluid up to optimal operating temp.
8 - throttle. You should be WOT as much as possible. when in doubt, go flat out is what they say.
9 - Suspension. the harder the better. If you have adjustable coils make sure they are set at max stiff. same with adjustable sway bars if you have them. you should also try and lower the car as much as possible to lower your CoG.
10 - better to pass than be passed. this is one that I just learned last weekend. basically all it means is that you should try to stay at least 1 or 2 run groups lower than you are qualified to run in. that way you will always be the fastest one in the group and never have to point anyone by.
11 - instructors - if you have to take one with you make sure they aren't fat, extra weight will slow the car down. I removed my seats to save weight and it also prevents anyone from riding with me or slowing the car down.
12 - driving on track. Try to focus on the section track directly in front of you, or even better if there is a car in front you should focus on that. Never take your eyes off the track or you might go off. You should also try and early apex every turn, this is critical to getting fast time because the shorter the distance from A to B the quicker your time will be.
13 - seating position. I like to sit low so my CoG is better. I'll usually crank the seat all the way back and keep one hand at 12 o'clock on the wheel and the other on the shifter. If you have a harness bar this might not be possible.
14 - shifting. the more you upshift/downshift the faster you will be, just like in the movies.
thats all I can think of at the moment, feel free to add more as you think of them.
1 - Wheel torque - general rule of thumb is to use the same amount of torque your engine makes on your wheels. I like to round up to 300ft lbs just to be safe.
2 - Air pressure - I usually start off around 55psi cold all around and go up from there as conditions warrant. The more pressure you run the less drag the tire makes and the faster you will go.
3 - Boost pressure - this is simple; the more the better. Run as much as you can cause you will need it.
4 - Watching your mirrors - since its a race you want to avoid pointing people by as much as possible. I have two methods I like to employ here. First, if someone is behind me and I don't want to point them by I just pretend like they aren't there. usually they'll get frustrated and pit-in after a few laps. If not, the second method I like to use is called 'the mechanical'. I use this when option 1 doesn't work. All you have to do is act like something is wrong with your car, typical excuses are "my hood was popped" or "i was getting low on fuel" or "my tires are shot". To really sell the sizzle after your session, I mean race, you should go up to the car who was behind you and tell them what happened so they know for a fact you only let them go by because it was a mechanical issue.
5 - if its your first time you should try and run R-comps cause they help you learn to go fast while you're still learning the track. If you don't have R-comps some bald street tires will work just fine. Bald street tires also help if you have to use #4 above.
6 - prepping your car. Try and install all the aftermarket parts you can BEFORE you go out to your first event. this will help you be a better/faster/safer driver and ultimately pass everyone else out there. Additionally, make sure you understate your mods if anyone asks so you can seem like a better driver than you really are. I usually tell people its a FWD lancer with a turbo kit.
7 - Brakes. If you have to use them, you should always make sure to have your braking zones be LONG, that way the car has plenty of time to slow down. I personally like to drag the brakes between turns. This accomplishes two things, first it will trick the train of cars behind you into thinking they need to brake (aka put more space between you and them) and also it will keep the pads and fluid up to optimal operating temp.
8 - throttle. You should be WOT as much as possible. when in doubt, go flat out is what they say.
9 - Suspension. the harder the better. If you have adjustable coils make sure they are set at max stiff. same with adjustable sway bars if you have them. you should also try and lower the car as much as possible to lower your CoG.
10 - better to pass than be passed. this is one that I just learned last weekend. basically all it means is that you should try to stay at least 1 or 2 run groups lower than you are qualified to run in. that way you will always be the fastest one in the group and never have to point anyone by.
11 - instructors - if you have to take one with you make sure they aren't fat, extra weight will slow the car down. I removed my seats to save weight and it also prevents anyone from riding with me or slowing the car down.
12 - driving on track. Try to focus on the section track directly in front of you, or even better if there is a car in front you should focus on that. Never take your eyes off the track or you might go off. You should also try and early apex every turn, this is critical to getting fast time because the shorter the distance from A to B the quicker your time will be.
13 - seating position. I like to sit low so my CoG is better. I'll usually crank the seat all the way back and keep one hand at 12 o'clock on the wheel and the other on the shifter. If you have a harness bar this might not be possible.
14 - shifting. the more you upshift/downshift the faster you will be, just like in the movies.
thats all I can think of at the moment, feel free to add more as you think of them.
Motorsports section gets my vote.
Last edited by grillpt; Jun 21, 2011 at 01:30 PM.
Not to take anything away from Marc.. (this is where I switch subjects) but I think I'm at my wits end with my neighbor in the vee-dub and his ricer ways.
I was just trying to get a pic of my a/c line for Mike, so the car was in the driveway with the hood up (no, I wasn't posted up in a lawn chair) and they are doing road work on my street so you have to go slow. Dude is driving slow (as he should be), then he see's me/looks at me, gasses it, then has to stop in front of his house right away. Its like dude, wft? I even called out "seriously", but he didn't hear me... Getting tired of it. Do I appoach him next time I see him or what?
I was just trying to get a pic of my a/c line for Mike, so the car was in the driveway with the hood up (no, I wasn't posted up in a lawn chair) and they are doing road work on my street so you have to go slow. Dude is driving slow (as he should be), then he see's me/looks at me, gasses it, then has to stop in front of his house right away. Its like dude, wft? I even called out "seriously", but he didn't hear me... Getting tired of it. Do I appoach him next time I see him or what?
Not to take anything away from Marc.. (this is where I switch subjects) but I think I'm at my wits end with my neighbor in the vee-dub and his ricer ways.
I was just trying to get a pic of my a/c line for Mike, so the car was in the driveway with the hood up (no, I wasn't posted up in a lawn chair) and they are doing road work on my street so you have to go slow. Dude is driving slow (as he should be), then he see's me/looks at me, gasses it, then has to stop in front of his house right away. Its like dude, wft? I even called out "seriously", but he didn't hear me... Getting tired of it. Do I appoach him next time I see him or what?
I was just trying to get a pic of my a/c line for Mike, so the car was in the driveway with the hood up (no, I wasn't posted up in a lawn chair) and they are doing road work on my street so you have to go slow. Dude is driving slow (as he should be), then he see's me/looks at me, gasses it, then has to stop in front of his house right away. Its like dude, wft? I even called out "seriously", but he didn't hear me... Getting tired of it. Do I appoach him next time I see him or what?
Not to take anything away from Marc.. (this is where I switch subjects) but I think I'm at my wits end with my neighbor in the vee-dub and his ricer ways.
I was just trying to get a pic of my a/c line for Mike, so the car was in the driveway with the hood up (no, I wasn't posted up in a lawn chair) and they are doing road work on my street so you have to go slow. Dude is driving slow (as he should be), then he see's me/looks at me, gasses it, then has to stop in front of his house right away. Its like dude, wft? I even called out "seriously", but he didn't hear me... Getting tired of it. Do I appoach him next time I see him or what?
I was just trying to get a pic of my a/c line for Mike, so the car was in the driveway with the hood up (no, I wasn't posted up in a lawn chair) and they are doing road work on my street so you have to go slow. Dude is driving slow (as he should be), then he see's me/looks at me, gasses it, then has to stop in front of his house right away. Its like dude, wft? I even called out "seriously", but he didn't hear me... Getting tired of it. Do I appoach him next time I see him or what?
I say you slowly roll down to his house and sit on the two-step for a minute or so...
Not to take anything away from Marc.. (this is where I switch subjects) but I think I'm at my wits end with my neighbor in the vee-dub and his ricer ways.
I was just trying to get a pic of my a/c line for Mike, so the car was in the driveway with the hood up (no, I wasn't posted up in a lawn chair) and they are doing road work on my street so you have to go slow. Dude is driving slow (as he should be), then he see's me/looks at me, gasses it, then has to stop in front of his house right away. Its like dude, wft? I even called out "seriously", but he didn't hear me... Getting tired of it. Do I appoach him next time I see him or what?
I was just trying to get a pic of my a/c line for Mike, so the car was in the driveway with the hood up (no, I wasn't posted up in a lawn chair) and they are doing road work on my street so you have to go slow. Dude is driving slow (as he should be), then he see's me/looks at me, gasses it, then has to stop in front of his house right away. Its like dude, wft? I even called out "seriously", but he didn't hear me... Getting tired of it. Do I appoach him next time I see him or what?
IDK, but if he keeps it up, words are def going to be exchanged.
James, I have a bunch of drywall screws laying around.
Not to take anything away from Marc.. (this is where I switch subjects) but I think I'm at my wits end with my neighbor in the vee-dub and his ricer ways.
I was just trying to get a pic of my a/c line for Mike, so the car was in the driveway with the hood up (no, I wasn't posted up in a lawn chair) and they are doing road work on my street so you have to go slow. Dude is driving slow (as he should be), then he see's me/looks at me, gasses it, then has to stop in front of his house right away. Its like dude, wft? I even called out "seriously", but he didn't hear me... Getting tired of it. Do I appoach him next time I see him or what?
I was just trying to get a pic of my a/c line for Mike, so the car was in the driveway with the hood up (no, I wasn't posted up in a lawn chair) and they are doing road work on my street so you have to go slow. Dude is driving slow (as he should be), then he see's me/looks at me, gasses it, then has to stop in front of his house right away. Its like dude, wft? I even called out "seriously", but he didn't hear me... Getting tired of it. Do I appoach him next time I see him or what?
Must be bored. Let me know what you do, I might try the same.
I think you should approach said Ricer Neighbor and tell him if he wants to race, cmon out to Philly SCCA Autox event and we will educate. I would even offer up a ride in car. You maybe able to help this guy out, he is your neighbor so you could give it a shot. If he acts all stupid still just call the cops and complain, all my neighbors used to do it to me. BTW, it was for my quad and cycles never a car, just sayin... F&F came out a little late in my life...I did not know about the rice until then.
I think you should approach said Ricer Neighbor and tell him if he wants to race, cmon out to Philly SCCA Autox event and we will educate. I would even offer up a ride in car. You maybe able to help this guy out, he is your neighbor so you could give it a shot. If he acts all stupid still just call the cops and complain, all my neighbors used to do it to me. BTW, it was for my quad and cycles never a car, just sayin... F&F came out a little late in my life...I did not know about the rice until then.
