Race time
March-17th-2005 | 01:39 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 5
Race time
yo wats up
im out in southern cali. and i just signed up for the
mazda fest 05 thats out at the Buttonwillow track in i think its palmdale.
watever. i just wanted to know if anyone had any tips for me for when i get on the track. my MP5 is pretty much stock except a weapon R intake. but i plan on upgrading my motor mounts, dropin a short shifter and possibly lowering it.
the car is my daily driver so im not going to go all out on it but i was just curious for people who have been on the track already what kind of wear an tear might i expect on the track??? and in case you havent assumed yet. this will be my first time on the race track. so im just lookin for any advice i can get.
take it easy
im out in southern cali. and i just signed up for the
mazda fest 05 thats out at the Buttonwillow track in i think its palmdale.
watever. i just wanted to know if anyone had any tips for me for when i get on the track. my MP5 is pretty much stock except a weapon R intake. but i plan on upgrading my motor mounts, dropin a short shifter and possibly lowering it.
the car is my daily driver so im not going to go all out on it but i was just curious for people who have been on the track already what kind of wear an tear might i expect on the track??? and in case you havent assumed yet. this will be my first time on the race track. so im just lookin for any advice i can get.
take it easy
March-17th-2005 | 07:03 AM
#2
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 345
From: Melbourne Australia
umm i donno how its over there in USA... but
wouldn;t u need like a licence to take it onto the track?? here u have to get a CAMS (racing association) licence....
but some tips hehe... u might wanna have a stiff suspension... lowered would be good... more aero i guess....
hope u have fun @ da track... would love to take my baby onto the track but i dont think i will be for a while hehe
wouldn;t u need like a licence to take it onto the track?? here u have to get a CAMS (racing association) licence....
but some tips hehe... u might wanna have a stiff suspension... lowered would be good... more aero i guess....
hope u have fun @ da track... would love to take my baby onto the track but i dont think i will be for a while hehe
March-17th-2005 | 09:09 AM
#3
Matty's Lead Scrumpet!!
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,143
From: Ok City
He's probably just doing some sort of touring/lapping day thing. This is a great way to get to know your car!! I do high speed touring a lot at a local road course we have here.
Anyway, make sure your vehicle is in tip top condition, check your fluid levels and make sure you don't have leaks (sometimes they won't let you on track if you are leaking anywhere), check your brake pads & rotors (get new pads if necessary!), and you'll probably need a helmet too (most courses do). Also, make sure that your tires are up to it. There's nothing worse than trying to have a good day at the track and finding out that your tires suck! Do your cool-down lap and try not to use your brakes too much. Remember that after doing any hot lapping DO NOT SET YOUR PARKING BRAKE!!
Try and find someone who has a bit of experience on the track to take you around and show you the ins and outs, where to accelerate, where to brake, where you can pass, etc.
All in all...I think you'll have a great time!
Anyway, make sure your vehicle is in tip top condition, check your fluid levels and make sure you don't have leaks (sometimes they won't let you on track if you are leaking anywhere), check your brake pads & rotors (get new pads if necessary!), and you'll probably need a helmet too (most courses do). Also, make sure that your tires are up to it. There's nothing worse than trying to have a good day at the track and finding out that your tires suck! Do your cool-down lap and try not to use your brakes too much. Remember that after doing any hot lapping DO NOT SET YOUR PARKING BRAKE!!
Try and find someone who has a bit of experience on the track to take you around and show you the ins and outs, where to accelerate, where to brake, where you can pass, etc.
All in all...I think you'll have a great time!
March-17th-2005 | 02:27 PM
#5
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 52
From: Las Vegas
Well first things first Beachbum....Buttonwillow is near "Bakersfield" , not to be confused with Willow Springs which is near Palmdale Lancaster.
As for the track day; I instruct at Racer Factory , SCCA and PCA events. A bone stock Protege 5 will do great. Buttonwillow can be hard on brakes depending on the layout, So don't be the guy standing the car on it's nose under braking at every corner (that technigue is slow as well as hard on the car). Most track days have instructors so I figure this one will as well , listen to what they have to say. Biggest trap is getting sucked into trying to catch someone slightly faster than you. Go with the attitude of being slow the first sessions and progressively build speed with each session.
You will likely see somebody go off in the first session and bang up thier car because they were trying to be Michael Schumacher .....don't be that guy. This is easy to do and not realize it...if you miss an apex by a foot and a half you've gone to fast , unfortunatly for some newbies this doesn't sink in until you're of the road
Work on the fundamentals such as ; Trail braking , heel / toe downshifts , throttle steering and proper lines. You always hear us racer types talking "smooth" basicly if you are sawing at the wheel like a mad man your going slow. I steer a car with the pedals I.E rotate the car on corner entrance with the brake pedal (trail braking) and changing the car's trajectory with more or less throttle (throttle steering)......when you get to this point after some more track days then mod the car.
Check all the fluids as said and just drive smoothly and the car will be fine
You will have an absolute blast and come back hooked - spend the money on track time and not the car.
Tom , Vegas
As for the track day; I instruct at Racer Factory , SCCA and PCA events. A bone stock Protege 5 will do great. Buttonwillow can be hard on brakes depending on the layout, So don't be the guy standing the car on it's nose under braking at every corner (that technigue is slow as well as hard on the car). Most track days have instructors so I figure this one will as well , listen to what they have to say. Biggest trap is getting sucked into trying to catch someone slightly faster than you. Go with the attitude of being slow the first sessions and progressively build speed with each session.
You will likely see somebody go off in the first session and bang up thier car because they were trying to be Michael Schumacher .....don't be that guy. This is easy to do and not realize it...if you miss an apex by a foot and a half you've gone to fast , unfortunatly for some newbies this doesn't sink in until you're of the road
Work on the fundamentals such as ; Trail braking , heel / toe downshifts , throttle steering and proper lines. You always hear us racer types talking "smooth" basicly if you are sawing at the wheel like a mad man your going slow. I steer a car with the pedals I.E rotate the car on corner entrance with the brake pedal (trail braking) and changing the car's trajectory with more or less throttle (throttle steering)......when you get to this point after some more track days then mod the car.
Check all the fluids as said and just drive smoothly and the car will be fine
You will have an absolute blast and come back hooked - spend the money on track time and not the car.
Tom , Vegas
March-17th-2005 | 04:29 PM
#7
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 531
From: Maryland/Pennsylvania
Originally Posted by tom grossmann
Well first things first Beachbum....Buttonwillow is near "Bakersfield" , not to be confused with Willow Springs which is near Palmdale Lancaster.
As for the track day; I instruct at Racer Factory , SCCA and PCA events. A bone stock Protege 5 will do great. Buttonwillow can be hard on brakes depending on the layout, So don't be the guy standing the car on it's nose under braking at every corner (that technigue is slow as well as hard on the car). Most track days have instructors so I figure this one will as well , listen to what they have to say. Biggest trap is getting sucked into trying to catch someone slightly faster than you. Go with the attitude of being slow the first sessions and progressively build speed with each session.
You will likely see somebody go off in the first session and bang up thier car because they were trying to be Michael Schumacher .....don't be that guy. This is easy to do and not realize it...if you miss an apex by a foot and a half you've gone to fast , unfortunatly for some newbies this doesn't sink in until you're of the road
Work on the fundamentals such as ; Trail braking , heel / toe downshifts , throttle steering and proper lines. You always hear us racer types talking "smooth" basicly if you are sawing at the wheel like a mad man your going slow. I steer a car with the pedals I.E rotate the car on corner entrance with the brake pedal (trail braking) and changing the car's trajectory with more or less throttle (throttle steering)......when you get to this point after some more track days then mod the car.
Tom , Vegas
As for the track day; I instruct at Racer Factory , SCCA and PCA events. A bone stock Protege 5 will do great. Buttonwillow can be hard on brakes depending on the layout, So don't be the guy standing the car on it's nose under braking at every corner (that technigue is slow as well as hard on the car). Most track days have instructors so I figure this one will as well , listen to what they have to say. Biggest trap is getting sucked into trying to catch someone slightly faster than you. Go with the attitude of being slow the first sessions and progressively build speed with each session.
You will likely see somebody go off in the first session and bang up thier car because they were trying to be Michael Schumacher .....don't be that guy. This is easy to do and not realize it...if you miss an apex by a foot and a half you've gone to fast , unfortunatly for some newbies this doesn't sink in until you're of the road
Work on the fundamentals such as ; Trail braking , heel / toe downshifts , throttle steering and proper lines. You always hear us racer types talking "smooth" basicly if you are sawing at the wheel like a mad man your going slow. I steer a car with the pedals I.E rotate the car on corner entrance with the brake pedal (trail braking) and changing the car's trajectory with more or less throttle (throttle steering)......when you get to this point after some more track days then mod the car.
Tom , Vegas
BTW I liked your (Tom) Shumacher reference, I'm a huge Ferrari F1 fan...
March-17th-2005 | 04:32 PM
#8
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 52
From: Las Vegas
go speed racer , go speed racer gooooo.
A bunch of us local racers are going to a Russel Racing School instructor seminar on the 28th....I'm bringing the 2.0 ES , it too will still be wearing the paper plate.
Tom
A bunch of us local racers are going to a Russel Racing School instructor seminar on the 28th....I'm bringing the 2.0 ES , it too will still be wearing the paper plate.
Tom
March-17th-2005 | 04:38 PM
#9
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 52
From: Las Vegas
Thanks there flyinhawiian , not only am I a Ferrari fan since the Lauda days but I also spent 5 years in Kailua / Lanikai.........gimme won or-da Ka-lu-ah pig N da spam Ma-su-B.....this should make sense to you unless your not form Hawaii and are just an Ongais (sp) fan.
Tom
Tom
March-17th-2005 | 05:35 PM
#10
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 531
From: Maryland/Pennsylvania
Very nice, I was born on Maui and spent some years living there, before I moved here to Maryland. I've been a Ferrari fan since, well forever (since I got into F1), and a Shumi fan since he signed with Beneton.
March-18th-2005 | 01:05 PM
#14
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 52
From: Las Vegas
Actually don't be afraid to take the Daily Driver to a track day , most people do. If you bring a car you view as diposable with the intent of driving it "hard" this will almost insure you'll be doing some off-road racing and bending things - like maybe your body.
Track days allow you to exercise your car at a speed that you can't on the road. Keep in mind you have no cage , belts or nomex so driving ten/tenths isn't a good idea. My old Datsun is probably 3 seconds a lap slower than the Protege but I'm bringing it this weekend because between instrucing I plan to go out and drive it to the limit........diving into a turn at 100 MPH isn't the time to be thinking "should I be doing this in a car without a cage" so I bring the car with the cage.
Seriously P-funk take the DD to a track day....you'll find yourself going faster and driving smoother if you need to take care of the car. Track days do not allow passing in corners for new an intermediate groups. Plus you will have more fun than you can imagine.
Tom
Track days allow you to exercise your car at a speed that you can't on the road. Keep in mind you have no cage , belts or nomex so driving ten/tenths isn't a good idea. My old Datsun is probably 3 seconds a lap slower than the Protege but I'm bringing it this weekend because between instrucing I plan to go out and drive it to the limit........diving into a turn at 100 MPH isn't the time to be thinking "should I be doing this in a car without a cage" so I bring the car with the cage.
Seriously P-funk take the DD to a track day....you'll find yourself going faster and driving smoother if you need to take care of the car. Track days do not allow passing in corners for new an intermediate groups. Plus you will have more fun than you can imagine.
Tom
March-18th-2005 | 02:15 PM
#15
Matty's Lead Scrumpet!!
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,143
From: Ok City
For our high-speed touring sessions and lapping days you can only pass in the approved straightaways and you must "point to pass". No point, no pass! There is no wheel-to-wheel action here unless your car is equipped with a fully approved cage. Of course, no one has cages in their DDs!!! LOL.