my first time, whats it like?

[Porschekid962]

im pretty excited about this upcoming weekend as it will be my first trip to willow streets. i was just curious about what i should do in order to enjoy a smooth and fast paced weekend. i was wondering about things like is there food nearby, gas stations nearby that sell race gas, im in pasadena how early should i leave, is scruffy really going to be painted? i want to avoid showing up and thinking i really should have brought this or done that. well any of your advise would be greatly appreciated, i cant wait for the weekend.
tyson i will get you, eventually..............

[sammyg2]

the one thing I'd say is very important is to make sure your brake fluid is fresh, don't ask me why I think so

[Porschekid962]

wow, so all i needs to do is refresh the breaks, im glad tyson did it a week ago when it was being finished. ate super blue racing, hopefully i wont have to bleed it too often over the weekend.

[Jack Olsen]

Is there a reason your engine would need race gas? They sell it over at the big track, which is a couple of minutes away from Streets.

My advice would be to pay attention to what they say in the drivers meeting, and make sure you're ready when your sessions are called. Some of it will be frustrating, at first. Streets is a complicated track to learn, and track driving is different than street driving. Listen to your instructor, and ask him questions once you get back in the paddock.

You're going to have a blast.

[Porschekid962]

thanks jack. race gas, my engine.....no at least not yet. as far as food and eating is that a bring it and eat when you can affair?

[Jack Olsen]

They'll probably have burgers there at lunch time. If not, there's food at the big track, and also in Rosamond.

[andyu911]

There's a McDonald right by the freeway. For lunch, usually there are hotdog and hamburger sold at the Street. More varieties at the Big Willow's cafeteria. There's a Chervon on the east side of the freeway once you exit. Pasadena is a little more than 100 miles from the track. Get there by 7:30. Give yourself enough time to get ready. You need to tech your car and register, get a car #, tape all lights except the brakes', empty your interior as well as your trunk. Bring water, a hat and sun block if sunny. Rent a transponder if you want to know your lap time.
Have fun.

[sammyg2]

The track is very technical and things happen quickly, the best thing you can do to have fun is work with an instructor as much as possible.

Have all your equipment organized so that you can set up your pit area easily, make sure you have all non-essential crap out of the car, monitor tire pressures before and after every session, drink lots of water. Even if it isn't hot it might be dry and you can get dehydrated easily at Willow.
Fast is smooth, concentrate on memorizing the braking points, turn ins, etc. Try to pick a landmark for every action i.e. teach yourself to brake 10 feet past that little bush, point the car towards that thing on the horizon as you crest the hill, etc.

It's easy to get a turn right, I get at least one right on every lap
The hard part is doing it correctly every time. You can't be too agressive at SOW. If you do all you will do is slide around and wear out your tires. You have to really think on that track.

[Jim Richards]

Get a good night's sleep so late in the day you don't have brain fade.