1st DE coming up at The Glen! Got some Q's

[joecrum]

Hello all,

I have my first DE coming up at Watkins Glen in June and have a few questions about my 22yr old (daily driver) SC and about preparation in general. I haven't done any events yet and I'm a little nervous and a lot excited. The car is running strong right now and has only 70k miles. I know the instructors will tell me what I need to know about the driving part, but you guys might be able to help with other issues.

My Q's:

1. Are there mechanical components that I should be checking or replacing due to age alone?

2. What maintenance services should I perform?

3. What spares should I bring?

4. Can I use magnetic numbers instead of vinyl?

5. What are common beginner mistakes (other than driving mistakes)?

6. Is there anything I should do about insurance?

7. Am I worrying too much?

I had a mental list of questions that was longer than this, but I'm drawing a blank right now.

Thanks for your help!

[IROC]

You're probably worrying too much, but I would suggest a thorough inspection of your suspension/steering components and replacing your brake fluid.

Otherwise, be safe, listen to your instructor and have fun!

Mike

[ChrisBennet]

Your brakes really get a workout at the track. If your brake components are 22 years old, now would be a good time to replace or rebuild stuff. That master cylinder has been fine for the last 2 decades but once you start bleeding your brakes and pushing that pedal further to the floor (pushing the m/c seals into a rarely used and corroded part of the m/c bore) you often see accelerated wear and failure. If those rubber brake lines are a decade old, replace those too (w/rubber).

Get some good brake fluid in the system. ATE Typ 200 and Valvoline Synpower have high boiling points and are also suitable for the street. The Valvoline is available at any Pep Boys.

Bring a torque wrench and a good air gauge. The gauge doesn't have to be fancy, but check it against another gauge. My dial gauges go wacky once they've get dropped and you can't tell from looking at them. Your tire pressures will rise as your tires warm up.

-Chris

[chrisp]

I will be at the glen in June as well with Metro Region. Our cars look similar except that mine is Chiffon white.

1.) Most mechanical components will be checked in the tech inspection. As this is your first time don't short change this part of the process and get it done early so you have time to do whatever fixes may be required. Brake fluid is very important. Must be fresh. Make sure the inspector knows it's the cars first time.

2.) Some like fresh oil before. Some like fresh oil after. Some like to do both. Set tire pressure before you get there. I would assume that you will be on street tires....run street pressures.

3.) Spares: extra fan belt. extra oil (3 qts), square flat piece of wood to put your jack on (so it doesn't dig into the dirt). Windex. Paper towels. Rain gear. As many tools as you feel comfortable carrying and know how to use. There will be many, many helpful people there. You will have friends and people to help you fix stuff should something go wrong.

4.) Magnetic are okay. You may want to tape the leading edges. I do.

5.) Mistakes: showing up late. Not having time to get to different places. Trying to be Michael Schumacher. Not enough fuel in the car. Something to protect yourself from the sun. Something to sit on. Not emptying the car fully before final tech.

6.) Unless you are going to carry track specific insurance put this one out of your mind. Assume you do not have coverage.

7.) Worrying is bad. Asking questions is good. Everyone there had a first time at some point. Ask questions.

[JeremyD]

Make sure your pads are new - make sure your brake fluid is up to snuff - I'm going to Motul 600.

Magnetic numbers are fine - just make sure you tape the leading edge.

Bring a spare litre of oil and spare brake fluid (unopened)

Tape to tape up lights -

Sunscreen -

Water - and gatorade

Chair

Portable air station

Snacks

Brush your teeth cause you'll be grinning all day.

I bring spare lug nuts - make sure the car is completely cleaned out.

[Wil Ferch]

Chris is right. I would add:
- check tire pressures cold...shoot for 32 front/ 34 rear.
- expect 6 psi or so rise when hot....yielding 38/40.
- once hot...don't it let get much over this, but be careful you don't mistankenly bleed-down cold pressures.
- don't use the brakes ( AT ALL !) on your last cool-down lap. Try creeping into the pit lane area...downshift...and (try) to stop the car by pressing down the clutch, shutting-off the engine...then SLOWLY bring the clutch back up to gently stop the car in the pits. This way...you won't have brake pad material touch the hot rotor surface which heat soaks the pads and gets you into trouble later in the day. Chris himnself instrumented the sky-high temp soak of the pads if you brake normally. Your brakes will fade MUCH less.
- at the end of the big straights...brake "backwards". Huh? Yes...get on the brakes fairly hard AT THE BEGINNING of yout braking zone...and ever-so-slightly ease up as you approach your turn-in point. Much easier on the brakes than if you do it in reverse ( like most novices do...lightly at first and gettting harder on the brakes just before turn-in.). It also helps turn-in because the car won't suddenly "bob" up after you relaese the brakes and turn. Make for a smooth entry.
- be smooth...don't worry about "fast". Learn smooth.
- as a novice...always late apex instead of early apex. You'll know why the first time you do it wrong.
- have fun...don't dehydrate...drink and pee a lot.
-Wil

[Emission]

Relax on the straights.

Check your gauges often.

Drink lots of fluid.

[JeremyD]

don't use your emergency brake when you come in from a session. Good way to marry your pads to the rotor - or warp your rotor...

[Wil Ferch]

Jeremy:
Use my method instead...and besides...you have a separate set of drum parking brakes...is that what you meant?
--Wil

[mperkins]

my first DE was at the Glen last July in my white '80 SC Coupe - exactly like your '82.

No worries. You will have a terrific time.

[bigrubberjeep]

Hello Rookie - Im glad to see you here since your on the same boat as I, except I just went through my first track event yesterday.

Here is what I did

1 - Within a week before the vent, start to look over your carmechanicaly so nothing creeps up on you onthe last day, if anything needs repair or tightning do it NOW.

2 - Bleed your brake fluid with new and high boilin gpoint brake fluid (check and make sure you have at least 50% pads)

3 - Make sure you have at least 40% of thread stillon the tires

4 - Remove any subwoofers, amplifiers or other nicknacks from the car.

5 - Don't make any suspension adjustments before your FIRST event

6 - Pack - A set of sockets with a wrench, comon use philips and flat screw drivers, one or two jack STANDS, jack with a peice of wood so it doesnt did in to dirt or soft asphalt, 2 Qts of oil, new brake fluid bottle, windex, paper towels, leather gloves, phop rags, duct tape, racing tape for lights.

7 - VERY IMPORTANT "DON'T FORGET YOUR HELMIT AND ANY OTHER SAFETY DEVICES REQUIRED FORYOUR RUN"

8 - Fill up tank with gas just before you drive in to the track

9 - Be humble and patient when driving for the first time, no one will be upset with you for taking turns slow in the sake of being safe.

10 - Have fun and don't bother trying to remove the grin after you get back from yoru event, it wont go away.

11- Give her a good wash and wax as a thank you when you get back.

12 - Change oil within 100 miles after track day.

[joecrum]

You guys are AWESOME! Thanks so much for the tips!
I have new pads and rotors as well as a caliper rebuild kit that will go on this weekend. My breaks feel good right now, but I will take the advice to freshen them up and flush the fluid (ATE Blue). I'll take a look at the brakelines etc. while I'm in there. Got new Potenza RE750 on.

I can't wait...I can't wait...I can't wait!!!!!

[chrisp]

Get some time on those tires. You say "new". If you mean new this week then get 200-300 miles before the track day. If you have this many miles already then no worries.

Have a blast and if it's metro your are doing it with I will see you there!

[joecrum]

Chrisp,

Yup, got about 500 miles on them so far and will probably have a couple k on them before then. I'm doing it with Zone 1 June 26-27, so I guess I'll miss you. Have fun! I'm convinced that I will!

Cheers,

[chrisp]

make sure you eat enough. By the time you feel hungry your reaction times have dropped off dramatically.

a friend of mine used to be the #2 plate in AMA street bike racing. The point he kept reinforcing was to eat little bits throughout the day.

If you're on a low carb diet...go off it for a day leading up to it. I am not saying that you need to pig out but having the mentally energy to do this is very important.

You will be amazed at how exhausted you are at the end of the day. This exhaustion will set in sooner if you do not eat or hydrate properly.

[Rick Lee]

Can't overemphasize the importance of a comfortable chair, shade, sunscreen, Gatorade and a GOOD ATTITUDE. Before my first DE I had heard that soft brake pedals were the number one mistake for newbies, so I made sure my fluid was fresh and bubble-less. But I was not expecting some of the attitude I saw on the track and especially in the paddock. Bring a good sense of humor and some thick skin. Then set up your tarp with a bunch of other like-minded buddies. Our NoVA gang has the best group you could imagine. It's almost like we're insulated from all the show-offs and the arrogant cup car guys - not to mention that most of them run in the red and black groups, while most of us are green or blue. Hopefully, you get a cool instructor who will push you, but not too far. I had an instructor grab my wheel from me a few times while doing triple digits into a turn - not fun. A cool instrutor is priceless.

[VincentVega]

Priceless indeed. Looking back it's funny to think how nervous I was before my first event. Packed the car, unpacked the car, tripple checked everything. Got to the track WAY early.

I am far from a pro at this stuff, but it's just too much fun to take too seriously. Be careful, respect the other drivers and have fun.

[89911]

Drive as fast as you can. When your car starts spending most of the time in the grass and not on the paved areas, you might want to cut back just a bit

[Wil Ferch]

Break-in the new brake pads too...not just the new tires. Don't go on the track with new, "green" pads......
--Wil

[JeremyD]

Originally posted by Wil Ferch
Break-in the new brake pads too...not just the new tires. Don't go on the track with new, "green" pads......
--Wil

That's good advice too - took me a session to really get mine to bite!