First DE advice needed
 

I'm attending my first DE at Blackhawk this Thursday and Friday. I'm wondering what one should bring along to the event other than the obvious helmet.

Also, I'm wondering about car preparation. I'm not sure how old the brake fluid is. I have had the car for about a year and it's very well maintained, but is this somthing one need be concerned about for their first DE?

Any help/information/advice would be greatly appreciated.SmileWavy

I have a draft of a paper on “How to go to events.” E-mail me your e-mail address and I will send you a copy. It is a 240K MS Word.doc, too large for the Pelican.

Best,
Grady
gradyclay@hotmail.com
I don’t use PM.

Definitely flush the brakes. Put some more aggressive brake pads in there. The stock pads will be toasted before the day is done. For you first DE, I think Ferodo 2500's will be fine.

How old is your oil?

Make sure to take everything out of the car that isn't attached.

Ray ("Ray 911s") who happens to have a black 1977 2.7 will be at that DE. His boss may be bringing a Carrera GT....better get out of the way :D

I expect I'll have caution tape wrapped around my car with flashing amber lights affixed to all horizontal surfaces. I'll also be driving on the grass! :)

If I can get some 2500 by Thurdays, I can send them up with Ray for you. You'll just have to swap them out between sessions. Let me know. (Ray's coming by the house Thursday)

Here is the "what to bring" list from the Rocky Mountain Region PCA website: http://www.rmrporscheclub.com/staticpages/eventregnew.aspx

What do you have to bring?

* directions to the track, check the web page for these
* helmet, don't forget it
* hat, for protection from the sun
* sunglasses
* sun screen, Colorado sun can be very intense
* white or light colored long sleeve cotton shirt for driving and working corners
* long cotton pants (blue jeans ok) for driving and working corners
* cooler with ice, plenty of drinks and lunch or snacks. At some events there may be food concessions at the track or nearby - check the description of the event in the news letter or the web page
* a small folding chair
* stop watch (to see how well your friends are doing)
* paper towels and window cleaner
* tire air pressure gauge, a better one has an actual gage and not just a sliding rule
* wrench to tighten wheel lug nuts, preferably a torque wrench
* your car tool kit, jack, etc.
* cotton towels
* shop rags
* gasoline, be sure you have enough to complete the event. Some people don't like to carry the extra weight of a lot of gas but be sure you have enough so you don't run out. A half tank is usually not enough.
* a couple of quarts of oil
* air pump or an air tank (be sure you fill it)
* something to hold all this stuff, a plastic container with a snap on top is good for this. You can leave all of your track stuff in it, always have it handy and not have to worry about forgetting something. You may also use this for things you must remove from your car during the event (see top-tech notes above).

If you haven't done it already, use a brake fluid with a higher boiling point...ATE Super Blue is what I use, but there are similar fluids of the same caliber out there.

Also, "nut & bolt" the car. Get it on a hoist (or jack with jack stands) & check every nut and bolt you see for tightness. No need to gorilla-tighten everything, just make sure nothing is loose!

Grady's list goes into great detail about things to do & bring to the track (alot of thinking went into his document!).

Learn alot, and HAVE FUN!!

Grady - I'd be more than happy to host the ,doc file on my web server space, so you wouldn't have to keep emailing it out, you'd just send a link. Send it to me at work thom.fitzpatrick@hp.com

Here's my "Track Day Checklist":

Track Day Checklist
__ Car

__Engine
__ visual inspection / check for leaks
__ check oil & brake fluid levels

__Brakes
__ inspect pads and rotors
__ inspect brake lines
__ bleed or flush brake fluid
__ check for firm pedal

__Tires / Suspension
__ inspect wheels for damage
__ inspect tires for wear and damage
__ check torque on all lug nuts: 95 ft-lbs.
__ check tire pressure
__ inspect suspension fasteners for tightness

__Seats
__ check seat bolts
__ check seatbelts / mounting areas

__General
__ check all lights
__ wash the car / clean the windows
__ remove boom box / tape wire ends

__Safety Gear / Clothes
__ helmet / gloves / driving shoes / long sleeve shirt / extra socks
__ sun block, sun glasses, and hats

__Tools / Supplies
__ torque wrench and ¾” deep / extension
__ tool box / zip ties
__ jack and jack stands
__ tire pressure gauge
__ pyrometer / stopwatch
__ window cleaner / paper towels
__ duct tape / blue masking tape
__ mechanic’s gloves / knee pads / latex gloves
__ 2 quarts of 15/50 Mobil 1 oil
__ 2 pints Ate Super Blue brake fluid / Power bleeder / catch bottle / brake cleaner
__ Pagid orange brake pads
__ car sunshade

__Snacks / Supplies
__ drinking water / Gatorade / Ice in ziplocks
__ snacks: protein bars, oreos, peanut butter sandwiches
__ chair

__Camera Equipment
__ video camera / extra charged battery
__ microphone / wind sock
__ digital camera / long and short lenses / extra charged battery

Hope this helps a little. ;)

Here is an Adobe guide (37 pgs!) that is pretty encompassing.

http://www.metronypca.org/DriverEd/DE%20Guide/Metro%20NY%20DE%20Guide%201_4g.pdf

Ahhhhh!! So much for my idea of just showing up with my helmet and driving! Too......much.....small brain......overload.....:)

Thanks everyone for the great info. It's clear that I am woefully unprepared for this. I'll try to get it together and do my best.

Souk-thanks for the offer. SmileWavy However, a friend is bringing over a set to help me out tonight.

No problem. Have fun!

Crap!!

His pads are stock!

Can I still get the 2500s from you?

Done!

We'll have a set ready to give to Ray. Have Fun!!

I just finished my first DE event at Mosport yesterday.

I found it a lot more stressful getting my car ready and everything packed and accounted for than I did going through the 'double apex off camber turn two' of mosport!

The lists above are pretty thorough. Don't know if I saw it but a tarp is pretty handy to put all your stuff on, or if it rains.

Good luck, you'll love it.

-Rob

PS. Thanks to our fellow pelican member TonytheTarga who I met when I pulled in Saturday morning (Tony is an instructor). He really helped me a lot and showed me what these cars can do!!!

Pads? For a DE? nah, i just took some tools, my helmet, sunscreen and a chair.

granted I knew VIR had food and beverages...

i hate being prepared :)

Britt

Hey Rob,
Glad you had fun and gave that car some exercise. I am sure you'll be back there and after you get Mosport down pat, you'll need to venture to Watkins Glen to experience another historic awesome track.
See you next year.

Well thanks again for the advice. I packed tools, chair, canopy, cooler, brake fluid, oil, more tools, helmet, hat, glasses, etc.

I swapped brake fluid just now using a Motiv brake bleeder from our wonderful sponsor.:) I had it sent out next day air along with some ATE Super Blue. What a pleasure it was to use the bleeder and have bleeder nipples that loosen freely. It took hardly any time at all.

I'll be off to the races, as it were, at 4 am tomorrow. Wish me luck.

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Have not seen this recommendation yet but bring a cooler of beer to make friends with after the first night. Hanging out drinking a few cool ones after the driving is done and bs'ing with the guys is a great opportunity to learn and wind down. Over time you will meet guys that will be able to help you with broken down parts, brake pads, and just about anything else you could need to keep your car on the track and help you get home if needed.

Glad I saw this before shopping for food tonight. Great idea! Thanks.