All you Club racers...help a newbie

[82SC]

Well I have always wanted to get into the racing and I am wondering about this...

My car is pretty tired...190K miles

But what things should do before taking it out to the track...

I know to check brakes and brake fluid...
valve adjustment on the way
I may upgrade the oil cooler soon...anything else?
oil change...


I will be in Carmel feb 6-9 is there anything going on at Laguna seca that weekend???

Also what resourse are good to look at for track days and drivers ed...

Also there seem to be so many rules and regs about mods...
what rules do most of you follow?
PCA, POC...etc...

thanks

MJ

[Jack Olsen]

February 8 and 9 is Tracquest's event at Thunderhill, an excellent Northern California track. It's not cheap ($550 for two days, $315 for one), but they run a very safe and fun event. I think Speedtrial USA has an event that weekend at California Speedway, if you're willing to drive to the other end of the state.

You're probably fine with cooling if you're driving in typical February temperatures. In addition to checking your brake fluid and brake pads, check that your battery is securely tied down and that your brake lights work. While the car is jacked up, check for play in the bearings, too. If the car's in good working order, you shouldn't have any problems.

On the list of things not to worry about, I'd include track tires, special brake pads, and other mods. Your first couple of times on the track, you're not going to be breaking any records (although you'll think you are). You need to just get used to driving in the very different environment of a track.

Here are a couple of links that might be helpful:

http://www.trackschedule.com/wisdom10.html (Although his advice for 35 psi in the tires is worth ignoring -- start at 31/33 f/r)

http://www.pca-ggr.org/timetrialinfo.html

http://www.trackschedule.com/wisdom1.html

[rob911]

Don't forget to remove all the loose crap out of the trunk and passenger compartment. Don't want that oil can to roll under the brakes - or road atlas flying across the dash in front of the windscreen when late braking for that apex.

[AirCooledExcellence]

Some tracks are tough on noise limits. If you have an aftermarket exhaust system you may find that your car is too noisy!



Cheers,

Tim.

[Matt Holcomb]

MJ,

What are your tires like? Tires and tire pressure is something that just can't be overlooked, just like brake pads and your brake fluid level. I'd recommend bleeding your brakes, but I'm sure you know that it's something you need to consider doing.

Talk to some of the guys at whatever track you end up going to before you get out there, and ask them what tire pressures they recommend.

With 190,000 miles on the clock, you'll really want to keep an eye on your temp gauge: these engines can heat up quickly if they're getting long in the tooth. I raced my car twice before I rebuilt the engine (60,000 hard miles on the clock post the previous rebuild), and while still potent, a lot of new leaks sprouted, and it got hot quickly. Still, it was fun, and I'm sure you'll have fun if your engine is as healthy as it can be with that mileage, and it should be quite healthy considering it's an SC engine!

I know I'm missing something here ...

Oh, healthy shocks are important.

If you've got the cash, a strut brace is a very wise investment. I'm going to be adding one soon to my car, hopefully before the 2002 racing season starts.

If I think of anything else, I'll edit this post.

Good luck!


Matt Holcomb
1974 911 Carrera 2.7 Euro
1975 Mercedes-Benz 280SE
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[orbmedia]

Are you talking about racing or DE? As for racing rules everyone follows the rules of the club they're racing in (like PCA, SCCA, POC whatever) but you try to fit in without invalidating yourself to another ruleset in case you ever wanted to switch to another host club. Then you also try to cheat, but that's another story.

[rscupper]

MJ, go to www.nasaproracing.com and click on 'HDPE/open track.' There's some good advise on how to prep yourself and your car. Have fun.

If you want to start racing talk to the chief driving instructor from the club with which you wish to race. My personal feelings:

- POC racing is well organized but, IMO, getting too expensive for the 'basic' racer. Their TT/DE programs are excellent but getting very crowded, ie...less seat time.

- PCA racing and/or TT/DE would be great. You'll need to go with a club from L.A.-southward as anything further north (in SoCal) is social/concourse only. I head San Diego is fantastic for instruction.

- If you want to DRIVE alot, and find excellent instruction, try NASA, SCCA, Touring Car Club, Alfa Club events, etc.... Search by their names or use Jack Olsen's refs above.