Track day today.

[Malakaone]

So as most know I have a Lotus Elise, but my cars header and exhaust system is not up for a track event I signed up for so I am taking my 2003 Mazda6i to the track. :rollpicard:

I have some experience on setting my Lotus up for the track (road course) but none for the Mazda. I was looking for some input.

So far I have replaced the oil, coolant, rotors, brake pads, brake fluid with Super Blue, and tires. I set the front tire pressure a little higher so the sidewalks do not crush. I also plan on taking the spare tire out. Oh and I have already taped her up at the rocker panels, headlights, tail lights, etc.

Anything else I should do for our car? Thanks for the help!!!

Click to read more...

 

[Mook]

paging sinistersho or sickmint

 

[chris101]

I've been instructing since 1999 and the best advise I can give you is to work on your driving skill (the nut behind the wheel).

Find someone to give you some pointers at the track (use an instructor if available).

Even though I w2w race and instruct myself, I am always learning and welcome input from better drivers so I can improve. After all, I'm only at a hobby level and not a pro-driver! I've taken 2 pro-driver classes and will be taking another this year (will be getting some coaching from Randy Pobst) so I'm looking forward to always learning and improving.

What I like to do is find someone faster then me and try to follow them to see the braking points, etc (even more helpful if someone in the same exact car make and model)

Lotus is a lot like a Miata so if you find a Spec Miata driver in your run group, try to follow that he or she is doing!


....as far as car safety, sounds like you got it covered other than just making sure nothing is loose inside that can come hit you (along with removing the floor mats)


If you plan on going the the MVP event June 6th, feel free to stop by and say hi... My husband and I are 2 of the instructors... #50 Spec Miata is me

 

[chris101]

http://www.thechicagogarage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=52087 for a track video to watch if you are so inclined..

 

[Dasfinc]

http://www.thechicagogarage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=52087 for a track video to watch if you are so inclined..

You are whoring that video EVERYWHERE, even on VWVortex

 

[chris101]

lol

so?

We need more people to go to Brainerd next year with NASA so hoping in part that it sparks interest in the track

It is more of a HP track so not as much fun for us momentum cars though

 

[Malakaone]

Thanks guys/gals. Wish me luck.

I missed one of Chris's posts that said also to remove floor mats. Good idea.

 

[chris101]

Drive fast, be safe

...have fun!

 

[Dasfinc]

lol

so?

We need more people to go to Brainerd next year with NASA so hoping in part that it sparks interest in the track

It is more of a HP track so not as much fun for us momentum cars though

I don't think trucks are allowed

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

Sure they are. If mini vans are allowed....

 

[chris101]

That guy in the Chevy HHR (same engine as the Cobalt SS btw) could drive!!!!!

 

[jvert]

Make sure the brakes you installed are correctly bedded in. Have fun. Oh what event and group are you running with? I will be at the MVP event in August. I couldnt get the day off of work for the June 6th event.

 

[sickmint79]

you do more prep work than me! i bought some motul brake fluid that could run a little more hot than super blue, although i think my heat problem is more related to the driver

 

[chris101]

^ once upon a time long long ago I used stock brakes and then they melted away in 1 session.. then I learned why track brakes are necessary once you get past a certain point.... and then even hawk blue's were poo after another year (especially at Blackhawk) so now we use HAWK DTC60 on the g20, Hawk HT10 on front of the Mustang and Hawk Blue still on the spec miata at all 4 corners....

 

[sickmint79]

i think i was doing more of a too much/too long thing really. i can't remember if my last pads were carbotech xp10 or lower. no track for me for some time :/

 

[chris101]

^ Ouch.. we still average 35 to 40 track days a year... I can't imagine going 'cold turkey' for a year although we have discussed taking a year off... we'll see...

 

[Malakaone]

All in all a success. Did not lose control and learned some good lines.

Someone above asked....I was at the Autobahn, South Track, with SCCA.

Brakes are much more important than horsepower. I am also a late barker so really important.

Next event July 1. This time with the Lotus.

 

[SinisterSHO]

I just saw this thread since I was at work all day.

Glad you had a good day out, weather would have been perfect!

Brakes and tires are probably the biggest, and best thing you can do to open track any car, next to experience.

Also good to see more people getting into open tracking

 

[Turk]

I really need to get into this!

 

[chris101]

^ NASA has a great program for people just starting out that builds up to either Time Trials and/or w2w racing (all depends on what level you want to end up at)

 

[Malakaone]

Turk

The fastest car on the track was a supped up M3. It was faster than a ZR1, of course the driver in the M3 was really good.

 

[sickmint79]

my first track day was gingerman with bmwcca. my instructor had a track prepped m3 with a euro motor in it, and he was good. riding with him we ate the fuck out of everything during the instructor session. one of the instructors trailered a c5 z06 there and i was just guessing we wouldn't catch him. ate the fuck out of him too! it was sweet. headers come down on the passenger side, when he was topping out 4th i was just covered in this inescapable blanket of heat though. was probably cooking

 

[Turk]

What color and generation was the M3??? I've seen a silver and blue E46 M3 destroy everyone at road america before.

 

[sickmint79]

 

[jvert]

It is great to see more people doing this! I just need to find more clubs to run with.