Sal,
First, follow Jamo's advise. I have not done it on occasion and I still hear about it--years later.
I like Bill, but I think I would stay with the Goodyears. They are about 1000 times nicer to drive on when you are on a track. The traction difference is amazing. I too would say forget about the tire temps. You probably will not drive hard enough your first time out to make any difference.
I too would suggest you have an instructor show you the line so you are not all over the track. It makes people who want to pass you (in the appropriate areas, of course) VERY nervous when they can't anticipate where you are going to go next. If someone wants to pass, just let them pass. That said, you may be better than you think and so DON'T ride someone's butt and push them. People look in their rear view mirrors and see someone on them so they push it harder and harder until they spin off...no good. Just back off and have fun. Who cares if someone is faster (or slower) than you are.
I would suggest you don't try to "race" anyone. If you have never been on a race track, you will not believe how fast some cars can actually be driven and you could be unwittingly lured into a situation you will not likely be happy in.
There is NOTHING to win racing someone, and EVERYTHING to lose if you try to race someone. You are only racing against yourself out there. I would caution you, most tracks are not as friendly as Miller Motorsports track. Miller Motorsports track was designed for maximum run off and minimum chance of hitting something. If you go off at Miller, you have an excellent chance of having your friends give you a standing ovation when you come back into the pits. If you go off on other tracks, (Willow Springs Turn 9 and the ROCK PILE comes to mind), then you may end up visiting the morgue.
I would be very careful about pushing anything. Just go out and have fun.
Oh yes, the best thing you can do for your car (besides checking EVERY bolt) is to get a VERY careful alignment by someone who KNOWS what they are doing. Aligning your car properly will have a FAR greater effect on how much fun you have than about anything else you can do to the car.
Have fun. It is one of the funnest things I have done in my life...and I have done a LOT of fun things!
David
