Advise needed for first timer open track at SAAC 33

[Sal Gerace]

Since hopefuly SAAC 33 will be in my back yard I was thinking of running at one of their open track sessions. I have zero track experience. My questions are,
1. Does my car need any special safety items to pass the tech inspection?

2. Anyone reccomend against running and possibly interferring with the usual experienced drivers at these events?

3.Should I maybe get some private track time prior to the event?

[Jamo]

They should place you with the lowest class, but don't presume they weed out morons. The SAAC events scare the hell out me (versus other events) because they sometimes let folks from faster classes intermingle in for more track time, and I've witnssed them letting in folks for the historic race events "practice" among the open track groups (had some TransAm Mustangs zooming by me a few times on the high banks at Fontana...passing on the wrong side, etc.)

Just keep your own pace and follow the rules re acknowleging passes with hand signals, etc.

Double throttle return springs, make sure your battery is tightly fastened down, no big leaks, a puke tank for your coolant (check out the plastic ones at Summit if you don't want to do anything permanent), double-check your hoses and belts, make sure your tires are in good shape, make sure your helmet is new enough (full face despite me getting away with an open face at the Bash), check your seatbelts...no frays and correctly/tightly fastened, tape the lights, safety wire what needs to be, run water only in the cooling system (a little WaterWetter won't hurt), leave nothing behind the seats or in the trunk...

...and then, crawl under the car and tighten every damn bolt. When you're done...do it again.

An open track event or two would be an excellent idea!

Then tighten everything again.

Take tools and replacement items: plugs, belts, hoses, fuel pump, brake fluid, oil, water, a 10 gallon air tank and a damn good gauge, extra water for the cooling system, jack/jackstands/chuks, etc.

Then tighten everything again.

[Randy Rosenberg]

Jamo's right about what all to check, but the list is almost endless. Our local SAAC Chapter has some good information - check it out: http://www.norcal-saac.org/ot/otcentrl.htm

Have fun, and keep the rubber side down,
Randy R...

[double ugly]

After you've tightened everything the first time index them using a wet marker of some kind. When you go under the car again any thing that was missed the first time will be evident and if a nut has moved it will be obvious.
Heed Jamo's advice.
John

[Jamo]

Good link, Randy...forgot about that.

[RodKnock]

In Nor Cal Shelby club there are several businesses that are friend s of the club that will perform a tech inspection for you. In fact, it's required for track time.

[Sal Gerace]

Is a shoulder belt required and or reccomended for an event like this? Also what tire pressures are run on the track with Goodyear Billboards.

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by Sal Gerace

Is a shoulder belt required and or reccomended for an event like this? Also what tire pressures are run on the track with Goodyear Billboards.

Sal,

Forget the billboards and get yourself a decent set of street tires for your first time out, take things real, real, real slow or your car will bite you in more than your assets. Shoulder belts ARE REQUIRED if you know what is good for you, along with a Snell SA2005/SA2007 rated full face helmet (properly fit and not purchased over the web). Might even consider a decent two piece single or double layer fire suit. If you must be like "the others", and must run Goodyear Billboards, then I suggest starting out with them at 27.5 cold in the front and 24psi cold in the rear andchecking your temps across the width of the tire after your first few laps. Adjust as needed to achieve an even temp reading across the width of the tire (check all four) and then mark down what the PSI is once cool and you'll have it set for the next time out.

Bill S.

[Sal Gerace]

All excellant info and a great link Randy! Thanks guys!

[Rick Parker]

The most important thing is: DON"T DRIVE OVER YOUR HEAD. You can get hurt very easily. If you have a big shunt you may not get a second chance.

[Jamo]

Originally Posted by Sal Gerace

Is a shoulder belt required and or reccomended for an event like this? Also what tire pressures are run on the track with Goodyear Billboards.

Yes...use the shoulder belts and consider an anti-sub (ie., 5 point).

Use the Billboards, but certainly not with as much pressure as Bill's suggesting. I run about 23 up front and 20 out back. You could start off with 24 all the way around and see if you like it...it'll probably be just fine for the first time. Forget phuking with tire temps and playing with the pressures too much. Just go out and drive well within your comfort level and enjoy it.

Brake straight!

Sal...you'll be fine.

[ENTDOC]

what the hell, you only live once,push the flat pedel to the floor and show em how it is done

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by Jamo

Yes...use the shoulder belts and consider an anti-sub (ie., 5 point).

Use the Billboards, but certainly not with as much pressure as Bill's suggesting. I run about 23 up front and 20 out back. Y

Sal...you'll be fine.

Yup, you are correct, I merant to type "hot" and instead my overworked mind typed cold.

[RACER X #99]

Sal,
PDA/NASA will have an HPDE event at Thunderbolt Raceway next year, It may or may not happen before the SAAC event. If it is scheduled before SAAC I suggest you sign up when PDA posts the date. If you are lucky enough to get some tracktime at Thunderbolt you will be way ahead of the SAAC regulars as far as knowing the track.

All the advise posted so far by Jamo and others is right on especially Bill's advise about regular street tires for first timers. So many inexperienced guys (myself included) made the mistake of doing their first track event on Race tires.(big mistake) they hold the corners so well they give you a false sense of security and they don't give up until you are driving well over your head as far as being able to control the car. Better to spin out at 50 MPH rather than 90 mph in a corner when you lose it.

Keep checking the PDA site for the 2008 schedule of schools, if they don't have a school at Thunderbolt before SAAC you can always sign up for a school at Watkins Glen or Lime Rock Park (if your car is quiet enough, most Cobras are not).

RD


http://www.pdadrivingschool.com/

[Sal Gerace]

Excellant idea! Thanks

[DAVID GAGNARD]

Sal; I highly recommend ANY track time with an instructor before hand and a driving event as Roger has mentioned.... I have done the 2 day thing with PDA and it did teach me a lot.........the first thing I learned was, I DID NOT know 1/10th as much as I thought I knew.......

It should be mandatory all first timers go out with an instructor as far as I'm concerned...... They will teach you the basics and the line and hopefully keep you from getting in over your head and putting your car in the wall......and it's reallllll easy to get in over your head out there on the track with a bunch of guys all around you, been there,done that, can be real dangerous..........

And above all, drive to what your comfortable with,even if your the slowest car out there, and have fun.........

David

[SFM5S159]

All the above tips are good ones. I would add a few...
You may know this, so forgive me in advance if you do.
Find someone to follow to get the "line" down on the track.
Get all of your braking and shifitng done in a straight line for the most part. You don't want to upset the balance of the car while turning. As a first-timer, I would also caution you to not make sudden movements of any type.
For example, even though it may be against your instincts, don't brake hard if you feel things start to get loose in a turn. You will/can cause the weight to transfer to the front of the vehicle and things could get worse. Brake a little OR if you just got off the gas, you can always get back on it and get that wieght back on those wheels!!! Think of your car as if it were balanced on a single point in the center. Everything you do will cause it to go one way or the other.

Get new high-temp brake fluid in the car, torque and document the lug nuts. Use the Water Wetter product(I always use distilled water with it).

Stay on line, and try not to worry about the a-hole who will get in your ass because you are slower. DO NOT TRY TO SPEED UP. Stay on the line and let them pass in the proper zone.

Yes, SAAC may let those guys who participate in the vintage race on the track at any time in any session, and I bet there will be more than one of them who will get out there to get as much seat time as possible on the new track.

Most of all, be safe and have fun!!!

MC

[David Kirkham]

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

[Sal Gerace]

You guys have definatley answered what was on my mind but more importantly brought up things that I would have never thought of. A few things I need to prepare the car and myself with but I have some time to get things in order. Bily Andrews sent the car for an alignment so I shoulf be set there. Was worried about passing and such and now those things have been answered as well. Once again great stuff that any first timer would appreciate and I hope they are reading this thread!

[bret a ewing]

Sal,

Take advantage of the parade laps, get a lay of the land. It should help calm the nerves a bit and will also maximize your "learning" experience during your session(s).

Bret.