Road Racing for the first time, any tips?

[Jimbocobra]

I've never road raced before and am going to Gingerman this weekend for the Motorstate Challenge. I'll probably get about 4 runs, maybe 3 laps each.

My biggest issue is the Nitto drag radials on the back, not the best for road racing and Goodyear Eagle F1's up front. I called Nitto and they said inflate them to the max and they will get me through the day, but don't expect the to perform like Pilot Cup tires.

I have standard BDR with e-36 brakes (pretty small), no abs or power brakes/ steering, a long throw shifter and large wood moto-lito steering wheel, so I have some challenges. But the biggest problem is I don't know what I am doing. I'll probably have a track expert ride with me the first time.

What other suggestions do you have?

[Three Peaks]

Kind of a late date to be asking for advice but my advice would be to either cancel until you have a chance to take at least one HPDE day with a racing club and instructor to learn how to handle your car on a road course- or take it extremely easy on the course so you don't tax your car and your driving skills.
A few laps at speed can be a blast, but without the proper set up and experience, it can also be a white knuckle experience or much worse.

Also, you will need to at least pass tech inspection and you may need two roll bars to take an instructor on the laps. If you don't have the double roll bars, you can take your daily driver for the first (or second) track day until you are cleared to drive solo, then you can drive the Cobra for future track days as long as it is without an instructor.

Have fun and be safe.

Bob

[bobcowan]

Start at the back of the pack, and plan to stay there. It's not competition. Relax, have a fun day, and get your feet wet.

Remember this mantra: Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.

[Excaliber]

Just think in terms of being able to drive a little faster on the track than you can drive on the street. Let folks pass you if they want/need to. You got nothing to prove, have a good time, don't push it, I'd go!

[Bernica]

Some great advice from "Gumball" to me about his old car (which is now my car) when I mentioned that I was getting ready to try some track time:

"Glad to hear you are nervous, that just means you have respect for the car, the track and your safety. Good!

Just remember to go at your own pace out there. Don’t be concerned about being passed by a Miata. It takes seat time to learn how to really drive your car. Over time you will gradually become more skilled and confident at the track and you’ll be passing those Miata’s, Mustang’s and Corvettes too! Don’t rush the learning curve!!!!!"

[LREYBURN]

Ask your instructor to explain where you should be focusing your vision. The further out the more comfortable you'll be and "things" won't be happening so quickly. Remember to have a good time learning your car, the track, and your skills. You'll get hooked! There was a first time for every race car driver out there, and they all had your concerns.

[Jamo]

Agree with all of the above...should have started with a school, but ok...let's get you prepped.

First...make damn sure you are placed in the slowest group. Hopefully they spend a bit of extra time talking to you folks in the drivers' meeting. Pay attention.

Check and see if either the event or the track have a checklist/rules/regulations...read them. Read them again. Start learning the flags.

Go through your car...everything that isn't bolted on is out (trunk, under/behind seats, etc.).

Get all over and under your car and tighten everything. Now use up some nervous energy and do it again.

Check your tires for wear/rubbing (asspecially the inside against suspension/frame).

Check your helmet...the proper Snell rating is required. No motorcycle helmets. They might require face protection in an open car. Check condition of your belts...make sure your seat bolts are tight (yup...it happens).

Rig up a puke tank if you don't have one for the coolant. Some tracks allow a soda bottle...others want something a bit more comforting for the track's sake.

If you're using floor mats and they aren't attached to keep from sliding...pull them out.

I agree with the above...many tracks won't let you have a guest if there's no additional rollbar in an open car.

As you drive around the next few days, start exercising your situational awareness of the cars and scene around you.

Besides pumping up the tires...check them for any rocks, etc.

You need to keep it at a comfortable pace and don't get cute. Everyone has their first day or two out there and nobody expects much from you except the ability not to phuk up anyone else's day. Those first few laps will either scare the hell out of you, or you will be in love with it. Either way...let the car warm a bit...oil, tires, etc. Get comfortable driving your car on the track. Watch how others are taking corners.

Do not get on someone's ass and follow them just because they look like they know what they are doing. If they're in the slow class...they don't. It's like seeing someone you know in a porn shop.

You'll be ok...have fun, and promise us you will sign up for a class in the near future because you're gonna love it.

[Jerry Clayton]

Jimbo

Corey ran 1:20.9 up there a few years ago -----So take it easy and comfortable and just tell any wise asse that you know a fast guy----

good luck, have fun---but why do you want to burn up your drag tires??? put the road tires on it!!!

[Excaliber]

I see SAAC-35 will NOT allow any timing equipment, I guess the thinking is if your timing your laps it leads to a "race" mentality. I'm kind of bummed in that regard, I'd like to know my lap times, but maybe I can "live" without knowing...

In the, "Did you know", department. Some DOT approved motorcycle helmets ARE acceptable at some race venues IF you wear a nomex head sock with the helmet. Turns out the difference in rating's between the two is the "fire retardant' aspect of the build materials. Adding the nomex head sock brings some high end motorcycle helmets into full auto specifications.

[DAVID GAGNARD]

Originally Posted by Jamo

Agree with all of the above...should have started with a school, but ok...let's get you prepped.

First...make damn sure you are placed in the slowest group. Hopefully they spend a bit of extra time talking to you folks in the drivers' meeting. Pay attention.

Check and see if either the event or the track have a checklist/rules/regulations...read them. Read them again. Start learning the flags.

Go through your car...everything that isn't bolted on is out (trunk, under/behind seats, etc.).

Get all over and under your car and tighten everything. Now use up some nervous energy and do it again.

Check your tires for wear/rubbing (asspecially the inside against suspension/frame).

Check your helmet...the proper Snell rating is required. No motorcycle helmets. They might require face protection in an open car. Check condition of your belts...make sure your seat bolts are tight (yup...it happens).

Rig up a puke tank if you don't have one for the coolant. Some tracks allow a soda bottle...others want something a bit more comforting for the track's sake.

If you're using floor mats and they aren't attached to keep from sliding...pull them out.

I agree with the above...many tracks won't let you have a guest if there's no additional rollbar in an open car.

As you drive around the next few days, start exercising your situational awareness of the cars and scene around you.

Besides pumping up the tires...check them for any rocks, etc.

You need to keep it at a comfortable pace and don't get cute. Everyone has their first day or two out there and nobody expects much from you except the ability not to phuk up anyone else's day. Those first few laps will either scare the hell out of you, or you will be in love with it. Either way...let the car warm a bit...oil, tires, etc. Get comfortable driving your car on the track. Watch how others are taking corners.

Do not get on someone's ass and follow them just because they look like they know what they are doing. If they're in the slow class...they don't. It's like seeing someone you know in a porn shop.

You'll be ok...have fun, and promise us you will sign up for a class in the near future because you're gonna love it.

Jamo hit a home run on this one, follow his advise to the letter.........

When you get there, go find an instructor and tell him/her you are a newbie and would like to ride with him/her as a passenger in any vehicle they can find, to show you the track and the line, going out "cold turkey" ain't the best deal, get as many laps as you can before as a passenger and listen to the driver!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Learn the flags,learn the flags, check your rear-view mirror as often as possible, wave other cars by and drive at your own comfortable pace...........be sure to start dead last in your run group, if you only get 3 or 4 laps at a time, you shouldn't have to worry about being lapped which is one less thing to worry about, faster cars.......

David

[LMH]

Are you going to be on track with other cars or is this a single-car-on-track event?
With other cars, my advice is follow the pack and make sure you hold your line when being overtaken by a faster car.
Larry

[Jimbocobra]

To All,
Thanks, keep 'em coming. I will be running timed laps with about 10 second intervals between cars. We're not leaving at the same time, so I should not be in a pack - like a true race would be. I will be driving with other newbies, they are grouping us by experience - or in my case, the lackthereof.

Jerry, buy the time I remove the drag radials, buy new ones, mount those - I will have spent as much as just buying a set after I burn these out. What I need a set of cheap rims for my spinners, so I can keep both type of tires ready at all times. The rims cost $1500 bucks.

I found a good website, let me know what you think of the accuracy of the info: http://www.turnfast.com/tech_driving/driving_cornering

[slider701]

There are a few other things you might want to take into consideration if you have never been to a track day before. The first question I have is whether you are driving there or trailering your car. If taking it on a trailer then the stuff below will be relatively easy. If driving then it might be more difficult.

You are going to want to take along what ever supplies (coolant, oil, brake fluid, rags, windex, tools, safety wire, lead hammer) and other basic stuff you might need during the course of the day. Naturally you're hoping to not have a major failure but you also want to make sure your weekend is not ruined because of something simple going wrong. I'm sure there will be people there who can help but if you don't have to borrow windex and a rag from someone it is one less thing to have to be stressed about.

You might also want to consider a small cooler, chairs, and even a small 10' x 10" Easy-UP canopy for some shade. There are not many areas at Gingerman to get out of the sun and sitting on the asphalt all day can catch up to you. What ever you do stay hydrated by drinking lots of fluids.

As for Gingerman itself it is a very nice track layout that is fairly technical:



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You are going to carry a lot of speed up the front straight into turn 1 as well as coming into turn 11, probably both a 4th down to 2nd gear turn. Just need to watch and time your downshifts to avoid wheel hop and losing the rear or breaking an axle.

Turns three all the way through turn six are down hill decreasing radius slightly off camber turns that can catch you off guard as you build your confidence up pushing it harder each lap. This area can be one of the hardest areas to master.

Turns seven down into turn ten should allow you to open the car up some and carry some speed through the "S" turns.

Like everyone else said if you can get a ride with one of the experts jump at the chance to do it. You may even want to find someone you feel you can trust and let them show you around the track for a lap in your car so you can get a feel for braking points and what gear you should be running in each corner.

Above everything else just have fun!

[Excaliber]

A second set of wheels with race tires is sure nice to have if you do much track work at all. I lucked out and bought a second set of wheels for $400 here on CC.

Here's my up coming weekend schedule:
I've mounted the race tires and will trailer the car to the track Friday for "fun run's" with some other Cobra dudes. Friday night we'll be at the local drag strip. Saturday morning or late Friday night, change back to the street tires for the long "cruise" with the group on Saturday. Back to the track on Sunday (competition day), mount the race tires again.

I'm gonna be worn out changing wheels before this is over...

[xlr8or]

Drain your coolant and replace it with distilled water and water wetter. Very uncool to drop coolant on the track as it is no better than dumping oil.

[Tommy]

Two more thoughts based on my track experience. First, be sure your oil system is up to any prolonged G's you'll pull in turns or braking. You don't want the engine to go dry when the oil sloshes in the pan. Second, be prepared to resist the urge to catch the car ahead of you or stay ahead of the car behind you. That's a sure way to exceed your capabilities. I think of it as trying to push no more than 80% of what I think is possible in terms of braking and cornering. ... One bonus thought. Keep in mind that the place where drivers of most high power cars lose it is exiting the turns. It's tempting to lay down on the gas while completing the turn and exceed the grip in the rear tires. Instant oversteer.

[IMLost]

Stay on the track. Keep the wheels straight when you stand on it. Treat it like a series of drag races. Have fun!

[392cobra]

Look where you want to go. Not at what you don't want to hit.

Slow in,fast out.

[CHRIS DAMSCH]

Take the drag radials off. They won't survive the day.

[RICK LAKE]

Jimbocobra Jim If your wheels are pin drive, you need to safety wire them from the spinner to the rim. If they are fake spinners, you may want to take them off, That's a long track to walk around. Your car is not setup for track racing so just go out and drive the car like you where on the street. 5 pounds of air pressure less than what the max number is on the tire side wall.
Driver meeting is very important. Listen to everything about the course. They will have cones or something to tell you where and how to run in and out of a turn and braking zones.
With the turns on this course, add 1 extra quart of oil to the engine for "G" turns.
First run on the course will be a controlled speed. Start in the back of the group. This way you can run a couple of laps before possible getting passed by the faster guys. Tell them first time and want to run the slowest class.
VERY IMPORTANT after the first run, bring the car in and cool it down. Bring a box fan if there are garages and electric. At this time put the car on jack stands and look for oil leaks, any thing loose on the wheels, how the tire wear is going. Check the air pressure as soon as you get off the track and adjust the pressure if needed for max number on the the track.
Last thing, RELAX and have FUN. Don't worry about how fast you go. It's more about precise driving and hitting lines and marks. Be smooth when driving the car. Don't pound the brakes or jerk the steering wheel. Staying on the track and bringing yourself and the car home in 1 piece is #1 rule. Have fun and good luck.
All lights have to work, brake lights most important
Tape front head lights with duct tape, It's safety if you should have an accident or the head light bucket falls out of the car. NO glass on the track.
Camera to mount on the roll bar is a great plus. IMOP sell mounts that take 10-15 minutes to install. They might carry them at the track for sale. Bring somebody with you to the track to help you. Quick check list for the car. This is a questionable thing 99% of the cobra guys are honest and fair, there has been problems with parts, tools, and other things vanishing into thin air. Lock up your trailer and truck when away from it. Health card in your pocket with DL. There is a long list but this is a good start. Be careful with the race tires on the back and stay in the race groove if possible. this is the clean part of the race track and less chance of cutting a tire, same in the pits. GOOD LUCK and HAVE FUN. Rick L.