Quick and dirty guide to track prepping your car

[TRAKRAVN]

Is it a common upgrade path with this chassis to get brake ducts and then a BBK when you've reach the limit of whatever pad you running or did most people just get a BBK without ducts?

The reason for all the questions is I want to leave the car as stock as possible while making it as safe and reliable as possible. I really like the dynamic of the chassis and don't want to screw it up with an improperly setup aftermarket suspension.

Can anyone give me an estimate on how much time on track you get to a tank of fuel or half or quarter tank. I know each track and driver will be different. I want to have an a real estimate of how much fuel to bring and not have to leave to get fuel. Fuel retails for about 3x the cost in the paddock vs a gas station up here.

[drewbot]

@TRAKRAVN last SPDA lapping day at DDT I had to cut my 5th session early as I was almost gonna run out of fumes. I filled up in North York though, so count that into my usage. If I were you I'd bring another 20L with you and that should be good

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by TRAKRAVN

Can anyone give me an estimate on how much time on track you get to a tank of fuel or half or quarter tank. I know each track and driver will be different. I want to have an a real estimate of how much fuel to bring and not have to leave to get fuel. Fuel retails for about 3x the cost in the paddock vs a gas station up here.

I budget a full tank for the day, 10+ gallons for 100 minutes of on track running. Makes sense, some very rough math follows: locally average speeds for non-premium cars are around 60-70mph (~1mile/minute), average fuel economy is around 10mpg, so you pretty much end up at a bit more than 1 gallon/10 minutes. A conservative estimate would be 1.5 gallons/10 minutes, so I'd be bringing 15 gallons to the track, ~13 in the tank and 2 on hand or however it shakes out, 10/5, 7/8, whatever.

If I arrive at the track with a full tank (or as near as possible from the nearest gas pump, usually <25 miles, puts me at 12 gallons in the tank) I'm solid but will need to fill up before heading home (usually same station on the way out). Someone more aggressive than me may be cutting it a bit closer if not outright needing to top off a gallon or two to finish the last session and get to a station.

[TRAKRAVN]

Thanks guys, I just went to get four 10L (2.6 gal) cans since my two 25L cans I usually take didn't fit the trunk well. I was going to bring five cans but I was worried it would take up to much room in the trunk with my suit bag, tire pump and socket set.

From Brampton, DDT and TMP use up about 1/4 tank in travel to the track from my rough estimates. Mind you I have only driven the car less than 500km so far so ts hard to estimate fuel usage.

If they weather and work schedule hold out I will be at TMP all day Friday.

[sickmint79]

Originally Posted by TRAKRAVN

Is it a common upgrade path with this chassis to get brake ducts and then a BBK when you've reach the limit of whatever pad you running or did most people just get a BBK without ducts?

The reason for all the questions is I want to leave the car as stock as possible while making it as safe and reliable as possible. I really like the dynamic of the chassis and don't want to screw it up with an improperly setup aftermarket suspension.

Can anyone give me an estimate on how much time on track you get to a tank of fuel or half or quarter tank. I know each track and driver will be different. I want to have an a real estimate of how much fuel to bring and not have to leave to get fuel. Fuel retails for about 3x the cost in the paddock vs a gas station up here.

i went to bbk and have no ducts. i bought the gt3 plastic guys but i think i lost them... so not installed. just bought rotor paint and caliper heat sticker guys to take some measurements next time i'm out. i only had one dry session, at a new track, on monday - didn't take the wheel off to check the rotor temps, caliper looked good though ie. no additional cooling needed, although i wonder if still beneficial? more interested in my results once i get to a track i'm more confident at (27th/28th of this month) - i'll have more data to go on then.

[churchx]

Can someone advise which cans to get for extra fuel to take to track? I mean volume/dimensions wise that well fit in our car cabin or trunk (probably already rather full with extra wheels set and misc other stuff)?

[infinity21]

Originally Posted by churchx

Can someone advise which cans to get for extra fuel to take to track? I mean volume/dimensions wise that well fit in our car cabin or trunk (probably already rather full with extra wheels set and misc other stuff)?

I put a 20L jerrycan in the passenger footwell.

[Briggs81]

Hi, everyone:

So I'm increasing the number of HPDEs I'm doing (open lap days) mostly, and it strikes me there are suspension bolts and what not I really should be checking before I head out. (I'm pretty good about the more basic stuff -- rotor, brake pads, caliper bolts, wheel lug nuts, fluids, tight caps, etc.).

What specific bolts related to track use should I be checking before track days? Pictures and torque specs appreciated, but of course I can get those by digging a bit.

Much appreciated.

[tintumz22]

helmet question. Does a SA2010 still qualifies for this years track events or do I need to get the SA2015 for this year? I read an info that they change the required helmet every 5 years? thanks!

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by tintumz22

helmet question. Does a SA2010 still qualifies for this years track events or do I need to get the SA2015 for this year? I read an info that they change the required helmet every 5 years? thanks!

Most groups will take the two most recent certifications so 2010 & 2015 right now. A 2010 helmet should be acceptable until 2020 certified helmets are available.

Although individual track groups may have more or less restrictive requirements. If it's not mentioned on the group website, email the event organizers to confirm, they want to make sure their customers are happy.

[tintumz22]

Alignment needed on first day of track? Camber bolts for front. Car is stock in suspension and wheels/tires.

[FirstWinter]

Originally Posted by tintumz22

Alignment needed on first day of track? Camber bolts for front. Car is stock in suspension and wheels/tires.

Needed? No. Nice to have? Yes.

[tintumz22]

Originally Posted by FirstWinter

Needed? No. Nice to have? Yes.

technically second track day. First on this car. Okay. I'll hold off until I get the feel of the car and just add those mods accordingly. Thank you!

[14stu]

Originally Posted by tintumz22

technically second track day. First on this car. Okay. I'll hold off until I get the feel of the car and just add those mods accordingly. Thank you!

Without an alignment you will wear the shoulders pretty badly, you might save more in tire wear than the alignment's price.

1.5-2 degrees of negative camber are needed just to keep from destroying the outer edge of your tires at the track (camber bolts can get this, but for even wear you'll want camber plates).