First track day and I'm terrified
 

Hi all

I have my first track day/HPDE coming up on 10/4 and I'm starting to get super anxious/nervous about it.

It's at NYST, it's a more private event with only about 15 people total (nearly all are way faster/more expensive than my 86)

I've done like 10 autocross events total in the past 10 years.

Any advice? I have an oil cooler, run e85 and will be running EBC yellow stuff and ATE fluid as that was all I could get under short notice. I don't expect to be a phenomenally fast driver so I think I will be okay? I'm more scared of fucking things up for other people making sure I get out of the way etc. Does anyone have a video or anything they recommend for etiquitte?

Just watch your mirrors and be predictable. Know the passing zones(if it is not open passing). If you feel you wronged someone by holding them up go talk to them. Everyone remembers being the new guy.

Talk to the other drivers before you get on track to make sure they know you're new to HPDE and they will understand. I've only done 1 HPDE it wasn't open passing there were passing zones and a point by passing system that as a newbie I got too excited and couldn't wait for the point by to pass someone [emoji28] luckily the HPDE I went to was instructor led every car had an instructor and it was most people's first time doing that style of event. Just remember the driver's meeting and the rules on the track I'm sure they'll go over everything for the ones that are new to track driving and everything will go great.

Don't slow down if you notice cars coming up behind you maintain speed and as said in the previous comment be predictable don't just swerve to get out of someone's way but leave room for passing.

Every track has different rules and everything on passing so mainly pay attention to the driver's meeting and remember as much of it as you can.

I hope you have fun and get to learn your car better.

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Is it an actual HPDE event? Will you have a coach?

Either way, you're already way ahead of the curve by reaching out here.

Oil cooler is good.

E85 is fine if you're on a tune for E85.

EBC Yellow doesn't belong on a track. It might be okay for your first event or two, but be mindful of your brakes. If they stop responding consistently, cool off the brakes by cruising.

Relax and have fun! I’d normally recommend being considerate and aware of other drivers on track, but from your first post I don’t think that’ll be an issue for you. Might take some time to get to know the flags if you don’t know them yet.

https://www.racewrl.com/pdfs/flags.pdf

I haven’t heard the best things about EBC yellows so might want to keep an eye on them and back off if you feel them start to fade.

Also don’t be this guy!

http://youtu.be/b7iUKaPlBl8

Different organizations have different rules for passing/point bys.
Make sure to go attend the drivers meeting, pay attention, and ask for clarification if there's anything you don't understand.
If it's an event with instructors, great! If not then ask others if they're willing to ride along and give you advice.
No need to stare at your mirrors, but give them a check on short straights prior to the main passing zones, as well as when you're in the passing zones.
If you're not in an approved passing zone, don't try to point them by. I've had it happen in the past where I pulled up on someone rapidly and they tried to point me by mid-corner! No bueno.
If you mess up, talk to the person later in the paddock.
Bring water and snacks.


Be safe, have fun! :party0030:

You're going to have a good time! Most important thing is to realize this: you are not going to KNOW the track after one session. Until you *know* the track, just pretend like you're going kinda fast on backroads. You don't *have* to go fast and be at the limit, and you shouldn't try to be fast until you know that track. So don't sweat it, just be cool and remember it's better to be "slow-in/fast-out" than "fast-in/slow-out", or "didn't-make-it-out"!

Most everything has been covered already. I'll add; let the organizer/group lead know that it is your first time out, he/she will share with rest of the group to be cognizant of that. You can ask to start at the back of the group (or just do it) so you can focus on your driving, braking, racing lines, and less about traffic.

Biggest thing is be predictable in your driving, as mentioned, no sudden changes in line, braking, or speed. The passing driver has the responsibility to make a safe pass.

Finally, don't worry too much about "way faster/more expensive" cars. That's no guarantee that the driver knows what they are doing. Keep awareness up and go out and have fun.

Exactly, I went to my first HPDE and ended up passing a Mustang GT500 just because it's faster and more expensive doesn't mean the driver is a race car driver.

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Keep within your limits and *keep your head up*, i.e. keep looking *ahead* of where you are, towards where you *want* to go. This is *THE* most important thing! You will naturally tend to end up where you are looking, so always be looking where you *WANT* to go, not where you are *afraid you might go* (never look there!).

+100 to these pro tips. :cheers:


Man, everybody's bringin' the love. So cool.

If you see another twin 99% chance you have made a new friend.

You're making and others are making this way too complicated. It's an amazing experience and you're about to experience nirvana. Get on the track and it will all fall into place. If you have a sim rig with the track run a bunch of laps before going. The thing to understand is more experienced drivers welcome new guys and are some of the most awesome and helpful people you'll meet. You'll most likely be in a beginner group so everyone learns together. Congratulations on doing something that most of the entire population would love to do.