Anything is difficult to sell used around here. I could have a failure with a high quality track pad as well due to poor manufacturing, or I could have a suspension part break as well, or someone else could have a failure or damage my car, anything is a gamble on the track.

Seeing as I only had minor problems with stock pads and fluid at the end of a whole day of lapping, I am fairly confident my new fluid and Stop Tech pads will suffice just fine if I go back anytime soon.

If I was competitively lapping it would be a different story and I would be looking more towards rotors, lines and cooling hoses/backing plates as well.

What differences in driving style and what I notice while driving when running with RE-11 as I do now compared to a racing slick of some sort if I run same size tires? I run stock rotors with carbotech ax6 currently but plan on getting xp10/8. Once those are done.

Before I weigh in on this, I always like to answer car/track questions with another question to get a better feel for the answer that is needed...

-How many track days have you done. What level are you in terms of tracking/HPDE?

-What tires and mods and other stuff have you done to your car?

-How often do you plan to track the car?

-mike

I've done 5 or 6 lapping days over the past few years only one a couple weeks ago in this car. I run in the low to mid run groups mostly because my car is a lot slower on the straights and I am not super experienced in this car. Currently I have Hankook RS-3s, Bilstein Sport Shocks, RCE Yellow Springs, Raceseng Camber Plates, Eibach Sway Bars and SPC Rear LCAs, alignment set to 0 toe both ends and -2.5 degrees of camber on all 4 corners.

I may see the track once more in the next year or so and likely 5-10 auto x events.

Stock pads help up better than expected the first day and was only beginning to feel fade at the end of my 5th 20 minute session on my first lapping day. They were really glazed after and took a few hard stops about a week after to get them feeling fairly normal again. They still have about 5mm of depth left after the lapping and 9000km of street driving.

If your stock pads aren't fading massively after a couple of laps with RS-3s, you are being too gentle...

I was a total beginner when I first tracked my FR-S (all stock), and the pads clearly faded during every single session. On my second day, I boiled my stock brake fluid.

Then I upgraded the brake fluid, but made the mistake of buying the Stoptechs. They took just a little longer to fade compared to stock, so not worth the money, IMHO.

Local(ish) track has very little in terms of straight aways so I have less braking to do, combined with stock power and a DA of nearly 4000ft means my car is pretty weak in terms of straight line speed :D

Given your intended frequency or infrequency of actually tracking the car combined with the short straights and your relatively in-experience, I would say the Stoptech Street Performance would serve you well at least until you get some more days under your belt.

As an example I am using HP+ pads on my BRZ. It's 100% stock except for the 6 year old Take-off STi tires. At Watkins glen on a 75 degree day we were getting them smoking after a 30 min session of combined driving of myself (advanced level 10 years instructing HPDE) and a Pro-Tudor/Grandam/WC Racer friend of mine. At Thunderbolt NJMP last weekend they didn't fade or start smoking on us at all. We will likely move up in terms of brakes as we add tires and suspension and get more comfortable in the car.

-mike

Stickier tires will amplify any handling imbalance you have. What may have previously been an oversteer from excessive driver input, may disappear, and only manifest understeer because the tires are sticky enough to cover up the excessive input; this is the most common result I typically see.

I did my first trackday about month ago and it was awesome. My car was 100% stock. Now I'm getting ready for my second track day at Homestead (now with race pads)!!

Thanks to @CSG Mike I have a better idea of how to adjust my tire pressures so I think I'll definitely play around with that.

Here are some videos of my first track day. Any advice on how to improve my driving there?
Thank you!!

Also a big thanks to everyone that responds to all the questions in this thread, it's a huge help and very much appreciated!!

Fast Lap:
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ACkbhps2G4"]PBOC track day Homestead - YouTube[/ame]


In Car video @ about 4:20 you can see me lose the car a little

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4LbeEofTV4"]In car footage, PBOC track day - YouTube[/ame]


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It might seem kind of generic, but really what you need to do is exactly what your instructor is telling you. One note to make though, notice he keeps saying "smooth". One of the hard things starting out is what it means to be smooth. Smooth means both the obvious even turn in rate (so don't go jerking the wheel around) and also a consistent set once you are in the corner. You are adding steering lock after you have taken your set in order to hit the apex just right. This added steering lock is probably part of what the instructor means by "smooth".

Overall, your best bet is to get an instructor for next time again. The rapid feedback that an instructor gives you will keep you from getting any bad habits or pushing things too far/hard and also keep you from developing bad habits.

@becauseracecar1

Your rear came around because you stabbed at the gas pedal (based on what I can hear), with the steering wheel turned. Remember, at your level, your steering wheel dictates how much you can brake and gas.

If you're turning 20%, you can brake or gas 80%. If you're turning 50%, you can brake or gas 50%.

As far as inputs go, keep your hands at the same position on the steering wheel. I see your hands shuffling a lot.

Also, look ahead to your next corner/apex earlier. Right now, you're fixated onwhat's ahead of you. Look one more step ahead.

I will check out your videos this weekend. I live up in NJ but recently purchased a condo in Fort Lauderdale, so next time I am planning on being down there maybe we can hookup for a track day and I'll jump in your car with you if you want!

-mike

Got a track related question? I'll try to answer.
 

Thank you @ddeflyer , I definitely need to be smoother!!

Thank you @ CSG Mike , I was little throttle happy for sure, I'll make sure my hands stay planted and look ahead next time!!
@AZP Installs
That would be awesome!! Definitely let me know when you'll be here!! Thank you!!




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Nicely phrased!

Looking up is one of those things that takes a really long time to get programmed in.