Well, it's official. I'm doing my first track day in a month...

[chrisl]

Any tips for a first-timer?

I just signed up for the RMR PCA Speed Fever 5 DE at High Plains Raceway on April 26/27. I'm definitely looking forward to it, and I expect it'll be a blast. I'm definitely a bit nervous though (and it's still a month out)...

[PMok]

read through this thread.

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25485

[Griever423]

Congrats on your first track day. You're gonna be nervous and feel overwhelemed. Just get out there and have fun. Listen to your instructor too.

[JS + BRZ]

I did my first track day ever 2 months ago. I did get super nervous in the beginning. I think everyone does in the beginner group.

You will have a blast man. Don't worry about the lap time. Just learn the track and line.

I believe it's the best way to learn how to control a car imo.

[retrosmiths]

Everyone's nervous for their first track day, man. That's alright. People are usually friendly and you can ask them questions about the track and about your car.

Heck, I remember my first drift tutorial event, I killed the threads of two of my studs. One of the groups there helped me replace them, or in other words, they actually replaced them for me (had no idea how to do that, nor do I have the spare parts) without accepting any sort of payment whatsoever. Thanks to them, I was able to drive home.

[dradernh]

Pack, or plan to have access to: approved helmet, drinking water, snacks (fruit, energy bars, etc.), lunch, tire gauge, air for your tires, coolant, brake fluid, torque wrench, lug nut socket, and windshield cleaner & towels. Depending upon how much brake pad material you have left, you may wish to bring a spare set of front and/or rear brake pads.

Before each session: check your tire pressures, coolant and brake fluid levels, and your remaining brake pad material; re-torque your wheels' lug nuts; clean your windshield as necessary.

Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water before thirst requires that you do it; your urine should run clear.

Stay calm.

Listen to your instructor.

Learn the line, and learn to drive it consistently lap after lap.

Be nice to your brakes.

Eat.

Do not push yourself or the car hard during your last session; that's a time to take what you've learned during the day and show yourself and your instructor that you can consistently execute it. Leave on a high note.

Watch a video before going so that you have some idea of what you're going to be looking at. I found this one via Google: http://octanechicks.com/blog/llis/20...video-may-help; it has the benefit of an overlay of the turn numbers/names - your in-car instructor and the classroom instructor will probably refer to those numbers/names, so this will give you a head start.

It's a very busy day - remember to have fun (probably not going to be a problem!).

Don't forget to report back and share your experiences.

Edits:

Bring all the clothing you could possibly need under any foreseeable circumstances. I say this as someone who once went to a middle-of-the-summer event with no warm weather clothing - it was nice when I got there the day before the event, and the day of the event it was 45° all morning, raining hard, blowing harder, and all I had were thin cotton shirts. Fortunately, there was everything I needed in the track shop, but...the prices were very high.

Wear cotton, wool, or the like when you're in the car; it's extremely rare, but in the event of a fire you don't want to be wearing highly-flammable synthetics (to be extra safe, you can always add Nomex underwear to your kit).

If it could rain, bring a tarp to put over everything you've removed from your car. Some drivers bring large plastic containers to keep their possessions dry. With rain often comes wind, so be prepared for that.

[Pokeguyjai]

Sorry, dumb question. Is there a way to check brake pad material without removing the tire? I googled it but they all say to remove the tire. Thank you

[ZionsWrath]

Originally Posted by Pokeguyjai

Sorry, dumb question. Is there a way to check brake pad material without removing the tire? I googled it but they all say to remove the tire. Thank you

You can see the outside pad without removing the tire but you probably want to remove the tire and look at both sides for even wear. On a new(ish) car it shouldn't be an issue though.

[Pokeguyjai]

Gotcha. The one track day event I went to, there was limited space in the garage. The majority of the parking spots were on the asphalt/grass/dirt where you can't jack up your car.

But it seems a quick looksie is all you really need in this case.

[amram]

I'm doing my first in 2 months, so this thread is great for me sub'd!

[icemang17]

your 1st trackday is quite overwhelming....so much to learn and so little time. #1 listen to your instructor....hopefully one who rides with you. Don't worry about the car or whatever mods you have. A bone stock car with decent brake pads and tires is plenty fine.

You will have so much fun....you will become addicted....

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by icemang17

your instructor....hopefully one who rides with you.

Let's hope he'll have an instructor in the car with him; otherwise, there won't be much learning going on. That holds for intermediate and most advanced students as well.

[chrisl]

Originally Posted by dradernh

Let's hope he'll have an instructor in the car with him; otherwise, there won't be much learning going on. That holds for intermediate and most advanced students as well.

I signed up for the first timer run group, where an in-car instructor is mandatory. I definitely think an instructor will be extremely helpful, even though I have done some high-performance driving in the past (karting, as well as a couple autocross events).

As for the rest of the suggestions, thanks for all the advice everyone. I'll definitely take it all into consideration, and I'm definitely going to spend some time watching videos and learning the track before the event.

[DarkSunrise]

Have fun, you'll be fine!

Lots of good advice in this thread. The only thing I'll add is that with RWD cars, it helps to be ready for oversteer on corner exit. While you're still learning your car's limits, you probably want to leave a decent safety margin until you feel more comfortable with how the rear will react.