Circuit Tracking the FRS!!

[nmctacticz]

I've decided that Im going to track the car.
Milage 35,000km.
Modifications: Invidia N1 catback + Injen CAI + 18" volk rays E37 rims with Bridgstone potenza track tires. Everything else is stock!!!
I know the car fluids should be changed before and after the track but I havent changed any fluids expect for engine oil two weeks ago.
How do you guys find the OEM brakes on circuit and how hard do you guys track (rpm range)... wear and tear on the car in general?
Any advice/tips would be great!!!

[Tcoat]

Check out this section:


http://www.ft86club.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=39

[gramicci101]

There's a whole track section for you. This thread is a good start though.
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25485

[totopo]

In short... Don't worry too much about anything. If your car is road worthy, it should be pretty good for a first time track session. You will be slow your first day, accept it. You won't be pushing your car.

Getting to your first track day is 90% of the effort and puts you already apart from 90% of enthusiasts. Try to get ride along from good drivers. After your first track day you can decide if it is a hobby you want to pursue.

Edit: you can stuff your car into the wall without pushing your car to its limits. I would consider track insurance...

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by gramicci101

There's a whole track section for you. This thread is a good start though.
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25485

That's a great thread. Definitely read through that. Personally I would switch to higher temp brake fluid and front pads. For example, ATE type 200 fluid ($15) + stoptech SP front pads ($50) are relatively cheap and will give you peace of mind for your first few track days.

The first time I tracked, it was in a car with completely stock brakes. Towards the end of the day, I started pushing harder keeping up with faster cars on their lines and my brakes faded very quickly. Not a fun experience when your foot goes nearly to the floor in a 100+ mph brake zone with a wall coming fast. No harm done thankfully, but I basically had to scrap my last session and had to worry about a 1.5 hr drive home.

[Fish Eagle]

Yep, I agree with the previous post. Don't go onto track with stock brake fluid - that's looking for trouble. You're guaranteed to have serious brake fade, and it's sudden - when the fluid boils. An affordable and suitable brake fluid here is Africa is Motul RBF660, and you'll need 2 x 500ml.

Front pads - yes, you also need them, but they don't fade as catastrophically as stock fluid, so you'll feel them going, and you'll know that you must back off. Try with stock pads if you want to, but be alert for fade because fade they will.

Don't worry - your car can handle tracking, just make sure that you warm it up very, very well before red-lining it (always, not just on track), cool it down properly with the aircon on before pitting, and open the bonnet to let the heat escape.

I change engine oil every 7500kms or approx 4 track days which is about twice as often as normal.

Enjoy!! I've done 28 track days with my supercharged car which includes some amateur racing, and the only problem I've ever had is a cracked header. Some specialist welding, and it's working fine again (4 track days since that repair).

And remember the golden rule:-
Keep your confidence one click below your skill level and you'll be fine.
The day your confidence exceeds your skill, then it'll go pear-shaped.