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

[BRZZZZZZZZZZ]

Originally Posted by rice_classic

3-4 laps with aids turned on. Maybe 6-7 laps with them turned off before fade. Figures will vary depending on temperature of day and braking requirements of track. With stickier tires and better suspension.. maybe less. The OEM brakes are pretty good, the OEM pads are absolutely not but that's usually the norm for any car.

Also the OEM pad material has a high wear rate at those temps. I've done very lapping in my unmodified FRS but I had to replace my front pads at 20k miles. Needless to say I didn't buy another set of OEM pads, but an aftermarket OEM-ish ceramic pad.

I really want the Wilwood 12" rotor and fixed caliper kit but I don't think it will fit under my wheels sadly. I will probably be stuck with stock size rotors and calipers, but with pads and lines.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by BRZZZZZZZZZZ

Damn I don't really think ill be able to get pads by the time the day comes. I have fluid already.

Bring spare OEM pads if you can; sounds like that will be the best way to ensure that your (expensive?) day isn't ruined.

[I<3Twisties]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

I'd stick to 215 regardless of model.

I'm definitely going to try that on my next set. For educational purposes, is this due to the wheel size? The 225 being too wide for the 7.5?

[I<3Twisties]

Originally Posted by rice_classic

IMHO a 7.5" rim will accommodate a 225 splendidly. However look at specs on the rolling diameter between a 215/45 and 225/45. You might find the rolling diameter changes and thus may want to opt for a 225/40.

Rice, what is rolling diameter and what's the significance of that?

[Tainen]

Getting ready for my first track experience.


I've done 3 of the car control clinics with the car, one autocross training day, and now am ready to hit the big boy track this summer.


Putting in RBF600 next week, I have HP+ pads on the front, stock on the rear. Using stock tires/wheels. Next up is oil- I ordered some Redline 5w20, and will go pick up an OEM filter. After that I'll go get it track inspected at a shop and I think I'm good to go. Any other things? Should I do the pedal dance on my first track day or just the 3 second button? I won't be pushing too hard on my first day.

[ddeflyer]

Originally Posted by Tainen

Getting ready for my first track experience.


I've done 3 of the car control clinics with the car, one autocross training day, and now am ready to hit the big boy track this summer.


Putting in RBF600 next week, I have HP+ pads on the front, stock on the rear. Using stock tires/wheels. Next up is oil- I ordered some Redline 5w20, and will go pick up an OEM filter. After that I'll go get it track inspected at a shop and I think I'm good to go. Any other things? Should I do the pedal dance on my first track day or just the 3 second button? I won't be pushing too hard on my first day.

For your first time out I would leave the safety aides on. First time on the track is a very overwhelming experience (at least it was for me) and it is easy to do something wrong that might be caught by the aides where you wouldn't be able to yet. Basically you don't want to find out why you keep a constant line through a corner without them (you have to fight daily driving instinct or order to not adjust mid-turn); they saved my ass a couple of times.

And for reference I consider myself to be a low (weak) intermediate driver with seven track days and some autocross.

[AZP Installs]

Originally Posted by Tainen

Getting ready for my first track experience.


I've done 3 of the car control clinics with the car, one autocross training day, and now am ready to hit the big boy track this summer.


Putting in RBF600 next week, I have HP+ pads on the front, stock on the rear. Using stock tires/wheels. Next up is oil- I ordered some Redline 5w20, and will go pick up an OEM filter. After that I'll go get it track inspected at a shop and I think I'm good to go. Any other things? Should I do the pedal dance on my first track day or just the 3 second button? I won't be pushing too hard on my first day.

After your first track day the prius tires won't suffice I'm afraid...

-mike

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by I<3Twisties

I'm definitely going to try that on my next set. For educational purposes, is this due to the wheel size? The 225 being too wide for the 7.5?

It's not "too big", but you'll lose a lot of steering feel, and likely wear the edges more.

Originally Posted by Tainen

Getting ready for my first track experience.


I've done 3 of the car control clinics with the car, one autocross training day, and now am ready to hit the big boy track this summer.


Putting in RBF600 next week, I have HP+ pads on the front, stock on the rear. Using stock tires/wheels. Next up is oil- I ordered some Redline 5w20, and will go pick up an OEM filter. After that I'll go get it track inspected at a shop and I think I'm good to go. Any other things? Should I do the pedal dance on my first track day or just the 3 second button? I won't be pushing too hard on my first day.

I'd recommend turning off all the aids. 1. this instills fear in you, so you're more attentive and careful and 2. most novices will NOT recognise when the VSC kicks in, except in extreme circumstances, and think they saved the spin on their own by lifting and/or going neutral on the steering.

[wparsons]

If it's a beginner friendly track, lower speeds and lots of runoff, learning with the aids off are a good thing. If there's hard walls all over that'll ruin your car with any spin, I'd be tempted to keep them on until I had a better feel for the track.

[Tainen]

Originally Posted by wparsons

If it's a beginner friendly track, lower speeds and lots of runoff, learning with the aids off are a good thing. If there's hard walls all over that'll ruin your car with any spin, I'd be tempted to keep them on until I had a better feel for the track.

Pacific Raceways here in the Seattle area has a few widowmaker type turns for sure... Hmm.


Is 5w20 a good oil weight for track? I stepped it up a single weight, but I don't see a real definitive answer on what oil to use at the track. I do not have an oil cooler, so I figure the redline would help there, since it sheers at higher temp, etc. Can I 3+ track days this summer without an oil cooler, or do I need to be investing in one before any more?

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by Tainen

Pacific Raceways here in the Seattle area has a few widowmaker type turns for sure... Hmm.

If you know where the dangerous corners are, then you know to slow down and take them more carefully than the others.

Sounds like a good candidate to learn to drive the car, instead of having the car drive for you.

Remember, the goal is to become a better driver, not put down scorching lap times. Know your limits.

[ayau]

Don't think this is talked about much, but what's everyone thought on track insurance? Never heard of a normal car insurance covering people at the track, so I'm going to assume all of them don't.

Are people willing to accept the risk of potentially totaling their car and being out 25-30k? Do you buy track insurance? Who do you go through? Let's be honest here, most people aren't going to roll their eyes when they lose 25-30k. You could reduce that risk by driving below the limit, but there are some things that are out of your control, e.g., coolant spills, someone running into you, etc.

Based on experience and research, it seems like it's a gentleman's rule if someone runs into you. If the person was at fault, then he/she would be the one "responsible" for the repair cost. That's not always the case though.

I've noticed most clubs/events don't push for track insurance or at least inform drivers about it.

Part of the reason I've stopped tracking the BRZ is due to the financial risks involved, and it's the reason I bought a cheap Integra instead.

[ddeflyer]

Originally Posted by ayau

Don't think this is talked about much, but what's everyone thought on track insurance? Never heard of a normal car insurance covering people at the track, so I'm going to assume all of them don't.

Are people willing to accept the risk of potentially totaling their car and being out 25-30k? Do you buy track insurance? Who do you go through? Let's be honest here, most people aren't going to roll their eyes when they lose 25-30k. You could reduce that risk by driving below the limit, but there are some things that are out of your control, e.g., coolant spills, someone running into you, etc.

Based on experience and research, it seems like it's a gentleman's rule if someone runs into you. If the person was at fault, then he/she would be the one "responsible" for the repair cost. That's not always the case though.

I've noticed most clubs/events don't push for track insurance or at least inform drivers about it.

Part of the reason I've stopped tracking the BRZ is due to the financial risks involved, and it's the reason I bought a cheap Integra instead.

the first six times I went out I got HPDE insurance, the combined cost of which must have been around $800-900 (from lockton insurance I believe). After a while as I got more comfortable with how things worked I did my last event without it. That said I'm going to get insurance anytime I am on a new track because I think that is when I'm most likely to mess up.

[rice_classic]

Originally Posted by BRZZZZZZZZZZ

I really want the Wilwood 12" rotor and fixed caliper kit but I don't think it will fit under my wheels sadly. I will probably be stuck with stock size rotors and calipers, but with pads and lines.

If you're concerned get on RockAuto.com (or Amazon) or visit NAPA and buy some metallic or ceramic pads. Still OEM-streetable pads just will withstand abuse a bit better than factory cheapies. You can get a set of pads for probably $50 that will work much better than factory.

Originally Posted by I<3Twisties

I'm definitely going to try that on my next set. For educational purposes, is this due to the wheel size? The 225 being too wide for the 7.5?

CSG Mike is right, there will be a difference in steering feel but IMHO, it's not a big deal, not between a 215 and 225 on a 7.5. In fact most 225's recommend a wheel width between 7-8". So the choice is yours. If you know what brand/type of tires you want it comes in a 215 but not a 225, or visa versa then your choice is easier.

Originally Posted by I<3Twisties

Rice, what is rolling diameter and what's the significance of that?

A tire, mounted on a wheel and fully inflated, standing up. The "height" of the tire as it stands. You know what the word diameter means and what rolling means.. put the two together.

When I change from 205/50/15's to 225/50/15s on my Honda, the tire isn't just wider as the 225 would suggest, it's also taller so to keep the same rolling diameter I need to get the 225/45/15 tire. Go to tire rack and look at a tire and then look at the spec sheet. All the info is there.

The OEM overall diameter of the 215/45/17 Michelin Primacy HP is 24.7". Thus your goal if buying a different tire is to stay as close to that overall diameter size as possible. Any change in diameter affects your speedometer accuracy.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes

Originally Posted by Tainen

Pacific Raceways here in the Seattle area has a few widowmaker type turns for sure... Hmm.


Is 5w20 a good oil weight for track? I stepped it up a single weight, but I don't see a real definitive answer on what oil to use at the track. I do not have an oil cooler, so I figure the redline would help there, since it sheers at higher temp, etc. Can I 3+ track days this summer without an oil cooler, or do I need to be investing in one before any more?

I'm an instructor at The Ridge and Pacific Raceways for a couple different groups. Your synthetic oil won't have a problem with our cool temps and that track. PR isn't hard on oil temps and it's not too killer on brakes either. The Twins want a 0w-XX oil. So instead of going to 5w-20 from 0w-20 you should instead have gone to a 0w-30 or a 5w-30. Either of which will be fine.

And yes, Turn 5 through 6 can be a widow maker. Don't hit the curbs and if you set 2 tires off just keep the wheel straight and then gradually merge back onto the track!