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

[OnionTou]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

@OnionTou

Whats your current alignment?

Short answer: I never did one after I changed the car's height after it was dropped.

When I got my coilovers and wheels (before the rest of the suspension mods) the shop gave my car a 1.5" drop, and set the alignment to:
front camber to -2.6 degrees LH and RH
Front caster 5.7 degrees LH and RH
Toe 1.5 mm LH, 1.5mm RH
Rear Camber: -1.6 LH, -2.7RH (since I didn't have LCAs then this is what the car had)
Toe: 0.1 mm LH and -0.2 mm RH

But the car was too low so I had it raised 3/4" inch, and I planned on getting it done afterwards but I never got to it because I ordered the LCAs and bumpsteer kit so I'm waiting on that before re-aligning.

[OnionTou]

btw, i messed up my parts list. this is the correct list:

My setup is:
NA engine (no FI, nor plans to get FI)
Yokohama AD08 225/40R18
Tein Street Flex (Damper set at 7/16 front 9/16 back for daily 10 front, 8 back of autox)
Sway Bars 19 mm front
Sway Bar 16 mm rear.
End links (front and back)
LCA (rear)
Toe Arm (Rear)
Rear diff support (Brace)
whiteline Bump steer kit

I meant endlinks front and back (instead of toe arms), and toe arm rear instead of trailing arm.

[funwheeldrive]

I'm taking my car to Thunderhill for the first time in March. I've done track days in the past with my SRT-4, but this my first time out with a RWD car.

Do you have any tips for a first timer? I'm doing the driving school with NCRC, so I was thinking that I should leave all the nannies on this time around. I heard that you're not supposed to use the p-brake after running the car hard. Any other advice like that? Is there an ideal tire pressure I should shoot for? Is it worth it to fill up on a higher octance than 91? My car is completely stock.

Thanks in advance

[cjd]

I'd be turning the nannies off and working my speed up as I learn the car. I've found they're good when you're not expecting something as might happen on the same commute every day, mind already at work, forgot you were even driving, but if you're in that frame of mind on a track, ...they can be very intrusive and I'm not sure that is helpful. Just don't drive too fast for your level of familiarity with everything.

Brake, yes. Heat is bad news for the e-brake.

There is a great thread of tips somewhere here that covers a lot of this.

C

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by funwheeldrive

I'm taking my car to Thunderhill for the first time in March. I've done track days in the past with my SRT-4, but this my first time out with a RWD car.

Do you have any tips for a first timer? I'm doing the driving school with NCRC, so I was thinking that I should leave all the nannies on this time around. I heard that you're not supposed to use the p-brake after running the car hard. Any other advice like that? Is there an ideal tire pressure I should shoot for? Is it worth it to fill up on a higher octance than 91? My car is completely stock.

Thanks in advance

I'd turn the nannies off, but be prepared to countersteer especially if you're aggressive rolling on the throttle on exit. No p-brake in the pit, just put the transmission in gear and kill the engine. I usually open my hood to let everything cool a bit. In terms of tire pressure, I find that my tires like 38 psi hot, but it'll be different for each tire so you'll need to experiment a bit.

I usually mix about 1/2 tank of 100 octane to minimize detonation. With CA 91 octane and no oil cooler, I think you'll definitely want to do this.

Try to get camber bolts, brake pads, and fluid before your event if possible.

[funwheeldrive]

I understand the pads, and fluids, but what benefit do camber bolts provide with a stock suspension?

I'm nervous that with the nannies off I will oversteer mid turn. The only thing I've played with is having the traction control off, and that's only when I feel like I'm driving in a safe environment. I'm pretty sure my insurance doesn't cover track days, and this car is far from being paid off.

[OkieSnuffBox]

Originally Posted by funwheeldrive

I understand the pads, and fluids, but what benefit do camber bolts provide with a stock suspension?

I'm nervous that with the nannies off I will oversteer mid turn. The only thing I've played with is having the traction control off, and that's only when I feel like I'm driving in a safe environment. I'm pretty sure my insurance doesn't cover track days, and this car is far from being paid off.

Don't worry about driving with the nannies off. Just go slow, listen to the instructors and understand you aren't going to be Ayrton Senna in 3 sessions.


Depending on who is running the event, there may be track insurance available(but yes, your normal policy won't cover it). Check with companies like Lockton-Affinity that offer track coverage, although you still typically have to deal with a large deductible (think $5k-ish).

[DocWalt]

Camber bolts are so you can dial in a reasonable amount of camber to avoid excessive wear on the outer shoulder of your tires. It's not going to understeer or destroy tires quite like an SRT4 does, but it doesn't hurt to throw the bolts in and dial in a more aggressive alignment.

[jvincent]

Originally Posted by funwheeldrive

I understand the pads, and fluids, but what benefit do camber bolts provide with a stock suspension?

You will be cornering a LOT harder at the track than you ever have (or should have) on the street.

The added camber on the front tires will help with increased grip and reduced wear. When you add the bolts you should also get the car aligned, which is also very important for the track.

You should be able to get about 1.5* of negative camber up front with the bolts, which is not that aggressive, but much better than stock in terms of handling.

[ddeflyer]

Originally Posted by OkieSnuffBox

Don't worry about driving with the nannies off. Just go slow, listen to the instructors and understand you aren't going to be Ayrton Senna in 3 sessions.


Depending on who is running the event, there may be track insurance available(but yes, your normal policy won't cover it). Check with companies like Lockton-Affinity that offer track coverage, although you still typically have to deal with a large deductible (think $5k-ish).

Lockton offers either 10% or 15% deductibles so you are talking 2.5K or 3.75K if the car is valued at 25K.

[OkieSnuffBox]

Originally Posted by ddeflyer

Lockton offers either 10% or 15% deductibles so you are talking 2.5K or 3.75K if the car is valued at 25K.

Good to know. The last time I checked with them it was a $5k. Admittedly that was a few years ago.


Thanks for the updated info!

[ddeflyer]

Originally Posted by funwheeldrive

I understand the pads, and fluids, but what benefit do camber bolts provide with a stock suspension?

I'm nervous that with the nannies off I will oversteer mid turn. The only thing I've played with is having the traction control off, and that's only when I feel like I'm driving in a safe environment. I'm pretty sure my insurance doesn't cover track days, and this car is far from being paid off.

One of the first rules of going to the track is to not bring something you can't replace / afford to lose. If you would be in trouble with your car loan in the event of the accident, then supplemental track insurance could be a wise investment. I will often purchase Lockton insurance if I am trying out a new track or if I think a track day carries an abnormal risk for some reason. Often having that insurance can relieve your mind of some worry and let you focus more on the tasks at hand.

In terms of the nannies, there are two schools of thought about them for beginners. I am fairly strongly in the "start beginners out with them" because it provides a small additional layer of safety and also because it relieves some stress for the driver. Other people say they should be immediately turned off to help the driver feel the car (the traction control coming on can make it alot harder to feel what the car is doing). In the end it is a balance between the two sides that you (and your coach if you have one in car) need to decide between.

Also, try and sign up for a coach in car (or try and do an event or two with one of the groups that has coaches for most/all beginners (PCA, BMW, Audi, HOD, etc.)). It does cost some extra but the benefits can be really great in terms of not learning bad habits and improving more rapidly.

[Slick]

Originally Posted by ddeflyer

In terms of the nannies, there are two schools of thought about them for beginners. I am fairly strongly in the "start beginners out with them" because it provides a small additional layer of safety and also because it relieves some stress for the driver. Other people say they should be immediately turned off to help the driver feel the car (the traction control coming on can make it alot harder to feel what the car is doing). In the end it is a balance between the two sides that you (and your coach if you have one in car) need to decide between.

Also, try and sign up for a coach in car (or try and do an event or two with one of the groups that has coaches for most/all beginners (PCA, BMW, Audi, HOD, etc.)). It does cost some extra but the benefits can be really great in terms of not learning bad habits and improving more rapidly.

Great points.

For completely new track users, I like having them use the nannies for the first session or two. Often, newbies will do stuff you really don't expect and this can save your asses. (I've had a student dive-bomb a corner on lap 3 cause he thought he could go faster).

If they progress (some don't and just won't continue), then the nannies should come off as you are trying to get them to "feel" the car, and you can't do that with the car taking over certain functions and adding corrections.

[Captain Snooze]

What are the signs/symptoms of the Sprint Brake Kit needing an overhaul? Should one give them a regular service before an issue appears?

Ta.