First Track day what to prepare for.

[2point0]

Thanks, guys. That eases my mind a bit. What's a "good" tire pressure gauge? Every one I've ever used has been horribly inconsistent. I'd like to just order one online and know that it'll be solid.

[gmookher]

I use a liquid filled arb...can dial to qtr pound consistently

[TSY]

You might want to check and see if the organization you're running with has loaner helmets.

If not and you can't find someplace nearby to try SNELL SA rated helmets you could find a motorcycle place and try some motorcycle helmets for size. It might give you an idea of what size you are and what brands may fit better which you can order online.

Otherwise I would suggest you order 2 or 3 helmets and plan on returning the ones that don't fit. You don't want to be thinking about how uncomfortable your helmet is while trying to learn how to drive a track!

I like my HJC helmet- it's lightweight and comfortable at a very reasonable price.

Good luck, have fun!

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by 2point0

Thanks, guys. That eases my mind a bit. What's a "good" tire pressure gauge? Every one I've ever used has been horribly inconsistent. I'd like to just order one online and know that it'll be solid.

A cheapie from America's Tire or anywhere else will work.

Ask a few veterans to borrow their gauges, and compare it to yours to know if it reads high or low, and then compensate for any error in reading. The cheap stuff is surprisingly accurate.

[einzlr]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

A cheapie from America's Tire or anywhere else will work.

Ask a few veterans to borrow their gauges, and compare it to yours to know if it reads high or low, and then compensate for any error in reading. The cheap stuff is surprisingly accurate.

I actually remember seeing a tire gauge comparison where the inexpensive basic ones did better than some of the fancy $$$$ ones. The only thing I would advise when selecting is get one with a hose so you're not trying to read it directly at the tire at an awkward angle or with it obscured due to glare.

[diirk]

Originally Posted by 2point0

Thanks, guys. That eases my mind a bit. What's a "good" tire pressure gauge? Every one I've ever used has been horribly inconsistent. I'd like to just order one online and know that it'll be solid.

I like the ones that thread onto the stem, have a full dial guage and a button to bleed air so you can dial in your pressure easily. With that said, my last one disappeared and I'm currently using a cheapo stick one.

this might make a good thread....I'll do a search and start one if it isn't already there.

edit: tire guage thread created. http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20751

[GTM_Challenge]

We've been using an analog longacre with about a 2.5" face for years with good luck.

[GTM_Challenge]

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

I disagree on the fluid. Novices tend to drag brakes instead of getting on them hard and then getting off them. I've seen far more novices boil the heck out of fluid than I've seen advanced drivers do it.

More or less agree on the rest, I'd still do pads too though. Doesn't hurt.

This is true...I guess you have to think about what will make a beginner enjoy the car on track as well - not knowing if the car is going to stop or not isn't going to be fun.

If you really want to do a budget setup that will actually make the car better, and seriously prolong the life of your consumables - do camber bolts, and tires, and brake pads and fluid.

The camber bolts will allow you to wear the tires less on the shoulders and stickier tires won't wear/turn to dust as fast as the OEM all season will in a track setting.

Upgraded pads (nothing crazy) should last longer on track than the stockers as well - not to mention stopping the car better and being more up to the task at hand.

So if you look at it form this angle, there are a few things that can be changed very easily to extract more out of the car and save the owner more in the long run.

[DR 86]

If you're that noob that you're dragging your brakes to the point of boiling your fluid, instead of picking a braking point and getting on them hard till your turn-in, maybe you should get some formal instruction, or at least some pointers from more seasoned drivers before you track. Also, it completely fine to run this car stock as a noob, just limit yourself to a smaller number of laps per session and allow adequate time in between for components to cool. Oh, and remember to never engage your e-brake after an extended session.

[Hanakuso]

Originally Posted by DR 86

Oh, and remember to never engage your e-brake after an extended session.

I was also told to leave the engine running for a few minutes after each session, but at the same time do not engage the brakes. Put something behind the wheels to keep it from rolling

[scionnut]

I've taken my FRS to two track days (willow springs & buttonwillow) & a drifting event
along with 9k miles in street driving.... my pads still have atleast 7mm front & 9mm rear
of the original 12mm the stock pads came with

watch me at buttonwillow here-
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZgpyfSmz6c"]scion FRS full lap at buttonwillow - YouTube[/ame]

[rice_classic]

Originally Posted by 2point0

Thanks, guys. That eases my mind a bit. What's a "good" tire pressure gauge? Every one I've ever used has been horribly inconsistent. I'd like to just order one online and know that it'll be solid.

Longacre

http://www.longacreracing.com/catalo...id=223&catid=8
Yeah, it's not cheap but you asked for the "good" one.

[rice_classic]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

A cheapie from America's Tire or anywhere else will work.

Ask a few veterans to borrow their gauges, and compare it to yours to know if it reads high or low, and then compensate for any error in reading. The cheap stuff is surprisingly accurate.

I would agree here but...

You can use the tire pressure gauge on all your vehicles, bike tires etc etc. Most folks have more than one thing that requires air pressure. Might as well get a gauge that feels good. Also the nicer ones (like what I posted above) make it easier to bleed air quickly while simultaneously checking air for quick adjustments.

[ABQautoxer]

The other issue with cheap ones is they tend to go out of calibration sooner. Suddenly the 35psi on tires everyone else is using you need 40psi. I've had a couple cheap ones do this recently and so now all the cars have longacre gauges. It's really not that expensive when you figure my gauge from 2003 is still reading accurately.