NORCAL: Thunder Hill Track (Feb 8th)

[Touge Monster]

Originally Posted by sw20kosh

May not want to run THill with that break-in oil? Someone posted a picture of a ton of metal fillings etc in their oil. I wouldn't want to run around the track with that in my oil.

So I would recommend:
1. Helmet
2. Oil Change
3. Sun Glasses
4. Long sleeve shirt, jeans, closed toed shoes
5. Lots of water

Yeah forgot to metion oil change figured that was a no brainer

[BigFatFlip]

Damn, doesn't look like I'll make this one, might have to go out of town for work.

[MyRx]

Originally Posted by sw20kosh

May not want to run THill with that break-in oil? Someone posted a picture of a ton of metal fillings etc in their oil. I wouldn't want to run around the track with that in my oil.

So I would recommend:
1. Helmet
2. Oil Change
3. Sun Glasses
4. Long sleeve shirt, jeans, closed toed shoes
5. Lots of water

Thanks! Yes, the oil change was a given. Overkill but I knew that would be necessary. Just curious about radiator fluid. I'll shop around for a helmet and collect more miles.

[PMok]

Originally Posted by MyRx

Silly questions but its been years since since I tracked a car but any new requirements? Helmet is obvious so what is more comfortable - full face or open face? Any changing of liquids for THill? When I tracked the bike, they recommended water or water-wetter vs anti-freeze. Any mileage recommendations - I just broke 400 miles on my FRS, too young? And pads, someone here uses race pads, really recommended or just suffer the consequences of faded stock pads. Any local Bay Area shops y'all recommended to fit helmets - I'm sure my Arai won't be comfy as I've read here before. Anything else??

Thanks! And I hope to see my FRS soon enuf parked next to yours on a track.

I asked a lot of the same questions last month when I was getting ready for THill... open face is probably more comfy but full face is safer. Not too many places to try helmets in the Bay Area, someone suggested Wine Country Motorsports at Sonoma Raceway but I just ordered one on http://www.soloracer.com/ ... got a Pyrotect full face on recommendation of others and it fit really well for me, better than my previous full face helmet.

I switched to race pads for the track, had no fade all day. If you stick to stock pads be sure to bring an extra set of pads just in case. Some people reported their stock pads being toast after just 1-2 track days and you don't want to be going home grinding on metal. The noise of race pads drove me crazy afterwards so I had to switch back to the stock pads after a few weeks. Thankfully the swap is easy.

also see my what to bring to a track day thread and CSG Mike's track prep thread.

[86BRZ]

Originally Posted by sw20kosh

May not want to run THill with that break-in oil? Someone posted a picture of a ton of metal fillings etc in their oil. I wouldn't want to run around the track with that in my oil.

I had my oil change at 800 miles just to get those metal chips out. Now at 2500 miles I think I will do one more oil change soon. Still not ready to push hard on the car yet.

[orthojoe]

This thread should now belong in the norcal section...

[MyRx]

Originally Posted by PMok

I asked a lot of the same questions last month when I was getting ready for THill... open face is probably more comfy but full face is safer. Not too many places to try helmets in the Bay Area, someone suggested Wine Country Motorsports at Sonoma Raceway but I just ordered one on http://www.soloracer.com/ ... got a Pyrotect full face on recommendation of others and it fit really well for me, better than my previous full face helmet.

I switched to race pads for the track, had no fade all day. If you stick to stock pads be sure to bring an extra set of pads just in case. Some people reported their stock pads being toast after just 1-2 track days and you don't want to be going home grinding on metal. The noise of race pads drove me crazy afterwards so I had to switch back to the stock pads after a few weeks. Thankfully the swap is easy.

also see my what to bring to a track day thread and CSG Mike's track prep thread.

Thank you sir! A lot of great insights and pointers on those links.

[MyRx]

Originally Posted by PMok

I asked a lot of the same questions last month when I was getting ready for THill... open face is probably more comfy but full face is safer. Not too many places to try helmets in the Bay Area, someone suggested Wine Country Motorsports at Sonoma Raceway but I just ordered one on http://www.soloracer.com/ ... got a Pyrotect full face on recommendation of others and it fit really well for me, better than my previous full face helmet.

I switched to race pads for the track, had no fade all day. If you stick to stock pads be sure to bring an extra set of pads just in case. Some people reported their stock pads being toast after just 1-2 track days and you don't want to be going home grinding on metal. The noise of race pads drove me crazy afterwards so I had to switch back to the stock pads after a few weeks. Thankfully the swap is easy.

also see my what to bring to a track day thread and CSG Mike's track prep thread.

So I found LPI Racing in Livermore yesterday. Went over and checked them out. Small outfit but cool guys running the show. They don't work on cars but the guys are experienced track enthusiasts. They have racing equipment in stock but I was really there to check out their helmets - they have Bell and Simpson in stock and I tried majority of them to get the size and fit. And I think I found the Bell M4 that fits right.

LPI Racing
2021 Las Positas Court #145
Livermore, CA 94551
(925) 292-5523
lpiracing.com

I spoke with Stephen Anderson (VP) most of the time but there was another gentlemen (forgot his name) and both were patient in sharing their knowledge and recommendations with me. I'm a brick 'n mortar type of buyer, unless the online prices are ridicously underpriced, so I think I may found a local shop with my interest. Going back soon for the stuff I will need for future endeavors with the FR-S. And no, I am not receiving any benefits from them posting their info - thought I'd just share my thoughts of a local shop with equipment and knowledge I need.

[boonFRS]

I might make this one. This will be my 2nd.

[sw20kosh]

Originally Posted by boonFRS

I might make this one. This will be my 2nd.

Yay I'll see you there. I'll be in a black FR-S with my buddies red Abarth.

[boonFRS]

Is registration $99 or $199?

[GOMEZ]

The price is $99 according to their events page. Gonna try and make this date.

[sw20kosh]

Originally Posted by GOMEZ

The price is $99 according to their events page. Gonna try and make this date.

yep 99$

[sw20kosh]

Who else is coming? Lets make this a party!