First track day questions

[14stu]

Originally Posted by ruturaj001

Few updates guys, booked the event, found few people who will be part of the event on facebook.

Received the helmet, Zamp RZ-59 in small, it fits perfect on head, feels like it pushes mu cheeks more than I like but livable.

I will be installing factory tow hook on front.

I am going to participate without any mods as of now. Depending on how things go I would probably do one more similar event after that install hawk HPS 5.0 brake pads, camber bolts and Castrol SRF Racing Brake Fluid. Then register for "Novice with One-on-One Coach" hooked on driving event.

Those hawk pads are not good for the track, they don't hold up to autox let alone lapping. You should get pads before you go, I'd recommend the GLoc R12 fronts and R10 rears (you can get away with just fronts, but the brake bias will be a bit wonky). The stock pads will not work for a trackday unless it's pouring rain.

[ruturaj001]

Originally Posted by 14stu

Those hawk pads are not good for the track, they don't hold up to autox let alone lapping. You should get pads before you go, I'd recommend the GLoc R12 fronts and R10 rears (you can get away with just fronts, but the brake bias will be a bit wonky). The stock pads will not work for a trackday unless it's pouring rain.

HPS 5.0 had some good reviews for 86 that I saw on reddit post and facebook. And I have already purchased those.

I will try and do install next weekend if possible. It's my first time on track, I am not planing to hit it hard. I am planning to take look at counterspace garage pads for track and road use if Hawk aren't adequate. I will take a look at GLoc as well.

[smoltz]

Originally Posted by ruturaj001

HPS 5.0 had some good reviews for 86 that I saw on reddit post and facebook. And I have already purchased those.

I will try and do install next weekend if possible. It's my first time on track, I am not planing to hit it hard. I am planning to take look at counterspace garage pads for track and road use if Hawk aren't adequate. I will take a look at GLoc as well.

That post is on the Autocross forum.

Autocross != Track

Very different requirements.

For first track day you'll be fine though especially since it's TNIA. I would still recommend doing fluid though.

Have fun - focus on relaxing - let us know how it goes!

[ruturaj001]

Originally Posted by smoltz

That post is on the Autocross forum.

Autocross != Track

Very different requirements.

For first track day you'll be fine though especially since it's TNIA. I would still recommend doing fluid though.

Have fun - focus on relaxing - let us know how it goes!

Thanks, I had autocross in mind too but that just looks very confusing to me. I would see how pads work out and if I feel need to upgrade. I don't want to switch pads on every track day.

I had ordered Hawk 560 fluid which doesn't seem like much improvement or I would have changed it this weekend. I placed amazon order for castrol srf yesterday, if it gets delivered this week I will try swapping both next weekend. There is open drift event that I want to check out at evergreen parkway on next Sunday, not sure if I should participate.

[ruturaj001]

Originally Posted by 14stu

Those hawk pads are not good for the track, they don't hold up to autox let alone lapping. You should get pads before you go, I'd recommend the GLoc R12 fronts and R10 rears (you can get away with just fronts, but the brake bias will be a bit wonky). The stock pads will not work for a trackday unless it's pouring rain.

Originally Posted by smoltz

That post is on the Autocross forum.

Autocross != Track

Very different requirements.

For first track day you'll be fine though especially since it's TNIA. I would still recommend doing fluid though.

Have fun - focus on relaxing - let us know how it goes!

I am also looking at Ferodo DS2500 pads now, seems like they used to be under 310 for front + back on amazon, but now are 340. May be these would be better fit for daily + track. Even if I order them now, they are showing delivery in June.

My options are
1. Do fluid and hawk HPS 5.0 pads now, next year change to Ferodo DS2500 when doing fluid swap
2. Do 1 but swap for Ferodo DS2500 and try selling hawk pads later as used
3. Do fluid only now and later install Ferodo DS2500
4. Do nothing for this event, Install Ferodo DS2500 and fluid swap in a month

I would prefer to do everything in one go. Removing each wheel is tiring but also don't wan to compromise safety. I don't think I can handle doing pad swap for every event. I would do fluid swap once a year as SRF seems to last well.

[strat61caster]

I did my first two track days on stock pads and fluid and didn’t die, one tnia will be fine.

[Desertnate]

Similar experience for me, but in a different car (Mk6 GTI) for a full track day.

I swapped fluid but not pads. I was in "learn mode", didn't drive all that aggressively, and had an instructor on board. When I pulled off track to the paddock after my last couple of sessions, my brakes were smoking, but the pads were actually not that bad off. I like to think the higher temp fluid prevented any overall stopping issues related to the fluid boiling.

[ruturaj001]

Thank you guys, seems like I might live through this one.

Castrol SRF fluid is getting delivered tomorrow, if I do end up changing it, I am going to do pads as well and install camber bolts too (whiteline top and SPC bottom) while I am at it.

[ruturaj001]

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

TNiA is a start, but I don’t think it’s that great of an option. The cost is just appealing but the value isn’t really that great when you consider you are getting 3 15 minute sessions depending if they run on time or if there is an incident. I’ve never been to a TNiA that ran on time. Running with T2, or HoD is actually a better value at the Ridge, and will get you better one on one and more time. T2 is like 375 for the day and you will get at least 5 sessions. HOD I think is 6 sessions plus classroom time for novices for around 500. I know guys that instruct for all 3.

T2 and HoD regular events both start early in morning plus I live 1.5-2 hours away, if I make it I will be exhausted, I can not drive a day early and stay at hotel at least this year. T2 does have late apex event which would work much better for me and I would check one out in September with classes. Right now I am thinking about

taking class at Pacific Raceway
Car control clinic in June through BMW club
Track lesson in July through proformance racing school
HPDE event in August with BMW club

Then back to Ridge motorsport park
T2 late Apex event, if possible with instructor, in September
Probably will do both September events

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by ruturaj001

T2 and HoD regular events both start early in morning plus I live 1.5-2 hours away, if I make it I will be exhausted, I can not drive a day early and stay at hotel at least this year. T2 does have late apex event which would work much better for me and I would check one out in September with classes. Right now I am thinking about

taking class at Pacific Raceway
Car control clinic in June through BMW club
Track lesson in July through proformance racing school
HPDE event in August with BMW club

Then back to Ridge motorsport park
T2 late Apex event, if possible with instructor, in September
Probably will do both September events

It's 3-4 hours for me to all tracks except PIR lol I've slept in my truck on the side of the road quite a few times or in the paddock at the Ridge. They have showers there.



Sounds like a good slate of events

[ruturaj001]

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

It's 3-4 hours for me to all tracks except PIR lol I've slept in my truck on the side of the road quite a few times or in the paddock at the Ridge. They have showers there.



Sounds like a good slate of events

We had a baby in March, so it would tough on wife to handle everything on her. I am planning to get something like used Sequoia, so I can tow and make a track day and weekend trip.

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by ruturaj001

We had a baby in March, so it would tough on wife to handle everything on her. I am planning to get something like used Sequoia, so I can tow and make a track day and weekend trip.

Oh, congrats. I can see that taking priority. I am a grown man with no children, or a man child. So no responsibilities for me.

[strat61caster]

@ruturaj001 highly recommend the bmw car control, you’ll learn a lot unless you have already learned it and even so doing some skidpad work with a car that’snew to you is ideal.

[ruturaj001]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

@ruturaj001 highly recommend the bmw car control, you’ll learn a lot unless you have already learned it and even so doing some skidpad work with a car that’s new to you is ideal.

Thanks, yes, I got a lot to learn about HPD in general and my car.