Minimal safe setup for a track day/hpde?

[slaxx]

I'm looking for advice on what minimal prep you've done to your brz/frs for a track day.

So far I'm ready to swap brake pads in front, and fluid. I have lightweight wheels on with stock rubber that I'm happy to burn up--Not going for fast lap times yet just fun and instruction.

What pads have you run on the track and street? I don't want to swap back after the event if possible.

Any specific fluid experience?

What else?

Thanks guys. Awesome site this is

[ayau]

i'm interested in this topic as well. it will be my first track event.

from researching, many recommend going with carbotech xp10 pads for front and back. i'm not sure if sticking with OEM rear pads is recommended. for fluid, it's either ATE super blue or some racing oriented fluid from motul.

the stock tires will be fun to learn on, but they will begin to chunk (rubber pieces falling off) after so many laps. you may want to look at some dunlop star specs or other high performance summer tires.

edit: you may also want to look at the BRZ crash bolts to add some negative camber to the front. they're cheap and only cost about $8 per bolt. this will save your tires from wearing out prematurely and provide you with more grip in the corners.

[rice_classic]

Everything Ayau said. Everything.

[CB762]

Well, I don't think first-time drivers, without any other previous high performance driving experience, will need to do anything with car.
I doubt even born-drivers could get more than 50-60% (conservative estimate) out of the car performance on the very first day at the track.

[Feffman]

The big thing is to make sure your brake fluid is fresh throughout the system. We have more tech failures (despite multiple warnings before a track event) due to old, nasty brake fluid than anything else combined.

Some upgraded brake pads may be in order. Call Danny Puskar at Carbotech Brakes (www.CTBrakes.com). He'll guide you to the appropriate pads.

Have fun.

Feff

[ayau]

Originally Posted by CB762

Well, I don't think first-time drivers, without any other previous high performance driving experience, will need to do anything with car.
I doubt even born-drivers could get more than 50-60% (conservative estimate) out of the car performance on the very first day at the track.

i think it will depend on the driver. some inexperienced drivers may overdrive the car eg., abrupt braking, hard acceleration, cornering too hot, etc etc. all these things will wear out the brakes/tires much faster than an experienced driver.

[Jedi1]

Took mine out bone stock. 100 miles for the day. 60+ miles sideways! The brake pedal is a tad soft, but it was fine for day one.

[CB762]

Originally Posted by ayau

i think it will depend on the driver. some inexperienced drivers may overdrive the car eg., abrupt braking, hard acceleration, cornering too hot, etc etc. all these things will wear out the brakes/tires much faster than an experienced driver.

That is what an instructor for -- to not allow such.
Going on the track for the first time without a good instructor would be a top nonsense.

[ill86]

Originally Posted by Jedi1

Took mine out bone stock. 100 miles for the day. 60+ miles sideways! The brake pedal is a tad soft, but it was fine for day one.

Originally Posted by CB762

That is what an instructor for -- to not allow such.
Going on the track for the first time without a good instructor would be a top nonsense.

Agreed.

Minimal what you need is driver prep. Evergthing else doesn't matter for a novice or someone looking to experience a track setting.

In other words... Listen to your instructor, stay hydrated and have fun. Last session of the event take it down a notch . You will be fatigued. Mentally and physically.

[Jedi1]

I will say this. The brakes CAN and probably WILL cook a bit. If you can get some decent fluid in there at the very least before your first track day, it's a great idea. I had 2 days off from a three month tour and the opportunity to play presented itself with no warning. It had to be done! When I go back it will be with RS3's, decent brake fluid, stainless lines and a few other tweaks.

Not saying you can't track the car bone stock. I am saying if you do, BE CAREFUL.

[slaxx]

Yeah I've a couple years racing tunnel hull boats and karts. But never street cars.

[FRSpdDmn]

I ran my car for one session at Summit Point totally bone stock when I was there coaching. It held up great. The brakes did get soft, but never faded away and there is a hard downhill braking zone there that really worked them. It is track-capable in stock form.

That said, I would try to get a pad like the Hawk HP+ if you're running on stock tires and don't want to swap. I would try to get front AND rear pads, though. Many people underestimate how hot the rear pads get and how much they help the fronts do their job. Personally, I think a Carbotech XP-10 is vast overkill for stock tires and you may not be operating in their optimal range. I haven't done any brake testing on the car, though.

[gmookher]

carbotech is good stuff

[CSG Mike]

You can street drive the XP10 once they're bedded properly with minimal noise. However, being a novice, it may be difficult to do so. Without being fully bedded, they're gonna squeal like pigs. It may go away for a few days after your track event, but will come back eventually (sign of "almost" bedding them).

Our BRZ as well as my personal cars are all street driven on race pads; we don't see freezing temperatures in Southern California, so stopping power has never been an issue, even when cold. Even at 40F, the "cold" bite of race pads has always been greater than the bite of street pads.