Open BMW/PCA HPDE & Autocross Weekend 10/5-6 at PIR

[digital_assassin]

That's crap they make you wear gloves. Not sure if I'd like that or not.

[torqdork]

Originally Posted by digital_assassin

That's crap they make you wear gloves. Not sure if I'd like that or not.

I'm taking a pair from Home Depot but leaving the tags on. I can't imagine them being so picky and hope to return them. Bringing my usual lightly padded fingerless cycling gloves, though.

[thehapaone]

Should I empty my trunk before arriving? Rules say no spare tire or jack can I just store this somewhere at the track? Dam I feel super noob right now

[digital_assassin]

Just take it out at the track if you want. You can take over a parking spot when you pull in. I bring a canopy and chairs and we all usually hang out under that but, I won't be there this time. If someone has one you should bring it. It's really nice to have so you can escape either the sun or the rain.

[torqdork]

We're staging in the South Paddock this time. It has a basic building with limited cover and some picnic tables and large restrooms.

Previously we've staged in the North Paddock that has no shelter. Tomorrow that's where the Porsche Club is running their autocross that will be fun to visit during our lunch break.

Just bring a chair, food and beverage for lunch unless you go offsite to one of the nearby fast food outlets. There are no services available there any longer. I'll be leaving during lunch for gas, there's an Arco nearby or a Chevron one exit North on I-5 Jantzen Beach. You will need gas. A normal four stint track day burns 11+ gallons. You won't make it home after tomorrow's six stints without a refill during lunch. You can bring a jerry can refill, though.

You'll be fine. Just take it easy the first lap out, it'll be slick with cool temps forecast and it takes that long to warm tires and for those with track brake pads to get full force.

I'll bring a compressor, torque wrench, precision tire pressure gauge and an extra quart of oil should anyone need them.

I'll arrive around 7:30, maybe earlier, plenty of time for tech and if necessary offload spare, etc., before my run group.

BTW, I grabbed #86, ha!

[Decay107]

I assume there is usually a place to put the stuff we take out of our cars (Spare tire, jack, etc...)? Or should I just leave all that stuff at home?

**edit** sorry I did not refresh the page before posting

[torqdork]

You leave it where you park. I've never heard of anyone having stuff stolen. Accidentally run over, yes, but we all tend to look out for each other. Maybe we could create our own Twins Row as we arrive and watch over each other's stuff since we'll be running at different times.

[thehapaone]

I'm pretty excited rules say they are going to pain the novices with an advanced drive for the first couple runs so hopefully that will get me ready for being on a track for the first time. I'll have some car cleaning supplies and that's about it. Do I need to bring tape for numbers?

[torqdork]

Originally Posted by thehapaone

Should I empty my trunk before arriving? Rules say no spare tire or jack can I just store this somewhere at the track? Dam I feel super noob right now

During signup there was an option for pre-run pace laps behind an Instructor's car for $20. It would be helpful. PIR is more technical than it appears with double apex decreasing radius off-camber corners and important braking points.

I don't know if we'll be using the front straight chicane or not. If we are, you could be going 100 mph+ at the brake point. If not, you could be going 125 mph+ at the T1 brake point. The back straight is good for 110 mph+ at the brake point into T10. An Instructor will be enormously helpful and confidence building. Unless you've been signed off for solo, you'll have an Instructor along. I've been signed off but still request certain Instructors for at least the first stint to work on improving certain skills. Just tell them what you'd like to work on and they'll guide you through it.

Study the track map tonight to familiarize yourself with the turn numbers and characteristics, it'll help.

http://portlandraceway.com/

[torqdork]

Originally Posted by thehapaone

I'm pretty excited rules say they are going to pain the novices with an advanced drive for the first couple runs so hopefully that will get me ready for being on a track for the first time. I'll have some car cleaning supplies and that's about it. Do I need to bring tape for numbers?

Not a pain at all, you'll appreciate it. No tape needed, they'll have numbers ready. Did they tell you that noobs buy lunch?

[thehapaone]

I think after a couple laps I'll get out all my first track day nerves. it cant be terribly different than go kart racing except you are going 3x as fast lol

[thehapaone]

Originally Posted by torqdork

Not a pain at all, you'll appreciate it. No tape needed, they'll have numbers ready. Did they tell you that noobs buy lunch?

I actually wouldn't mind buying lunch especially with all the tips and help I'm getting just on the forums

[torqdork]

Originally Posted by thehapaone

I think after a couple laps I'll get out all my first track day nerves. it cant be terribly different than go kart racing except you are going 3x as fast lol

You'll adapt quickly based on how fast you are karting. I think the main difference besides speed is when and how to use brakes. They become much more important and useful, at least compared to the karts we drove Thursday. I'm not saying hammer them, you'll want to threshold brake just before ABS engagement. There's some debate over when to apply maximum effort and how long to carry brake toward apex. Actually, that's my main focus for tomorrow. Keep in mind that PIR is tough on OEM brakes. I encountered fade on Lap 2 of the first stint in my FR-S and lost them altogether and had to retire during the fourth stint. It's exciting losing brakes entering T10, but that's part of the PIR challenge when you essentially have two long straights separated by high speed sweepers.

You'll love it.

[digital_assassin]

Here's one of my runs from last time Brandon. You can see the speeds you'll hit in the top left.

Turn 10 & 11 are fast.

[ame]http://youtu.be/7puPGX5vGSY[/ame]