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Guys, im going to write this lil public service announcement in the hopes that we all have a safe cruising weekend at PC2. Its going to be long, but please read and understand it, it'll keep all of us safe and continue to have a fun weekend.
Too many failures last yr at PC1, i really don't want anyone to go thru that again.
With the crash that occured at PG4, i think some of the novice track folks need to know the basics before getting on a track and road racing. (lets be honest, thats what we end up doing on the cruise sessions).
Safety:
If you have race seats, make sure they are bolted down properly
If you have harnesses, install and use them! they may be uncomfy, but they have a purpose and they work.
Remove floor mats and ANYTHING not bolted in the car. I've had clothes in the back or a paper stuffed in behind the seat. Hit the brakes hard, clothes flew into my rear view mirror. not what you want cruising at 140mph down the straight.
Make sure the car is set up. brake fluid in good condition, oil top'd off, tires in good condition. no dry rot cracking or mis aligned.
Make sure you have NO leaks in the engine or drivetrain. small leaks can turn into larger leaks when temps and stress of drivetrain rises.
Im sure there is more i am missing, if you think about something, post it up!
First time hitting the track:
DO NOT get on the track and start ripping it!!! Do at least one lap to get the car up to temp. Go about 50%, that'll be safe for the car. After the lap, check your fluid temps (if you have this capability via guages). Once the coolant is up to temp, i'd believe the rest of the car is ready too.
Keep the A/C off! having it on creates condensation, water drips on the track then.
Windows up if you don't have a face shield or glasses. you'd be surprised when going on the track and the wind blows in dirt or debris. Last thing you want is dirt in your eyes. I typically have a motorcycle helmet so i close the face shield and leave my car windows open. Another important point, leaving windows open is good in case you crash, as you want the glass to shatter in the door, and not in the interior all over your face. Hence, just have a full face helmet and keep windows down for good airflow and ability to yell out of windows. LOL
During track time:
Don't push your limits. first couple laps, you can dictate how far to push the car. Better to be slower, then to go fast and loose control, crashing, etc.
If possible, safely scan your temp guages. If you see coolant rising near the "red zone", then time to back off and drive normally. See section of "end track session" to learn cool down.
If someone goes off in front of you, SLOOOOW the heck down and do not go around them. If at all possible, slow down and pull over to go help that person. You never know, that quick response time could save their life. Takes time for the ambulance to come out, you are there, if you can help, then do so. Of course, make sure the car is safe, ie, not on fire. Use your better judgement.
If there is debris on the track, SLOOO down. The people behind will see brake lights and understand something is amiss up front. So yea, as someone who is tailing a car, watch your front person.
I would usually run about 20min track sessions, this equates to about 10 laps at BIR. Car gets pretty beat up so try to minimize it with shorter sessions.
End track session:
You've had your fun, time to go cool off. The car needs to cool off too! So make at least 1.5 laps of normal street driving. Let the brakes and fluids cool down. Minimize use of brakes, air flow is what will cool them down, but not if you are constantly riding them. Keep your speeds low enough that you can coast thru turns.
People will be behind you, properly allow them to pass. Either hand signal or turn signals. And make sure its in a proper passing zone where both can safely get thru.
Once you see temps coming to normal levels, head off the track. Exit properly, then do a cool down lap thru the camping grounds.
once you come to a stop, DO NOT PULL YOUR E-BRAKE. leave in gear to prevent from rolling. Pop the hood open and let her cool down.
After safety check;
Run around the car and make sure you don't have loose panels, debris hanging off, or anything that could potentially fly off on next lapping session.
Check your tires, no cording or cracking, etc. They will be hot, so careful.
If you had a fluids leak, double check it and make sure it didn't get worse. If it is worse, better get it fixed before next session.
Now, you need to go get some water/powerade, you will be actually tired after a proper session. Wierd, cuz you're really not moving around much, but your concentration levels are super high and your body is tense the whole time. Surprisingly, its a small work out.
After the end of the weekend
When you get home, the car is going to need some TLC.
Wash and clean her up. Dead bugs, track debris, brake dust, tire shavings, etc will be all over the car. Get that crap off quick before it sits and embeds into paint.
ALL fluids need to be swapped out. Engine, Brake, Clutch fluids are a must. If you think you really pushed the car hard, i'd suggest diff, trans, power steering as well. I typically change all fluids, runs me about 400 from the shop (DRM) using all synthetic fluids. At this point, you can check the wear of those respective items. Potentially saves from future problems.
So, thats about it... If you feel i missed something, please post it up. More the merrier.
Aj
Too many failures last yr at PC1, i really don't want anyone to go thru that again.
With the crash that occured at PG4, i think some of the novice track folks need to know the basics before getting on a track and road racing. (lets be honest, thats what we end up doing on the cruise sessions).
Safety:
If you have race seats, make sure they are bolted down properly
If you have harnesses, install and use them! they may be uncomfy, but they have a purpose and they work.
Remove floor mats and ANYTHING not bolted in the car. I've had clothes in the back or a paper stuffed in behind the seat. Hit the brakes hard, clothes flew into my rear view mirror. not what you want cruising at 140mph down the straight.
Make sure the car is set up. brake fluid in good condition, oil top'd off, tires in good condition. no dry rot cracking or mis aligned.
Make sure you have NO leaks in the engine or drivetrain. small leaks can turn into larger leaks when temps and stress of drivetrain rises.
Im sure there is more i am missing, if you think about something, post it up!
First time hitting the track:
DO NOT get on the track and start ripping it!!! Do at least one lap to get the car up to temp. Go about 50%, that'll be safe for the car. After the lap, check your fluid temps (if you have this capability via guages). Once the coolant is up to temp, i'd believe the rest of the car is ready too.
Keep the A/C off! having it on creates condensation, water drips on the track then.
Windows up if you don't have a face shield or glasses. you'd be surprised when going on the track and the wind blows in dirt or debris. Last thing you want is dirt in your eyes. I typically have a motorcycle helmet so i close the face shield and leave my car windows open. Another important point, leaving windows open is good in case you crash, as you want the glass to shatter in the door, and not in the interior all over your face. Hence, just have a full face helmet and keep windows down for good airflow and ability to yell out of windows. LOL
During track time:
Don't push your limits. first couple laps, you can dictate how far to push the car. Better to be slower, then to go fast and loose control, crashing, etc.
If possible, safely scan your temp guages. If you see coolant rising near the "red zone", then time to back off and drive normally. See section of "end track session" to learn cool down.
If someone goes off in front of you, SLOOOOW the heck down and do not go around them. If at all possible, slow down and pull over to go help that person. You never know, that quick response time could save their life. Takes time for the ambulance to come out, you are there, if you can help, then do so. Of course, make sure the car is safe, ie, not on fire. Use your better judgement.
If there is debris on the track, SLOOO down. The people behind will see brake lights and understand something is amiss up front. So yea, as someone who is tailing a car, watch your front person.
I would usually run about 20min track sessions, this equates to about 10 laps at BIR. Car gets pretty beat up so try to minimize it with shorter sessions.
End track session:
You've had your fun, time to go cool off. The car needs to cool off too! So make at least 1.5 laps of normal street driving. Let the brakes and fluids cool down. Minimize use of brakes, air flow is what will cool them down, but not if you are constantly riding them. Keep your speeds low enough that you can coast thru turns.
People will be behind you, properly allow them to pass. Either hand signal or turn signals. And make sure its in a proper passing zone where both can safely get thru.
Once you see temps coming to normal levels, head off the track. Exit properly, then do a cool down lap thru the camping grounds.
once you come to a stop, DO NOT PULL YOUR E-BRAKE. leave in gear to prevent from rolling. Pop the hood open and let her cool down.
After safety check;
Run around the car and make sure you don't have loose panels, debris hanging off, or anything that could potentially fly off on next lapping session.
Check your tires, no cording or cracking, etc. They will be hot, so careful.
If you had a fluids leak, double check it and make sure it didn't get worse. If it is worse, better get it fixed before next session.
Now, you need to go get some water/powerade, you will be actually tired after a proper session. Wierd, cuz you're really not moving around much, but your concentration levels are super high and your body is tense the whole time. Surprisingly, its a small work out.
After the end of the weekend
When you get home, the car is going to need some TLC.
Wash and clean her up. Dead bugs, track debris, brake dust, tire shavings, etc will be all over the car. Get that crap off quick before it sits and embeds into paint.
ALL fluids need to be swapped out. Engine, Brake, Clutch fluids are a must. If you think you really pushed the car hard, i'd suggest diff, trans, power steering as well. I typically change all fluids, runs me about 400 from the shop (DRM) using all synthetic fluids. At this point, you can check the wear of those respective items. Potentially saves from future problems.
So, thats about it... If you feel i missed something, please post it up. More the merrier.
Aj
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