Road Track Newbie Here...Some dumb questions

[srsmithee]

Sorry if this has been asked before, but I couldn't find what I was looking for through the search feature.

I've had my 2010 SS for a couple years now and I'm finally getting the courage up to take it to the track. The car is pretty much stock, only a K&N drop in and Flowmaster mufflers. I'm going to VIR on the 12th and I have a couple questions.

I need to put numbers on my car. What materials do you guys normally use for this? I don't want anything permanent, or something that leaves a mark on the car, but I need to be able to change the number if necessary for a different event, so it would be best if they were re-usable.

What can I expect for tire wear? My tires are still pretty new, only 3-5k on them. I'm not planning on thrashing it around too much since its my first time out there. But am I going to need to replace the tires afterward based on your experience?

I'm planning on bringing extra oil and brake fluid, tools, jack, and air compressor. I've just changed the oil and upgraded the brake fluid to DOT4. Do you have any suggestions on other things to bring?

That's probably enough for now. If I think of anything else, I'll post it.

[Synner]

What brand fluid did you use? Just saying DOT4 doesn't mean its ready for track abuse. Use Motul RBF600 or similar DOT4 racing fluid. Your brakes won't hold up on that track so you may need to take it very easy or else miss out on a session or two. You don't need extra fluids or an air compressor. You'll probably only need a tire gauge and make sure your lugs are torqued before going. Tire wear will depend on how hard you run but you will get many many track days out of them since its not a soft tire and your stock suspension/brakes will be the weakest link before the tires are. I cooked my upgraded fluid and stock brakes the first time out because I don't know how to take it easy.

For numbers just use painters tape or you can buy magnetic numbers if you're feeling spendy. Bring a cooler with water and snacks. And get as many instructors to ride along as possible.

[2Carats]

Originally Posted by Synner

For numbers just use painters tape or you can buy magnetic numbers if you're feeling spendy. Bring a cooler with water and snacks. And get as many instructors to ride along as possible.

+1

Mind controlled by Cerebro

[srsmithee]

Originally Posted by Synner

What brand fluid did you use? Just saying DOT4 doesn't mean its ready for track abuse. Use Motul RBF600 or similar DOT4 racing fluid.

I had it changed at the dealer, so I'm sure they just used cheap stuff then.

We will see if I know how to take it easy...

[Synner]

Replace it before you go or you'll waste most of the day cursing at your brakes. You don't want the brakes to fail completely on that track, its a high speed one. At some point the pads WILL give out, but with the junk fluid it will happen much faster. When you start to feel fade back off as they will give you some warning but then they'll just stop stopping. A very bad feeling if you're going 120+ coming into a hairpin.

[rockrau]

Use blue painters tape for #s,I used Motul RBF600 (high temp & cost effective),cycle ABS pump with a Tech II tool bleed brakes & clutch.I also called Carbotech Performance brakes for new front pads(1001 RP2), cold tire pressures about 30 front,28 rear.Stay alert have FUN !!!

[ModBargains.com]

Answers in bold:

Originally Posted by srsmithee

Sorry if this has been asked before, but I couldn't find what I was looking for through the search feature.

I've had my 2010 SS for a couple years now and I'm finally getting the courage up to take it to the track. The car is pretty much stock, only a K&N drop in and Flowmaster mufflers. I'm going to VIR on the 12th and I have a couple questions.

I need to put numbers on my car. What materials do you guys normally use for this? I don't want anything permanent, or something that leaves a mark on the car, but I need to be able to change the number if necessary for a different event, so it would be best if they were re-usable.

Just use blue painters tape... 100% acceptable for most track days, no reason to do anything else... If you require numbers to be in the window as well, there is a specific pen you can use, I'm sure you've seen before that you can pick up as well.

What can I expect for tire wear? My tires are still pretty new, only 3-5k on them. I'm not planning on thrashing it around too much since its my first time out there. But am I going to need to replace the tires afterward based on your experience?

Depends on how much you thrash them or how easy you are on them. If you're doing a few sessions of 25 minutes each, and you drive on them pretty hard, they're going to be heat cycled pretty good, so they could wear out the outer ends of the tread.

I'm planning on bringing extra oil and brake fluid, tools, jack, and air compressor. I've just changed the oil and upgraded the brake fluid to DOT4. Do you have any suggestions on other things to bring?

To your first track day, I'd certainly bring what you listed there, along with your helmet, if you don't have one I'm sure you can find one for rent, a sweatshirt just in case it gets cold in the morning, cash for lunch, zip ties (yes you will need them at times), Blue tape obviously for the numbers and anything else you want to tape up like the front bumper to avoid chips, sunscreen (you never know), and bring a cooler with food, cold water as well. I'm sure I'm forgetting a few things, but some of these things seem like common sense, but I always seem to forget one thing every track day.

That's probably enough for now. If I think of anything else, I'll post it.

[jeremywes]

I think with the exception of the brake fluid the 5th gen runs the track pretty well right out of the box. Although it is not necessary at all an alignment with an agressive street spec will aid the turn-in characteristics. I always bring some chairs and glass cleaner, rags etc.

[srsmithee]

Thanks for all your posts! I'll definitely make sure I'm prepared.

[ICTsccaCamaro]

Now im just a lowly autocrosser but a aggressive alignment will make any track time much more enjoyable I wish I would have aligned it the day we bought the car it made the car so much better compared to the factory understeer our v6 came preinstalled with from the factory

[5thGenCam]

Our cars are pretty heavy for the track and if you have a few track days under your belt and moving pretty fast, you are going to need dedicated race pads.

[madmaxx18]

great info.

[boltvette]

If you would like to use your steering wheel to point your car, rather than as a device to help you keep your butt in your seat, check into a set of Angel Pads from Angelwings Tech. They're a great bang-for-your-buck improvement.