[ZR1] Maintenance for track events
03-17-2012, 10:29 PM
#2
Le Mans Master
I like to go in with fresh oil and change it again after. Make sure your clutch fluid looks fresh. And the most important is fresh DOT4 brake fluid. Lots of guys on here prefer Motul or SRF
03-18-2012, 12:04 AM
#3
Drifting
Member Since: Jan 2005
Location: Deerfield, Illinois Turn On, Turn In, Track Out
Posts: 1,282
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Making sure the clutch fluid looks good is a good idea; follow Ranger's protocol on that one, and check brake pad thickness and tire condition. I personally find changing Castrol SRF once per season (10 track days or so) is enough. I follow the oil life on the DIC. I tend to change cars every 3 years or so, so I might be on the low side of what I do, but thankfully they are pretty robust cars. 
03-18-2012, 12:07 AM
#4
Le Mans Master
Making sure the clutch fluid looks good is a good idea; follow Ranger's protocol on that one, and check brake pad thickness and tire condition. I personally find changing Castrol SRF once per season (10 track days or so) is enough. I follow the oil life on the DIC. I tend to change cars every 3 years or so, so I might be on the low side of what I do, but thankfully they are pretty robust cars.
I guess for myself I live by the whole oil is cheaper than motors lol
03-18-2012, 02:38 AM
#5
Tech Contributor
Member Since: Oct 1999
Location: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Posts: 40,089
Received 8,928 Likes
on
5,333 Posts
Here are the things I check before going to a track event:
General inspection of the suspension, control arm bushings, ball joint and tie rod boots/ends and sway bar end links and bushings.
Check to see if tie rods or wheel bearings have excessive play and whether the wheel bearings are making noise.
Install track pads or if using street pads check them for wear. Should have more than 50% pad material when starting a two day event. Check calipers for leaks and general condition and check the rotors for excessive wear, scoring and cracks.
Flush brake fluid if it has been a while (month) since I have been to the track. Otherwise just bleed each caliper.
Check wheels for cracks and check tires for wear. New tires can be a problem due to too much tread depth so don't start out on brand new street tires or you stand a chance of ruining them.
Check oil level and pressure (I use the engine oil life gauge to know when to change the oil). If it needs to be changed I change oil and filter.
Check coolant level and cooling system components for any signs of problems.
Check power steering fluid level and serpentine belt for condition.
Since I have a Z06 I make sure the rear tie rod end links are greased per the manual.
Check lug nuts to make sure they are installed to spec and make sure the tire pressures are set.
Check car for fluid leaks.
I change the diff fluid after each 24 hours of track usage.
I look at the clutch fluid but I haven't had a clutch fluid issue in the 15 years I have owned and tracked C5s and C6s so it doesn't bother me that it is black.
When I get home I pull the race wheels off and install the street wheels and tires. When I do that I check to make sure a rotor isn't cracked and I swap to street pads if I had installed track pads.
I clean the race wheels and tires and check the wheels for cracks and check the tires for damage or signs of cording.
I lube the rear tie rod end links.
I check the underside of the car to see if there were any engine oil, transmission fluid or diff fluid leaks.
I drive the car on the street while paying attention to all the noises it makes and to how it feels.
Bill
General inspection of the suspension, control arm bushings, ball joint and tie rod boots/ends and sway bar end links and bushings.
Check to see if tie rods or wheel bearings have excessive play and whether the wheel bearings are making noise.
Install track pads or if using street pads check them for wear. Should have more than 50% pad material when starting a two day event. Check calipers for leaks and general condition and check the rotors for excessive wear, scoring and cracks.
Flush brake fluid if it has been a while (month) since I have been to the track. Otherwise just bleed each caliper.
Check wheels for cracks and check tires for wear. New tires can be a problem due to too much tread depth so don't start out on brand new street tires or you stand a chance of ruining them.
Check oil level and pressure (I use the engine oil life gauge to know when to change the oil). If it needs to be changed I change oil and filter.
Check coolant level and cooling system components for any signs of problems.
Check power steering fluid level and serpentine belt for condition.
Since I have a Z06 I make sure the rear tie rod end links are greased per the manual.
Check lug nuts to make sure they are installed to spec and make sure the tire pressures are set.
Check car for fluid leaks.
I change the diff fluid after each 24 hours of track usage.
I look at the clutch fluid but I haven't had a clutch fluid issue in the 15 years I have owned and tracked C5s and C6s so it doesn't bother me that it is black.
When I get home I pull the race wheels off and install the street wheels and tires. When I do that I check to make sure a rotor isn't cracked and I swap to street pads if I had installed track pads.
I clean the race wheels and tires and check the wheels for cracks and check the tires for damage or signs of cording.
I lube the rear tie rod end links.
I check the underside of the car to see if there were any engine oil, transmission fluid or diff fluid leaks.
I drive the car on the street while paying attention to all the noises it makes and to how it feels.
Bill
03-18-2012, 10:28 AM
#6
Drifting
Member Since: Jan 2005
Location: Deerfield, Illinois Turn On, Turn In, Track Out
Posts: 1,282
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
One more simple one: torque your lug nuts before you go out, but not right after a run when they are very hot. Bad things can happen when the wheel starts coming loose! 
