rtpassini

I have a few questions.

1.Any specific helmet brands or models to look at? I did track time with my motorcycle, but those arent allowed.

2.I currently have drilled/slotted rotors on my C5. Not sure what brake pads. Anything to worry about here? Im not going to be pushing my car like most people especially since It will be my first time.

3. Its an automatic with a 3000 stall yank and 3.42 rear end gears. Is there some tips out there of how to successfully use this on the track? Such as manually shifting the gears, etc. It has a tranny cooler, but for some reason it still can get somewhat high (The highest I have seen is 205). Should I install a fan on the cooler?

Thanks for all the info!!

Jason

jaa1992

To answer your question about the helmet - any SA2010 that fits your head and face. Check local speed shops, if there is a track near you see if they have a pro shop, go to a track event and talk to the vendors. Once you find one that fits call Discovery parts and tell them you want the price with the "sparkle pony" discount.

for your auto - change the fluid and filter. Watch temps while you are on the track. Manual or allowing it to shift depends on the track - where are you thinking about going?

for your brakes - a set of stock rotors and some good pads (hawk hp+ carbotech xp8) and bed them with the new rotors. After the event change to you bling rotors and stock pads.

Welcome to the addiction.

WNeal

Roll up your sleeve son for a shot of the black crack


Its worse than Lays Potato Chips, you can't eat just one and you can't do just one track day.
You gotta do the whole bag

rtpassini

I'll be at Road America, since its only 5 minutes from my house.

Also, Are new rotors necessary? I have a lot I already have to spend money on, and would prefer not adding to that list. haha.

GT Racing Tires

Your first time out you should be ok with your rotors. If you do need some Joel from CSI is only 15 minutes away.

Who do you plan on running with next year? GT Track Days???

rtpassini

Someone told me midwest f body does one. But honestly I would go with anyone who his friendly and supports people who are in it more for fun than competition. I'm not sure if I talked to you, but I was emailing with someone from gt racing tires a while back about some takeoffs.

jaa1992

Here is why I reccomended the new rotors with different pads:

Stock rotors are inexpensive
Your drilled rotors are easier to crack for a newbie
The HP+ and XP8 pads require bedding to the rotor

If you want to stay with what you have - stay with the street pads, but beware they will not last too long. I had a student once in a new Camaro, she had a little over 1/2 pad on her fronts. By the end of day 1 she barely had enough pad to make it to the mechanic to change pads.

John Shiels

fresh brake fluid and 50% pads.

Greywolfe

The only thing slowing me down is money (or I should say the lack of it). I'd love to be TTA ing with the other NASA-SE boys but I have to slowly work my way there.

Right now its either get a good racing seat or be able to do RA in Dec. And i really want a freakin seat.

Anyway, back on topic, just make sure your car is in good shape and like said above good brake pads and fluid, have fun.

jsbwac

I have the stock Z51 rotors still though they will have to be upgraded soon. I run the Hawk DTC pads, but for just starting you will be fine with what you have. But like everyone else said, be prepared. You will be so pumped after the first day, you will want to do it constantly. From there the sky is the limit and as you truly learn your car, you will see the upgrades you need, some more than others, depending on your driving style. I am a hard braker and like going deep into the corners, so I have to run the DTC pads.
Have fun and enjoy your car.

rtpassini

when i did them on my sport bike. I was a late braker also. The instructor would always be patting his rear tell me to slow down. lol.

It would be so bad except the front straight on Road America is so long and fast i always forgot about turn 1. The whole time I was going "WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO" with a **** eating grin on my face, until I saw the turn. hahahaha

Jason

Keep in mind stopping 3500lbs can take loooong time.

AU N EGL

Late braking is not always the best idea for a newbie to HPDEs

Helmets, and SA2010 that fits will Full face too.

Bell, HJC, Aria, G-force

rtpassini

im not saying that I plan on doing it, its just something i noticed on my trackday for bikes

Everett Ogilvie

Must be nice! Awesome place for sure.

I agree, but for me the hard downhill braking going into T5 had a slightly larger pucker factor, even though the topspeed there was not quite as high as T1 - pretty close though.