Habeas Corpus

A group of us will be heading to VIR next week for track day. I have a 2015 ZO7 M7 and never tracked a car. Any track veterans wiling to offer any advice? Best mode? I will be in beginner group with professional drivers assisting. Thank you.

BaylorCorvette

First thing before you even get on the track, check your fluid levels. I would highly suggest switching your brake fluid to dot4 at the very least. Double check that your lugs are torqued down properly and that your tires are in good condition, if you're driving to the track on the same tires you're going to track on make sure you didn't pick up a nail on the way to the track.

In terms of actually driving the car on the track, take it easy and keep all the nannies on. If you're constantly fighting traction control then you may be applying too much throttle too soon, the C7 Z06/Z07 has TONS of power. Just because you have a Z06 doesn't mean that someone in a Miata isn't going to be faster than you. Not sure how passing rules (if any) are in the novice group but be aware of your surroundings.

Have fun, you'll be addicted!

thebishman

Make sure you have the 15W-50 oil in the car, and that you've replaced the OEM brake fluid with high quality DOT 4.
If you are on the OEM Cup 2's, start them around 26 psi cold.
Torque the lug nuts only when cold, never when hot!
Drive the car in Track; Sport 1 mode.
Listen to your instructor; drink lots of fluids, and have fun.
Bish

Mamandoli

If you have a dry sump the manual says to overfill 1/2 qt. oil.
Let those cup 2's warm up. I usually do a couple laps on "dry" mode in track setting. Then switch to sport 1.
Have a blast. Oh yea... Hopelessly addicting....

Basil2000

Leave your ego at home. First day people with much slower cars may be passing you. In time, when you learn the track and how to drive your car, you will be faster than most of the other cars. Have fun, listen to your instructor and leave with all 4 fenders intact. Most fun you can have with your clothes on

Habeas Corpus

Excellent points and reminder about 1/2 quart. Thank you.

RS4EVA

One tip, that you might not need to use, but it can help you avoid a very bad incident.

If you happen to have two wheels go off the racing surface, and two wheels on, CONTINUE STRAIGHT! DO NOT attempt to quickly get back on track. Just ease off the gas, and proceed straight until you can safely and smoothly make your way back on track.

Bill Dearborn

The way to make sure you get the half quart over is to drain the system and add 10 quarts plus 5 ounces. 10 quarts puts you at .2 quarts over the full line and the 5 ounces adds another .3 quart.

Get your oil at Walmart. They seem to have a constant deal on 5 quart containers at less than $30. The Auto Parts stores don't sell 5 quart containers of 15W50 and seem to want to sell 1 quart containers for about $10 ea. Hell of a thing when a DIY oil change runs you over $100.

As for being on track. Run in Track mode with the Sport 1 Sub mode selected. Move the outer ring of the control on the console to Track, push the center button twice and then use the outer ring to choose Sport 1. This is where Spring Mountain recommends everybody run including Novices. You get PTM, no traction control and some limited stability control. If it is raining then choose Track Mode with the Wet Sub Mode. You will have TC, Stability Control and PTM.

Bill

Snorman

Bish covered a very big one...listen to your instructor.
Pay attention and be aware of everything around you as well.
S.

RS4EVA

The angle of photo makes your ACR wing look even more ridiculous

Snorman

It's just ridiculous no matter the angle, lol.
S.

6104696

I would add that you should take EVERYTHING out of the car that isn't bolted to it. Take all the crap out of your storage net, and books, papers, or loose crap that might be bouncing around your storage area, your battery charger, license plate holders, whatever. Anything that is loose inside the car will be violently tossed around.


If you are **** about stone chips, you might want to think about taking steps to protect your rockers, front bumper, headlights, and mirrors, if you haven't already done so.......(there are numerous threads about this apparently controversial topic).

davepl

My approach is that I start out the slowest of the day and then wind up among the fastest, but I have to build my confidence over the morning, or I did when I was first starting out at least.

I like to be just outside my comfort zone, and then my comfort zone expands to include it. If I work too far outside my comfort zone, my comfort zone puckers up.

For spur of the moment that's either pretty clever or pretty gross, I'm not sure which yet...

BEZ06

Did you buy the car new within the last 9 months or so??? Perhaps not if it's a 2015.

The best thing for any Vette owner who buys their car new is to go to the Ron Fellows Corvette Driving School at Spring Mountain within a year of their purchase. You drive their cars that are all set up for the track, and you get a LOT of excellent info about the C7, do some exercises on their wet skid-pad to learn about the brakes and PTM, and of course run their track with great instruction from their instructors.

So...if your car was purchased new, call Spring Mountain right away and sign up for the school. It costs $1000, but it's in their cars, and includes lodging meals - a good deal for 2 days of excellent track experience.

.

Svwc

From my limited experience
​​​​​​- go buy a SA2015 helmet
- take long pants & enclosed toe shoes
- learn the flags
- drive to your comfort level
- have fun

pucksterlv

Are your brakes properly burnished?

Thomasmoto

Hi temp brake fluid is a MUST! I suggest, since this is your first time, using PTM setting "DRY".
That will make the best use of the nannies for your 1st time.
Have fun, and I warn you that this type of behaviour is addictive! Come join us at an Optima event when you get a chance. The people are awesome. Everyone is very friendly and always encouraging and helping each other. You will find that your daily driving will improve as well.

spearfish25

Frankly burning steel brakes on the street is pointless. You'll have the brakes bedded properly after two laps in the first session.

pucksterlv

^^^

OP mentioned he has the Z07 so one has to assume he has the carbon ceramics.

Doing a track day without properly burnishing these brakes will be a frustrating and dangerous experience.

Habeas Corpus

I traded a 2014 Z51 for the Zo7 back in July, with only 4K miles. Both cars performed flawlessly. I just changed the oil to 15w 50 per manual with extra 1/2 quart. I had dealer reflash airbag as well.

Can I leave this oil in the car after tracking? Tracking can get pretty expensive..LOL! I live in NC and it doesn't get very cold. Thanks again everyone. I'll try to record some sessions using PDR.