I got my Z06 a few months ago. I have been to the drag strip and plan on going to a road course this Monday.

Any advice on things like tire pressure? I did some autocrossing a few years back in my 93 Z07 but I newer road raced that car or any other.

I plan on going to Shannonville in Belleville Ontario Canada where Monday nights they have pay per lap. Any members been there?

I live about 30 minutes from Mosport raceway where they run ALMS and ran F1 in the 60's. The Porches seem to be there once a month. Any members know a way I can find my way on to that track?

 

I think there is a sticky on this in the Autocross/Racing section.

If you are running street tires you should probably start with 36 in front and 34-32 rear. If your alignment is stock, you will wear the outside of the fronts faster than the rest. For you first time on the track, don't worry too much about minor differences in tire pressures. As long as the car feels OK, just get as much track time as you can stand.

 

Agree. Read the sticky in the autocross/roadracing forum. Go out and buy yourself a good helmet. There's an old saying about buying helmets: "How much is your head worth." Get a Snell SA-2005 rated helmet, not an M rated helmet, which is for motorcycles. Check your brake pads, make sure that you have most of your pads there, that they are not worn down. If possible, bleed your brakes with fresh fluid (you don't need racing fluid at this point, just good fresh fluid is worth the effort). Check all fluid levels, make sure you have relatively fresh oil in the crankcase. It's recommended to overfill by 1/2 qt. to 1 qt. when tracking the car. Check tires, bring up pressure a bit with street tires to assure they don't roll, but not too high. The recommendation of 36 fronts, 34/36 rear is good starting point.

Then go out and have fun. But if you've never been on the track before, get some instruction before going out there. Driving on the track is NOT like driving on the street. If possible, pick up the Skip Barber video, which I think is called Going Faster or something like that. I believe Driving Impressions sells it on line, and you can search for other sources as well. Understanding the basics will help you have a good time and be safe.

BTW, a trick with the seatbelts -- you can lock the lap belt on the Z06 by pulling it all the way out and then letting it back in. It will lock in place, which will hold you in your seat and keep you from sliding around. Once you are hooked, you may go for a harness bar and racing harness. But for now, using the stock belt is good if you lock the lap belt down.

Enjoy.

 

if you drive real hard and push it to the limit like i did my first day. do not turn off the computer! keep it in competitive mode. man i spun out like a big dog, recovered and it went the other way and i couldn't get it back on the track. i put it back in competitive mode and it was great! it would break lose a little but the computer would compensate, fricken nice!

God i love computers!

i was with an instructor when i spun out and he said i did great, just hit a bit too much gas in the 3rd turn also my new street tires were cheapies not much grip

so i have khumo slicks for next time Woohoo!

I am hooked! your gonna love the road course, if you keep the revs constantly between 5000 and 6500 rpm these cars are
Scary Fast !!!!!!!!!

it is fun as hell though!

PS............ i drained my radiator and put distilled water with Redline water wetter. My temps dropped 20 degrees! i ran a lot cooler than most of the other guys plus its good for engine to not overheat :O

 

The Genesee Valley Chapter (Rochester, NY) of the BMW club is running at Mosport in July. Here is a write up from their web page.

July 16, 17: Monday, Tuesday - Another Driving School at Mosport Canada We will accept 75 students for this school, and there will be 3 rungroups. Very Advanced 'A' Group (25+ Days), Advanced 'B' Group (11-25 days) and a combined Intermediate 'C' Group (5-10 Days) and Novice 'D' Group (0-4 Days). The number of days of experience is approximate and your run group will also be based on your past evaluations. Cost for this schools is $390 (BMW Club Member Price), and includes one of our famous 'Ultimate Driving School' T-shirts. Mail your pre-registration form in on Friday, June 1

You have missed the pre-registration mail in date but it might not hurt to inquire. It helps to become a member of the BMW Club as members get preference over non-members. It is easy to sign up as it can be done on line with a credit card. This is a great group and they run an excellent school. All of their instructors are certified and have to successfuly complete an instructor training course before being allowed to instruct. Quite a few of their instructors drive Corvettes and several are from Canada.

Here is the link to the Chapter's web site: http://gvc-bmwcca.org/

Bill

 

I've been a spectator at Mosport but never driven there.

I had an instructor at Summit Point who had raced at Mosport ,and he described turn two as "the most terrifying turn on a road course in North America." I do remember watching turn two during a Formula Atlantic race several years back, and there were literally dozens of spins. High speed stuff, too.

 

Thanks to everyone for the replies.

I have good helmet from my autocross days and I use it when I drag race.

Good advice on the oil level. I forgot about that one. It was never an issue with the LT1 but I have seen many magazine articles on the issues with the LS1/LS6.

I will contact the BMW club. I have heard that Mosport is one of the most advance tracks to run. I have been there as a passenger and I have wanted to go ever since.

There is a local guy named Dexter that books the track. He charges $400 to participate but the first time you go you have to hire one his instructors for $375. Makes for $775 day which is kind of steep.

Competition mode for sure. Never any question on this. I have new hawk pads that the previous owner put in. I have a complete spare set of rims that I got with the car. Once I get to going regularly I am going to get a set of good tires for lapping days only.

 

Wow! You guys run a lot of psi in the tires. I run 25/27 when I'm on the track. I find more psi get the car a little too loose for me. Best thing is to start high and lower as needed. I bet you find your first session will have you bringing tire pressures down.

 

One small item no one mentioned - when you come off the track at the end of a session, DO NOT apply the parking brake. I constantly have to remind my students driving Corvettes not to do that, seems to be a habit with them but applying those shoes to a really hot brake disk is not a good thing .

 

I run 29r/ 30f for my first sesssion. then decrease by 2 psi for the remanider of the days sessions

 

Although a little off topic, what do you guys think of the redline water wetter?? As far as track only or street/track? I know the dexcool has rust inhibitors and so forth...I was just curious if this was a good set up for the car.

Thanks,

Dustin

 

I took a course on autocross years back and the instructor said the same thing. If I am woried about the car rolling away when I turn it off I just leave it in gear.

 

I believe Shannoville runs lap days either once or twice a month on Sundays, or at least they did last year. Class room instruction plus lap time , as I remember it was not expensive. I haven't noticed the adds this year, but they were posted in the Wheels section in Saturdays Toronto Star, last page under events.

It's something I want to do but haven't found the time yet.

 

I've been in touch with the BMW club. You have to go for both days. I am trying to get the Tuesday off but I am having trouble getting someone to cover me on short notice. If I get coverage I am signing up.

 

I got coverage so the cheque is in the mail for registration. Any one else going?