Hey Guys,

I'll be doing some Road Racing at the end of Sept. What kind of upgrades/mods would you recommend for my car before I go for road racing? Any tips would also be helpful as this would be my first time Road Racing.

Thanks.

 

Some dedicated track tires like the kuhmos, helmet, and a fire extinguisher mounted in the car. Also bring an extra quart or two of oil and check it before your first run and AFTER EACH RUN. Fill it 1/2 to 1 quart overfull as the manual suggests. Also get your car "teched". Get your brakes checked and bled (VERY IMPORTANT), check for leaks and take a wrench and go over all the bolts especially the A-Arms, brake mounts etc. I've had 2 A-Arms come loose.

That's pretty much it for the first outing and you could skip the tires but not the fire extinguisher or helmet. If you get hooked then get more safety things first like a harness bar/roll bar/cage, 5 or 6 point harness, Sparco driving seat, 3 layer driving suit, driving gloves, driving shoes, extra rotors, race pads, motul brake fluid and dedicated track tires.

Joel

 

In my opinion, the best preparation that you can do is relative to your driving skills, not modifications to your car. If you are not familiar with heel and toe downshifting, learn and start practicing now. You will want it to be second nature at the track. Understand car balance and the dynamics of steering and throttle input under at the limit conditions. Study racing lines through a variety of corners. You can read about all of these items on the net or better yet, pick up a copy of Skip Barber's "Going Faster". Now, reading is no substitute for track time and you will have to learn how to execute these items, but certainly having a basic understanding will help you at the track.

As far as your car goes, I assume you will have to pass some kind of technical inspection before they will let you take your car on the track. This should cover you safety wise. But be sure your brake pads are fresh, tires in good condition and to proper inflation, keep checking your oil level and temps, and make sure your brake pedal is not soft leading into the event. Bleed if necessary.

Now of course there is much more that you could do to make your car safer and faster, this is just a minimum. I again stress that the most important mod's you can do is to yourself and your driving skills. Once you hone your skills, you will better appreciate the performance increase of future mod's. And by the way, just accept now, that you probably will not be the fastest nor the slowest out there. Go out, learn and most of all have fun! Good Luck.

 

O-Ace:

There are tons of things you can add to your C5 to improve it's behavior on the track, but the basics are: Brakes, Safety stuff, Handling, and lastly Power.

Get some good racing brake pads like Carbotech Panther Plus or Hawk HT-10 or some other agressive brake pad. There are many opinions as what is best, but lose the factory pads for track driving. Other upgrades could be SS brake lines, Heavy Duty Front GM rotors, or one of the expensive brake rotor/calaper up grades that is available. Also high temp racing brake fluid is a must. This would be my first priority, to be to stop or slow down from high speed is very important.

Just as important is the safety stuff. As a start you might consider a good set of 6 point racing belts (Simpson) and the hardware to attach these belts in the car. Brey-Krause makes a great sholder harness bar and belt attach system. I have that set up in my car. Of course, you'll ned a helmet, driving gloves, etc. The above mentioned stuff is bolt in. No welding necessary.

Next consider things that will improve handleing such as BFG, Kumho, or Hoosier racing tires. You may need a new set of wheels also. Lowering the car will help, and adding Billstein Sport shocks, and larger anti-roll bars will also help.

Lastly, work on getting more Horsepower. The most bang for the buck here is to free up the induction and exhaust. It all depends how much you want to spend. The sky is the limit!!!

If you are just begining to drive road courses, You really don't need more power at this point. The C5 has more power than you will be able to safely utilize at this point in your learning curve, so I hope you do the other things first, and then add the power as you learn how to properly use it on the track. Hope all this is of some help to you. :D :D

 

The best bang for your buck is:
Take a driving school!
If you've taken one, then take another one!
This will save you and your car in so many ways!
After the driving school, then you'll know what you need.
Think Safety first!!! Then think about mods!
Best of luck, be safe and have fun!
Tim

 

What makes this forum great is that often, there are no absolute right answers and you can get many opinions and make your own decision.

I certainly agree with a lot of what you have read above, but this is what I recommend:

1st go to the library and find some books on high performance driving, read up on driving the APEX of turns. This is the single most important thing to road racing.

2nd browse the rest of the book. I think that heel and toe shift/braking is more advance for you at this point (I don't really do it and i've driven hundreds of track miles)

3rd relax! You will most likely be put in a group with drivers around your same skill level. It is critical that you think and use what you learn. your adrenlin will be pumping, it's a thrill, but think, think, think. You will get your adrenlin going be how smooth and fast you went through the turn verses going off track or worse.

4th if you have instruction listen and remember. When I was beginning the instructor would ride with you untill they signed you off to solo. When I was out there on my own I could recall what my instructor told me..."be out wide here and lift the throttle to plant the front tires, gently turn in here just enough to make the turn, drift to the rumble strip, and gentle mash the throttle down" after awhile it just came natural.

5th you probably won't need to make any mods to your car if you are in a novice group, but you do have to do some service to you car. The event will require a safety inspection. Have this early as possible and correct anything that needs attention. Part of the inspection will be to make sure you have bleed your brake fluid within the last 12 months.

6th you might want to make a few mods but not really important for the beginner. I would change my brake fluid to a hi-temp dot 4 synthetic like ATE Blue, Motul 600, believe it or not Ford fulid is good also. Some high performance brake pads are a good mod also. You can use up a set of pads in a event weekend, at least have a spare front set on hand. If you have to replace your pads for the inspection (50% pad is questionable for the inspector) then take your 50% pair for back ups.

7th be prepared ahead of time, don't be worring about tire pressures, where your helmet is, where your driving gloves are, etc. while your at the track. Plan stuff before and think about what you've learned and watch the other cas on the track between sessions.

8th remember your are doing this to have fun. Don't take it too serious at 1st. No one expects you to cut fast lap of the event on the 1st day (or even the next event, or the next).

As you get more experienced there are a lot of mods you can do. like track tires, but get an event or 2 or 3 down before thinking about mods.

have fun, where is the event? I'm doing an event @ Gateway Intl, in St. Louis at the end of September (21-23). If that's your event also then look me up, I know Gateway pretty well.


[Modified by Gary2KC5, 10:56 AM 8/14/2001]

 

If you have the driving skills to use more than a stock car visit DRM at http://www.dougrippie.com they are the #1 when it comes to roadracing. Even better give Peter Sikkila at DRM a call (763-477-9272
) and discuss your needs.

 

Thanks for all the info.
I just ordered the Bilstein sport shocks, and will be picking up some Ford high-temp brake fluid and Redline WaterWetter fluid to keep the coolant temps down. I'll also be lowering the car 1" all around to improve handling.

Do I really need a fire extinguisher for a 2-day driving school or Road Racing course?

Any more driving tips? Appreciate all the info. :seeya

 

Excellent advice on this thread! I second all of it, including a call to DRM for some braking, suspension, cooling and power upgrades!

 

O-Ace, where are you going?... and I would suggest nothing but a extra set of brake pads.

 

hey O-Ace... I'm sorry but going to have to call a :bs to much of what others have told you... nothing personal, but we have a Corvette friend here that want's to go have fun for a weekend, not strip the car and make it a race car... You do not even know if you will like what you are going to do, there is no reason for spending that much cash on the situation... the last time I went to Road America I took me and my helmet and a extra set of pads... that is after 7 years of racing!... I needed nothing, not even my extra pads.

You do not need to heal toe shift (that will take YEARS of practice)
you do not need a driving suit (they are like 1,200.00)
nor a fire bottle (a real one is Halon, and is hundreds of $)

Gary2KC5 had the best suggestions.... Just go there and have a good time, if you like what you have, the options are endless as far as what you want to do.... but keet this in mind, unlike Drag Racing (Which I have done with you) Money does not make you go faster, Driving skill does... as an example, you would clean my clock at the drag strip if I took my '98 stock Trans Am... but the same car on a roadcorse track and I would take you easy.. due to experence on the track. Let me know where you are going, I might have to try and join you!

 

O Ace,

I would not let the above posts discourage you from learning heel and toe downshifting. It is not rocket science, perhaps a little more difficult with smaller feet, but pedal extensions are available. Nonetheless, be sure to "blip" the throttle to match revs when downshifting, or you could be in for a sudden surprise when the lower gear is engaged. Too me, it is much easier to time a heel toe downshift, than to brake, come off the brake, and then blip. That is just my opinion, but I assure you that you will be a much more accomplished driver if you learn this technique. If you need a quick instruction, I have an e-mail handout which I can forward to you describing the process. Cheers!

 

Guys,

I appreciate all the info. A lot of you are stressing the heel-toe donshift, but I drive an A4....I don't see how heel-toe downshifting is relevant here. Thanks for all the info!

 

" What do I need for Road Racing?" You ask.....>>>>>>

Among other things mentioned, "VBK".....>........"Very Big Kahunas"

:eek:

 

Bruce,

Cajones help too.... ;)

 

My opinion is you need to know you stock brakes are working properly and have at least 1/2 the pads left. Make sure the pedal is firm. You need to drive safe. No one will buy you a new car. Reading about anything helps. If it is a driving school there should be a instructor there for free. You do not need a 3,000 school. If you have the money it's goodl Save all your money then if you like it come back and discuss mods. My first was roll bar and harness. Spend you money on safety first, tires second, suspension third
then power last. This is the safest way to go. I started last year with the above method. I installed a cam last. I now run in the very top of field at PDA. If I went and spent all my money on power before safety any getting seat time I may now just own a payment book. :eek: Have fun the first time and start slow enjoy watch and listen. People will tell you different lines and opinions make you own judgements and try everything possible safetly. Most are addicted so watch out :D . Let us know what you think and bring it back alive :cheers:


[Modified by John Shiels, 8:26 PM 8/14/2001]

 

Going road racing and learning how do drive on a road course are two different things. All the info I have read on this thread is good.

If you are learning, have your car serviced and wash it (I didn't get a chance to wash mine). Fill the tank, check the tire pressure and grab your helment.

Go to class, pay attention and listen to your instructor.

I did all this last weekend at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway and had a ball. I learned alot.

 

Well, I'm attending my first Road Racing event, but it is divided into groups, and I'll probably be in the novice group. They also have instructors available, so I'll also have an instructor with me for a few laps. This isn't a formal driving school though....it's competition. I don't have any expectations as far as winning/losing goes....I'm just going there to have a good time and to learn from others. Will post and let you know how it goes. :seeya

 

My best advice for your first road/autocross event:

1. Bring a helmet.
2. Bring a teachable attitude (let the teachers help you get better).
3. Forget about mods for your first time, just make sure your car is ready.
4. ENJOY the chance to experience how well a Vette can perform... LEGALLY:D

It is painful to watch a novice in a highly modified car get madder every time they spin out. Try to remember that if your tires are smoking, you aren't going as fast as you could be :(. Spend your time and money on gaining driving skill, not mods for the car. It will take quite a while for your driving skill to catch up with the capability of the Vette (remember it is an incredible car right from the factory).

 

O-Ace:

First go and have a good time. Like others have said since this is your first time then you don't need to go and make a huge investment on stuff that you may never use again.

With your current set up you need to watch a few things with a 3000 TC you may have some interesting exits from turns as the car revs and the TC locks up. Secondly with this set I would keep a very close eye on the tranny temps especially if you don't run a tranny cooler.

If you get a bit aggressive and have a lot of track time that is great but be prepared for a few items that you may have to replace after the event. It is not uncommon to have to replace the pads and rotors. Many consider these disposable items. The pads get abused and the rotors can warp. Make sure you take some very easy cool down laps to cool the brakes and driveline down some before you park. When you park come to a stop, DO NOT USE THE PARKING BRAKE . Take you foot off the brake and quikly put in Park. The key here to prevent the pad from being in contact with the hot rotor. It is also good idea to bleed the brakes again to remove cooked fluid.

If you realy like it then many of the suggestions above a valid. Safety items first, Driving School, Suspension mods then power adders. If you keep the TC then you will need a tranny cooler.

Good Luck, Be Safe and Have FUN :crazy: