Late this month I will be going to my first HPDE at a track in northern MN and would welcome advice on car prep. I have tried searching the forum and while I have found some great stuff, it seems too sophisticated for where I am right now. The car is a 2009 base C6 with MN6, NPP, F55, Z51 sways and the F1 Goodyear Supercars. It has about 6k miles on it. So, my main questions include: do I need to add a quart of oil? do I need to change out the brake fluid to DOT 4? how about tire pressure? brake pads: I have a set of ceramics, but have not put them on the car yet because the original pads are still fine. Am I OK with the original pads this time? Anything else?

A bit of additional info regarding adding extra oil (if needed): I plan to drive to and from the track and it is about 110 miles each way. Obviously, I could wait to add oil until I get to the track, but taking the extra quart out before going home would be a real nuisance, so would I be safe driving it home with extra oil?

Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks in advance!

 

This may not answer all of your questions, but it may point you in the right direction.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/auto...e-learned.html

 

No ceramics for track unless Carbotech! Stick with stock pads for your 1st time! Check your fluids and lern the track your not there to impress anybody!

 

For your first event I would just change out brake fluid, and maybe pads if you are an aggressive driver to start with. From my experience instructing first timers, you will not push your car hard enough the first day out to need much more then that.

Have a great time!!



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Going up to BIR huh? I have been a number of times.

Look - really - for your first time - you really don't need to do much of ANYTHING. Once you are up there - they will have you remove all the misc stuff from the interior ... remove your plastic wheel cap covers so the hot wheels don't melt them. Your standard brakes will be fine (you do NOT want ceremics at the track). Make sure the oil is full - you may want to change it out after your first track day. You really don't need to change the brake fluid for your time as you won't be pushing that hard.

I got my stock C6 up to 148 on the straightaway before taking the big banked turn 1 .... see how you do!

Good luck - enjoy ...

 

I have a few years' experience competing in Solo events and running HPDE's, and I took my brand new '10 C6 to the track with NOTHING done, except probably ~1/2 to ~1qt above the full mark of oil. I was running the CRAP-TACULAR Goodyear F1's (not the "Supercar" versions), OEM brakes, and had NOTHING else done to the car in terms of "track prep". Other than the fact that the car was slip-sliding all over due to the crappy tires, the CAR performed GREAT .

Of course, obviously, since I intend to run NUMEROUS events with this car, I will be doing things to prepare/maintain it for track use, but to go out and try a HPDE, or even a couple, you can literally just "arrive and drive", and the car will perform flawlessly .

Have fun ... and enjoy the addiction!!

 

Your car will be fine as it is for your first event(s). The GY Supercars will work for you untill you begin to explore the limits of your car. Start off with 30lbs cold all around and ask your instructor for guidance (chances are he'll offer suggestions if he feels the car would benefit from different pressures). You'll be fine with an add'l quart of oil in the engine to & from the track. When you get home, just change the filter and you'll lose about a quart (provided you don't pre-fill the new filter). If you don't know how, you'll want to learn how to lock down your shoulder belt (just pull the belt all the way out, give it a quick tug, and as it rachets back it will lock itself. If this is your first HPDE, you'll probably spend much of it getting accustomed to the new driving environment. Have a blast and be safe!

 

Go to the Road Racing section and you will find more info than you could ever want.

 

Not sure what group you're running with, but I run with NASA and here are some articles they've found and posted. The one Gering posted is also a great reference. You might want to check with the group or track you're running to see if they have any group or track specific requirements (some require certain safety equipment like a fire extinguisher in the cockpit).

http://www.nasarockymountain.com/nas...thread.php?t=7

 

Thanks to all of you for the advice and info. For those of you who expressed some caution, don't worry, I have no illusions of grandeur. I just am looking forward to learning how to drive this great car and going faster legally.

 

Naturally, read up on any rules and requirements for the organization sponsoring the event...make sure you comply with whatever rules and guidelines they have. They likely have a tech inspection sheet to use...go over it beforehand. As mentioned, for the first time out there isn't too much you need do to the car other than to make sure everything's in good working condition. A few ideas...visually inspect your tires, check tire pressures (I run an extra lb or 2 in the front to help compensate for the car's 51/49 weight distribution ratio), torque your lug nuts, check your brake pads, make sure your battery is secured tightly, tape over your battery terminals, check fluids, remove any loose junk from inside the car. Make sure your helmet complies with regs. I don't know about changing to a better brake/clutch fluid at this point but bleeding your brakes is always a good idea. I'd flush/change your clutch fluid per the 'Ranger' method. I'd start with fresh, clean motor oil. Talk to other guys that go there and see what to bring...maybe a 'tool kit,' extra oil, fluids, a chair, ice chest with beverages, some food items, sun screen, bring a cap, etc. See from others what you'll want to bring with.

This is entirely your call...whatever you feel safe doing but FWIW I've never used an entire extra quart of oil...a half-quart perhaps. Using street tires and unless there are some extended banked ovals a half-quart extra should IMO suffice. Again, do whatever you feel best.

I'm sure others will have more suggestions. Listen to your instructor(s) and remember its not a race...you're there to learn. Concentrate on the basics...hit your lines, brake points, etc. Apply and refine what you learn in the classroom on the track. Like anything the key is practice. Learning to be good on a road course is a process...it isn't going to happen on your first day or weekend...it takes constant repetition over time. I think you're going to love it...be safe and have a blast!