Hi everyone planning on taking my 07 C6 to the track (circuit) and looking for some insight on a few things.

I am in not a newbie to the track as I have raced super bikes at the professional and expert level over the years and currently still do.

Anyone have suggestions in regards to brakes pads? I understand how hard track use is on brake components and don’t want to cook the brakes and not enjoy the day/ have brake fade to the point it’s dangerous.

I do daily drive the car and do not plan on tracking it a bunch if at all after this.

Any other things to check/ specific things on this specific car before track use? I already plan on switch brake fluid and the car has Pirelli Pzeros on it.

I also am trailering it to the track and back.

Thanks

 

Make sure you check out the road race section of the forum - asking there will probably get you more responses.

but it sounds like you’re just going to take it to the track one time?

depends on how hard you are on the brakes…. You could probably get by with a good set of brake pads. Carbotechs are a good choice.

hard to justify spending a lot if you’re just doing one hpde day.

 

One and only time for HPDE, just run the oem pads on the car.
Instructors are not going to let you loose on the track,
And even with your racing GPmoto, how you run a bike, and how you skate a car, two different things, and the HPDE instructor at not going to allow you to get even close in speeds the car can tune a lap to begin with. Hence they want you in a nice tidy repeat lines, no passing when on the course with other drivers/will just be slower cars in front of that you can not pass, just slowing every one down by intent.

 

See the thread, Base C6 Track Mods/Suspension, just down the list from 6/9. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...uspension.html

 

A few things to think about.
Is it a base car /wo an oil cooler or is it a z51/z06? The base cars had no oil cooling so watch oil temps, my first time on track the oil temps got to over 300 degrees even in the beginner group.
How old is the brake fluid? if you haven't changed the fluid in a while you may want to flush the brake fluid for something of a bit higher temp, Wilwood RBF 600/660 is a great fluid...
As for brake pads, if you're running a z51 with the OEM pads you may be okay... if not the track day pads from PowerStop are a good beginner pad that holds a decent amount of heat, works on the street and is inexpensive... You will eventually outgrow the pad but probably not on your first day... However compared to a carbotech, Hawk, or Raybestos pads they are 1/2 the price

A few other tips: the corvette has a feature with the seat belt where if you pull it all the way out and then let it retract it will lock in place holding you in better, it's not 5/6 point harnesses but it'll get the job done... Comp mode in the traction control should be plenty for a beginner, you don't need to turn the traction control all the way off but leaving it all the way on is likely too intrusive...

lastly have fun, maybe don't bring a lap timer... your first time out even if you're a natural will not be competitive/anywhere near what the car is capable of but you'll still enjoy your self, which track are you going to?

 

I would reccommend swapping pads and fluid before you go. Pace will be dictated by your instructor and your ability. If you're showing great control and awareness and picking things up quickly you'll likely go past what stop pads/fluids can do. The track you go to also will play a huge factor. For my first time in my C6 ('07 M6 Z51) I had stop pads and fresh (stock temp) fluid, thinking my instructor would keep me slower while learning the line. I still cooked my pads, ruined the rotors, and boiled a significant amount of fluid. If you're asking the question just upgrade it. You can use Carbotech XP10 in front and 8 in rear and they hold up to heat fine for learning HPDE. Its what I have and no issues yet.

 

Dano523 was a great help for me in preparing for High Plains Raceway here in Colorado. You actually didn't mention HPDE. At HPR, I went to an Open Track Day. So there was no Instructor involved. Considerable fees for Insurance and such, but you know about those. But the only limit for me was .. "How often do you want to slide completely off the course?"

Which in my case was only once. When you come back in from doing 4 or 5 laps, and every system in the car is smoking hot, it's best to shut down and cool off a bit. When you start back up, you have to press the center console button again to get back into Competition mode. If you don't, the car will NOT let you turn really hard. And for me that led to sliding off of the gnarliest Hairpin turn.

You did say you would change the brake fluid, and that's a good idea. But Dano523 suggested just getting s set of Duralast Gold Ceramic pads, which are cheap at an auto parts store. I tracked with a set of those in 2019, and those pads are still on the car with at least 15,000 miles on them. And that was after learning from Dano523 what really matters in racing: BRAKING. Brake as LATE as you can, and as HARD as you can. I would think that your Corvette will do that, safely, to a much greater extent than your bike.

The screaming sound of your tires if you are Skating properly - which Dano mentioned - may be different than how you race a bike. (?) Also, IIRC I tried using sixth gear. Don't do that.