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After much deliberation about buying a ZO6 or a GS, I'm picking up my "new to me" 17' Grand Sport this week. Although it will be a "weekend" car and on highway 95% of the time, I will be tracking the car occasionally (MSR Houston is 10 miles from me). From those of you who DO track, I would like some recommendations about prep (brake pads/fluid, dedicated tires/wheels, alignment, bolt on performance mods, sway bars etc.) Car is currently a bone stock A8 3LT non ZO7. I have some HPDE experience from many years ago in a tracked Camaro and a lifelong gearhead, so doing the mods myself doesn't bother me if that is a factor. I want 1st hand experience with whatever you recommend. Thanks in advance!!
I am also tracking a 17 grandsport
man I love this car, you will have a blast.
so far I have upgraded brake fluid to dot4, swapped out the rear diff fluid, change the oil frequently, upgraded to two sets of pads, one for street and one for track. I am trying to figure out next steps safety wise as I go allot. There is not allot out there in terms of half cages. And seats seem to be slim pickings that are tested to fit.
I am also going to get the DSC control module soon, they are on back order presently.
good luck with your quest, it’s such a sweet car
Castrol SRF brake fluid. I bleed every 6 months, others bleed once per year. Other brands generally require bleeding every 90 days
Change oil/trans fluid/diff unless you know the history of the car
Factory pads are marginal if on street tires in a beginner or low intermediate group. New pads should be appropriate to your skill level and tires you plan to use
Alignment. Probably 100 threads on settings
After the above, it’s a slippery slope
Mine is the one closest to the camera Not a great shot but that’s all I have on my iPad
New pads should be appropriate to your skill level and tires you plan to use. I recommend Carbotech brake pads they have several different compounds. I will be happy to discuss with you once you make a tire selection.
I'm a MSR Houston member with a '17 GS. Outside of the obvious like brake fluid and track pads, the first thing I would do is get a set of 18" wheels. Way more tire selection options and they are ALOT cheaper which will pay for the wheels in short order. Plus you can go an inch wider in the front (315/30/18) and with the 335/30/18 in the rear it really balances the car well. The DSC Sport suspension computer is a good bang for the buck item too. I'm planning to be out there 3/5 for a charity ride event if you'd like to take a look-see.
For my Z51 I just did pads (Raybestos ST43s) and fluid (Motul 660). I run summer performance tires (Potenza S007A) and didn't bother with dedicated track wheels or tires since I don't track that often. You'll be changing the rear diff fluid more often. With the A8 you might need some aux cooling.
Grand Sport track prep
Not a great shot but that’s all I have on my iPad 
