Joliet IL autobahn north course in a C6
 

May go out there in a couple weeks for the first time running the north course. Running HPDE only, this is my first time at this type of event. Any one run this track? Looks like I can go around using only 3rd and 4th. I have a 07 base, M6, all fluids have been changed to redline syn, Mobil 0/40, added a 4 pass cooler to the P/S, brakes will get Motul fluid a few days before the event . Not going to go 100% balls out as a friend will also run the car in intermediate level after I pull in. Car has newer nitto invo's with new centec solid rotors and bobcat pads.

You may want to get a set of Carbotech XP8'S at least for the front. The great thing about Carbotech brake pads is all their compounds are compatible with each other. So, when going from the 1521 (Bobcat) to the XP series (Track) pads all you have to do is swap pads and go no re-bedding no cleaning of the rotors just swap pads and go. This also saves you the cost of having to get a separate set of rotors for track or street.

F: CT731 XP8 $182.40
R: CT732 XP8 $157.70

I'm a member there. The North track is the shorter of the two at 1.46 miles and 9 turns and some would say less challenging than the South. You won't need 5th however some advanced drivers down shift to 2nd for turn 2, car, speed, level, comfort, etc determines that. Will an instructor ride with you? If not, there are plenty of videos out there to give you an idea of the track layout and line.

I'm not a member at Autobahn (not yet... thinking about it for next year), but have run there many times in HPDE's (C5Z currently, but other cars as well). I second what Adam said... don't run a street pad on any track. Also, front rotor cracking is pretty common on these cars, so you might want to have a spare with you just in case.

And I also agree with Edge04... you'll probably only use 3rd and 4th gears with 2nd gear being a possibility coming out of the slowest turn they have: turn 2 on the North configuration.

A fast line through turn 1 sets you up poorly for turn 2 and you'd want to grab 2nd gear (this is the faster way around the track... don't compromise a high speed turn to do a little better in a low speed turn). But taking turn 1 at really high speed is scary, so I usually compromise turn 1 which allows me to set up turn 2 as wide as possible, and then 3rd gear is fine.

Try it both ways as your comfort allows, and have fun.

Here's one lap on the north course where I took a conservative (safe) but still pretty fast line... sun was setting, so the lighting is pretty bad, and the GPS-based speedometer is useless, but you can get the idea. Slow turn 1, wide setup for turn 2, only went down to 3rd gear. Turn 6 is a very late apex so you can gain a lot there on the guys that don't do it right, and it's also safer because the exit of 6 is one of the few places you could find armco if you screw it up really badly.

Or down shift to 3rd before turn 1 and 2nd before turn 2. I only do that if I need the power to get into passing position before turn 2. But I agree, go slower into 1 to set up better for 2 and 3

Turn 6: never, never early apex. That turn is known as "never too late"

Having only done HPDE's, passing between 1 and 2 has never been an option for me, but it does seem like it would be a great passing zone in an actual race. They only allow HPDE passing (with a point by) on the front straight and between 6 and 7, at least in the events I've run.

Side note, I'd like your opinion about membership there... I'll PM you rather than hijacking this thread.

You may want to go XP10 front XP8 rear this is the proper set up especially if your doing back to back sessions.
Carbotech™ 1521™ is NOT recommended for ANY track use.

No, issue with running with nannies is you will kill your pads and rotors. For novice best is to take it easy and learn the track. Beginners tend to over brake and that tends to put a lot of heat in the braking system. You can run with the nannies on if you take it easy first thing is to check your ego at the door and listen, watch and learn.

Autobahn TracK day with your Corvette
 

So how did it go?

We need more Corvette members....