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C5 C6 Corvette: How to Prepare for the Track

Are your buddies hitting the local road course with their cars and asking you to come along? Aren't you curious what kind of laps times your Corvette can throw down? Read on to see exactly what you'll need to jump in and have fun.

By Scott Kaufman - February 13, 2015

This article applies to the C5 (1997-2004) and C6 Corvette (2005-2013).

Turning left, turning right, hard braking into corners, accelerating on the exit, long straight stretches with big MPH, sounds exciting right? You may be surprised to find out that there is a road course closer to you than you think, and you'll also be shocked to know that your Corvette will hold its own there in stock trim. Yes, you can modify for lower track times as you earn some seat time and feel the need for more speed, but for the novice, entry-level racer, it will put a huge smile on your face just exactly how it was delivered from the factory. This article discusses the basics that you will want to consider before your first trip to the track as well as some areas that may need mods as you decide to go faster.

Know the Course

Do a little research on your local course before you attend. Does it offer W2W racing (wheel to wheel) or HPDE (high-performance driver experiences)? What is the entry fee, and do you need to be a member? What type of safety equipment will be required? For a beginner it is recommended to begin with HPDE as you do not want to go door-to-door with other racers, especially in your daily driver. Perhaps after you feel more comfortable on the track by yourself you may want to purchase an all-out race car one day, but for the time being play it safe.

Figure 1. Vintage "Road America" circuit map.

Safety Equipment

Contact the track, or visit their web site, to see what type (if any) of safety equipment will be necessary. Most sanctioning bodies at track events require, at a minimum, a helmet. When it comes to helmets, there are two safety groups that certify helmets: SNELL and the DOT. Helmets are certified for a certain number of years. For example, SNELL would mark a helmet has being SA2015, which means it would be certified beyond 2015. Most governing bodies employ a "10 year" rule to helmets, being that if you have a 2010 certified SNELL helmet, it would be good until 2020. Every track day host is a bit different, so inquire with the governing body of the event what their allowances are. Helmet feel and comfort is subjective; it's a purchase that is better to try before you buy. Buying locally is worth paying the few extra dollars versus online shopping, so that you can be assured of a snug, yet comfortable fit. As an aside, from one racer to another, DO NOT cheap out on important safety items. This includes your helmet.

A roll bar (or cage), driver jacket and/or pants, and comfortable driving shoes may also be necessary depending on your car, lap times and speeds. Many organizations will not let convertibles on the track without a roll bar, or proof of adequate rollover protection. If your Corvette is a convertible, ask the track day host if the factory rollover protection is sufficient before turning up to the event.

Figure 2. A certified SNELL helmet.

Modifying Your Corvette

When it comes to novice drivers and modifications, the best advice one can receive is to not change a thing about your vehicle before taking it to the track. The car's limits are much higher than the novice driver may believe and, putting ego aside, the biggest limiting factor to a quick lap is the driver. Modifications and their effectiveness on track is subjective. Go out and put some hard laps on the car, and figure out what, if anything, needs changed or optimized to put down a quick lap.

The following basic preparation items need to be addressed before tracking:

  • Fresh oil
  • Fresh brake fluid
  • Inspect brake pads for sufficient pad material remaining

Fresh oil ensures protection from engine wear due to hard usage. Your car will be seeing extended periods of high RPM and high load usage beyond normal street driving. If your brake fluid is more than 12 months old, flush it out with fresh high-temp brake fluid like ATE Typ200 or Motul RBF600. Old brake fluid is more susceptible to chemical break down, boiling over, or becoming contaminated, which will severely reduce braking ability. The track is incredibly hard on the braking system, and it is not unheard of for OEM-like brake pads to burn 1/4-1/2 of their friction material with one hard day of lapping. Inspect your pads, and if they are worn, replace them. Perhaps take the time to upgrade to a more aggressive and track-friendly compound like the Hawk DTC70/60 or Carbotech XP10+. For your safety, and the safety of those around you, service your brakes.

There are literally dozens of modifications you can make to your car to improve lap times without sacrificing driveability on the street. These include better brakes, improved suspension components, additional engine and power steering cooling, more horsepower, and larger and stickier wheels and tires. You are limited only by how fast you want to go, how much you would like to modify your car and what your budget is. Keep in mind that the quicker you make the car, the less you will enjoy driving it on the street most likely.

Figure 3. Happy tracking!

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