Thread: First timer
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      02-22-2021, 10:47 AM   #2
edycol
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Drives: 2011 328i xDrive
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Colorado Springs

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So, since this would be your first day, go and feel the air. Tires should be fine. You would not be first one to go on A/S tires. But, if you end up pushing too hard, you might damage tread on those tires. Still, I would not go dedicated track set (will come to this latter) for first day. ROTATE those tires. Put beefier tires to the back. You allowed them to wear out too much on one axle.
Pads on F30 are not as performance oriented as they are on E90 for example, unless you have those sport brakes. But, do not pay too much attention on that now. They should be fine. Make sure you have 50% of meat on them.
Absolutely important, get fresh brake fluid before track day. Get yourself pressure pump that costs about $30-50. Watch YoutUbe videos and better learn how DIY this job. Use DOT4 brake fluid like ATE TYP200. First time, get 3 bottles, and flush your brake system thoroughly. SOme people flush before each track day, but depending on brakes, you could do it 2 times a year. You will figure it out. You can get fluid like Motul, TRW racing with bit higher boiling point, but ATE TYP200 will cut it.
Oil. Get yourself good W40 oil that has Porsche A40 approval (important as part of Porsche approval testing is simulation of 5hrs of track time at Nurburgring). For N55 engine I would go Castrol Edge 0W40 or Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5W40. You could get on Amazon Motul 5W40 SPort which is more dedicated street/track oil without any approvals as oxidation levels are bit higher (that is signature of all track oils, especially racing oils). But for first time, get Castrol 0W40. Make sure it is at MAX level! Bring extra 1qt with you or whatever you have left in 5qt bottle. The reason why you want at MAX level is G forces, and you do not have dry sump. 1QT should be enough, but your oil change will take some 7+qt so you should get 2X5qt bottles of Castrol 0W40 in Wal mart , so just bring extra in 2nd bottle.
Another thing: helmet selection. Most people run Heat on track. Heat is at max and fan is at max (absolutely no AC). Heat and fan at max are improving cooling off as basically your HVAC radiator serves as secondary cooling radiator in this case. Usually windows are open, but still it can get hot inside. That is during hot days. So, my preference is open helmet not close, so I can cool off a bit better. I got Bell for $215, DOT and SNELL approved. Get nice gloves. Absolutely important as your palms will sweat. I have installed fire extinguisher (got in Wal mart, one for car, no need to go fancy).
Once you see where you at, and if you like it (and you will, it is pure drug) get yourself set of used 18 or 19" wheels. Then get dedicated tires for track. You are not getting paid to do this, so do not go crazy. Falken 615 will cut it, or Kumho V730. The reason why I like dedicated tire and wheel set is that you can damage tire, and you might not know it, and than drive on street, having kids inside etc. Get TPMS for dedicated set bcs. if you lose air on track, you want to know that ASAP.
Later see pads. See if you will have pad fade. Do not go drilled rotors for track. They crack. Keep it simple. Cheap solid rotors are fine. Pads if you have fade? Well, do you have regular brakes or sport (M) brakes? If regular, I would upgrade to M rotors and calipers. If you already have that and have fade, than for street/track Hawk HP+, Ferodo DS2500 are good start unless you want dedicated race pad, but they are hard to bring to operating temperature on street. So, you will be doing a lot of swapping.
Tools? I bring a box with everything I have for quick pad exchange etc. Bring spare tire! If you do not have one, get it or you will be towing car home if you damage tire. Bring lift to get car up. Bring camping chair so you can sit down if sessions going on, bring enough bottled water as you will dehydrate if hot. Have a hat that will protect from sun, and never leave helmet on sun or you will get burned. Bring some camping blanket to put stuff on. Bring small cooler and sandwich with you. Bring sunscreen.

Last edited by edycol; 02-22-2021 at 11:01 AM..
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