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      07-22-2019, 05:20 PM   #1
Brotherhef
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First track day setup and my take list

Have a urge to try out the track with my '14 335 m sport and getting close. Below is the list I have come up with based on help from you guys. Just trying not to embarrass my self..or worse!

Just finished:
-New set of MP4S
-Brake fluid change to Motul RBF600

Going to do:
-New brake pads. (Leaning towards EBC yellowstuff)

To take:
Chair
Gloves
Helmet (may rent for first time)
Torque wrench with socket for wheel lugs
Water
Lunch
Tow hook
Tarp

Things I'm considering taking:
Screwdriver, pliers, crescent wrench
extra pads and grease
Glass cleaner and rag
jack and stands (If I get a more portable jack)
Duct tape

Few other questions:
1) For those that change in and out of pads. I have always turned or replaced rotors when I did pads and properly broke them in. Does it cause issues when you just toss on a new pair of pads?
2) Do most tracks have a staff member that will ride with you the first session so you can get a feel?
3) Let me know what you think of my list above.

Thanks all!
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      07-22-2019, 06:07 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brotherhef View Post
Few other questions:
1) For those that change in and out of pads. I have always turned or replaced rotors when I did pads and properly broke them in. Does it cause issues when you just toss on a new pair of pads?
2) Do most tracks have a staff member that will ride with you the first session so you can get a feel?
3) Let me know what you think of my list above.

Thanks all!
1) No issue swapping pads on the same rotor. I swap EBC Red, Pagid RSL29, and PFC08s all on the same rotors.

2) Highly dependent on the club/company you go with. Some are more laissez-faire than others and will let beginners go solo. Don't go with one of those groups or you may end up with n00bs like this guy out there endangering yourself.

3) Sunscreen, brake pad change tools (punch, hammer, pad spreader, nitrile or work gloves), a large bin to put all your stuff in (and to double as a table with lid on), tire pressure gauge and pump, and a notebook for track notes/class sessions.
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      07-22-2019, 10:04 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FaRKle! View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brotherhef View Post
Few other questions:
1) For those that change in and out of pads. I have always turned or replaced rotors when I did pads and properly broke them in. Does it cause issues when you just toss on a new pair of pads?
2) Do most tracks have a staff member that will ride with you the first session so you can get a feel?
3) Let me know what you think of my list above.

Thanks all!
1) No issue swapping pads on the same rotor. I swap EBC Red, Pagid RSL29, and PFC08s all on the same rotors.

2) Highly dependent on the club/company you go with. Some are more laissez-faire than others and will let beginners go solo. Don't go with one of those groups or you may end up with n00bs like this guy out there endangering yourself.

3) Sunscreen, brake pad change tools (punch, hammer, pad spreader, nitrile or work gloves), a large bin to put all your stuff in (and to double as a table with lid on), tire pressure gauge and pump, and a notebook for track notes/class sessions.
That video made me cringe quite a bit. Hard to watch.
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      07-23-2019, 12:36 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brotherhef View Post
That video made me cringe quite a bit. Hard to watch.
wow lol, yes please dont be like that guy. Also, make sure you watch and study plenty of onboards on youtube to get a feel for it.

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      07-23-2019, 06:20 PM   #5
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Tire pressure gauge, sunblock, comfy shoes for when not driving, gopro

Whichever track you plan to go on watch a lot of vids on it so you can start to remember the turns. It's different when you're actually on the track but it's a start.
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      07-24-2019, 03:25 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FaRKle! View Post
1) No issue swapping pads on the same rotor. I swap EBC Red, Pagid RSL29, and PFC08s all on the same rotors.

2) Highly dependent on the club/company you go with. Some are more laissez-faire than others and will let beginners go solo. Don't go with one of those groups or you may end up with n00bs like this guy out there endangering yourself.

3) Sunscreen, brake pad change tools (punch, hammer, pad spreader, nitrile or work gloves), a large bin to put all your stuff in (and to double as a table with lid on), tire pressure gauge and pump, and a notebook for track notes/class sessions.
That mustang driver should not be on the track. He should have an instructor with him teaching him how to drive. Tires cold, hands in the wrong place, horrible line, overdriving. He's dangerous.


If it's your first track day check the cockiness at the gate. I don't care how fast someone is on the freeway passing Priuses. I've seen too many cocky green drivers quickly learn that they aren't the speed demons they think they are once they hit the dirt. LOL I love seeing it in their eyes after the first few laps.


By the way, 4 wheels off the track usually warrants a return to pit for an inspection. Not only could he have damaged his car, but he could have leaked oil onto the track endangering everyone else. Going off track in itself isn't bad, even veterans do this when pushing the limits, but he did it twice in a row on two consecutive turns and didn't pit. He needs instruction.
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Last edited by jmg; 07-24-2019 at 03:37 PM..
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      07-25-2019, 04:03 PM   #7
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Any app for a first time use (lap timer)? Not ready to spend 100-500 on a good dedicated lap timer. I've looked at Harry's, but heard it's only fun to use if paired with a gps accessory.
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      07-25-2019, 07:04 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jmg View Post
That mustang driver should not be on the track. He should have an instructor with him teaching him how to drive. Tires cold, hands in the wrong place, horrible line, overdriving. He's dangerous.


If it's your first track day check the cockiness at the gate. I don't care how fast someone is on the freeway passing Priuses. I've seen too many cocky green drivers quickly learn that they aren't the speed demons they think they are once they hit the dirt. LOL I love seeing it in their eyes after the first few laps.


By the way, 4 wheels off the track usually warrants a return to pit for an inspection. Not only could he have damaged his car, but he could have leaked oil onto the track endangering everyone else. Going off track in itself isn't bad, even veterans do this when pushing the limits, but he did it twice in a row on two consecutive turns and didn't pit. He needs instruction.
I personally think it's worse that whichever company was proctoring that HPDE day let him out there with his lack of knowledge (or failed to have a good enough drivers' meeting where rules were covered and understood), and wasn't monitoring things well enough to pull him back in after the first lap.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Brotherhef View Post
Any app for a first time use (lap timer)? Not ready to spend 100-500 on a good dedicated lap timer. I've looked at Harry's, but heard it's only fun to use if paired with a gps accessory.
I wouldn't focus on lap times for your first outing. It's a distraction that is more likely to push you to make mistakes. You should focus on the driving line and technique first, and only once you have that down consistently start bringing up speed. You'll be slightly disappointed at how slow you go relative to others, but your first time out there is about learning, not necessarily winning.
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      07-25-2019, 09:14 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FaRKle! View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by jmg View Post
That mustang driver should not be on the track. He should have an instructor with him teaching him how to drive. Tires cold, hands in the wrong place, horrible line, overdriving. He's dangerous.


If it's your first track day check the cockiness at the gate. I don't care how fast someone is on the freeway passing Priuses. I've seen too many cocky green drivers quickly learn that they aren't the speed demons they think they are once they hit the dirt. LOL I love seeing it in their eyes after the first few laps.


By the way, 4 wheels off the track usually warrants a return to pit for an inspection. Not only could he have damaged his car, but he could have leaked oil onto the track endangering everyone else. Going off track in itself isn't bad, even veterans do this when pushing the limits, but he did it twice in a row on two consecutive turns and didn't pit. He needs instruction.
I personally think it's worse that whichever company was proctoring that HPDE day let him out there with his lack of knowledge (or failed to have a good enough drivers' meeting where rules were covered and understood), and wasn't monitoring things well enough to pull him back in after the first lap.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Brotherhef View Post
Any app for a first time use (lap timer)? Not ready to spend 100-500 on a good dedicated lap timer. I've looked at Harry's, but heard it's only fun to use if paired with a gps accessory.
I wouldn't focus on lap times for your first outing. It's a distraction that is more likely to push you to make mistakes. You should focus on the driving line and technique first, and only once you have that down consistently start bringing up speed. You'll be slightly disappointed at how slow you go relative to others, but your first time out there is about learning, not necessarily winning.
[/QUOTE]

I wouldn't focus on lap times for your first outing. It's a distraction that is more likely to push you to make mistakes. You should focus on the driving line and technique first, and only once you have that down consistently start bringing up speed. You'll be slightly disappointed at how slow you go relative to others, but your first time out there is about learning, not necessarily winning.[/QUOTE]

Roger that. Good point
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      07-25-2019, 09:52 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brotherhef View Post
Any app for a first time use (lap timer)? Not ready to spend 100-500 on a good dedicated lap timer. I've looked at Harry's, but heard it's only fun to use if paired with a gps accessory.
If you want something free look at RaceChrono if you have an android phone. Attached some screenshots so you can see how it is. You can add an obd-II dongle which I just saw so I will add the wifi one that I use for the Torque app
Attached Images
   
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      07-27-2019, 02:33 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brotherhef View Post
Any app for a first time use (lap timer)? Not ready to spend 100-500 on a good dedicated lap timer. I've looked at Harry's, but heard it's only fun to use if paired with a gps accessory.
I bought harrys and was not impressed, granted im not using it with a GPS dedicated accessory. Went through the whole setup, and the laptimes where consistently off by 2-3 seconds. Thankfully the track had their own timing setup with transponders so i had an official calibrated time to compare it to.
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      07-29-2019, 07:05 AM   #12
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First track day setup and my take list

Quote:
Originally Posted by FaRKle! View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brotherhef View Post
Few other questions:
1) For those that change in and out of pads. I have always turned or replaced rotors when I did pads and properly broke them in. Does it cause issues when you just toss on a new pair of pads?
2) Do most tracks have a staff member that will ride with you the first session so you can get a feel?
3) Let me know what you think of my list above.

Thanks all!
1) No issue swapping pads on the same rotor. I swap EBC Red, Pagid RSL29, and PFC08s all on the same rotors.

2) Highly dependent on the club/company you go with. Some are more laissez-faire than others and will let beginners go solo. Don't go with one of those groups or you may end up with n00bs like this guy out there endangering yourself.

3) Sunscreen, brake pad change tools (punch, hammer, pad spreader, nitrile or work gloves), a large bin to put all your stuff in (and to double as a table with lid on), tire pressure gauge and pump, and a notebook for track notes/class sessions.
Quote:
Originally Posted by FaRKle! View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brotherhef View Post
Few other questions:
1) For those that change in and out of pads. I have always turned or replaced rotors when I did pads and properly broke them in. Does it cause issues when you just toss on a new pair of pads?
2) Do most tracks have a staff member that will ride with you the first session so you can get a feel?
3) Let me know what you think of my list above.

all!
1) No issue swapping pads on the same rotor. I swap EBC Red, Pagid RSL29, and PFC08s all on the same rotors.

.
Do you have to re bed pads every time you swap?
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      07-29-2019, 10:43 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brotherhef View Post
Do you have to re bed pads every time you swap?
Not religiously. Although I'll try to bed the track pads after swapping them in, there have been plenty of times I haven't. They'll bed themselves in on the track. When swapping back to my street pads I never re-bed them (just isn't convenient to). The pedal will feel a bit different until the track compound wears away, but it doesn't take a long time for that and I'm nowhere close to not being able to stop.
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