Through the years on SNF as well as other forums I've been asked "How do I get on track?" So I'd like to inagurate this section to tell you guys/gals how.
It's really as simple as finding a track, and going. Just like a drag strip, you pay, pass tech, and drive.
THE TRACK:
Most tracks these days have a website, find it, and find out their calendar. Find their open track day schedule and get registered. There will most likely be some rules for tech and experience. If you have no experience, don't tuck your tail between your legs, we've all been there. You may be required to take a safety class which may or may not be onsite and/or additional $. Once you have done this, you can be in the experienced group, and should not have to do it again. The class will explain basics about passing, do-s and dont's, may cover caution flags, and explain what behavior will get you thrown out of the facility.
Tech rules will be similar as with any motorsport, safe driving vehicle, working seat belts, no fluids puking out, good tires, battery hold-down, and a helmet. Some may require you to put a # on both doors, masking tape is acceptable.
CAR PREP:
The biggest misconception with novice drivers is the need to modify this, or that before they do their track day. Don't worry about it. Your car's ability will be much greater than your own until you get some seat time. Focus on passing tech. Make sure you have a helmet that meets requirements, good tires, decent life on brake pads, and do any maintenance that needs done. In addition, I would recomment a complete flush of brake fluid from the master to each corner. You don't want to find out what boiling brake fluid feels like your 1st time out, just get a good DOT4 synthetic if you can, if not, just changing it is fine.
ON TRACK:
If you're lucky and can find some online vids of your track, view them, several times. Or even luckier and can drive 'your track' on Forza, start driving. Learn the line as best as possible before you actualy go. First time at a new track, or first time period, is very draining. You have a million things going through your head as well as trying to keep an eye on gauges, other cars, corner stations, and staying on your line. Don't worry about winning your track day, just be safe, and learn:
#1 the track and performance driving
#2 what your car likes, and does not like (in terms or turning and braking)
DONT FORGET:
Dumb stuff people forget, then it eats your track time:
-Fuel, gas up before you get there, bring some more if you need to. Track fuel is $8-10/gal, and may not even be available.
-Clean your car, if you roll up and take out a cooler, small toolbox, and floormats it's much easier than disconnecting speakerboxes and removing 50lbs of crap.
-Hydrate, bring plenty of water and drink it. If you're not peeing every hour, you're not drinking enough.
-Maintenance, if your car has some issues, fix them. Chances of getting your registration fees back if you break down is like hell freezing over.
GET ON TRACK WITH A CLUB:
You can also look into local chapters of SCCA, NASA, PCA, BMWCCA, etc. Some may be car specific, but that does not mean you can't drive with them. If you only have a choice of BMWCCA in your area, contact them, and get on track. A lot of car clubs also do open track days that they rent the track and will allow you to start there. Again, you may not even have a car the club represents, but they typicaly need the entry fees from as many cars as possible, so they'll accomodate. The Z-Car Club of Colorado asked me a few months back to come to their track day with my Mustang. The NASA HPDE program is a great way to get started, they cater to novice through experienced by splitting the HPDE groups by experience. As you get better you move through the HPDE ranks and can eventualy compete with Time Trials (TT) or Wheel to Wheel Racing (W2W).
Ask any questions you guys/gals have. I'll try and dig up a FAQ I once put together for this as well. I know this section is technicaly for racing, but I feel this thread will help people get on-track rather then getting lost in the sea of threads in other sections.
Thanks for reading!!
It's really as simple as finding a track, and going. Just like a drag strip, you pay, pass tech, and drive.
THE TRACK:
Most tracks these days have a website, find it, and find out their calendar. Find their open track day schedule and get registered. There will most likely be some rules for tech and experience. If you have no experience, don't tuck your tail between your legs, we've all been there. You may be required to take a safety class which may or may not be onsite and/or additional $. Once you have done this, you can be in the experienced group, and should not have to do it again. The class will explain basics about passing, do-s and dont's, may cover caution flags, and explain what behavior will get you thrown out of the facility.
Tech rules will be similar as with any motorsport, safe driving vehicle, working seat belts, no fluids puking out, good tires, battery hold-down, and a helmet. Some may require you to put a # on both doors, masking tape is acceptable.
CAR PREP:
The biggest misconception with novice drivers is the need to modify this, or that before they do their track day. Don't worry about it. Your car's ability will be much greater than your own until you get some seat time. Focus on passing tech. Make sure you have a helmet that meets requirements, good tires, decent life on brake pads, and do any maintenance that needs done. In addition, I would recomment a complete flush of brake fluid from the master to each corner. You don't want to find out what boiling brake fluid feels like your 1st time out, just get a good DOT4 synthetic if you can, if not, just changing it is fine.
ON TRACK:
If you're lucky and can find some online vids of your track, view them, several times. Or even luckier and can drive 'your track' on Forza, start driving. Learn the line as best as possible before you actualy go. First time at a new track, or first time period, is very draining. You have a million things going through your head as well as trying to keep an eye on gauges, other cars, corner stations, and staying on your line. Don't worry about winning your track day, just be safe, and learn:
#1 the track and performance driving
#2 what your car likes, and does not like (in terms or turning and braking)
DONT FORGET:
Dumb stuff people forget, then it eats your track time:
-Fuel, gas up before you get there, bring some more if you need to. Track fuel is $8-10/gal, and may not even be available.
-Clean your car, if you roll up and take out a cooler, small toolbox, and floormats it's much easier than disconnecting speakerboxes and removing 50lbs of crap.
-Hydrate, bring plenty of water and drink it. If you're not peeing every hour, you're not drinking enough.
-Maintenance, if your car has some issues, fix them. Chances of getting your registration fees back if you break down is like hell freezing over.
GET ON TRACK WITH A CLUB:
You can also look into local chapters of SCCA, NASA, PCA, BMWCCA, etc. Some may be car specific, but that does not mean you can't drive with them. If you only have a choice of BMWCCA in your area, contact them, and get on track. A lot of car clubs also do open track days that they rent the track and will allow you to start there. Again, you may not even have a car the club represents, but they typicaly need the entry fees from as many cars as possible, so they'll accomodate. The Z-Car Club of Colorado asked me a few months back to come to their track day with my Mustang. The NASA HPDE program is a great way to get started, they cater to novice through experienced by splitting the HPDE groups by experience. As you get better you move through the HPDE ranks and can eventualy compete with Time Trials (TT) or Wheel to Wheel Racing (W2W).
Ask any questions you guys/gals have. I'll try and dig up a FAQ I once put together for this as well. I know this section is technicaly for racing, but I feel this thread will help people get on-track rather then getting lost in the sea of threads in other sections.
Thanks for reading!!