prep for Track, what needs to be done?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 2, 2010 | 01:16 PM
  #1  
fanbanlo's Avatar
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
prep for Track, what needs to be done?

new brake fluid?

what else?

Thanks
Reply
Old Jul 3, 2010 | 01:51 PM
  #2  
PACman's Avatar
Drifting
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,068
Likes: 21
From: SoCal
Where and what track?
What do you have on the car right now?
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2011 | 11:07 PM
  #3  
davidspalding's Avatar
Make a hole, coming thru!
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,945
Likes: 15
From: Somewhere between 70 and 125 mph
Not a lot of answers here. Here's what I've been told ... and some things I'll transliterate from several years in military aviation. I suppose some mandated tick boxes are determined by the event organizer (SCCA, regional car club).

Before (essentially what they'll look for in the tech shed)
  1. Tech check.... fluids topped off, security of body panels & components, bolts, w'have you
  2. Leak check, nothing dripping
  3. Brakes, ensure sufficient pad material; condition of rotors
  4. Tires, sufficient tread, proper inflation (recently balanced?)
  5. Remove all loose items, doodads, floor mats, covers, etc.
  6. take out any unnecessary gear
  7. Painters tape or similar for marking numbers; maybe tape over lights, fog lights?
  8. White shoe polish (for marking tires during practice runs)
  9. Have a prepared list of mods and equipment
  10. Vehicle Log book
  11. License and insurance documentation as req'd
  12. Appropriate clothing and safety items as req'd

After (a good post-flight leads to a better pre-flight)
  1. Change your brake fluid, at least yearly, and after heavy racing -- brake fluid loses its viability when it's been seriously cooked
  2. Change oil and filter (particularly, I've been told, if you use a oil impingement type oil filter, or CAI, or SRI)
  3. Tranny fluid probably change twice as often as manufacturer recommendation
  4. Inspect top to bottom: tires, brakes, rotors, suspension
  5. Logbook entries, make them while the memories are fresh

Hope that's a help ... and that others who've been doing this at organized events can correct me or add more... I'm just starting to dip my toes in, and can only repeat what's been taught to me.

Last edited by davidspalding; Mar 9, 2011 at 11:10 PM.
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2012 | 02:04 AM
  #4  
cambodianricer's Avatar
7th Gear
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: 951
brake fluid & brake pads.

Not being able to stop kinda sucks
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2012 | 02:20 AM
  #5  
Aman's Avatar
Your Friendly Canadian
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 17,447
Likes: 1,506
From: Toronto, Ontario
If you race a lot, you might want to invest in some slotted rotors to help with cooling.
Reply
Old Jan 10, 2013 | 09:14 AM
  #6  
MikeMurphy's Avatar
10th Gear
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 11
Likes: 1
Get rid of the spare tire.

Turn your wheels and check the tire for nails etc puncturing.

Bring appropriate footware, ie narrow soft shoe with no lips
Reply
Old Jan 11, 2013 | 01:08 AM
  #7  
green_henry's Avatar
Racer
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 306
Likes: 11
From: Northern California
Old thread but somebody's bound to find this useful. I believe I read these tips in an article in Grassroots Motorsports a few years ago.

You're going to want to empty your glove compartment, center console, side pockets, and trunk. You don't want anything to come loose or start rattling while you're driving; it's distracting at best and potentially dangerous. Don't count on everything staying put like it does on the highway or around town. Since you're probably going to need some of these things for the trip to the track (spare tire, jack, registration, CDs, etc.), bring a duffle bag or something else where you can dump them before you get on the track.

Also, you want to be on the track with as little gas in the tank as possible. Bring a gas can so that you have a few gallons to get to the gas station on the way home from the track.

And, don't forget your helmet
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2020 | 01:33 PM
  #8  
mrclutch55's Avatar
10th Gear
 
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Rain City
is stainless lines a must for track days? i have the hawk dtc70 pads and motul brake fluid down already, just curious if the lines are necessary?
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2020 | 01:54 PM
  #9  
Aman's Avatar
Your Friendly Canadian
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 17,447
Likes: 1,506
From: Toronto, Ontario


No, stainless lines are not a must. They're mostly for feel. For a track day, the most effective things you can have is a recently bled system with pads/rotors in good condition.

Reply
Old Dec 8, 2020 | 12:18 AM
  #10  
mrclutch55's Avatar
10th Gear
 
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Rain City
Good to know. Just afraid they will swell. And stoptech are cheap enough.

👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2020 | 05:48 AM
  #11  
justnspace's Avatar
Moderator
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 86,293
Likes: 16,291
you know what my moto is???


if something breaks, it's upgrade time!!!

so, let them swell! or go ahead and upgrade now before the track
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2020 | 05:53 AM
  #12  
justnspace's Avatar
Moderator
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 86,293
Likes: 16,291
you could also do a "shake down" run...meaning test out the car on the track for the very first time...find out if it's able to make a pass. if something breaks, now you know what to fix or upgrade
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
4drviper
3G TL Audio, Bluetooth, Electronics & Navigation
1
Apr 23, 2025 07:13 PM
emailnatec
5G TLX Tires, Wheels & Suspension
29
Sep 28, 2018 04:27 PM
Oakes
Wash & Wax
9
Nov 12, 2015 09:34 PM
detailersdomain
Wash & Wax
3
Oct 9, 2015 10:13 PM
jpadilla
3G RLX (2013+)
4
Sep 27, 2015 07:53 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:23 AM.