I'm pretty excited that i have a track event comming up on fri. It lasted basically all day with instruction in the morning and free runs in the afternoon. I've done plenty of autocross and drift events but, i know for track events there has to be alittle more prep. Here my cars life line, the brakes have 14k and original brake pads. Should I change the brake fluid before or just after the day? Also my rear tires are new but my front tires have some significant wear. The front tires are about at the tread bar, should i be good for the day? Any other suggestions would be helpful so I can get the most out of this $160 day.

late

 

you should bleed your brakes before the event. the purpose is to have fresh fluid that doesn't have water in them. water boils at a lower boiling pt than the fluid so when your brakes get hot, you get air in the lines.

you should check your pads and make sure you have enough pad left. if you're in doubt, replace them since i read here that people have gone through rear pads in one day. pads are easier and cheaper to replace than a set of rotors.

it won't hurt to get an oil change before the event either. your front tires should be ok. a track day's the best reason to wear them out and get new tires afterwards.

i'm doing a track day sept 10 in michigan. currently finishing up a koni installation in my miata. just have to pick up bolts from the dealer since i had to cut and drill one of them out because it was seized from corrosion.

 

i would definitely upgrade to a better brake pad. try carbotechs or porterfields high temp pads..

 

thanks for the suggestions

 

hey! its always great to see someone hitting the track..

my suggestions are..


I don't know the track well at all, but definitely take it easy for the first few laps, and sessions possibly, the engine breathing mods you have will make the car surprisingly fast (probably faster then you expect, on the track especially).

Enter braking zones at a very safe distance initially to learn your car's braking curve.. in only a few laps they will quickly heat up, and then overheat and not work well. The easier you brake, the longer overall your pads/rotors will hold up in each session.

The way your tires are worn is positive in my opinion for a first track event. Depending on how worn the front ones are, possibly the front tires will grip less then they should, and the rears will grip fine, leading to understeer, which is safe for a first track day.

How is your suspension setup? Namely the rollbars. The JICs/Hotchkis sways can be a stiff setup. If you are driving on a full dry surface, don't worry too much, but if you are on a damp surface, or it is raining, take it really easy, or the roll stiffness will slide you off the track.

I suggest setting your rollbars softer initially if you can easily, it'll make the car understeer more likely, but will make for a safe track day. MAKE SURE your rear links are properly tightened and torqued, the last thing you want is one slipping or breaking on track.

Check tire PSI's, and oil level as well. Check oil during and after the track day.. high RPMs burn oil to a degree.

Lastly, if you have a chance to have a pro/ instructor drive your car, let them. They will show you amazing things, and will give you something to aspire to

phil

 

Change your brake pads AND put new fluid in that thing!! Find your local mustang performance shop or something and buy some Motul 600 or AP Racing fluid and have your brake system flushed with it. Its probably too close for you to get some decent track pads - so at the very least, buy two sets of stock pads and have them at the ready. If this is your first event, you are going to 'ride' the brakes your first couple sessions - this is the WORST thing you can do for your pads and fluid. The heat build-up will ruin your day by glazing the pads over and possibly boiling the fluid. Then you'll be spending your lunch break changing pads and bleeding fluid. If you have the track model as your profile indicates, the Brembos will certainly help the situation - but still... keep your straight speeds reasonable (@ 100/115 MPH is plenty) and work on braking 'quickly'. It is better to brake HARD and for a short period of time, than it is to brake easy for a longer period.

Otherwise, utilize any and all in-car instruction you can get... and next time, find a two-day event to do - you get SO much more out of the second day than the first, expecially if you're new to on-track driving.