One on track tid bit... try to get out in the front of the group or right behind an instructor (if they are on course). This allows you a chance to see the fast way around the course without student after student "diluting" the instructors lines.

 

He is talking about a track event, not an autox - big difference. I don't know how you think you got 5mph at an autox - I get about 8mph on a full open course, which is either WOT or hard braking.

Wash and wax to protect it from track debris is the only way to really protect it. Some use painter's tape to cover their bumper and/or hood to protect them as well.

Agreed.

OP - have fun, and don't sweat the car prep too much. You are in a school, not a full DE, so it'll be much lighter on your car. As others have said, have all the fluids topped off and your oil changed. I change my oil before every event. Just make sure you have enough brake pad remaining all around.

I'd also study the track online. Try to watch an in-car video and compare it to a printed out track map. See if you can play it back in your head to take out the nervousness of blind turns and elevation changes the day of your event.

 

Have fun yes, but be prepared, instuctors will push you at times. You will basicly be reviewed on how you drive at speed on track. I can guarantee you every instructor is different, so some might be strong on late braking, and if you do not prepare your car, then you just ended your day. The one thing all instructors have(should) in common is safety. If your car is unsafe to him/her well your day might get unnormal.


Very good tip on watching in car vids, this always helps me out.

 

The last track day I went to didn't seem to overheat the brembo's too much. Even after 6 hard laps there wasn't any brake fade, but the clutch on the other hand....I'm replacing the clutch fluid with motul rbf600.

 

Other than an oil change to a good synthetic (which you should be using anyway) the advice offered to not sweat the prep too much was the best. Waxing your exhaust, naww. You'll just be smelling it before it burns off completely. The only thing you really should buy for the car is a set of Hawk HP+ pads or similar. They're easy on rotors and will last for several track days until you drive more aggressively. It is very possible to completely go through a set of street pads in a single track day especially when you're new and using the brakes too often and too hard. Then you may think about a different brake package-in a year or two. There's nothing wrong with using street tires for your first few track days, but DO NOT buy new street tires. You'll want something with the tread blocks worn down so you don't pull out chunks of new street tread. Don't worry about spending big money on suspension-headers-exhaust systems until you've driven the stock set up a while. Our cars are excellent and fun track cars. After some experience your next upgrade will be an R-compound tire or a hybrid street/track tire like the Dunlop Star Spec. Have a blast!

 

Have fun...

 

I've got an '03 Track, and I'll also be breaking my track day cherry this spring/summer. The fresh oil change makes sense to me, but I'm curious about switching out the brake fluid and pads?

Would you change back to "normal" brake fluid and/or pads after the event?

What do you think the highest priorities are (fresh fluid-wise)? oil, brake fluid, clutch fluid, coolant...

I'm basically trying to come up with a budget for a summer's worth of events. I know that after I do a couple events, I'll be making changes (stickier tires, SS lines, etc.). I'm just more worried about the maintenance-type, non-bolt-on items that I should worry about.

 

No need to change the fluid back, consider it a good upgrade for everyday as well, it is just overkill for DD. What makes the brake fluid so important to change, is over time moisture collects in the fluid, this lowers the boiling point of the brake fluid, this is the wet boiling point. The ATE super blue is great fluid, not only does it have high boiling points dry and wet, but it makes the flush job easy because it is a no brainer when you see blue fluid coming out instead of amber.

The brake pads change them back to your street pads if you bought some heavy duty track day pads. They tend to dust heavy and are usually noisy.
If you just got something mild you could still use them everyday if you are happy with them.

Take care if all the fluids, not saying change them all out, but at least suck the resovoirs dry and top off with new(clutch, power steering) you will be OK.

I like to change my oil at least 1 week before, this helps to get that black film from the oil onto the the vitals.

Have fun it is really addicting and you will be amazed what your car is capable of from the factory.