Track days lessons learned and prep thread.

[Vovchandr]

Clearly I'm itching for not being at an event in a few years now. 

 

I love overthinking things and over planning things and track days provide a very good opportunity to do so. It's a family trip and mechanical prep all combined into one.

 

Track days are an expensive commitment of time and money and I hate the though of something preventable ruining the experience. I remember one year running around asking for a 22mm? Specific socket to help take off a fairing stay. Not fun. 

 

 

Some of my top lessons and tools in no particular order

 

Trailer to the track instead of driving. 

Lodge on the track if possible 

Bring an 18v portable air pump

Have a set of spare wheels/tires for track days. 

Bring a folding chair

Bring a folding table

Bring a pop-up if garages are not an option

Bring a torque wrench

Bring an 18v impact gun

Bring a jack and jack stands 

Bring a generic portable mechanic tool set 

Bring extra fluids (oil, gas, coolant, brake fluid)

Bring paper towels/absorbers for spills... 

Bring a volt meter/power probe

Bring portable lights (helps with trailering too)

 

 

I'll add more as I think of them. 

[Croc]

All good suggestions.  You learned the first one particularly hard your first time.  Have a friendly person who owns a garage at a track store your broken car would be another idea!

 

I have been writing a guide to track days in the last few months.  But then I paused and realized I could be sued if someone on here reads it and then goes out and writes themselves off when they run out of talent.  Lets face it - very few of us here have true driving talent - we are very enthusiastic and keen amateurs.  Still mentally debating the merits of this one.

 

I suspect it is a bad idea.  After all I do remember this day when a number of you sprayed off into the scenery then had to come in for a chat/mild spanking about your driving standards.  10 cars out of 12 went off in the first 4 laps.  There were 16 reports to the pits for spins / off road excursions /gardening / plowing crops / landscaping / etc. in an 8 lap session.  All of it was undoubtedly due to it being October and cold tires.  i had to have a chat with the Chief Instructor about the se7en driving group performance.  Our group was apparently worse than a PCA Track Day group - the one with the worst incident rate in the USA.  Well done!

 

 

 

[Vovchandr]

This must have been during my only spin/off in all the years going. 

 

Don't recall being part of a clowder. In my recollection I was reprimanded for not pitting after to get a once over. I didn't get off the track during that lap and might have forgotten to do so during the next. 

 

@BlakeJ witnessed my other close call early in the morning on the wet track. 

[Vovchandr]

4 hours ago, Croc said:

Have a friendly person who owns a garage at a track store your broken car would be another idea!

 

Very friendly. It's the next best thing to having your own garage at the track!

 

Depends on what the guide is. If it's just prep and good hints that's one thing. If it's actual directions that's a whole another thing. 

Edited February 17, 2024 by Vovchandr