I am going to my first track day, NASA HPDE1 event April 9-10.
I have been finding a lot of good info (thanks O-Town!! HMatt!! and PureEvoIX!!) but I thought it would be relevant to start a thread and to possibly sticky it that covers track day EVO SPECIFIC checklist stuff.Â* I will edit the thread each time something is added.Â* For me, I want to be fully prepared even if I am not really racing but just driving fast.Â* For example, Buttonwillow is almost 2 hours from LA, so I don't want to forget anything AND I DEFINITELY do not want ANYTHING to get in the way of me driving my EVO as fast as possible for the first time!!
read:
http://www.nasaproracing.com/hpde/preparing.html
BEFORE you go to the track, make sure your car is tuned up properly.
[]Check your fluid levels.
[]Check your Brakes
[]Check your tires
[]make sure all your hoses and etc... are fitted correctly
[]consider fuel. If you are running 91, roll up with a fill tank. Consider breaking away after lunch and topping off again unless you do not mind getting fuel at the track (if available). Your car will necessarily get infinitely worse gas mileage than normal, so take this in to consideration.
So this is becoming a pretty extensive list.Â* Some things may be a bit of overkill for an HPDE1 event but personally, for me, it is practice for when things get more serious, so because I am obsessive, I want to get all this stuff ready now.Â* Then by the time I am actually racing people, getting ready will be a simple routine.
EVO Track Day Checklist
1. 1Qt of your favorite motor oil. You will want to check your oil levels after EVERY session. Similar to fuel, oil will be consumed and burned off much more than normal. If you run out, you will be towed home. Make sure you have extra oil and make sure to check your oil!!
2. 2 Bottles of Motul
3. 1 Bottle of Distilled water
4. 1 Spare set of brake pads for front
5. 1 Spare set of brake pads for rear
6. 1 Spare set of front rotors (hardcore people)
7. Make Sure you are registered properly.
8. Make sure you have a place to stay/sleep BEFORE going if you are staying in the area.Â* Sleep is massively important in all threads about track days.
9. Make sure you have a proper helmet that meets the requirements of the track and/or governing body.
10. Bring a tire pressure gauge.
11. Bring a Torque Wrench for lug nuts [recommended on the NASA forum].
12. A proper jack + jack stands [recommended on the NASA forum].
13. Bring drinks!Â* Recommended is 1gal. +. I have also read that if you bring a big box of bottled water, everyone will love you by the end of the weekend.
14. Bring a piece of wood or a brick so you do not have to use your e-brake when it is still hot.
15. Bring a change of clothes + warm clothes and etc...
16. Painter's tape.
17. Paper tape.
18. Grip tape
19. Duct tape
20. A box to put ALL lose objects in (this is also a reason to have a hotel IMO)
21. Window cleaner + paper towels.
22. General automotive tools (i.e. wrenches for things like brake bleeder screws just in case).
23. Cardboard just in case you need to lay on the ground for an extended period of time dealing with hoses popping off or some sort.
24. CASH for entry to the track and misc.
25. Sun Block
26. Sun Glasses
27. Hat
28. Notepad (track notes-tire pressure, dampening, alignment, etc...)
29. Pen
30. Camera (video and/or still)
31. Extra camera batteries/memory/tapes…
32. Lots of rags
33. Shop towels
34. Impact wrench
35. Breaker bar
36. Folding chair
37. Cooler
38. Snacks!
39. Loose change for drinks and stuff
40. FUEL (especially if you run E85)
41. Track map.
42. Lip Balm
43. Tubing and a bottle for Brake Bleeding
44. Zip Ties
45. Nail (or punch) to knock out your brake keeper pin
46. Decent Work Gloves
47. Brake Cleaner
48. Spare hose clamps or T-Bolts of various sizes in case one or more pop off.
49. Bring spare caliper retaining clip and pins.
50. Bring some metal wire on a spool to McGyver something up if needed.
51. Needle Nose Pliers.
52. Wire Cutters
53. Hammer
54. Nail (regular for front/small for rear) for brake caliper pins.
55. Driving Gloves
56. AAA Card!!
57. EZ-Up for tracks without cover + some heavy weights to hold down your EZ-UP in the wind!!
58.Â* Â*A Bin or box to carry your stuff in.
SO, what is missing here is EVO SPECIFIC stuff.Â* I assume there are things on here left out and that are essential to having an EVO on the track.Â* Please post up any ideas or comments positive or negative and I will edit this thread in relation to comments.
Thank you!!Â* I might be a bit overly excited to go out to an HPDE1 but it has been my dream since college to 1. get a cool car and 2. get it on the track.Â* I graduated college 4 years ago now and I am just getting around to getting on the track.
Cheat Codes, TIPS, TRICKS, and HINTS:
From O-TownFl
- take your TP gauge with you in your car.... start out with your TP at 25~28psi cold during your first session.. do about 4 hot laps, come into hot pits and then adjust your TP to ~35psi...
- before each session, be sure to torque you lugs to 85ft.lbs.
- pre set your heater to MAX, just in case you encounter high temps on the track. Then all you have to do is turn it on blast
- after each session is completed, cruise the paddock area with your heater ON blast... It'll cool down you car faster and it will give your brakes ample time to cool down
FROM MIKE W on SoCalDSM:
If you find your self stuck in a gaggle of cars and someone is not letting
cars pass, dont stay in the pack. Just pull into and up to the head of the
pit lane. Wait for the re-entry marshal to flag you back out onto the track
in a less crowded spot. If you stand in the pits you can watch one of the
other sessions, note 10 cars all bunched up and all the big open area around
the rest of the track.
On the same note, even if you have 300 hp but find a Miata on your tail for
a whole lap, let him by in the passing area. Just because you can pull him
on the straight passing area does not mean you should ruin his session
getting stuck behind you in the tight stuff. Then hopefully the same goes
for the NSX that you catch. There is a big difference between drivers, car
preparation and hp levels. Be courteous, hopefully others will be too.
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Originally Posted by jdmcwestevo1
