anyone here race ncrc events
 

i have signed up for an event jan 25 at sears point. this is my first event. anything i should know.

http://www.ncracing.org/

i've done open track events with them before and will be at sears point on th 25th as well

they are pretty well organized and run the show pretty tightly. they run four run groups rather than three....this seperates out the intermediate group nicely since usually the intermediate group can be pretty full.

my understanding is that they have good instructors....though i can't personally vouch for that.

overall, a nice bunch of people.


see you there
fabian

Re: anyone here race ncrc events
 

The MOST important thing on the track is BRAKES - Make sure you have at least 3/4 pad remaing ( and bring a spare set to the track just in case you burn through them), Rotors in good shape, NO LEAKS. IF you haven't flushed them in the past 6 months, Flush out ALL the old fluid and replace with a good quality fluid like ATE Racing Blue or Valvoline SynPower, (or one of the Higher priced RACING only Fluids like MOTUL or AP Racing.) Also Flush and Fill the radiator if you coolant is more than a year old, Check closley for any coolant leaks, and worn fan/water pump belts. Also check the suspension for loose bolts, worn bushings etc. and if you can afford it, have a full 4 wheel alignment done (to stock spec is OK for a beginner) If the the Alignment is off you will get quircky (Dangerous) handeling and EXCESSIVE tire wear.

wow thanx great advice. i have done all of those things but i still need to ahve my breaks checked out.
thanx!

I'm an instructor for NCRC, although I won't be at the Sears event..

Good bunch of guys, they keep the car counts down, and I agree, my fellow instructors are all pretty good. As for me, who knows ;) hehe

If it rains, go ahead and go. Sometimes the rain lets up in the morning and you'll be clear all afternoon. But dont' go out on track in the rain. This is the one track I wouldn't recommend a beginner go out there in the rain, too many places to bang up your car if you mess up.

Assuming it's clear, GET an instructor. Don't be a hero, this is not a time to show everyone how good you can drive, slow down, and relax. No one is going to be impressed if you're super fast, no one is going to laugh if you are super slow. There's no prize for first place (there is no first place!) :)

Heading up the hill into turn 2, remember that traffic entering the track is merging there. Watch for them and give them room.

Turn 2 ,turn 3a, and turn 5 are blind over the top, find the corner worker station and watch them like a hawk. If someone spins after the apex, you won't see them.

Yellow means SLOW THE F*** down. Don't go bombing in to the turn at mach 3. So the guy you were chasing got 4 car lengths on you because you slowed down, no biggie, you'll catch him later :) Don't go too slow, but be slow enough that you can react without spinning the car if suddenly you see a car coming accross the track toward you.

Pay attention to your mirrors, if someone is on your ass thru 2 corners, wait for the next passing zone and LET THEM BY. It's no big deal.

Conversely, don't sit on a guy's bumper if he's holding you up. Back off, wait for the next passing zone, and pass then. If thye don't see you or don't let you by after a couple of attempts, pull into the pits for 30 seconds and get some spacing. Don't get upset with the driver, it's really not a big dela. You can mention it to the driver after the session is over. Remember that everyone in your session is probably just as nervous as you are.

There's alot going on, but most of all, relax, pay attention, and you'll have a blast.

PaulC

Jeremy, welcome to NCRC! The NCRC guys really put on a great event - safe, well-organized, and fun! Warning: you're going to get addicted to track events... Stop by and say hello - I'll be driving a red 3rd gen in A-group. See you Saturday!
Dave

ooops, i thought you were asking about ncrc as an organization rather than track events in general.

i agree with everything above except i would respectfully disagree about not running in the rain. you will learn a TON about car control in the rain. every error is magnified. you won't and shouldn't go fast and you won't learn the classic dry line, but you will be greatly rewarded by learning smooth pedal work. you'll hear this a million times, but smoothness is one of the most important factor in being a good track driver, be it track days or full on racing, and the best teacher is an ice rink of a track.

having said that....sears is the most unforgiving track in n. california, so you've got to be really careful. that shouldn't keep you from driving though, just respect it.

i'll see you there, come find me....yellow 3rd gen in B group...#9 i think.

fabian

Sorry Fabian, we've been taking racing photography for 3 years, and sears is an absolute monster at gobbling up cars in the rain.. I've got a good number of photos of all kinds of cars getting munched.

Yes you can learn alot about car control, but this is his first time. Personally, I look at giving advice on track stuff like my ass is going to be in the right seat. And I wouldn't go out with a first timer in the rain at sears point. Sorry, but that passes my threshold of kamikaze instincts.

PaulC

hey...i hear you. i've seen it too. i just think that if you SLOW down enough, you can do fine. there's no problem going that slow in D group. i'm sure it's different sitting in that passenger seat though!! :eek:

so you are the "head on photos" guys? i thought the name rung a bell. you guys do a great job....are you shooting at sears this weekend?

regards
fabian

Looks like it'll be a moot point, wx forecast is mostly cloudy.. We're pretty much on the same page, I do think rain driving is very instructive, and if this were T-hill or BW, for sure, get out there and have fun even in the rain.

Yep, my dad and brother run Head-on.. Glad you like our stuff :) They'll be there this weekend, I'll be home setting up the garage and getting the racer up on jackstands to look at the exhaust..

PaulC

Yo Jeremy,

How'd the weekend go?

Fabian, I saw a nice pic of your FD up on NCRC's message board, you might go check it out.. I guess one of the participants took a bunch of photos too..


Paul

jeremy.....didn't really get a chance to talk to you, i think you were milling about my car for a few minutes but i was busy or something at the time. hope you had a fun time.

paul....i saw the pics taken by david leong. were there some other pix i missed? what happened that your dad left so early?....i wanted to get a c.d. from him.

i'm dialing in the new tire/wheel/spring arrangement but have a setback with the blown tranny. hopefully will be at laguna on march 1-2.

take care
fabian

Not sure why they had to roll out, but I know both of them were sick as dogs when they got home (I had a cold,they probably got it from me)

I saw the pics of your car though, very very nice setup there :) They should be up on the website in a day or two. If I get a chance I'll post a few up here later tonight

PaulC