Please help with first track day prep stock fc
 

Hello,

I have been racing motorcycles out at miller motorsports park for the last couple of years. At our last track day, they sent me and a friend out to drop off the flag workers in his new S4. After we dropped them off, (and no officials were looking) we took off for a hot lap, holy fun. We decided to try out a car track day, so I'd like to be ready and know what to expect, I'm asking for your input from experience. I have a 1990 S5 T2, bone stock and even passes emissions. Problems with the car, 1) leaks oil, but only after I use the turbo, if no turbo is used then there is no smoke coming from under the car. 2) A clutch master cylinder leak (pretty slow leak). Otherwise the car is running great, I just recently installed a mushroom intake if you want to count that. I have some lightly used adjustable kyb struts sitting in the garage and a lightened flywheel and clutch, should I care to put these in before the track day or does it or will it not matter? Tires are in pretty good shape, the brakes feel a bit weak and I fear that the pads are beyond half life, so at least a flush is in order(what brake fluid should I use?), but I don't know what pads to get that are also good for the track. I've been told that the number one thing to focus on is brake cooling, as in directing air onto the calipers, are there tips, tricks. What can I expect as far as abuse to the car/pretty new kumhos/clutch/brakes/etc. I ask these questions because I've learned these things as I've gone a long with motorcycle riding, things are completely different on the track, your perception changes. Also what is a good tire pressure, sorry for the long post and the many questions, i will cliff note this for people who dont want to read it all.

Cliff Notes
-Going to the first track day
-Stock car, minor problems, ie leaks oil (about 2 quarts every fillup and a half under heavy abuse)
-What can I expect, how/what should I prepare?

Thank you,

I recommend you get this book www.goaheadtakethewheel.com

Before you talk about clutch, flywheel, shocks - fix the broken stuff. The clutch cylinder is cheap and easy, change it. Check out the FSM if you need help. Find and fix the oil leak, 2.5qts per tank is a lot - no one wants oil on the track.

Now that the broken stuff is fixed, flush the brake fluid. Look for something high temp, a cheap alternative to racing fluid is heavy duty Ford Motorcraft fluid - there is a 550 degree version - check out rx7.com to validate. Get some new pads, there's a million opinions on what to get. Hawk makes good pads, depending on what you want (everyday or track only pads there's an option). Maybe the HPS balances well for you. Change the oil. Check all other fluids, check suspension to make sure everything is tight. Do you have play in the wheels? Are the wheel bearings good? Now might be a good time to change the tranny and diff fluid if you don't know it's history.

This is the basic and must do in my opinion. As far as tires, do you want to beat up your street tires or get some track tires? You can get some BBS vert wheels with some used race tires for around $400. Temps will depend on the tire, pump up those street tires to prevent them from rolling in the corners. As far as brake cooling, I think water temp cooling is going to be a bigger concern. You shouldn't need brake ducts for a track day with good fluid and pads.

Good luck, have fun and keep the car in one piece!

Here's some additional reading. The car tech and helmet requirements will very depending on who the organizers are, but it gives you the basic idea.

You should see if you can fix the leaks before you go, the maintenance people don't appreciate oil on the tarmac, and if it got worse while your on the track.....................

Paul

They aren't going to pass you at tech if you are dripping fluids, period. Most tracks will black flag you if you are expelling fluids on the track. If you are just "burning" oil, they probably won't flag you, but you'll annoy the rest of the drivers. ;)

Anything dripping needs to be fixed. Other than that, check this thread as it has a lot of good suggestions:

https://www.rx7club.com/race-car-tech-103/track-check-list-so-speak-254212/

I forgot the link.

http://www.hookedondriving.com/pages.cfm?id=22

Fix anything and everything that's broken, even if it's only slightly broken, being on track is very stressful, and a minor problem can very quickly turn into a major one. I'd say stay on street tires for now, it'll be easier to learn at first, and it'll be one less thing to worry about.

I'd at least get some street/track pads like the Hawk HP+, I wouldn't chance it with anything that's not at least rated for some track use. This summer there was a 350Z at a driving school I was at in the novice group on a track that's easy on brakes, he had stock pads and had to leave at one point to get a whole bunch of stock pads and had to swap them out nearl every session. That's not fun, don't chance it. Get good fluid, if you go to ford their fluid will be 500 degree, but if you can find it in a parts store sold under another brand (I've found it sold by Prestone), then it might still be the 550 degree formula.

I'd install the new shocks, but leave the flywheel. Most groups have loaner helmets for newbs, check to see the rules, as not everywhere will accept a motorcycle helmet (difference is in fire and roll bar impact standards).

Wow thank you guy, this stuff is so similar. I've printed out the tech check off sheet from nasa and hooked on driving. I'll make sure and get these things fixed before I go, thanks again, this answered all of my questions, someone should just sticky this for others who are just starting out in riding track.

Try Motul RBF600 brake fluid. I usually get it from my local motorcycle parts shop.

Fix your leaks as others have said and I recommend you changing to new pads, newer/meatier pads that can withstand high temps are a very good idea.

On top of all that, change your motor oil and transmission fluid.

Bring an EZ-Up canopy, a cooler with refreshments, tools and spare parts, wind-shield cleaning supplies, and anything else you can fit in your car. It's more fun to be prepared for the worst.

Invest in an aftermarket water temp gauge, and an oil temp gauge is not a bad idea either. The stock temp gauge is useless, and the stock radiator is marginal at best. By the time the stock gauge is showing overheated your motor is probably blown. At the very least flush the coolant and add water wetter.