before you push it hard, ie to about 80% of your true limits, i think you should drive over the track/oph/where-ever-you're-racing at a medium, safe speed, to check for anything on the road like sticks, rocks, oil, and other things which could cause you to have an accident. THEN maybe push it a little harder, but not too hard! if you really want to push it hard, push it hard somewhere that you cant kill people or hurt your car too much -- a track day!! its not THAT expensive, and the knowledge you get from it is well worth thte $100 im sure