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hey guys,

im going to pop my track day cherry soon. i was just wondering what you guys do before hand and what you recommend in doing/getting done to the car beforehand.

ive got a few questions of my own:

what size oil cooler core would be best?

will the factory radiator be fine?

do you pull out a headlight for cool air or use a CAI?

any tips would be helpful.

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My ritual is to get pissed the night before.

preperation is usually done a few days before that..............come to think of it, I've never had to do much preperation at all. Just bring some Engine oil, jacks, brake fluid, coolant and a box of tools. Credit card too just in case things fall to pieces.

No worries!!

Oh, and to answer your questions

1. Oil cooler - I havent got one....I've got one on the way! but for the last 11ty track days/events ive done I havent had one so you "should" be right!

2. My factory radiotor has held up - yours should be fine!

3. Id leave light in for safety

Best thing to do is 1st two laps - warm up - go hard for a few laps and then take a couple cool down laps so everything gets a good cool down!

Oh and what day you going to?Wheres my invite? :P

No worries!!

Oh, and to answer your questions

1. Oil cooler - I havent got one....I've got one on the way! but for the last 11ty track days/events ive done I havent had one so you "should" be right!

2. My factory radiotor has held up - yours should be fine!

3. Id leave light in for safety

Best thing to do is 1st two laps - warm up - go hard for a few laps and then take a couple cool down laps so everything gets a good cool down!

Oh and what day you going to?Wheres my invite? :P

the sau nsw track day!

Bleed the brakes. Check you have 50% meat on pads.

Top up the oil or replace it if it's more than 3000k's old or if it's had a track day already.

yeah i'll be changing the pads as well as giving it an oil/filter change too.

yeah i'll be changing the pads as well as giving it an oil/filter change too.

Make sure the brake pads are bedded in properly before hitting the track.

Don't put the handbrake on after completing a number of laps - let the rotors cool down first.

Edited by writeoff
My ritual is to get pissed the night before.

Same here! Every time I've got a track day on, I seem to have a birthday or a work function the night before. :closedeyes:

In all seriousness, I'll check my fluids (I don't flush the oil as often as some, but my car's NA so its not quite as critical) and pads. Clean out all the garbage from the car. Probably give it a hand wash, since that way you go over every inch of the vehicle and you might see something amiss rather than find out on the track. Also make sure everything I need (license, tyre pressure gauge, jack, spare tyre) is in the vehicle.

On the day after I sign in I'll empty the other stuff I don't need for the track (spare tyre, etc) and check my tyre pressures.

The other thing to remember is (especially when you are still new to track day stuff) just before you get into your car to go out on the track - GO AND TAKE A PISS.

If you don't you will put your helmet on, go up to the dummy grid and suddenly you'll think "Damn I wished I'd taken a leak".

Then after your session you'll be all fired up and get back and forget you needed to go. Then the next session will come and the same thing will happen.....

:closedeyes:

The other thing to remember is (especially when you are still new to track day stuff) just before you get into your car to go out on the track - GO AND TAKE A PISS.

If you don't you will put your helmet on, go up to the dummy grid and suddenly you'll think "Damn I wished I'd taken a leak".

Then after your session you'll be all fired up and get back and forget you needed to go. Then the next session will come and the same thing will happen.....

:(

best advice.. EVER!

My advice, never EVER leave anything to the last minute! There is nothing worse than getting to the track and having to bleed your brakes before you head out, or having to fix up things for scrutineering.. making you late to sign on, late to scrutineering and late onto the track!

Rushing makes you forget little things!

the take a piss advice is a good one. also, take a 2 litre bottle of water and a choccolate bar or two. you will need the water to hydrate and the chocco for energy.

I have even bailed out of my car when lined up in dummy grid to go and have an emergencey leak. nothing worse than hitting the track whilst busting for a pee. and race suit warming is not reccomended.

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