Ludachris
Founder & Zookeeper
- 8,059
- 3,083
- Nov 12, 2001
-
Newcastle,
California
It seems that everyone I talk to about road racing/open track days is almost always hesitant to try it out for one reason or another. Many people get caught up in the straight line speed and think that drag racing is cheaper and easier on your car. That's not always true. I wanted to start a thread that will help take away the road blocks preventing some people from participating in open track days and answer a few basic questions. Hopefully this info will get a few more people out of their shell and out on the road courses. Also be sure to read:
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/road-course-autocross/236213-towing-your-race-car.html
1. "My car isn't ready for road racing..."
- All cars are ready for road racing. If your car is well maintained and in good running condition (which is should be) it is ready for the road course. Don't think you need a full racing suspension to have fun at the road course. All you need is some newer brake pads, good brake fluid (bleed on the system), tires that are not on their way out in the tread department, and working seatbelts - all things that your car should have anyway. You don't need a full-on race car to do an open track day. In fact, most cars that participate at track events are driven to and from the event. Rarely do you see cars trailered in.
2. "It's too expensive to go road racing..."
- Real road racing competition is not cheap, certainly. But doing open track days is not all that expensive. If you really want to get on the track there are ways to minimize the cost. NASA Pro Racing has a program that allows you to get free track time. Simply volunteer to work 2 events (number of events varies by region) and you'll receive a free track day in return. And even if you don't volunteer, for $100-150 for a day you usually receive instruction and over an hour of track time at a NASA event. Do the math - look at how much time on track for the dollar you get compared to drag racing and autoX. It's actually a better value even without the instruction.
3. "I don't want to wreck my car..."
- Road course events are almost always held in controlled environments and have rules in place to enforce safety. You're more likely to wreck your car on the street doing something stupid than you are at the track. It's funny to me how many people are fine with racing their car on the street but are worried about crashing at the track
4. "Too much wear and tear on my car..."
- Yes, you will go through brake pads faster. You will have to change your oil and brake fluid more often. Your tires will wear out faster than usual. But that's what it's all about! Modifying your car to perform at its best and testing those modifications. The car will hold up to the challenge - especially if you keep up with the maintenance. You just have to know your car. Things might break. The might not. Chances are, if something goes wrong, it probably was going to happen eventually anyway. Why put so much time and effort into modifying their car and are then afraid to drive it like it's supposed to be driven?
5. "What do I need for an open track day?"
- A helmet. If your car is well maintained, which it should be, the only additional things you'll need is a helmet and a tech sheet. A tech sheet is a quick safety inspection to make sure your car is safe for the track. You can usually get this done at the track day or at a local shop specified by the organizing body for the event. It's done to make sure you have good tires, brakes, seat belts, wheel bearings, battery tie-down, no leaks, etc. Everyone who drives their car hard on the street and at the drag strip should be able to pass a tech inspection. It's just basic safety stuff.
6. "What should I bring to a track event? How should I prepare?"
- HPDE: Personal Experience
- HPDE: Driving Tips
Road course events are the most fun I've ever had in my car. You get all the fun of an autocross event at higher speeds and it's not so one-dimensional like drag racing. Many tracks have long straights that give you the feeling of drag racing anyway. If you want to drive fast in a safe and controlled environment, and you want to truly improve your driving skills, you need to get out to the road course. It's the ultimate rush. It's all about being a fast driver, not having a fast car. Anyone can do it. Now get out there and learn how to drive, the right way! Once you do it you'll be hooked.
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/road-course-autocross/236213-towing-your-race-car.html
1. "My car isn't ready for road racing..."
- All cars are ready for road racing. If your car is well maintained and in good running condition (which is should be) it is ready for the road course. Don't think you need a full racing suspension to have fun at the road course. All you need is some newer brake pads, good brake fluid (bleed on the system), tires that are not on their way out in the tread department, and working seatbelts - all things that your car should have anyway. You don't need a full-on race car to do an open track day. In fact, most cars that participate at track events are driven to and from the event. Rarely do you see cars trailered in.
2. "It's too expensive to go road racing..."
- Real road racing competition is not cheap, certainly. But doing open track days is not all that expensive. If you really want to get on the track there are ways to minimize the cost. NASA Pro Racing has a program that allows you to get free track time. Simply volunteer to work 2 events (number of events varies by region) and you'll receive a free track day in return. And even if you don't volunteer, for $100-150 for a day you usually receive instruction and over an hour of track time at a NASA event. Do the math - look at how much time on track for the dollar you get compared to drag racing and autoX. It's actually a better value even without the instruction.
3. "I don't want to wreck my car..."
- Road course events are almost always held in controlled environments and have rules in place to enforce safety. You're more likely to wreck your car on the street doing something stupid than you are at the track. It's funny to me how many people are fine with racing their car on the street but are worried about crashing at the track
4. "Too much wear and tear on my car..."
- Yes, you will go through brake pads faster. You will have to change your oil and brake fluid more often. Your tires will wear out faster than usual. But that's what it's all about! Modifying your car to perform at its best and testing those modifications. The car will hold up to the challenge - especially if you keep up with the maintenance. You just have to know your car. Things might break. The might not. Chances are, if something goes wrong, it probably was going to happen eventually anyway. Why put so much time and effort into modifying their car and are then afraid to drive it like it's supposed to be driven?
5. "What do I need for an open track day?"
- A helmet. If your car is well maintained, which it should be, the only additional things you'll need is a helmet and a tech sheet. A tech sheet is a quick safety inspection to make sure your car is safe for the track. You can usually get this done at the track day or at a local shop specified by the organizing body for the event. It's done to make sure you have good tires, brakes, seat belts, wheel bearings, battery tie-down, no leaks, etc. Everyone who drives their car hard on the street and at the drag strip should be able to pass a tech inspection. It's just basic safety stuff.
6. "What should I bring to a track event? How should I prepare?"
- HPDE: Personal Experience
- HPDE: Driving Tips
Road course events are the most fun I've ever had in my car. You get all the fun of an autocross event at higher speeds and it's not so one-dimensional like drag racing. Many tracks have long straights that give you the feeling of drag racing anyway. If you want to drive fast in a safe and controlled environment, and you want to truly improve your driving skills, you need to get out to the road course. It's the ultimate rush. It's all about being a fast driver, not having a fast car. Anyone can do it. Now get out there and learn how to drive, the right way! Once you do it you'll be hooked.
