always.anthony

price is around the same and needed a few opinions, maybe you guys have been with one of these 2 groups.

http://www.thedriversedge.net/02_tracks.htm planning to attend the june 6/7 event

http://www.apexdrivingacademy.com/schedule.htm planning to attend the June 6 event.

anything i should know? what should i sign up for novice? i've never been on the track, and i might classified as novice, and might be as intermediate, so i don't know.

what all should i have ready?

i'm thinking of saving up for a decent set of tires and i should be ready to go?

TopGear8

iTrader: (3)

Its your first time on the track..Yes you are a Novice... Bleed your brakes, change your fluids...etc...there are threads where you can find everything you need to know about preping your 8 for the track...

Have fun

Be Safe

always.anthony

i didn't see any stickies, but i'll try again. and thanks for that!. if anyone has any experience with either groups don't hesitate to give input! thanks.

"A qualified technician must complete the Tech-inspection within the 30 days preceding the event. A second Safety Inspection Verification may be done at the track. At registration you must present your Inspection form and a copy of your valid driver's license and proof of insurance if you did not already fax or mail them in. All race cars are required to have current log books instead of tech forms."

i'm looking and i can't find the info, but where wpould i go to get the first inspection?

TopGear8

iTrader: (3)

^Any inspection shop..

justjim

The only thing I would do at your stage is flush the brake fluid with clean fluid and bleed. If you plan on doing this more than once I would upgrade to a racing brake fluid that you can use on the street such as ATE Super Blue or something comparable. Get some seat time before you buy anything else. Seat time at the track is often an eye opening experience and nobody is as good as they think they are. After you've done a couple of road course events then think about what you might do to the car. Patience.

ndhoffma

^+1 on that. I was to the track for my first time recently, and there really is not a ton you need to do to the car to be prepared. Check the brakes and replace the brake fluid - I used Valvoline synthetic fluid, which I was told would be more than good enough. Then, just follow through by checking all the other areas of the car; these links should help:

http://www.trackpedia.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5032 (most of this you wont need to worry about as you dont have a 'race' car)
http://www.3ballsracing.com/index.ph...cman&Itemid=16 (the tech inspection form should outline everything you need to check)


Beyond that, I would ask the people coordinating the events, Im sure they will be more than happy to help. Good luck!

always.anthony

thanks thanks! all very help full, will look into new brake fluids and will bleed then!

G-ReX

Just some side stuff: you have to empty the car for the track, so get things like floormats out before you go so they aren't laying around.
I take a plastic storage tub to dump all my stuff in if it rains.
You'll burn more oil than normal on the track, so take extra.
I keep a spare key 'cause it would suck to lock yourself out at the track.
Make sure you know the event's helmet requirements (SA vs M & Snell year).
Consider painter's tape over the headlights for protection.
Take some towels & cleaning stuff because you get sweaty, the windshield gets crap all over it and you run with the windows down even if it rains.

Have fun!

Spin9k

Go to your dealer, tell them what you are going to do, get them look at the car if they need to (or if you service there regularly they already know your car) to sign and stamp the form. Them signing the form puts them under NO liability....it's all on you anyway, so make sure they do it or you know your acr is OK (do you service and work on your car yourself?), but it's your *** on the line if anything is wrong with the car.

Have fun, be happy, it's actually very simple and fun if you line your duck up beforehand!

karstman7

iTrader: (1)

yeah i agreee - EXCEPT bring it to your local shop and not a dealer - they may get out the "warranty void" stamp as well as sign the form....

BlueRenesis82

I don't know about that, I would never give the dealership any more information that the bare minimum that they needed to do their job, let alone telling them about activities that they could think would void out the warranty.

ndhoffma

yeah... not sure of the wording on the warranty, but I know for sure my carmax warranty specifically states that entering in any 'competition' with the vehicle voids all warranty... its best to not let them know anything they dont need to, like blue said


I know this about my warranty b/c i looked it up right before i took mine in for a rebuilt trans (warranty) when mine went out in an autocross

always.anthony

and if you're car has less than 15k you don't have to get it inspected at a shop, you can fill out your own form, says drivers edge.

Spin9k

Besides, DEs are not competition, it says that in the rules and regs for each one. AutoX I don't know, THAT may qualify as competition and/or abuse as you're TIMING, an obvious no-no, plus jerking the car all over the parking lot lol, but any 'ol boys style race track DE is just what the car is made for , not a race, no winner, no who's best...we're just having a'bit-o-fun out there!

BlueRenesis82

I go by what they don't know won't hurt them. If you are taking your car there for warranty work, that's fine and dandy. I would never even infer that I was going on a racetrack with my car, you never know who is having a bad day and wants to ruin yours.

Joe RX-8

iTrader: (1)

First Time = Novice. After that figure out where you fit the last time you were out. Two caveats to keep in mind are 1) it is generally easier to move down to a slower group than up to a faster group if you decide you are in the wrong group; 2) you are more likely to end up with instruction in a slower group than in a faster group. Consider these when you sign up for your second event.

Seat time should be your first priority. After that, dollar for dollar, spending money on tires is (in my opinion) the best vehicle improvement you can make to reduce lap times.

Winning 8

go novice, go early so, you could sit in an instructor car and learn the line. you need an instructor sit next to you so you could learn the line and get used to the track, breaking point and turn in point.

quazmosis

iTrader: (2)

Why do you bleed the brakes before? Whats the purpose of that?

ndhoffma

Its to check to make sure no air is in them at all. Some places require or suggest you replace your fluid each season (or even more frequently). This is done to make sure that you have fluid that is moisture & air free... so basically one more safety check

Bleeding the brakes takes all of half an hour even if you've never done it before (you will need a friend to help)

BlueRenesis82

To get the older shitty fluid out. It helps to lessen the chances of your car coming into contact with a large immovable barrier, or possibly another car.