Track Day Best Practices - MUST READ

trogersz34

Just registered for my first HPDE event! I have already bought upgraded pads and SS lines and will be flushing all fluids prior to the event. My biggest concern is the fact that I will not be running an oil cooler. The event will be in December in NC so it will be colder temperatures and since this will be my first event I highly doubt I will be going all out. More concerned about learning proper track etiquette. Do any of you think I will run into issues without an oil cooler? I am driving a 2013 sport touring 6mt.

MightyBobo

You may need to switch to auto mode instead, or not necessarily red line it as much, but you'll probably be ok.

My first HPDE was in November at VIR, and I was still able to push my oil cooler...

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JARblue

Take it easy and you might be ok. But if you are at all comfortable driving fast, you will definitely experience some pulled timing due to heat without a proper oil cooler. I've had mine out on the track once and couldn't even get two full laps without noticing timing getting pulled (granted that was 95+ temps in June in Texas).

Try to keep your temps around 250F or less if possible. Even at this you may still see partial limp mode limiting your RPMs to 5K max. Don't let temps push 280F or you will see full limp mode where RPMs are limited to 3K or something. When temps start creeping up to 270F, I'd go ahead and back off and end the session early. And plan to change your oil asap after the event is over.

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SurfDog

Just run hard and watch your oil temp gauge. You will probably get 5-10 minutes then need to come in and cool off. Open your hood and point into the wind for about half an hour then get back out there. It's a bit tedious without a cooler but doable.

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09 6spd Berk CBE, JWT cams, ZSpeed CSC, Stillen (25 row oil, brake cooling, sways, gen3 CAI), Passport (9500ci), Quaife LSD, Z1 400 hp kit, ss lines, pads, rotors, clutch etc, Phunk's pan and fuel starve fix

SurfDog

If you creep up toward 260 take a cool down lap (low rpm low power) and see if you cool down a bit. My experience without a cooler was it was just better to come in to cool though.

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09 6spd Berk CBE, JWT cams, ZSpeed CSC, Stillen (25 row oil, brake cooling, sways, gen3 CAI), Passport (9500ci), Quaife LSD, Z1 400 hp kit, ss lines, pads, rotors, clutch etc, Phunk's pan and fuel starve fix

tims370z

Thanks for sharing!

StevenSlice

Something to add - Common sense.

If somebody comes out of nowhere and is chewing on your bumper, just let them go. Forsake your pride and let the guys who know what they're doing go out in front.

Also our Z's arent "slow" by any means so certain cars you do need to lift for. Just because you're faster in a straight doesn't mean your faster 90% of the rest of the track.

Common courtesy at track days is a must, at least if you intend on making some friends and not getting chewed out after you get off track.. OH and dont go in a run group youre not fast enough for. Just because youve got 3 track days doesnt mean youre ready for intermediate.

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Rusty

There are fast guys in slow cars, and slow guys in fast cars.

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"The Difficult Anytime, The Impossible By Appointment Only"
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StevenSlice

Good example was a old Mustang at ACS.
Full suspension, front and Rear Brembo BBKs, gutted interior. Big supercharger. Dude was like 500+ HP on 305 DOT Slicks.

Ran 7 seconds slower than me, and refused to let me by.

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Hotrodz

With guys like that, just take trip down pit lane and put space between you DA, then call them out in the download.

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bpchaos

Point bys are nice, even if your group doesn't require it. Just let the driver know you know he's there, and point them by.

Rusty

Spec Miata's. Hate those guys. Blow by them down the straight, only to have them eat your rear bumper in the turns. I normally let those guys go. And give them some distance. Pull into pit lane then go back out.

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浪人 - 殺し屋
"The Difficult Anytime, The Impossible By Appointment Only"
http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...o-journal.html

SurfDog

There fun to drive... frustrating to drive around

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09 6spd Berk CBE, JWT cams, ZSpeed CSC, Stillen (25 row oil, brake cooling, sways, gen3 CAI), Passport (9500ci), Quaife LSD, Z1 400 hp kit, ss lines, pads, rotors, clutch etc, Phunk's pan and fuel starve fix

xxAGAVExx

I’m getting ready for my first track day, so do I need a lap timer, or do the events have a way of tracking times?


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Tedmeister

The simplest way to get your lap times is to down load "Track Addict" on your
phone and mount it where your camera can record out the front.
You'll get times and video of your track day.