Track Day Best Practices - MUST READ

osbornsm

For any of you who have questions about what to do for your first HPDE / Track Day, please read the following:
----------------------------------------------------------
Brakes

• The OEM pads will technically function for a track day... but for the love of god just buy Carbotech pads from Z1 Motorsports.
• Recommendation:
  • Front: Carbotech XP10
  • Rear: Carbotech XP8
• NOTE: I ran with Front XP8 pads... the OEM Rear pads were down to the backing plate after 1/2 day of lapping. I.E. get rear track pads.

----------------------------------------------------------
Brake Fluid

• You must Must MUST, flush your entire brake system with nothing other than Motul RBF600 brake fluid.
• MISTAKE: I used Superblue fluid and it boiled on my 1st track day (pedal to the floor / scared to death / don't use it!!!)

----------------------------------------------------------
Tires

• The OEM tires are great for beginner / intermediate track drivers.
• Start all 4 tires at approx ~ 32 psi (cold temp)
• Hot temperature, measured when JUST off a session, should be closer to 38 psi

----------------------------------------------------------
Suspension

• It ain't broken... don't fix it.
• The OEM suspension is FINE unless you plan on ONLY tracking your car
• You do not need extra camber in the front or rear.
• My tires wore evenly with the stock alignment, not to mention that they didn't wear that much. GO Bridgestones!

----------------------------------------------------------
Interior

• Remove anything that isn't bolted down. Spare tire, rear tools, floor mats, goodies from center console and glove box, EVERYTHING.

----------------------------------------------------------
Engine

• An oil cooler is REQUIRED, unless you want to try out limp-mode. My 25 row Z1 oil cooler worked perfectly and I didn't "hold back" at all when on the track. 20 min sessions Ambient temp = 80f Max Oil Temp = 240f

----------------------------------------------------------
After EACH run

1. Park the car
   • Don't set the parking brake.
   • The brake pads will fuse themselves to a hot rotor
   • Don't set the parking brake.
2. Pop the hood (helps engine cool down)
3. Check tire pressures
   • Tire Pressure can increase +10psi just from the heat.
   • Make sure the tire pressure is measured RIGHT after you park the car for the most accurate reading.
   • Wear gloves when checking tire pressures, my valve stem cap melted a little from the brake heat. H O T.
   • I tried to keep a max pressure of 40psi.
   • Others: feel free to chime in here for ideal hot pressures.
4. Fill up your gas tank after each run.
   • YES, after each one.
   • You will get fuel starvation in right hand turns otherwise.

----------------------------------------------------------

Wear Items to inspect from track duty

Brake Pads
- Q: Do I have enough brake pad for this track day?
- A: If the backing plate of the brake pad is "thicker" than the remaining pad material = Buy new brake pads.

• Wheels studs - mine (ARP) are lifed @ 2 years .. wheel nuts at the same time - I don't use ali nuts - if you do, they need to be replaced every "n" times they are torqued where N is ~20-30
• Coolant hoses are replaced @ 3 years
• Calipers ought not need replacement, but certainly service them with replacement seal kit and new pistons.
• You should have braided lines already, replace if the braiding has fretted or appears worn/frayed
• Check backlash in the diff - may need to replace the crushable spacer - if so, do pinion and carrier bearings plus seals as well
• Check state of CV joints in rear axles - also splines into drive flange/rear hub
• Check state of front and rear wheel bearings
• Check state of ball joints in front suspension
• Check steering tie rod ends
• Check steering rack mounts - they have been known to develop cracks especially if you like "yumping" kerbs
• Check state of all suspension bushes - if you have replacement bushes (SPL etc), check for wear
• Check state of serpentine belt/accessory drive belts
• Check wheels "carefully" for cracks against the hub/centre and where spokes join the wheel barrel, and/or rim edge damage
• Change all fluids (brake, clutch, engine, gearbox and diff)

__________________