Where Do Begin?

[KezR33]

Hey guys,

I'm looking to get out onto into motorsport and experience driving my car the way it was meant to be driven. I'm very inexperienced, having done nothing like this on the street, and only attended one DECA day with SAU Vic. For the record I drive an NA manual Supra with basic mods - this is also my daily driver, so I don't want to kill it!

I've been currently looking at advanced driver courses, and watching for SAU and Supraforums events to participate in. However I'm coming here to ask you guys for advice on other areas I can look. I'm up for trying just about anything, whether it be track, drag, skidpans, etc.

Again, I just want to stress I don't want to kill the car. I understand shit happens, but I'd rather avoid overly stressful activities (such as drifting) or tracks with nasty corners and walls close to the track. I just want to have a bit of fun, and gain some experience.

So please, any advice would be greatly appreciated. Whether it be events to attend, or just motorsport advice to begin with.

Thanks,

Kieran.

[zebra]

Do a few more Decca days if you get the chance it will give you a good heads up on car control.

then head out to a vic club event and get a half decent steerer (if such a thing exists in vic ) to ride shotgun with you and just take it easy for the 1st few sessions while practicing the heel-toe technique (i still manage to hit the limiter while downshifting) it takes some getting used to, aswell as learning the lines. I try and watch as many in-car videos of the track ill be on as I can, and try to follow suit once you are out there.

Last but not least - make sure the car is in perfect running order before you go out, I killed my built 25 at wakefield last year because i just decided to do a track day out of the blue and didnt do anything with the car before I went.

Try to get some decent semi-slicks for the day (even if you borrow some) there is nothing worse than finally getting the hang of the track only to find that your street tyres are mush and you end up facing the wrong way.

Im sure the more expirianced guys will have more to add aswell

[evil_weevil]

Good on you for getting into it Kieren!

I started off a few years ago doing a few wet skid pan days. was uber cool fun and learnt car control!

then did a few days at EC with some instructors on the circuit.

did more skid pan days, and got into motorkhana's with a bloke called Aaron McGill who races in the fujistu V8's and also did some John Boston days.

I started off in a V8 commodore and then my standard r33.

Any car will be fine as Zebra said - make sure its running good before you go out!

Keep doing DECA days withg SAU VIC and maybe even look at driver dynamic days - they are based in VIC and do alot of driver days.

Then maybe get into a more motorsport based club and do a supersprint series and see how you go

[KezR33]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I'll definitely keep up the DECA days, I have never had so much fun in my car before.

Just curious, but where do you learn basic rules and courtesies on the racetrack? Not just what each flag means what (which I'm sure you hear in a brief everyday you head out), but say I've got a GTR behind me is there a safe way to let them pass, and let them know I'm letting them pass?

Thanks again.

[R32Big_boy]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I'll definitely keep up the DECA days, I have never had so much fun in my car before.

Just curious, but where do you learn basic rules and courtesies on the racetrack? Not just what each flag means what (which I'm sure you hear in a brief everyday you head out), but say I've got a GTR behind me is there a safe way to let them pass, and let them know I'm letting them pass?

Thanks again.

You can also do driver training days at the WRX sprint days. You'll have a driver in the car with you at all times who be able to advise you on lines and what is/isnt appropriate on the track. Driver Dynamics also have advanced driver training days at Sandown where full time race drivers jump in your passenger seat and give you advise all day long.

Neither of these make you lean on your car to much, as they are not timed events they are both about getting an understanding of what its like on a circuit.

[NickR33]

There is always a driver briefing which will outline the rules for the day

You won't be put in a group with any cars that are heaps faster than you for starters but it always pays to keep an eye on your mirrors... if a car comes up behind you you simply move over and point at which side you would like them to pass on... most trackdays don't allow passing in corners anyway

The first time you go out you will have an instructor in the car with you who will show you the braking areas, lines etc

Go along to a Driver Dynamics day, they are untimed and relaxed so you won't have anyone bullying you to get past... they also have experienced instructors on hand to help you out

I wouldn't worry too much about hitting walls, if you can manage to get around the back track at DECA without hitting anything you should be right... mechanical breakages do happen though but with N/A you should find it quite reliable

Good luck:)

[NickR33]

beaten to the punch by the big man... happy new year mate:)

[sav man]

often diferent clubs have diferent rules about passing. For example my club only lets you pass on the right side, on a straight.

[KezR33]

I wouldn't worry too much about hitting walls, if you can manage to get around the back track at DECA without hitting anything you should be right...

I nearly had an incident! Coming around that big sweeper and as I'm half way I think to myself "I'm going too fast", so I put my foot lightly on the brakes and nearly lost control of the car! I let go of the brakes, eased off the throttle and clung to the wheel for dear life as I swung around the rest.

It's little things like that I don't know, it was a valuable and scary lesson. That's why when I head out there I want to do it properly.

[Russman]

if you can get a cheap second set of wheels and tyres so you won't kill your daily tyres.

Deca won't be a problem but if you go to a few tracks you might flat spot or damage your streets.

Prep your car well and just get into it. You'll love it.

[ssxRicho]

You can also do driver training days at the WRX sprint days. You'll have a driver in the car with you at all times who be able to advise you on lines and what is/isnt appropriate on the track. Driver Dynamics also have advanced driver training days at Sandown where full time race drivers jump in your passenger seat and give you advise all day long.

Neither of these make you lean on your car to much, as they are not timed events they are both about getting an understanding of what its like on a circuit.

these are pretty popular. there is normally good group of cars in DT at wrx days. plus you will be able to put some names to faces at wrx days

as they double as sau vic champ days. wrx do passenger laps during lunch, so you can come along and jump in the passenger seat if you want to stagger

yourself into it.

i was where you were this time last year. did a deca or two, then some track days. have you come along to a track day yet?

[evil_weevil]

these are pretty popular.

Ive got driver dynamics on facebook and keep getting invites - these guys must be good at what they do