Racing Tips Needed

[Johny Bravo]

alrighty, getting my 31 back this friday and me and some friends have booked out baskerville raceway for the day. we're expecting somewhere between 200 - 240 rwkw from my car and unfortunatly it's an auto with a stall converter and lsd. only an auto cause my budget ran out and what not. any way, what i was hoping for is some tips on racing and what things i should watch/concentrate on doing. never been on the track before and the main reason im getting on the track is cause i wanna get used to my car before i take it back on the road and because i want to be able to have some fun in a controlled environment where i can't hurt no one else. not a fan of dangerous road driving. any comments/tips/input is appreciated and any one who doesn't have constructive critism and just wants to shoot me down, go for it, i'll just think your a knob anyway. sorry for any spelling mistakes and thanks in advance.

[zebra]

Make sure your brakes are 110%, take it easy for the first couple of sessions and ask for advise from those who know what they are talking about at the track.

[evil_weevil]

thats it!

learn your lines first....drive at 70% and as the day goes on start to increase speed

try and get an instructor too if this dsay has one

[Johny Bravo]

Not sure who is gonna be there. A friend of mine built a racecar and every one who helped is heading down. We booked the track for the whole day just to our selves. My mechanic drift's and im sure he's had racing experience so i'll ask him for some tips, plus he's got my car at the moment so i'll make sure he gets it ready for racing. Is there anything i'll need to do after the day is over? Ie: book it in for new brakes?

[hrd-hr30]

don't do too many laps in a row - it will be a quick way to kill the auto. Do you have a transmission cooler? Same goes for engine oil cooler. Limit yourself to 4 or 5 laps at a time. Your brakes will probably go off by then anyway if you are just using normal pads and fluid.

[Beer Baron]

honestly for a first day you don't need much advise on driving as such. but there is on really important piece of advice.

BRING THE CAR HOME IN ONE PIECE.

there is no prize money for the fastest lap, most out of control lap, or most spins in a lap. so just take it easy, enjoy yourself without pushing too hard. when on the track if you can go out behind someone with some experience that will help a bit but don't assume you can brake as late as they can etc as their car/tyres may be completely different to yours. so don't get sucked in to the corners etc in a car with inferior grip.

make sure your car has decent level of brake pad and rotor, some new brake fluid, fresh oil in the engine.

since it's a new package take it a bit easy the first few laps and build it up a bit then bring it into the pits and check for leaks, check temps, anything loose etc.

basically just look after the car while having fun. you are not going to be offered an F1 test day on your first time on the track so just go out and enjoy. don't worry too much about punching out the super quick laps. oh, and keep an eye on your mirrors.

[Johny Bravo]

as far as i know there will only be one car on the track at a time. I have an oil cooler for the transmition as it has a manual radiator. Also have a spare auto gearbox. Brand new pirelli p6's on the car so i'll take it easy so i don't chew them. All the fluids in the entire car will only be about a day old when i get to the track. Cheers for the feed back so far.

[nismoman]

Brake in a straight line before you turn in.

Keep it smooth with the steering inputs.

Check your tyre wear and pressure after each session.

Take a tyre pressure gauge.

[Johny Bravo]

Cheers. I'll pick up a gauge tomorro. Gonna grab a 20L jerry can too just in case she chews the fuel a bit much. The ecconomy wasn't too great before she got worked and i don't see it getting any better. Especially around a track.

[Sir Lord Van Von Vader'ham]

the oil coolers in the radiators are a bit rubbish, do yourself a favour and pick up an external one for supercheap/repco... if funds allow.

most important rule - just have fun!!!

[LSX-438]

my advice for first timers

1. Take it easy first few laps

2. Warm everything up before you drive it hard (seriously pay attention to this)

3. Cool everything down before you come to a stop (after sessions)

4. Check under the bonnet and car for leaks (after sessions)

5. Don't put your handbrake on (after sessions)

6. Regularly check your brake pads!

and most importantly, have fun!

[Duncan]

subscribed, looking for tips too

[Johny Bravo]

i've got an external oil cooler for the transmission, and i'll have another one for the turbo, are you recomending a third for the engine oil? Or run that through the same one for the turbo?

[Johny Bravo]

Whats this about the handbreak lsx? Amd i always warm up/ down properly when driving.

[Marlin]

subscribed, looking for tips too

Thanks Dunc.

Coffee out nose.

[FineLine]

Thanks Dunc.

Coffee out nose.

LOL, stings a bit doesnt it Ben.

[nismoman]

Whats this about the handbreak lsx? Amd i always warm up/ down properly when driving.

It's just a precaution to prevent your brake pads "welding" to your brake disc or linings. As the brakes get very hot after a track session, if you apply the handbrake, the brake pads can get very sticky and can bind up.

Best to avoid using the handbrake and use a wheel chock.

[Marlin]

.... or P for Park, since it's an auto

But yes, no handbrake awwkay?

[Beer Baron]

subscribed, looking for tips too

don't know where to start with you? have you tried riding a tri-cycle? maybe start there then move up to a big boys bike with training wheels. then perhaps pedal car, and so on up through the ranks. never give up!

[Johny Bravo]

ah yes, handbreak makes sense. I had a think about it after and figured it was something like that. Oh another thing, what pressure should i have my tyres at? There on 15 inch rims and there just a tad bigger then standard. Ie i think the side wall is 65 instead of 60. Oh and the weather is forcast rain. So what should i do in wet conditions? Cheers