So when is Melbournes next track day??

[Mean_R34]

Guys,

I'm interseted in checking out a track day so I can test out the car away from the public roads - more sensible, me thinks.

How often are these organised, what is involved in getting your car onto the track (ie scrutineering), costs, blah, blah, blah?

My other concern is that my car is semi-auto, so hard on the brakes on a track. It's not the cost of having the brake pads replaced that concerns me, but the possible brake fade that shoots me over the ripplestrip & into the fence.

Does anyone else here "track" their auto gearbox?

Cheers

Mean

[Al]

Next track meets are on:

April 10 - Sandown (Maseratti day)

April 16 - Winton (WRX club sprint)

I suggest that you wait till the Winton day, as the track is open and has very few walls that can be hit. Also is a great starter track due to it's amount of slow speed corners.

These are both CAMS affiliated events, so you will need to become a SAU Vic club member ($70) click here for forms. Then you will need to contact Andrew (Snowman), via PM, to arrange the CAMS LS2 licence ($83).

For CAMS you will need the following saftey items:

- Small Fire Extinguisher (Approx. $20)

- 2nd bonnet restraint (Use 2 looped cables with latching hook, works great and doesn't put holes in your bonnet)

- Metal valve caps, on your tyres.

- A approved road helmet

- Long sleeve cotton shirt, and paints

- A blue triangle sticker to indicate battery location (Can use blue electrical tape)

Regarding brakes:

First and most important thing, change your fluid to racing brake fluid. This will resist brake fade at the extreme racing temps. I use Casterol SRF ($100-$120), but others are happy enough with Motal ($40). If you still want more clamping, upgrade your pads, then if you want more again, go for some slotted rotors. Do not use "cross drilled" rotors when racing on a track, as they can crack.

Good luck and see ya out there

Alan

[Mean_R34]

Thanks for th info Al.

I will have to get organised if the 16th of April is the Winton track day.

How many from SAU are going?

Are the tracks crowded - it would be my first time on a track, so prob don't want too many "unknowns" around me - different if was was racing someone else go kart though!

Does the brake fluid you mention make a big difference?

Also, id there anything else people do to prep their car for a track day?

Can you use a motorcross (full face) helmet?

Thanks in dadvance,

Dave.

[Roy]

Here is the best palce to look...http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/fo...splay.php?f=102

Even if you dont think you will be up for this Sat/Sun at Phillip Island, or Sandown or following week at Winton, you should consider coming along and meeting people and having a look to get a feel for how the days run.

As for brakes, you will be fine, some Bendix Ultimates or even better RB74s (plenty of other pads work really well, but these pads are only about $150, readily availabel and work well)

For fluid, just be mindful if you are using a racing fluid, check with hwom your buying it off. Some are harder on seals etc then other fluids.

[Snowman]

Dave - also to add to your questions - Anthony (heartbrk) is the only guy I have known to run at the track in an auto Skyline (R33). He hasn't had any issues with the box but I can tell you from being in the car it is a decent challenge to drive an auto skyline around a track. Unlike a manual where you can really brake into a corner the auto's you have to brake well before and drive though the corners. But I wouldn't say that an auto will be much harder on brakes than a manual. I know I avoid engine braking my car as much as possible these days. Your main issue will be having the right gear when you want to power out.

But you can have fun learning all that on the track.

As far as the tracks being crowded - normally at somewhere like Winton you will have about 10 cars on the track in a group. All spaced out. Also - due to the distances to Winton the field will be a lot smaller than say what you will see at Sandown on Sunday so at Winton you will also get more track time (I expect)

Motorcross helemt is fine as long as it has an approval number on it. Scotsman will be using his motorcross helmet as per usual.