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Track tips. Dont want to look like a newbie.

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Old 04-03-2009 | 04:11 PM
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Track tips. Dont want to look like a newbie.

Well I am doing my first track event this sunday and was wanting to get all the advice I can before I get out there. First, what all should I do to prepare my car? I just had the oil changed to synthetic, other than that thats all. I heard some people say flush the brake fluid, but I talked to some guys going to the event and they said it wasnt completly necessary. Also I dont plan on running really hard since it will be my first time out. I just want to get comfortable and get a feel for everything. Then at the next one I will start to push things harder. What else should I do to prepare my self? I went and bought a full helmet today, and they make your wear jeans and sleeves. I'm really a noob to this so I dont know what to do once a get there. Pretty much any help or advice you guys have would really be awsome. Thanks in advance.
Old 04-03-2009 | 04:54 PM
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If you don't have a clear bra, use blue painters tape to tape up the front of your car. Especially if your gonna be on track with other cars, and as it's your first time your probably gonna spend more time following than passing. The front of your car is going to get abused from debris.

Old 04-03-2009 | 04:54 PM
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Make sure your brake pads still have enough meat on them.

Leave your VDC on.

If 6MT, rev-matching is your friend.

Don't push yourself beyond your limits of control.

Don't apply the parking brake directly after your run as it will damage your parking brake.

Might wanna crack the hood open a lil too to let the engine cool down a lil faster between runs.

LEAVE VDC ON

Am I missing anything else??? Hmmmm..
Old 04-03-2009 | 05:07 PM
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Just have fun and take it easy for the first time. Great advice on the blue tape and the vdc.
Old 04-03-2009 | 05:22 PM
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Originally Posted by peterbanks
If you don't have a clear bra, use blue painters tape to tape up the front of your car. Especially if your gonna be on track with other cars, and as it's your first time your probably gonna spend more time following than passing. The front of your car is going to get abused from debris.
I don't have a clear bra, but in this event you dont run against other cars. They send 6 out at a time but they space them pretty far apart and try to keep them evenly matched so there is little to no passing. And if you do pass it's only allowed on the straights. Thanks for the info though. I might still tape up the lower part incase i catch a few cones. Unfortunatly about a year ago i got in a fender bender and had to get a new front bumper. I made the mistake of going to a cheaper repair shop and didnt go over the results with a fine tooth comb so the bumper is slightly off color to the rest of the car. I plan on getting it redone again this summer.
Old 04-03-2009 | 05:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Gamedog
Make sure your brake pads still have enough meat on them.

Leave your VDC on.

If 6MT, rev-matching is your friend.

Don't push yourself beyond your limits of control.

Don't apply the parking brake directly after your run as it will damage your parking brake.

Might wanna crack the hood open a lil too to let the engine cool down a lil faster between runs.

LEAVE VDC ON

Am I missing anything else??? Hmmmm..
Don't worry. I dont plan on touching the VDC at all. It's staying on for a while. Brake pads should be good. Car is just over a year, its a 5AT, but i like to use the paddles to down shift alot and help save the pads. I'll probably just run in DS mode and let the car do the shifting for a while until i get used to the track. Good info on the parking brake, i didnt know that.
Old 04-03-2009 | 05:25 PM
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Here is a tip....





























Don't crash! LOL
Old 04-03-2009 | 05:27 PM
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^^Haha thanks. That is probably the most important one of all. They've been doing this event for years now and still have not had a single accident, but i know, it still doesnt mean It's not going to happen. The track is out in a grass field so even if you do go off track its pretty flat, and no walls to worry about.
Old 04-03-2009 | 06:40 PM
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Don't drive too deeply into turns and you will exit faster. It is generally faster around the track to go into a turn at the right speed and exit fast than to go into a corner too fast, over brake, and exit slowly.

As you get familiar with each turn, take each one a little bit faster in subsequent laps until you find your limit.

Given the experiences of others in the G37, watch your temperature and don't overheat.

Good luck. Get video for us if you can.
Old 04-03-2009 | 06:44 PM
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^^Thanks that really helps. Oh and dont worry I will be taking my Canon HF100 full 1080 HD camcorder with a completly empty 16gb SD card. I should have tons of vids to watch. I'm gonna try to get some inside of the car while i'm running and also from outside. You guys have any good ideas on how to mount the camera in the car? Only thing is I misplaced my tripod. I plan on getting one of those window suction cup mounts eventually.
Old 04-03-2009 | 07:04 PM
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here are articles on basic cornering you might find helpful:
http://www.gtz-uae.com/forum/basic-cornering-t306.html
http://www.gtz-uae.com/forum/maximis...rner-t318.html

and yeah, keep your VDC on first time, understeer's a b!tch!
Old 04-03-2009 | 07:13 PM
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sounds like fun!

+1 on what Gamedog says, apparently your chit will warp if you use the ebrake because the rotor gets really hot obviously cause you're braking often and hard...

but i don't see that as a problem since you won't be using the e-brake and you have a 5AT, just slam it in park
Old 04-03-2009 | 07:18 PM
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Thanks for the articles sam. Those will come in handy. I've been playing realistic racing games like forza and Gran Turismo for years, so know the basics of apexing and stuff pretty good. Now the hard part is to actually pull it off in a real car. lol
Old 04-03-2009 | 08:36 PM
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Btw , which track you going to? , I'm located in OK as well
Old 04-04-2009 | 12:11 AM
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^^We are going to be running at the Oklahoma Sheriff's training course in OKC. If ya want more info check out the events thread on okzcc.com



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