Is this your first time going to the track? Taking your car to the track for the first-time can sometimes be nerve racking, especially if you plan on doing it all on your own! Follow some of the steps and precautions we take, maybe it can help you feel confident!
Chapter 1: Engine Performance
One thing that you should never overlook is the way your engine is performing. When you go to the track your engine gets pushed to limits it usually never sees on street during regular driving.
Check for leaks!
Any fluid leaks that you have need to be taken care of whether its oil, coolant, or brake fluid. Make sure your engine bay is as clean as possible and all your fluids topped off. Clean bays help detect any premature failures from your car during time on track and could possibly help you save it from something horrible. One of the things that people may not tell you from going to track is if you just so happen to break something and you leak fluids all on the track, the faculty on site WILL charge you upwards of $150 per bag of "kitty litter" they use to clean the track. To top it off, the time lost from people whose turn it was to go on track.
Maintenance
You checked for leaks, and you cleaned your bay, the hard part is now over! Next, we move to maintenance. The first thing we recommended is doing an oil change. You want to make sure your oil is fresh and full. Make sure to check your oil levels between sessions. Oil level is critical when it comes to racing. The high G-force turns push your oil from one side of the pan to the other. In wet sump engines having the oil pick up tube submerged in oil at all times is the difference of having a working engine or having it fail catastrophically. Believe me we've seen it time and time again.
What oil should I use?
Oil type is all personal preference, we could go ahead and get into the science part of it all but at the end of the day we're not scientists. What we can do is share what works for us. Valvoline VR1 has been our go to oil when it comes to the track. The high-zinc formula has been proven to coat the bearings and lifters on our motors and has kept our internals super clean! Plus, it pours out blue, who doesn't like to feel like they're adding some kind of special sauce to the motor? Another thing is stick to your manufactures recommended oil weight. Don't over work your oil pump more than it will already.
Chapter 2: Bolt-Check
Bolt check everything! Make sure to tighten all your bolts. From your coil overs all the way to the grounds on your harness. Google is only a click away to find out torque specs of all your cars bolts. The last thing you want is a bolt getting undone and having to find out when it's already too late. To help make it a little easier here are some parts we usually see get loose over time (might be missing some but check everything!)
- Front LCA bolts
- Coilover lock perches
- Rear LCA
- Camber kit allen bolts (If equipped)
- Crank pulley bolt
- Engine grounds
- Brake caliper bolts
- Axle nuts
- Wheel lug nuts
- Steering wheel allen bolts (If Equipped)
Chapter 3: Driver check
With your car now done we can now move along to you (the driver). get plenty of sleep and make sure to follow the attire rules to the event you will be attending. Your helmet should be up to date with all SA certifications. if you don't have a helmet most hosts have helmets you can rent out.
It's going to be a HOT one!
take into consideration that most tracks (at least here in California) are located in desert centers and the temps can easily push well over 100°F. Stay Hydrated and cool!
Chapter 4: Just Have Fun!
First rule of racing...HAVE FUN. This is the reason we always go back. we do this to have a blast and enjoy time with friends/family. Let some steam off from the average day. Doesn't matter if you go alone. More than likely, you will meet people at events that share the same passion as you.
The END...
Hope you enjoyed reading this as much as i enjoyed writing it. feel free to ask questions whenever you can, there is always something new to learn!
