RexNuts Subaru Forums

Track day preparation is very important. You will be driving your car harder and faster for much longer on a track day than you would be able to on public roads.

With that in mind you should make sure that your car is working properly and all set up for the extra strains it will be put under. You will be revving higher, driving quicker and braking much harder continuously and the last thing you want is there to be any problems that could affect your enjoyment of the day or even cut the day short.

It is worth checking your car over fully a week before you plan on going on your track day, this gives you time to sort out any problems that may spot.
Things to check are the tyres, brakes, oil and water.

If in any doubt on anything then it is worth visiting a garage and getting an expert to take a look, there is nothing wrong with not knowing all the ins and outs of the car and asking advice is fine.

Tyres
Obviously the only thing that is in contact with the race track is the tyres so you should make sure that they are up to the job and also that you will be OK to drive home on them at the end of the track day.
Some drivers actually have a different set of wheels and tyres that they put on their car for track days, again this is just choice and not a necessity.

Brakes
A vehicles brakes will be put under much greater pressure on a track day. You will be braking hard from high speeds continuously as you go around the circuit. This will make the brakes and disks run at very high temperatures and also add wear to the brakes. It is very important to make sure that your brakes are up to the job of a full track day. Check you have plenty of meat on the front brake pads and your rotors are in good condition.
Another important tip to remember with regards to the brakes is when you come in for a break, before you do so have a cool down lap where you are not pushing the car as fast, this gives the brakes time to cool down slightly with some air flowing through them.
Another handy thing would be wheel chocks or something similar to put under the wheels so that you can leave the handbrake down after pulling in from a session. Engaging the handbrake while the rear rotors are a million degrees can result in cracking the rotors as they are cooling down and contracting.Also with relating to brakes is the brake fluid, on track days as we have said the brakes run at higher temperatures, you might find that you get better effect from changing the brake fluid to one that runs at a higher boiling point.

Oil
A fresh oil change before you go is recommended.You should check the oil is at the correct levels in the car as the engine is going to be working much harder it could use up more oil. It is also worth taking a spare bottle with more oil in just in case you find that the oil does drop during the day.

The oil should be checked before you set out on your track day too and throughout the day.
Obviously every car is different and some may need more oil and some may not. A good time to check would be after your first session out on track and then at intervals throughout the day. Make sure to leave the car to settle before checking the oil level and make sure you are parked on level ground.
Also, make sure you do not overfill the oil, keep it between the min & max levels.

Engine
Although you don't need to, if you have been out on a session the engine will be very warm when you come back into the pits. You could pop open the bonnet and allow the air to help cool it down instead of keeping the bonnet closed and all the heat in.

Fuel
On a track day though you are going to use fuel up at a faster rate than you will do on the road as your engine is going to be revving much higher and working harder. You have the option to bring a petrol can with some spare in or even drive out to a local petrol station if there is one close. What you do not want to do is run out, especially on the track .You should make sure you have enough fuel in your car for at least 20 minutes of hard driving and then enough to comfortably get you back to the pits or where ever you are going to fill up.

Inside the car
Anything inside the car that is not fixed down should be removed as potentially they could become missiles in the car or obstruct you. So anything, such as pens, air freshener, cans, maps, CD's & cases etc. should be removed from the car before you get out on track. Even the smallest of things could put you off and take your concentration away from your driving which you don't want!
It is worth considering removing the spare wheel and tools. You will probably find there is a safe place to store things at the circuit.

Tool Kit
It is worth bringing a small tool kit just in case you find you have any things that you need to fix or adjust.
A rag or cloth is worth bringing along to in case you do need to do anything, such as checking oil levels.

Thats about all you need.
Its up to you on the day how hard or easy you go on the track.

Great write up Pat, should be very useful for the first timers!

Great write up!! I know i will be using this as a guide for my first track day

Thats good Saha.
Should be a great day weather permitting.
Good to see a chick having a go.

Does that mean it won't be on if its raining?

i think we'll have more fine in the rain

more fine(s) in the rain.
We need spell check.

hahahaha

Good writeup.

Another handy thing would be wheel chocks or something similar to put under the wheels so that you can leave the handbrake down after pulling in from a session.
Engaging the handbrake while the rear rotors are a million degrees can result in cracking the rotors as they are cooling down and contracting.

Too easy. I'll definitely be skimming through this again sometime soon!

Great tip...
Added to sticky...

Patster - you referencing the location of your original post?

Few things to add:

Fuel
It important to not let the car run below half-tank (for most road cars) because you run the risk of fuel surge.

Oil
Check the weight you use ie heavier weight is better for track work

Before Your First Session (for complete newbies)
Take a piss!!!

for the people who are using delvac what should we switch too? something like 10w-60?

Just stick with what you are using.

^^^ as above - that's fine. It's more for people who use stuff like 5w-30; 40 weight oil for track work is okay

Thanks guys, sorry for the noob questions but wheres a good place to buy a helmet from?
i have a dirt bike helmet but it isn't full face, i'm after more protection but something thats not going to break the bank. Any brands i should buy or stay away from?

thanks.

edit - i was thinking about something like this but i'm not sure if its got the protection i'm after....

lol Can i ask wants the importance?

Because when you doing 160+ down the straight and the car starts go out sideways under heavy braking, for first timers you may just piss your pants

OHHHHH I get it now!!!

hahahaha! you'll see 5 mins before the race everyone is missing! You know why

Great thread pat !

awesome detail dude

Good write up, check you have a good wheel alignment aswell!

Great write up Patty and thanks for sharing !!

patty liks to share ... especially boiled lollies with the local school kiddies