first time track noob questions

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Thu Oct 26, 2006 6:01 pm

OK, I need some advice and insight please. I've read over the track web page and searched the track forum (and maybe I missed it), but I'm looking for first timer advice. What can I expect from a typical day? I'm planning on arriving at 7a on Sat so I can register. I read there's a drivers meeting at 7:30. What can classroom teaching can I expect and when?

I'm bringing extra brake pads, fluids, gas and tires. I saw on post mentioning to bring shelf liner for leather seats to minimize sliding. Any other tricks and tips I should know? If someone would post a basic overview for the day and what I can expect, I'd appreciate it!!

thanks

BTW, the track page has some errors on it respect to helmets listed at the very bottom of the page, still lists m95 snell helmets.

steve remchak · **Posted:** Fri Oct 27, 2006 12:13 am

Rodney, when you go barrelling into the first turn be sure to scream "fgbiweaofobviebviebrgpoiebpe" and welcome to the track program my brother. everything else is just what the uninitiated spend their weekends doing. huurah!!

see you in february at VIR.

oh i forgot some important stuff. be sure to show up for your worker assignment or your laps won't be counted.

stay away from Jim P. or you might have to sing the noobie initiation song. "Porsche, Porsche Man" which by the way is sung without a shirt on.

otherwise, pretty easy.

drivers meeeting typically around 7:30 or 8 am.
meet your instructor.
you may get orientation laps with your instructor
classroom sessions 2 to 3 each day, typically just prior to going out on track or immediately afterward.
25 minute sessions on track 3 per day.

do not apply your E-brake after coming off track.
check wheel torque when the wheels have cooled to the touch
watch fluid levels
have enough gasoline, my E36 fuel starves @ half a tank.
monitor tire pressures.

i 'm sure there is more but most importantly have a good time. :wink:

Bernie Baake · **Posted:** Fri Oct 27, 2006 7:54 am

Here's a typical day Rodney,

0630 gate opens
0645-0730 Late sign in
0730-0800 Instructor meeting
0730-0800 Student meeting
0800-0825 Meet and greet (you meet with your instructor)
0830-0920 Classsroom
While the novices are in the classroom the track advanced class will be on the track
After the classroom session there will probably be two twenty to twenty five minute track sessions for the intermediate and solo classes
0920-0945 intermediate
0945-1010 solo
1010-1035 Novice (thats when you take the track)
1035-1100 instructors on track
Break for lunch
Then the classroom track cycle begins again with novices in class and the remainder of the classes on track in twenty five minute increments. all this will be printed on a card that you wear around your neck to insure your at the right place at the right time.
while this all sounds very hectic and confusing to you, you'll find its very well planned and thought out. Don't over think this thing just do what the card around your neck says to do and it'll go like clockwork. Don't quote me on the times I copied the schedule for Roebling this past June. Just about everything you need for autocross you'll need for track. plus what you've already mentioned. see ya at the Rock
Bernie

Stacy King · **Posted:** Fri Oct 27, 2006 8:22 am

Rodney... here a couple excellent reads for general track n00b information (pulled form Trackschedule.com):

http://www.trackschedule.com/wisdom1.html (you may have gotten this on in the mail already)

http://www.trackschedule.com/wisdom10.html

Specific to our events: since we do the time trial in the afternoon, we only have three run group rotations (as opposed to four usually found at HPDEs). For this reason, we do not do any on-track excercises for beginners. We tried it early on in the program, and it really didn't work out too well (ask Chris Schimmel about my 'Baby in a Box' tragedy on South Course next time you see him).

Your first event's priorities are as follows:
1. Get comfortable with your car at speed (this may seem obvious, but you'll know what I'm talking about after about 5 laps)
2. Get comfortable with various on-track protocols like passing signals, flags, pit-in signals, etc (which we'll teach you)
3. Get comfortable in traffic... passing people, being passed, safely and efficiently
4. Learn the basic terminology, which you probably already know, but we'll go over it again in class (turn in, apex, track out... open the wheel... patience... etc)

The whole time you're getting all this down, you'll be working on the line around the track

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Fri Oct 27, 2006 8:40 am

Rodney, another good thing is the are all sorts of people to ask. Any of us will be glad to help you.

Another tip, Rockingham can be hard on tires. You'll probably want to do a side to side swap, maybe more than once.

Also don't drive around the track worring about that wall. You hit where you look.

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Sat Oct 28, 2006 5:53 pm

Rodney,
got you email about the Helmet. If you can not find one in time don't worry about it too much. We have loaner SA helmets available. Just let us know in advance since we only have a few of them.

Matthew Fortner · **Joined:** Sun Mar 21, 2004 12:21 am **Posts:** 384

Vincent Keene wrote:

Also don't drive around the track worring about that wall. You hit where you look.

Wall? Never noticed it. :wink:

Matthew Fortner · **Joined:** Sun Mar 21, 2004 12:21 am **Posts:** 384

Make sure your pads are track worthy. Autocross pads may not cut it if you drive hard.
Some vid to watch:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=eUH0sZO-A-s

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Sun Oct 29, 2006 10:53 pm

Matthew Fortner wrote:

Make sure your pads are track worthy. Autocross pads may not cut it if you drive hard.
Some vid to watch:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=eUH0sZO-A-s

Excellent video! I'm so stoked....

Just installed some new Hawk HP+ pads. A little nicer bite over the HPS pads. Thanks for sharing the video. Good stuff....

Mark Vitacco · **Posted:** Mon Oct 30, 2006 3:03 pm

Rodney:

Did you not get your Novice Pre-Event packet??
Brad may have missed you before he left for the UK-sorry.

Registration is Friday at the track 5pm to 10/10:30
LATE registration start Sat 06:45.

MV

Brad Mackey · **Posted:** Tue Oct 31, 2006 6:25 am

Rodney:
You DID get the Pre-packet, right?
Pre-packets for Rockingham were sent out to all Green, recently-promoted Yellow, and selected students with no Rockingham experience.

PM me if you didn't get it!

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Tue Oct 31, 2006 11:19 am

Brad Mackey wrote:

Rodney:
You DID get the Pre-packet, right?
Pre-packets for Rockingham were sent out to all Green, recently-promoted Yellow, and selected students with no Rockingham experience.

PM me if you didn't get it!

Yes, I received the package and read over it. I've update my medical info on line and have had the car teched. Plan on another inspection this Friday just to make sure everything is solid. As for registration, I had planned on arriving Sat morning, no plans on staying Friday night...unless someone has a room they want to share. Be glad to split the cost.

Thanks to all that are looking out for this noob!!

AdamBreakey · **Posted:** Tue Oct 31, 2006 11:30 am

Rodney -- I have a room at the Innkeeper. I was looking for someone to split the costs.

Let me know if you are interested

adamb

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Tue Oct 31, 2006 2:50 pm

AdamBreakey wrote:

Rodney -- I have a room at the Innkeeper. I was looking for someone to split the costs.

Let me know if you are interested

adamb

email me at rodney.wright@pgnmail.com and lets talk, or you're welcome to call me at 919.602.3348

Thanks Adam

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Tue Oct 31, 2006 2:56 pm

If anyone is interested in a SA rated helmet, I've ordered one from www.soloracer.com and spoken to Brent. Good prices and Brett has been very good in following up on the order. Went by Mark's at HH, but I was looking for a helmet to double as an autox/motorcycle helmet. Ordered the Bell BR1 since it had, from a description on the web, a better air flow than the M2 Mark had.

Anyway, that's my continuing noob experience and just wanted to post that soloracer had some good pricing in respect to helmets.

Thanks

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