Open Track First Timers Read This!

[Roscoe]

From Roger Davis aka Cranky originally posted at
http://www.clubcranky.com

If you are just getting started in running Open Track with your Cobra here are some things you should know,have and do.
1. go over car and tighten every nut and bolt.
2.replace your brake fluid with high temp brake fluid. If you have synthetic fluid , flush it out completely. Don't argue about this. We are right. synthetic is for street/show cars.
3.You must have at the minimum a rollbar that is at least 2" over the top of your head with helmet on. A full width rollbar is preferred if you want any in car istruction. The learning curve is much longer if you do lead follow type instructions.
4.Install new brake pads if more than 1/2 worn out.Adjust brakes for full pedal.
5.Repack front wheel bearings.
6.Install two throttle return springs.
7.Install radiator overflow catch can.
8.Retorque all lug nuts. If you have pin drives, safety wire the spinner.
9.Make sure radiator hoses are in good condition
10.Repair any oil leaks, nobody wants to spin out in your oil.
11.Make sure battery is secure (no bungies) and terminals are covered.
12.Make sure brake lights are working.
13.Make sure you have at least a four point harness(5 is preffered) in good condition.
14. Have a good full face helmet at least a SA 95 No motorcycle helmets.
15. Have arm restraints in any Open top car.
16.Have cotton long sleeve shirt and full leg pants(no shorts). A fireproof driving suit is preffered.
17.Make sure your gas cap seals in case of rollover. Some of the Cobra fliptops do not seal properly. A temp fix is a tennis ball under the cap on top of filler pipe.
18. Most important rule for first time Cobra Drivers.Leave Cobra superiority attitude at home. You will quickley learn that all that HP you have under the hood is no substitute for driving experience. You will be passed by more experienced drivers in cars with 1/4 the HP you have. Once you get some track experience you can go back and pass those guys but for the first time out you just want to get the feel for the track and you want to learn your car.
Forget everything you have ever read on the internet about the Cobras being the fastest car in the world and don't get too upset when the Miata of VW goes blowing by you into the corners.
I have seen way too many guys with Cobras and other high powered cars who were going to break the track record the first time out only to set the record for fastest to ride back on the rolloff.
Club Cranky members, Joe Rodomista (McFIA) and Don Durner(McFEz)in Cobras will be passing just about everybody on the track but remember these guys have many years experience and at one time they too were beginners.
So get those cars ready and sign up for the next event and get started on having more fun in your car than you can imagine.

Hope to see you at an event soon.
Roger Davis aka Cranky

For Northeast open track events see
http://www.pdadrivingschool.com/