Road Racing for the first time, any tips?

[Jimbocobra]

To All,
Thanks, keep 'em coming. I will be running timed laps with about 10 second intervals between cars. We're not leaving at the same time, so I should not be in a pack - like a true race would be. I will be driving with other newbies, they are grouping us by experience - or in my case, the lackthereof.

Jerry, buy the time I remove the drag radials, buy new ones, mount those - I will have spent as much as just buying a set after I burn these out. What I need a set of cheap rims for my spinners, so I can keep both type of tires ready at all times. The rims cost $1500 bucks.

I found a good website, let me know what you think of the accuracy of the info: http://www.turnfast.com/tech_driving/driving_cornering

[slider701]

There are a few other things you might want to take into consideration if you have never been to a track day before. The first question I have is whether you are driving there or trailering your car. If taking it on a trailer then the stuff below will be relatively easy. If driving then it might be more difficult.

You are going to want to take along what ever supplies (coolant, oil, brake fluid, rags, windex, tools, safety wire, lead hammer) and other basic stuff you might need during the course of the day. Naturally you're hoping to not have a major failure but you also want to make sure your weekend is not ruined because of something simple going wrong. I'm sure there will be people there who can help but if you don't have to borrow windex and a rag from someone it is one less thing to have to be stressed about.

You might also want to consider a small cooler, chairs, and even a small 10' x 10" Easy-UP canopy for some shade. There are not many areas at Gingerman to get out of the sun and sitting on the asphalt all day can catch up to you. What ever you do stay hydrated by drinking lots of fluids.

As for Gingerman itself it is a very nice track layout that is fairly technical:



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You are going to carry a lot of speed up the front straight into turn 1 as well as coming into turn 11, probably both a 4th down to 2nd gear turn. Just need to watch and time your downshifts to avoid wheel hop and losing the rear or breaking an axle.

Turns three all the way through turn six are down hill decreasing radius slightly off camber turns that can catch you off guard as you build your confidence up pushing it harder each lap. This area can be one of the hardest areas to master.

Turns seven down into turn ten should allow you to open the car up some and carry some speed through the "S" turns.

Like everyone else said if you can get a ride with one of the experts jump at the chance to do it. You may even want to find someone you feel you can trust and let them show you around the track for a lap in your car so you can get a feel for braking points and what gear you should be running in each corner.

Above everything else just have fun!