This is topic How to start?? in forum Road Racing, Auto X & Drifting at Northern California Ford Owners  .


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Posted by SydeWayzSix (Member # 3596) on :
 
I am really interested in Auto cross racing / trackdays but dont know where to start. I know with motorcycles, you just buy a ticket and go, but with cars do you have to be in a club?

Also, what are some "essential" suspension mods that you think a car should have before going to the track?

Thanks!
 
Posted by GOT 50 (Member # 1960) on :
 
Sticky tires are the single biggest improvement you can make!

I will hopefully be attending my fist track day next month with NASA. Look them up the have High Performance Driving Events (HPDE) and since it isn't timed your insurance should cover you just in case something goes wrong.

Wish you luck and have fun!

Eric
 
Posted by SydeWayzSix (Member # 3596) on :
 
any other mods that you feel are "necessary"?
 
Posted by GOT 50 (Member # 1960) on :
 
Helmet, And as your budget allows springs, CC plates, panhard bar, upper lower controll arms for the rear, better engine ie. heads cam intake, Just depends on what you are in it for. Hands down tires will make the biggest difference in handling so I recomend starting there,

Eric
 
Posted by Roush #92 (Member # 1241) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by GOT 50:
since it isn't timed your insurance should cover you just in case something goes wrong.
That depends on the insurance company. Allstate for example, will not cover any damage 'while the vehicle is used on a course designed for racing' and has nothing to do with a timed event or not.
 
Posted by Blind (Member # 3052) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by SydeWayzSix:
I am really interested in Auto cross racing / trackdays but dont know where to start. I know with motorcycles, you just buy a ticket and go, but with cars do you have to be in a club?

Also, what are some "essential" suspension mods that you think a car should have before going to the track?

Thanks!
The only things I would put on a car before a first track day is different brake pads, a helmet on your head, and go over everything on the car with a good mechanic so you know it's all in good shape, especially the cooling system and all of the suspension parts.

www.redlinetrackevents.com
www.speedventures.com
www.scca.org
www.americanauto-x.com

those are the sites to check out, but not everything is listed on those sites.
 
Posted by 9cobra7 (Member # 2812) on :
 
I totally agree with blind. Brakes are numero uno so get some good brake pads. You should have at least some decent street tires as you will find out you need more tire soon. See if you like it and want to pursue it further and then start upgrading suspension etc. etc. Good luck!
 
Posted by SydeWayzSix (Member # 3596) on :
 
What are some good/decent tires for the track? I know Michelin is the best for motorcycle tires, but what about cars?
 
Posted by SF Coupe (Member # 1810) on :
 
Kumho MX are a good street tire for the track.
 
Posted by 9cobra7 (Member # 2812) on :
 
I've had a lot of fun with tthe Kuhmos V700 Victorracer. They are very streetable but more oriented towards track days So you can drive to and from the track on them which is nice. I went through a couple sets of them until I went to a really sticky tire and am trailering the car now.
 
Posted by Wolfie351 (Member # 651) on :
 
Brakes Brakes Brakes Brakes Brakes Brakes Brakes

Don't worry about anything else until you have a few track events under your belt. Sticky tires are nice, but loud screeching street tires are better when you're just starting out as they will lose grip at slower speeds. If you lose grip on a race style tire, you'll be going faster and will find yourself in the dirt pretty quick and maybe into a wall.

Also be warned about the addiction, turning corners at speed gives you a thrill like none other. I have never been back to a drag strip since I started open tracking.
 
Posted by dpracingdan (Member # 5778) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Wolfie351:
Brakes Brakes Brakes Brakes Brakes Brakes Brakes

Don't worry about anything else until you have a few track events under your belt. Sticky tires are nice, but loud screeching street tires are better when you're just starting out as they will lose grip at slower speeds. If you lose grip on a race style tire, you'll be going faster and will find yourself in the dirt pretty quick and maybe into a wall.

Also be warned about the addiction, turning corners at speed gives you a thrill like none other. I have never been back to a drag strip since I started open tracking.
I am 100% in agreeance with Wolfie- road racing/track days are a serious crack-type addiction. Soon you'll be skipping meals, sleep, etc just to save to do your next track day. Also agree, get some good brake pads (hawks) and dont worry about the rest til later.
 
Posted by jaejae (Member # 7958) on :
 
coilovers!
 
Posted by SydeWayzSix (Member # 3596) on :
 
How much are trackdays and do they host them on weekends??

I've always wanted to do a trackday on my bike, but I never had time because they were always usually on the weekdays [Frown]

Also, what is a good shock and sring combo that is streetable but hugs the road at the track?
 
Posted by Blind (Member # 3052) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by SydeWayzSix:
How much are trackdays and do they host them on weekends??

I've always wanted to do a trackday on my bike, but I never had time because they were always usually on the weekdays [Frown]

Also, what is a good shock and sring combo that is streetable but hugs the road at the track?
check out the links I posted for prices and dates, there are lots of track days on weekends, usually bet on $200 a day.


you really don't need to worry about shocks/springs yet, but a good combo is bilsteins with H&R's, I run bilsteins with ford racing 'b' springs and the combo is very good, but I can't wait to swap them out for coil overs.
 
Posted by TR1 (Member # 296) on :
 
Nor Cal shelby club


http://www.norcal-saac.org/ot/otcentrl.htm
 
Posted by dpracingdan (Member # 5778) on :
 
http://www.nasaproracing.com/schedules/norcal2008.html

National Auto Sport Assoc aka NASA.
$300 for a weekend, 4 sessions per day, 8 per weekend. $179/day. Great instructors, nice folks, plus you get to see races too.

I've been racing with this group for 5 years, great bunch of people.
 
Posted by GOT 50 (Member # 1960) on :
 
Anybody willing ot meet up with me in July at a NASA HPDE event to kinda show me the ropes?

Thanks in advance

Eric
 
Posted by 9cobra7 (Member # 2812) on :
 
Show you the ropes. You mean show you the curves right
 
Posted by SF Coupe (Member # 1810) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by GOT 50:
Anybody willing ot meet up with me in July at a NASA HPDE event to kinda show me the ropes?

Thanks in advance

Eric
There is no July NASA event, but I'll be at Thunderhill in early June and Infineon late June. Stop by if you have any questions. White 1990 coupe #5.
 




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