What Should I Do To Prepare For A Track Event?

[NSXJT@aol.com, FG] Every car goes through a "tech line" before being allowed to go onto the track. Many items are checked but of particular interest to us will be:

 
Battery hold down - make sure it is tight 

 
Floor mats removed 

 
All loose objects removed from car - cockpit & trunk. (This means anything that      isn't bolted down.) Bring a box that you can throw everyting in when you empty the car. If      not, your radar detector, tapes, etc. will be scattered, run over, etc. 

 
If you have a nose mask (bra) for the car, put it on. You won't believe what flies      through the air when you're on the track. 

 
Put on metal valve caps. The plastic ones can fly off. 

 
Use tape weights inside the rims, not clip on weights which can fly off. 

 
Remove wheel covers. They can also come off. 

 
Rain-X your windshield if it looks like rain. 

 
Use Z or better rated tires and make sure they are in good condition! This is the most      common cause of failure during extended high speed runs, and when a tire goes, control is      lost. Typically it is recommended that you put 300-400 miles on the tires before taking      them to the track (assuming you're not using shaved tires). Also, a new tire with full      depth tread blocks WILL feel more squirmy than worn or shaved tires. 

[KS] When you go to the track, it’s recommended that you clear out anything in the car that’s loose and isn’t bolted down.

In previous posts, I mentioned that I have found that it’s essential to remove the spare tire as well. Even though it’s bolted down, its weight has created ongoing problems with the wingnut frequently getting loose (even on the street, until I use some Loctite) and with the bolt on the top of the vertical spare tire support beam loosening and coming out. So now I make sure to remove the spare tire before taking the car on the track.

Which isn’t enough, as I found out last weekend at Gateway International Raceway in downstate Illinois. I removed the spare tire. When I went to replace it, I found that one of the rubber caps on the ends of the horizontal spare tire support beam had come off. Gone. So now there are two more pieces I have to make sure to remove before going on the track.  (At least, at $6.40 list, this is one of the less expensive parts on the car to replace when you lose one.)

"To Bring" Checklist

For You

 
Clothing-Cotton is best. Cotton long-sleeved shirt or jacket is better than any      synthetic (fire). 

 
Shorts, T-shirts etc. for non-driving sessions 

 
Wear comfortable sneaker-type flat soled non-slip shoes and socks. NO SANDALS. NO      HIGH HEELS. NO BOOTS. 

 
Bring a ground cloth or some garbage bags to put things on/in. The paddock may not be      fully paved, which can mean mud if it rains 

 
Rain gear - rainsuits, umbrellas, boots, change of clothes. If it is raining and you get      wet changing pads, etc. then dry clothes and shoes are REALLY nice.  A big tarp is      handy too. 

 
Gloves 

 
Sunscreen lotion, a hat, sunglasses, bug spray 

 
A fire suit, five point harness, and helmet can ease your mind. Some or all of these      items are required at some events 

 
Pens and pad for notes 

 
Camera and film

 
Aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen--you can get a headache and you can't take anything      else at the track.

 
Maps

 
Coveralls

 
Overnight kit

 
Membership cards, Check books, credit cards, cash, license 

 
Wet ones! (great for a quick hand cleaner after changing wheels, brake pads) 

 
Cooler (with non-alcoholic beverages <g>) 

 
Earplugs 

 
Snacks 

 
Folding chair 

 
If you and a buddy are interested in doing some timing, a stopwatch, clipboard, and      pens.

For The Car

 
Duct tape !!!!

 
Air pressure guage and air compressor (part of NSX toolkit). 

 
If possible, an air tank. There may only be air hose and there is often a line 

 
Torque wrench

 
Jack

 
Extra brake pads (front and rear) and tools for changing brake pads.  If you don't      know how to do it, someone there should be able to help you. 

 
Window cleaner and paper towels 

 
Shock adjustment tools (if you have adjustable shocks) 

 
Full fuel can. Gas may be available at the track, but often only for part of the day. It      may also be racing fuel and cost several times more then regular gas. It is not unusual to      go through a full tank of gas during the day 

 
Brake fluid 

 
Engine Oil 

 
Brake bleeding gear 

 
Service manual (if you're driving something other than an NSX) <g> 

 
Tires (if you're driving an NSX)

Preparing for a Summer Track Event

[AWN] Our cars all have air-conditioning, but we probably don’t want to spend the entire day locked in our vehicles.

 So... If you want to be comfortable, you'll want to bring:

 
A cooler containing a gallon (128 ounces) of water (or fruit juice or sports drink) for      each person in your party, and as much ice as you can fit in the cooler. Don't bring any      alcoholic drinks. 

 
Lunch. 

 
A wide-brimmed or visored hat.

 
Sunglasses.

 
Sunscreen, SPF 15 or higher. 

 
A folding chair for each person in your party. 

 
Something to provide a little shade. NSX trunks are pretty small, but I think there are      beach umbrellas that'll fit in there... And maybe a few attendees can get together and      each carry part of a big tent or awning or something. 

 
A small towel... Soaked in icewater from your cooler and wrapped around your neck, it'll      go a long way toward keeping you comfortable. 

Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. I’ll be VERY surprised if anyone shows up in a driving suit, but for safety’s sake, you should at least wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts (both of non-synthetic materials), and real shoes.

While at the track:

 
Apply sunscreen liberally. 

 
Drink 16-32 ounces of cool fluids each hour, even if you're not thirsty; thirst is NOT      an accurate indication of dehydration. 

 
Watch for these signs of heat exhaustion, and pull off the track and let someone know if      you feel them: 

     
dizziness

     
headache 

     
heavy sweating 

     
muscle cramps 

     
nausea 

     
weakness 

I know that this all sounds like common sense, but people really DO collapse from heat exhaustion.

At the Track