Back in 99,00 I used to roadrace bikes(Daytona is awesome!!)and had a bunch of fun,but also had some broken bones to go with it.I have had my Z now for 15 months and it is still bone stock . I just love the car the way it is and am afraid I will mess up the balance of the car(touring vs performance).Lately I am getting sick of just taking the car out for a cruise on a nice weekend and would love to have fun with the car wear it is safe to have fun,on the track. Here in FL there aren't alot of so called twisties,so I find the best roads I can and have fun,but I don't get to wild so not to get into trouble. I have raced at Moroso a bunch of times and Homestead(on a bike).How difficult is it to get started. I'm sure at track days that alittle extra safety is good(no one wants to bang up there car),but do they still let you run as hard as you want? Thanks
There are a number of groups that sponsor DE events (drivers education) down here. Chin Motorsports is one that I belong to, NASA and Speed Ventures are others. Join one and sign up for a track event at Sebring, Moroso, Homestead, etc. It'll cost you around $300 or so for the day. All you really need is a good helmet, but I recommend flushing your brake fluid and replacing with some good race fluid like Motul 600 and upgrading your pads. You can run as hard as you like within the limits of safety. Passing is restricted to straights and by courtesy (i.e. signal drivers behind you where to pass).
There are numerous members on this forum that take their cars to Sebring for Driver's Education (DE) events regularly.
I'd recommend you find a couple and see when they are going and go watch a DE and talk to them. After seeing a DE, you'll be much more comfortable signing up for one.
Here are a few threads of recent Sebring DEs so you can see who the players are:
Thanks for the info.I want to do a few things to my Z to make it a better track car. I already have a good helment(Arai)from motorcycle days. I thought maybe a good ram air system, a rotor and brake pad upgrade(fluid too),and lowering and more aggressive alignment.Also synthetic in the rear and trans for higher temps.
Originally posted by roadrash Thanks for the info.I want to do a few things to my Z to make it a better track car. I already have a good helment(Arai)from motorcycle days. I thought maybe a good ram air system, a rotor and brake pad upgrade(fluid too),and lowering and more aggressive alignment.Also synthetic in the rear and trans for higher temps.
Most organizations won't let you use a motorcycle helmet as it isn't fire rated.
I would also consider a fire extinguisher if you don't already have one. The fire crews at most DEs won't get there in time to prevent major damage.
Good info Yellow Streak. A fire extinguisher is another wize buy.As far as the helmet goes.I thought if it was Snell certified that it would be enough.I mean Arai helments are pretty $$$ and have saved my head (well whats left of it ) plenty of times. I have seen drivers with open face helmets and thats not to fire proof,but its a good idea to find out before I go.
I may have been mistaken about the helmet - the NASA site says " M90/SA90 or newer rating" for DEs. Perhaps I was confused because we run in a race series with NASA and they require the helmet to be fireproof.
-Pete
PS Make sure you put a camera in the car and post your videos!!
Originally posted by Yellow Streak I may have been mistaken about the helmet - the NASA site says " M90/SA90 or newer rating" for DEs. Perhaps I was confused because we run in a race series with NASA and they require the helmet to be fireproof.
-Pete
PS Make sure you put a camera in the car and post your videos!!
Some of the events let you use an M rated helmet some don't. I'm upgrading to a SA2000 because at the last event they weren't going to let me participate, but then relented. Fire extinguisghers are sometimes required as well.
Originally posted by roadrash Thanks for the info.I want to do a few things to my Z to make it a better track car. I already have a good helment(Arai)from motorcycle days. I thought maybe a good ram air system, a rotor and brake pad upgrade(fluid too),and lowering and more aggressive alignment.Also synthetic in the rear and trans for higher temps.
Most DE/lapping days events will let you run with a Snell rated helmet that has at least a MA/SA95 sticker on it. I imagine your Arai helmet is more than sufficient.
As far as what to prep with, everything you mentioned so far are very good ideas. Flushing the brake fluid ... I recommend ATE Super Blue or something better (ala Motul RFB600 or Castrol SRF). Brake pads ... I wouldn't go all out for racing pads like Hawk Blues, but maybe along the lines of the Carbotech Panther +'s or the Hawk HP+'s. If you're driving to the events, definitely NO on the pads like the Blues. Those racing-only pads do not work well when cold ... and aren't particularly rotor friendly either when cold. If you do upgrade your rotors, bring your old ones as spares. And if you don't upgrade, buy an extra set of stockers. You just never know when you might need them. As far as lowering and alignment, ask around ... I usually run my auto-x alignment at time trial events (Solo I), which is a bit aggressive, so YMMV.
Unless you absolutely have to have it, you probably don't need a ram air system. Most DE events do not time your laps (although they don't stop you from timing yourself) to discourage 10/10ths and 11/10ths driving. So IMO, any intake or exhaust upgrade is wasted money unless you just wanna say that your car is modded with "x".
Have fun and enjoy how badass the Z06 is in stock form. I gotta warn you though ... it's like crack .. once you start, that's all you'll ever think about.
For the first event, you don't need to do anything to your car except maybe the brake fluid refresh. The Z is too cool right out of the box. Pay attention to your tire wear.
After the first event you will realize that any mods to your car don't mean a thing until you learn to drive it. I was shocked at how much I didn't know and still don't know.
Take chairs, a canopy, lots of water, stay out of 2nd gear, and don't forget to eat.
Enjoy!
__________________
"ROSSO Z"
02 TR/Blk Z06, '04 shocks, CAGS Defeat, JETTCO Cup Holder
Support our troops; bring them home.
Originally posted by roadrash All very good points,thanks. I just need to find a track day that works with my schedule,and of course somewhere thats not days away.
They may have some events that are pretty close for you. NASA is a pretty organization - my experiences with the Virginia and Ohio/Indiana regions have all been positive.
Originally posted by ROSSO Z For the first event, you don't need to do anything to your car except maybe the brake fluid refresh. The Z is too cool right out of the box. Pay attention to your tire wear.
After the first event you will realize that any mods to your car don't mean a thing until you learn to drive it. I was shocked at how much I didn't know and still don't know.
Take chairs, a canopy, lots of water, stay out of 2nd gear, and don't forget to eat.
Enjoy!
It is finally great to see comments like this!!!!
Another great comment I saw on this forum was. "The more money I spend on DE events the faster my Z06 goes."
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. I just love the car the way it is and am afraid I will mess up the balance of the car(touring vs performance).Lately I am getting sick of just taking the car out for a cruise on a nice weekend and would love to have fun with the car wear it is safe to have fun,on the track. Here in FL there aren't alot of so called twisties,so I find the best roads I can and have fun,but I don't get to wild so not to get into trouble. I have raced at Moroso a bunch of times and Homestead(on a bike).How difficult is it to get started. I'm sure at track days that alittle extra safety is good(no one wants to bang up there car),but do they still let you run as hard as you want? Thanks
) plenty of times. I have seen drivers with open face helmets and thats not to fire proof,but its a good idea to find out before I go.
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