Anyone doing HPDE on a race track?

Jesus Christ has nothing to do with my post about track day insurance...

I...just...can't...

Murray20c8 said:

Just the opposite. I have run many of them. They are licensed and insured. Of course it can depend on the club, but all the ones I participated in were well managed. There are rules to follow and anyone not following them is sent packing. These are the exact events I WOULD recommend to new drivers. No pressure to perform and lots of help is available from enthusiasts.

Click to expand...

It is rare to hear good things about the TMP run lapping days, but I'm sure it depends on the specific events you've been out to.

Grand Bend is a nice local track, and the officials do a good job, but while the track itself is safe for minor off-track excursions, it's definitely not safe for more serious type failures. Have a look around that track and figure out what RV you want to hit if you lose your brakes (for example). It has virtually no containment. Don't get me wrong, I still go there, but it's a bit of a stretch to call it a safe track.

It's very rare to anyone to purchase track day insurance. Most just accept if you crash your car on track (or someone crashes into you, or it catches fire, etc.), you're out of pocket for it.

HZOR said:

@GM MUSL great info, thanks.

Do you keep track alignment on the street or switch before/after each track day?

I am thinking of starting with street specs and switch to track alignment if I see the need. One thing I am worried about is that I felt very comfortable pushing at Spring Mountain, the car felt amazingly predictable and easy to drive at the limit of my abilities, and I don't want to end up with a less amazing car because of street alignment.

I could probably live with track alignment on the streets and accept the accelerated tire wear. I guess tires will wear out quickly anyway if I do any significant amount of track racing.

Click to expand...

I keep my track alignment always. On the track tires wear the outside edges more and on the street the inside wears more. The tires will wear much faster if you track the car anyway. I find for me it balances out somewhat. I do run higher tire pressure on the street to help compensate for the wear - cold 6 to 8 psi more. Most of the track users I know drive to and from the track leave the track alignment permanently.
If you don't have a track alignment you may not get the grip you expect on track and since you know how it should feel based on going to SM you could be disappointed. It is also safer IMO on track to have the proper alignment. The only difference I feel with tht track alignment on the street is on the highway changing lanes you can feel a pull into the lane as you move over the tire wear areas of the road.

Murray20c8 said:

Just the opposite. I have run many of them. They are licensed and insured. Of course it can depend on the club, but all the ones I participated in were well managed. There are rules to follow and anyone not following them is sent packing. These are the exact events I WOULD recommend to new drivers. No pressure to perform and lots of help is available from enthusiasts.

Click to expand...

I was only referring to the open lapping events. I am sure there are many good clubs that do an excellent job managing the drivers at TMP.

My advice if you are new to tracking and lapping days is to go out, have fun and not worry too much about how fast you are going to go, lap times etc etc.

Learn the track, watch some videos on YT on the track you are going to. Start in the newbie group the club or event organiser for the lapping day will have a specific meeting with new drivers and experienced driver volunteers that will take you around the track at a reduced speed to get you up to speed on the various parts of the course and what to look for while you are driving the track by yourself.

Have the car prepared days ahead of you going to the event. Have new higher temp brake fluid in your car at the very least and of course proper pad material and thickness. Learn a bit on how to wrench on your car like torquing wheel nuts (means having and knowing how to use a torque wrench) and a basic tool kit will help with minor things that can pop up when at the track. Bring a tire pressure gauge as you will be adjusting pressures constantly.

Be aware of how you are driving and how others are driving around you especially if you are a novice, know your and their abilities before you decide to fly through that corner way faster then you and your cars abilities or trying to outbrake someone entering a corner. Always watch for changing conditions on the track (someone could drop some fluids ahead of you or stall out in a blind corner as you are coming through).

There're tons of others tips and stuff but basically have fun, don't abuse the car on track or damage it and that makes for a great day especially afterwards when you can drive your car home intact.

Tony