Second annual TST track day June 23-24 at NJMP

[piku]

I realize that but I am having a lot of trouble autocrossing because the car has pretty good suspension, great brakes, supercharger, etc but the tires are pretty poor so it's verrry imbalanced. The result is that I end up asking too much from the tires. I need to reign in my right foot and hopefully I'll be able to get that under control before the track day. There are a few more autocrosses before that.

I'm very curious what it's like to run on the track. I understand this is just an HPDE but I am talking more in terms of an actual race. My initial thought is that it should be a lot easier than autocrossing because you have a lot of time to correct mistakes going round and round many laps whereas on an autocross a single mistake means a complete loss. Perhaps it's the same situation track racing except you get to have a bunch of laps looking at the rear end of all the other racers before you inevitably lose ;)

I know first day is supposed to be fun, but I can't help but to want to become very very competitive. It's just in my nature.

But I've already autocrossed a lot. I've had my share of humble pie that myself some of these other guys are going to eat :-P

[oneday]

Originally Posted by piku

I'm very curious what it's like to run on the track. I understand this is just an HPDE but I am talking more in terms of an actual race. My initial thought is that it should be a lot easier than autocrossing because you have a lot of time to correct mistakes going round and round many laps whereas on an autocross a single mistake means a complete loss. Perhaps it's the same situation track racing except you get to have a bunch of laps looking at the rear end of all the other racers before you inevitably lose ;)

I wouldn't say road racing is "easier," but it is definitely "different."

Yes you can spend many hours watching video to learn the basics of the track before you turn a wheel, then many hours on track to learn how to actually drive the track. Then in a race you then need to be able to repeat each input dozens/hundreds of times, while trusting that the other 20-80 cars on the track will also continue to hit their marks.

In a sprint race you have 20-40 minutes from start to finish, so one little mistake, missed opportunity, or poorly timed pass will cost you either actual position(s) or, at the very least, track position. Once you make the mistake, there is no getting that lost time back--especially in spec type classes where all cars in that class are extremely equal.

In an endurance race you can make up for small errors and lack of overall speed by being clean and consistent and not using up your tires/brakes/car too quickly. But then you have to worry about physical fatigue (yours, your co-drivers', and your competitors') and you have to rely on other team members to execute perfectly also.

My driving style and racing experience is entirely endurance based (well, was until this past weekend's comp school). I am used to getting into a car and driving until it is out of gas...2-3 hours later...I am not out there to set a lap record or even get FTD...just to turn laps within a 1-3 second window...over and over again. I am smooth on all inputs and don't use up the car for the next driver. His job is to do the same thing.

Autocross requires you to quickly adapt to that day's course. You have to know how to put your car through each element. I started out autocriossing for five years before ever driving on a track...there is a lot that a new driver can learn from autocross and apply to road racing...that said, I enjoy the challenges presented at autocross events (and getting to drive silly fast cars), but doubt I'll ever be a full season autocrosser or participate in National events again after a the last few years of road racing.

[jn06subiesti]

Registered for June 24. Hope to have a few K miles on my build by then.

[012.5RS]

Just registered for the 24th. Getting sooo excited. Now to just work a ton of overtime to get the car "finished" by then.

[ruggerheist]

i apologize if its been covered but do they loan out helmets at the track for the day?

[oneday]

Trackdaze does not loan or rent helmets. You must have an M2005 or SA2005 helmet. The state of NJ requires all participants use full face helmets with a visor in the down position.

Originally Posted by NJ Racing Regulations, SUBCHAPTER 3. SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
FOR VEHICLES AND PERSONNEL: ROAD
RACING AND HIGH PERFORMANCE
DRIVING SCHOOLS

13:62-3.6 Helmets and eye protection
(a) All drivers shall wear a properly secured, full face
helmet, with face shield, which meets or exceeds Snell
Memorial Foundation Testing Standards M or SA, incorporated
by reference herein, as may be amended and supplemented,
which has not reached the expiration date established by the
Snell Memorial Foundation at the time of the event. The
standards are available from the Snell Memorial Foundation,
3628 Madison Avenue, Suite 11, North Highlands, CA 95660.
A Nomex, or similar fire-resistant head sock is recommended to
be worn in conjunction with the use of the full face helmet with
shield. The use of open face helmets and goggles shall be
prohibited.

[piku]

Thanks for the heads up, I never bring my visor to autocross!

[ruggerheist]

glad i asked that one

[ruggerheist]

looking online finds nothing, any retailers in delco so i can test fit?

[piku]

I'm just bringing my M2005 motorcycle helmet. I got that at Montgomeryville Cycle Center. I'm not sure where you'd find and test fit a normal racing helmet though.

[Chris B.]

Its about a month and a half away! Everyone ready?

[Chris B.]

I booked my hotel room since I'll be at the track both days. I'll be at the Quality Inn in Millville, NJ.

[oneday]

Originally Posted by ruggerheist

looking online finds nothing, any retailers in delco so i can test fit?

JSC Speed is in Doylestown and have helmets in there for test fitting and offer discounts for racers and HPDEers.

Originally Posted by ChrisB

Its about a month and a half away! Everyone ready?

Got my E36 M3 two weeks ago. Coilovers, exhaust, and intake arrived today. Camber plates arrive tomorrow. Wheels and tires on Wednesday. Then Wednesday, Thursdsay and Friday all get installed. Should be at NJMP this weekend at the RallyCross...and then I'll have new pads and rotors on before a private track day at the end of May.

[piku]

Haha, roped 2 friends into coming.

[piku]

Originally Posted by oneday

Got my E36 M3 two weeks ago. Coilovers, exhaust, and intake arrived today. Camber plates arrive tomorrow. Wheels and tires on Wednesday. Then Wednesday, Thursdsay and Friday all get installed. Should be at NJMP this weekend at the RallyCross...and then I'll have new pads and rotors on before a private track day at the end of May.

What'd you end up doing for suspension? I am thinking AST 4200. Mine is used for autocross and the suspension/tires are showing their weaknesses with the new supercharger.

[ruggerheist]

Originally Posted by oneday

JSC Speed is in Doylestown and have helmets in there for test fitting and offer discounts for racers and HPDEers.

good look man, thanks

[oneday]

Originally Posted by piku

What'd you end up doing for suspension? I am thinking AST 4200. Mine is used for autocross and the suspension/tires are showing their weaknesses with the new supercharger.

I have KW V3s going on tonight. Thought about ASTs but the internets say if I went that route I'd spend the rest of my life in the vicious circle of: Install; drive two track days; uninstall; send back to Fair for rebuild; install; drive two track days; uninstall; send back to Fair for rebuild, etc, etc, etc.

I also considered the KW Club Sports but they use very high rates and are not covered under KW's rebuild warranty. Since my car is mostly a street car that will see 5-10 track days a year the softer spring rates of the V3 should be good to me. Plus I am not using the purple crack or even 888s (though I probably will next year), just running Star Specs this season (wanted R-S3s, but back ordered until June in my size)...so super stiff rates would only hurt me more than help.

[piku]

Originally Posted by oneday

I have KW V3s going on tonight. Thought about ASTs but the internets say if I went that route I'd spend the rest of my life in the vicious circle of: Install; drive two track days; uninstall; send back to Fair for rebuild; install; drive two track days; uninstall; send back to Fair for rebuild, etc, etc, etc.

I also considered the KW Club Sports but they use very high rates and are not covered under KW's rebuild warranty. Since my car is mostly a street car that will see 5-10 track days a year the softer spring rates of the V3 should be good to me. Plus I am not using the purple crack or even 888s (though I probably will next year), just running Star Specs this season (wanted R-S3s, but back ordered until June in my size)...so super stiff rates would only hurt me more than help.

The spring rates vs tires/wheels are my dilemma too. I'd like my car to still be somewhat streetable as well but I'm ok with it being a bit of a bear. Right now I have *really* terrible Hankook ventus V12 on the stock staggered forged setup. (245 and 225). I have bilstein sport shocks and H&R sport springs so it's not very stiff. I want to get 17x9's and put maybe 255 star specs on but I don't think I can make it work without camber plates. No point in buying camber plates for my current suspension when I can get coilovers. No point in buying cheap coilovers.

So basically I either stick with the hankooks and just have fun...

Or I'm out $5g's.

[piku]

Oh and more than likely if I didn't get the star specs, I would get the Hankook Z214 C71 compound (since I mostly just autocross). They have really proven themselves for the money in my eyes.

[Chris B.]

Its only a few weeks away. Is everyone ready?