My first track day, looking for advice.

[sprstu]

I am participating in my first track day this weekend at BIR. I will be running my MK4 Golf TDI thats mostly stock (suspension upgrade and injectors) with a set of Hoosier R6 tires.

I have done a few AutoX and RallyX races in the cities so Im not 100% in the dark but I don't really know what to expect out there all day. The event is put on by the Slowpokes Porsche club and their site isn't really that helpful.

What Im looking for is some advice on things to bring with me: i.e. extra clothes, oil change stuff, bottle water etc. I know that Ill be outdoors for the whole day so normal life stuff is taken into account but there is always something you say "man, I wish I would have had that with me" or "next time Ill be sure to grab that".

[JK9K]

I bring a tote with me for track days and autocross with a general mix of supplies and tools. Obviously make sure you bring appropriate attire for driving. Count on pants and closed toe shoes (although clothing requirements can differ from place to place, club to club), rain jacket, sweatshirt or another type of warm clothing, also maybe some shorts and light shirt in case it gets hot when you're taking a break. Some places/clubs might let you drive in shorts, others may not. I pretty much count on the possibility of cold and rainy as well as the possibility of it being 100 degrees. Do not forget sun screen and sunglasses. I always seem to get burnt.

Bring water and some bottles or whatever that can be refilled. I typically bring a folding chair too. Don't forget to bring a towel (queue Towlie picture), they can come in handy for rain, sweat, and so-on. I also bring a fender pad or something to pad my back if I need to work under a car.

I'd suggest also keeping some general tools with you, you know your car better than anyone else (hopefully) so you can choose what to keep around. At a very minimum I make sure I always have a torque wrench with the correct socket for my lugs.

[iowagn]

Go forward very fast. If something gets in your way, turn.

All you need to know

[JK9K]

Oh, forgot to say, bring fluids for the car. Engine oil, brake fluid, coolant at the very least. Make sure you check those fluids the day before, and I always flush or bleed my brakes before a track day. You might want to bring enough tools to possibly do a bleed at the track...up to you and depends on how much you trust your brake fluid to not boil. It might be a complete non-issue, but I always come prepared for a potential brake fluid boil.

[jungle]

u don't need to bring oil change stuff....do bring a quart of oil...maybe some coolant or distilled water....if you haven't bleed your brakes this year, then do it before you get there.....give the car a serious 'once over' before heading up there.

my team's mkII w/ an ABA swap Chump Golf will be up there...

[Audiphile]

Snacks? Drinks? Pillow for naptime?

[Champ]

What day are you guys doing this? I'll be up there for a motorcycle track day this Saturday.

Good stuff has been said already. Ample clothes, folding chair(s) (a second one can be used as a footrest!), water, simple tools + fluids. An EZ-Up is nice since there isn't a ton of shade at BIR.

Motorcycles are obviously different since we trailer up we have more room for "luxuries". I run fans for my helmet in between sessions, box fan to keep cool, a table to keep everything on, a scooter to get around, etc.

[sprstu]

Im going on Friday this week. Super Pumped.

I did a brake fluid and fuel filter change today, oil change last week. What I would have liked to do was a trans fluid flush. I suppose I have the fluid, I could just do it tomorrow...

Thanks for the advice guys!

[Dwigz07]

Most importantly, Have Fun!

[JK9K]

Most importantly, Have Fun!

And listen to your instructor!

[sprstu]

My TDI's turbo crapped out on me today, go figure. Now Im borrowing my lady's MK4 GTI. Should be serious fun but with it not being my car I fell like 75% capable. Hopw it doesnt rain too much.

[John2.0T]

This is a great write up on track events... its a long read but definitely worth it!

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=39193

(not sure if you have to be a member or not to view...)

[Champ]

And?!?

[Digital K]

yep. and!????? how did it go!?

[sprstu]

Seriously good time. I was so nervous, I had no idea what to expect or about the other drivers or the community. I didnt know if the car would be ready or willing to push its limits again and again, plus it wasnt my car so that just compounded the issues.

And then you pull out of pit lane and hit the throttle for the first time.

This group of people, the Slowpokes, are amazing. So friendly and helpful that it made the whole experience wonderful. They offered to take a few ride along laps for our first times out as instructors, gave me a ride in their prepped cars and were there 100% to help out and make sure everyone was comfortable and having a good time.

830 driver meeting- a 3 min speech about having fun, passing rules and time frame.
9am-1pm open track, run as little or as much as you want.
1-2pm tracked closed for lunch
2-6pm open track, run as little or as much as you want.

I put just 40 track miles on the car I brought up, it wasnt mine so I made sure to call it early after I had some good fun and got out safely. I then proceeded to do ride-along in 5 other cars. My favorite was the 77 911SC that was race prepped, more fun than I could have ever imagine. Close second was a full caged and race suspension Mimi CooperS.


The entire event was so laid back and relaxed, the other drives helpful and interesting and the track was a blast. I had always pictured racing as this elite sport for snobs and people with more money than brains (who would be super annoyed with a guy like me poking around their car) but much to my surprise it wasnt that way at all. Yes, the Imola Motorsports truck and trailer looming giant in the background always let you know how inferior you were but even those guys were nice and fun to be on the track with.

I will be signing up for the final Slowpoke event on July 5th, hopefully my TDI will make it. Even with a bone stoke MK4 GTI (on Hoosiers) was accepted and total blast, you can really bring anything to the track. As long as it isnt leaking fluids and has good brakes, youre fine. Just remember to move over for the Imola 911 thats up your trumpet.