Well, I'm set to go to my first track event at Thunderhill on 12/3. I'm going to go and get my car tech'd at Dynospot Racing in a few weeks, but other than that, what can/should I do to prepare? I won't need to change the oil until afterward since it's already changed, and my tranny and diff have new Redline fluids in them.

Let me know if you can think of anything and I'll get on it. This weekend I'll be installing my boost gauge, so that'll be done. I think I may wait until afterward to install my PFC.

Anyway, thanks for the input in advance...

 

Patrick,

It sounds like your car is pretty well prepared, but I'd suggest a couple of additional things:

Bring some extra oil- at least 2 quarts. Run the car at approx .5 inch from the fill mark, if possible.

Bring some extra front brake pads, particularly if you're going to use street pads (not recommended).

Bring a torque wrench and a jack. If your running the same size tires all around I'd suggest rotating your tires 1/2 way through the event.

Bleed your brakes prior to the event! Bring some extra brake fluid and bleeding tools.

Tire gauge (of course)

I'd seriously recommend using something to control boost if you don't have this already. You'll find that road racing places exceptional demands on the engine and you'll likely experience higher boost than ever before. If you don't have a boost controller, than be prepared to remove your WG pill or add a cheap switch to run WG boost only (see my site: http://www.purplemantis.com/RX-7/boo...ion_switch.htm)

Additionally, I'd recommend bringing the following:

air pump
driving shoes
sunglasses
sun-block
hats
check book (you never know)
zip ties (all different sizes)
towel
handy wipes
funnel
misc. wrenches and tools

That's about all I can think of. Be sure to check out Doug Hyashi's site (http://www.nsxfiles.com/stories.htm ) for some additional suggestions (go to "track checklist").

Regards,

Gene

 

Patrick,

It sounds like your car is pretty well prepared, but I'd suggest a couple of additional things:

Bring some extra oil- at least 2 quarts. Run the car at approx .5 inch from the fill mark, if possible.

Bring some extra front brake pads, particularly if you're going to use street pads (not recommended).

Bring a torque wrench and a jack. If your running the same size tires all around I'd suggest rotating your tires 1/2 way through the event.

Bleed your brakes prior to the event! Bring some extra brake fluid and bleeding tools.

Tire gauge (of course)

I'd seriously recommend using something to control boost if you don't have this already. You'll find that road racing places exceptional demands on the engine and you'll likely experience higher boost than ever before. If you don't have a boost controller, than be prepared to remove your WG pill or add a cheap switch to run WG boost only (see my site: http://www.purplemantis.com/RX-7/boo...ion_switch.htm)

Additionally, I'd recommend bringing the following:

air pump
driving shoes
sunglasses
sun-block
hats
check book (you never know)
zip ties (all different sizes)
towel
handy wipes
funnel
misc. wrenches and tools

That's about all I can think of. Be sure to check out Doug Hyashi's site (http://www.nsxfiles.com/stories.htm ) for some additional suggestions (go to "track checklist").

Regards,

Gene

 

Crikey! That's a lot of crap to bring. I was planning on bringing the air compressor, my toolbox, and between a friend and I a jack, some stands, and some other stuff. This event is not a race, but more of a track school. I don't have any boost control at this point because my PFC is still in its box. I will install my new Defi boost gauge this weekend so at least I'll know where I am (If I'm overboosting I might just install the PFC early), but other than that and some other common sense stuff I think i'm good to go. If the car breaks while it's out there I'll be towing it home, not fixing it there, so I don't think I'll invest in a lot of spare parts.

The only other concern I have right now is that I saw some white smoke from under the hood this morning (made a post in the 3rd gen tech support section), and I dunno what it's from. It didn't smell like oil or coolant, and I didn't see any leakage from anywhere. If this continues I might have to take it into the mechanic *cringe*. We'll see...I'm about to get some lunch, and the car is cold, so I'll see what I find during my break.

 

It's really not that much crap. Most of what I mentioned will fit in a small bag, other than the jack and air compressor.

I realize it's a school, but if you're like me you'll quickly be running up other people's asses in a hurry with the FD. By the end of the event, you'l be pushing the heck out of the car (at least on the straights). With regard to boost control, trust me- there is little you can do on the street that can duplicate what you'll see on the track. I'm not sure of your mods (other than what's in your sig), so you may be okay if the car is close to stock. However, I definitely recommend having some sort of boost control available. Case and point: I've competed in a dozen autocrosses this year and lots of drag races and never saw boost over 13 PSI. My first track event I saw spikes to 15 PSI!

Can't help you with the smoke. It could be a number of things. You might want to get the car on jack stands and take a peak at the turbo oil lines.

Gene