Hey guys, I'm going to be tracking my FD for the first time this Sunday and I wanted your opinions on what do I need to prep the 7 for track ? I already got some ideas like, toolset, jacks, fresh oil, coolant, brake fluid, tire pressure, what else ?

Also, for the those who are experienced with racing FDs - what are some tips, tricks, advice, when tracking ?

 

Your first time should be “just” a feeling out for the car...in other words don’t try and over drive the car, FD’s are great handling cars to begin with so work your way up to getting a good feel for it. You may want to take some fuel with you as well, plus add a little pre-mix to the fuel....around 4-5 oz of good 2 stroke per mix per tank will give some added protection. You may all so want to up-grade the brake pads....stock pads will fade real fast....Hawk HP+ will do the trick for now. Try not to do to many laps at the start....try 4-5 then come in and inspect under the hood, tires, brakes, etc.
To start:
Bring the engine and tires up to temp ( do a warm up lap ) before you go hard. Same goes for a cool down lap, put your 4 ways on and let the car cool down for a lap ( safely) before you come into the pits, try not to brake as your brakes will be very hot....let them cool and never use your emergency brake when parked.
Make sure your early to prep the car, remove everything from the car, floor mats etc.....anything loose, check all you fuild levels etc. Make sure you attend the drivers meeting and understand all the rules, there will be a lot to take in at first....so if you don’t understand the ask questions.

Good luck and have fun!!

What track you going to?

 

you could change your brake fluid if you haven't. what ever aftermarket parts you have in the engine bay, you might want to check to make sure they are secured.

 

Hey thanks for the useful tips Jim !

I'm gonna be lapping at TMP

 

Ill just add this, when you are lapping, pay attention to what you are doing and not what people are doing in your rear view mirror or you will be distracted and mistakes will happen. Go at your pace, start slow and go progressively faster as you get used to the car and the course.
Turn one can be and is an intimidating corner so try not to go too fast into it esp for your first time out. Brake early and give yourself time to turn in smoothly.
Be smooth, do all your braking and gear changes before you turn so you dont unsettle your car.
Hope this helps, im assuming you are going this wed?

 

TMP is a great track, the CSCS event can be a bit hectic....pay attention to the marshalls. I maybe there in the JRP tent, let me know if your having problems...I'll do a few laps in the car with you.

 

oh your lapping at the CSCS event? for the first time? its going to be hectic indeed

 

Yeah, I was suppose to run at Mosport DDT but my friends are lapping at CSCS, and my buddy paid for it.
Shouldn't be that bad. I'm definitely going to go on my pace, and drive how I usually drive, like Jim said first time should just be to feel out the car and progressively go faster as I get more comfortable with the car.

Anyway, thanks all for the advice !

 

is caesar lapping finally?

 

Jim has a great list going. Having only gone to the track once I wished I had been able to study it. Try looking for youtube videos of the track. Folks like Marco, and Jim have made videos that show how they take the course. It might help you learn the correct angles ahead of time (but obviously you won't be going as fast as they are).

Have fun.

 

Once you're done your track session and off the track, I would idle the car with the hood up for at least 8-10 minutes, regardless of what your water temps say. I'm almost certain that not idling it long enough is how I killed my stock turbo's last year I set my timex to have a 8min count down timer for this reason now.

oh, and yes, bring fuel, and keep the fuel tank over half full. Assuming that you haven't installed a fuel tank baffle yet, you may risk hitting fuel cut due to fuel starvation if you get down to 1/2-1/3rd tank. If you're unlucky, this could pop your engine

 

going to the track always be prepared for the worst lol

just take your time around the track let people pass and go your own pace

bring water, oil tools etc

check coolant hoses, belts tires


here you go double j
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FS7fHlHhcNs

ill be there in my fc but wont be lapping

 

One rule of thumb that I think was missed is.............Dont follow the line the car infront of you is running unless you know for sure that they are experienced and fast. A lot of rookies have followed others stright off the track lol

 

^^^ lol so true

 

I did something simular at Mosport years ago in the rain. About 2 laps in the windshield fogged up so badly all I could see was the tail lights of the car ahead of me and he was going good so I decided to follow him through the field since I really couldnt see. I lost sight of him somewhere in turn 3 the next thing I heard was gravel on the drivers side of my car. I had followed him off turn 3 lol.

 

I might consider it 50/50, very tempting hhmmm.

 

Consider it? CSCS Time attack is sold out!

 

guess im making it to this one, my bud had to back out of his spot so ill see you there!

 

kplayground had october lapping days. 2 days for the price of one

 

Hey Justin, nice to meet you dood. I hope that I was helpful, like i said before next time you go lapping, do it when its less busy so you can concentrate on your driving and not the people behind you. It was nice to see another white FD on the track.....it wouldve been what my car looked like if i stayed 99 spec lol.
I hope that your boost issues get sorted out.

Heres some feedback on your car with realistic budget in mind if you decide you want to track/lap your car seriously in the future.

1.Surprisingly for a car on stock shocks and lowering springs the car handled well, it was not too wallowy, just soft enough roll to let you know the limit. What spring rates were they again?

2. For next season, mechanical grip is important..with all the mods you do, the most important ones are the contact patches that connect your car to the track. I know that you plan on getting better street tires next year.

3. Brakes: as you saw/felt...stock pads will not cut it lol. Having good/great brakes will give you more confidence to carry more speed knowing you can shed it when you need it. I dont really know if you have flushed your brake fluids or what not but definitely do it for next year.
Hawk HP+ are great pads to start off with...or the Hawk Blues..

4. Cooling: upgrade your oem plastic/nylon ended rad, anything is better that stock. You stock plastic AST should be replaced with an aluminum one if you decide to keep the ast. That hole in front of your stock IC, plug it up so the air doesnt go out the rectangle hole....path of least resistance.

5. ECU...everyone has their preferences but for the ease of use and installation you cannot go wrong with the Apexi PFC..if you have the budget look out for one of these.

im sure people will chime in with what they did to have a reliable street/track car here. What ive posted are the basic things to help you (if you decide to continue to race) build a safe, reliable car.

I have been where you are not so long ago and theres nothing like enjoying our cars on the track, esp. something that you built with your hands. The trick is to be able to do it safely and have a reliable car. I didnt have a chance to go over with you what mods you have done to your car aside from the obvious but if you want to go over it we can point you in the right direction.

Im glad more and more rotaries are participating in lapping/tracking events. Thats it for now and thanks for letting me drive your car, hope it was helpful.

 

Ken,

I asked him about his brakes, tires, rad and ECU all specifically when I tech'd him in first thing in the morning lol.

Glad you didn't break!

 

fair enough, Im just going on what the convo that we had while I was driving his car. Sadly I didnt have the chance to show him the lines earlier on during the day as i had to practice for my T/A as well

 

no I didnt mean anything by it, Im just not surprised you told him the exact same stuff right.

We need a day where everyone goes out and we see who has the fastest 7...

right ken lol

if some of the streetpower guys show up, even though they mostly like to drag, and aaron, and Al and 23racer, of course Jim and marco, with andoru, I think it could be a interesting (and loud) event lol

brb, gotta fix my car

 

I think it would be very difficult to coordinate a day where all our cars are running right :P. Although, that would be f@@ken awesome.

thewird

 

indeed! Obviously we would have different classes right? lol