Getting started track list?

[ViperSmith]

Anyone have one?

Things like:

Helmet
Radio for talking with passenger
Tires+Rims
Track insurance

I am sure there is an endless list...

Want to get into it this year, finally...

[Nine Ball]

Go ahead and get clear bra applied over the nose, mirrors, and behind each wheel for at least 12 inches. Road courses are usually full of tiny pebbles that get chunked at your car from those in front of you. Or, you can spend the day covering the entire car with blue painters tape, which looks pretty awful. LOL

5 way harness helps keep you planted in the seat, makes it less tiring on long days. You can tuck it behind the seat when not in use, and go back to the seat belt.

Your factory tires/wheels are just fine. I'd never suggest learning on anything but regular street radials. They make more noise, and give you clues on the limits of their traction. Plus, they don't wear out as quickly as race tires do.

Look for a Drivers Education weekend in your area, they usually will have a website that tells you everything required.

[TowDawg]

HUGE list if you try it and decide you want to continue.
For your first time out:
Helmet (must be SA rated and not M rated for almost every track day group I've run with).
Long pants and long sleeve shirt (100% cotton).
Two-way radio is a good idea. Your instructor should already have this, but it doesn't hurt to be prepared.
Make sure your brakes are good (at LEAST over 1/2 pads) and flush, refill, bleed your brake fluid with Motul600.
Track insurance.
Clear bra is a good idea.
Agree with Nine Ball about learning on street tires.
Disagree (in part) with him about harnesses (you usually have to the same restraints for passenger as driver).
They do keep you planted and make it easier to concentrate on driving.
However, I do not recommend strapping into a harness without a HANS.
A harness is not designed to "give" at all on impact like a seatbelt is. With it holding your body completely against the seat in the case of an impact, your head is likely to really slam forward and cause serious injury/death (especially with the weight of a helmet on). The HANS prevents this from happening.
Basically, with a HANS, 100% in favor of a harness. Without it, I prefer stock seatbelts and airbags.

If you stay in it, it really starts to add up with tons of safety gear (harness, suit, gloves, shoes, balaclava, HANS, fire extinguisher/system, roll bar/cage, etc) and performance stuff (tires/wheels, better brake pads, etc).

[schulmann]

Keep your stock tires and wheels unless you are a professional racer and get a good instructor.
Insurance wont cover you unless you pay a very high premium.

Other than that ... one thing, people spend endless money on safe "looking" items making them less safe and breaking their bones when hitting the wall. Be careful, observe, think and then act wisely, think about what you want to do and what is the purpose of your time on the track.

Like the other guy said: "Basically, with a HANS, 100% in favor of a harness. Without it, I prefer stock seatbelts and airbags. "

Actually after having seen a couple of accident I do believe in the billions of dollars that manufacturers have invested in Airbags and seatbelts.

The most serious injuries that I have seen were ALL with after market safety setup.

Then there is this one guy that told the "How much the Viper is a shit, but the frame is strong" when the guys lost control with a poorly tuned proportional valve, he did so much rollover that he couldn't count them. His body was so blue like a brand new jeans. He was still breathing and walking after the accident.

I 100% agree on this: "Clear bra is a good idea", Use the M3 Scotchguard. It is expensive but well invested money.

[Policy Limits]

Go pro camera should be in there!

Any recommendations on carriers for track insurance?

[Late Apex]

Two way radio system, hans, full face SA helmet, 6 point harnesses both sides, driving shoes.

[XSnake]

SA helmet
thin sole shoes
long pants and shirt
brakes, brake pads, brake fluid
clearbra is a nice thing to have

I use 2 different track insurance carriers for the events I organize. Both are good reputable companies that I would recommend to any of my drivers
ontrackinsurance.com
http://locktonmotorsports.com/insurance/

[TowDawg]

Forgot about the GoPro. Mount it inside to where you can see yourself and out of the windshield. You'd be amazed how much you can learn by reviewing your videos over and over again.

[Voice of Reason]

I really appreciate this thread. This year I want to hit all three of the IL club's racing days so this is all very helpful. It will be my first time on a road corse in any car so I'm excited/cautious all at the same time.

[Dman]

Depends on what you're going to get started doing. You're somewhat local to me, are you thinking Summit Point? I do about a dozen trackdays there a yr between the cars and bikes.

If you just want to go to an open trackday you need almost nothing, a yellow strap helmet and that's about it for a FATT or SATT trackday there. Unless you're already qualified you wont be able to have a passenger, if you go to a SATT or FATT and aren't "qualified" you'll have to drive with an instructor in the car until they clear you to move to class 2, they provide the radios.

But it all depends o what track & what event holder.

[ViperSmith]

Thanks everyone - great feedback.

Dave, will be summit to start. I have a friend who is an instructor - plus close!

[Leslie]

There's a group of us that run Mid oh every year.
I would love to ride with you!


Oh...
Add lottsa seat time:)

[Dman]

Thanks everyone - great feedback.

Dave, will be summit to start. I have a friend who is an instructor - plus close!

Well let a brotha know when. 50% chance I'd be already planning on being there in the viper, GT500 or Ninja. lol

Dave.

[Bill Pemberton]

Voice of Reason and others,

Think about going to the Viper Rendezvous in Hastings , Nebraska ( June 13-15th ) for three days of various track events and instruction. Should be about 50 Snakes there and good track to learn
on and have a ton of fun.

www.racemph.com

[TrackAire]

-Get the car aligned to verify where you are and note those alignment figures. You can even do a "mild" performance alignment. The key is to find somebody that knows what they are doing. A good alignment is key for safety, good tire wear and a car that is predictable. (some cars can come from the factory with alignment figures way off)

-Buy a very good quality pressure gauge (Longacre, Intercomp, etc). If you're not spending at least $45.00 on a gauge, beware. Cheap gauges can be off by 2 or 3 psi....that is a lot on a 26 psi tire. Don't buy a 120 psi capable gauge, they are most accurate in the middle of their sweep. For you application, buy a gauge with a max reading of 60 psi.

-You can buy a grease pencil and write your tire pressures on the lip of the fender above your tire. When you're done for the day, it just wipes off with some detail spray. This is important as it lets you know exactly how much pressure you started with and ended after the session. Tire pressures are very critical for good handling on a Viper. Keep a log of the pressures and don't be afraid to adjust down if need be....most Vipers run less air in the front tire than the rear for track use.

-Make sure you have an air source at the track or carry a small plug in 12 volt compressor to air up for the drive home or to make minor adjustments at the track.

-The most important thing on the list is a quality instructor to show you the way around the track. Money spent here will pay dividends down the road. Hiring somebody to do the first couple of sessions with you is very important. Even let him drive the car for a few laps so you get use to what the car should be doing and how it should sound (tire squeal, negative braking G's, braking points, etc). Only perfect practice makes perfect....learning the wrong way takes 10 times longer to erase from your minds hard drive, lol.

-Have fun, don't stress and enjoy yourself!!

Cheers,
George