Track Day

[ViperPete]

Hey guys

This summer I am going to go The Firm in Leesburg FL because its only 30 mins away from home or so and track the Viper with some friends who do that sort of thing regularly.

I would like to hear about you're experiences driving you're Vipers on the track.

What kind of prep work do you do?
Tire pressure?
Do you mask the front end with that blue painters tape?
How do you protect your rocker panels?
What kind of helmet should I get?
Interior GoPro or exterior GoPro?
Racing gloves?
Racing shoes?
Are my stock brakes ok?
Are my stock tires ok?
Are the factory seatbelts adequate or am I going to be flopping all over the place?

I auto-crossed my Acura TL-S years ago and I was turning the steering wheel with my right hand and holding on to the door with my left and my left foot was killing me because I was trying to keep my damn body from moving around. Was a 6-speed too.

I've never raced anything this powerful before. I also don't want to screw up the paint AT ALL! I want to have fun and get a feel for the car.

This car is FAR beyond my skills to drive on the street. There is just no way to enjoy it on the street at speed because the limits are so dang high.

Thanks for you're input.

[98intrigue]

Let me know when you go. It's only a 2 hour drive for me...

[Dman]

First track day, you don't need to get complicated. Most will recommend a full face helmet, remember a motorcycle helmet won't pass tech most places, needs to be a yellow tag car helmet. All your stock stuff is more than fine for a novice. Some will say change your brake fluid etc., which I do recommend but not required for a first timer. Gloves are up to you, tire pressure you can start at about 27 cold and then just measure right when you come off a session. Personally I like it around 29-30 max on track, the dash readout is very accurate in my exp.

I do tape my rockers front and back even with film on the car, it's so easy and quick and gives that extra peace of mind. I don't tape the front of the car, I just drive strategically when passing, setup for a passing zone and go around vs tailing someone and risk getting sprayed. As a first timer you probably won't be failing anyone, but you can tape all you want, some do some don't no issue either way.

[XSnake]

You should come up to Roebling Road in Savannah with us one time. The Firm is a shorter tighter course not really suited for the Viper.

As for prep:

Tire pressure? - Depends on tire.
Do you mask the front end with that blue painters tape? - Or get a clearbra
How do you protect your rocker panels? - same
What kind of helmet should I get? - SA2010
Interior GoPro or exterior GoPro? - ask the track what they allow, some have gone to no external non tethered cams
Racing gloves? - up to you
Racing shoes? - YES
Are my stock brakes ok? - depends on your skill level, make sure you have some fresh Motul in at least.
Are my stock tires ok? - yes
Are the factory seatbelts adequate or am I going to be flopping all over the place? - depends on skill