| Author |
Message |
Dan McColl
TryHard
Victoria
UZZ-32 V8 Soarer #138
Posts: 477
Reg: 07-2005
|
I am starting this thread as I know of a number of people, myself included, who are interested in doing some track time next year.
I am looking for recommendations on
-Brakes and brake pads.
-Suspension setups and alignment settings
-Suppliers of slicks and prices/recommended sizes
-Well priced wheels to put affor mentioned slicks onto
-Other useful info we should know.
There is some info here...
https://soarercentral.com/sc-forum/messages/287/448.html
Hopefully we can do up a good resource for track days to help out the newbies. |
Peter Nitschke
Junk Filterer
South Australia
GT4.0 V8
Posts: 2669
Reg: 11-2004
|
Brakes and pads have been well covered.
As for the rest, like everything, it all comes down to how serious you are and how much $$$ you want to throw at it, and where you are starting from.
Best thing is to get some decent brake pads and brake fluid, pump your tyres up to 45psi, go do a track day and then come back and talk about what you feel needs improving. |
Damien Smith
TryHard
NSW
Manual UZZ31
Posts: 250
Reg: 07-2005
|
Dan, great to meet you on Saturday! What Peter says is good advice - once you have some track pads etc best to just dive in and give it a crack.
If you want to throw some money at it there's a couple of ways to go. As I think I told you on Saturday I have a set of 17" Supra rims with Falken Azenis RT-215 tyres which are a road legal track tyre so they're soft and have minimal grooves (it's the tyre shown on www.falken.com.au). I think I paid about $1200 for 2 x 235/45-17's and 2x255/40-17's to fit the rims. The price for 18" rubber was just ridiculous. Because these are road legal you can get extra use out of them.
Alternatively you could get some 18" rims and get ex-porsche cup slicks 2nd hand which are pretty cheap from what I've heard. With either slicks or semi-slicks 35psi should be fine as they have stiffer sidewalls.
Because you've got an active you have your suspension covered (after letting me crap on about sway bars  ) and the only other thing high on the priority list would be a good seat with good thigh support like a fixed back bucket. Race gloves (about $80) are also recommended.
Then it's just preparation. Get a box and pack spare oil, brake fluid, stock brake pads, cable ties, race tape, foot pump, decent tyre pressure gauge, jack, wheel chocks, spare wheel nuts, tool kit etc... if you think you might need it, pack it.
Somewhere I posted a thread on what things weigh if you want to get some weight out of the car so have a look through that too. |
James Johnson
TryHard
Victoria
TT
Posts: 128
Reg: 07-2005
|
so you coming down to the island next year hay??
with pads go for something like Ferodo DS3000 and if you want to have a track/road pads maybe get some Ferodo DS2500 both are very very good and you will get plenty of track days out of them!! at PI anyway!!
if you want some slicks (once you try them you wont go back) maybe give juzza a call he seems to be able to get them from somewhere.
I run
245/18 front slicks
280/18 rear slicks
and if you can get a apexi RSM because after the first lap the 180 speed cut will piss you off |
Damien Smith
TryHard
NSW
Manual UZZ31
Posts: 251
Reg: 07-2005
|
In NSW there's no straights long enough to hit the limiter in a V8  Except Eastern Creek but that's $250 for a day! |
Peter Nitschke
Junk Filterer
South Australia
GT4.0 V8
Posts: 2681
Reg: 11-2004
|
On most tracks a set of Lucas pads for approx $68 for fronts will do the job pretty well while you get the feel of it all. Graduate to the Ferodo pads once you know you are addicted to track days |
Gary Morriss
TryHard
SA
2.5 TT
Posts: 225
Reg: 07-2005
|
Someone say Track days!    |
Peter Nitschke
Junk Filterer
South Australia
GT4.0 V8
Posts: 2684
Reg: 11-2004
|
Wondering when you would come out of the woodwork! |
Aaron Klaver
TryHard
Victoria
TT and T
Posts: 115
Reg: 08-2005
|
At a cams event (most sprint days run under cams rules) you'll get supplementary regs which cover off what their basic requirements are.
You'll need the pay and play Cams license which is about $80, usually you can get a one day license which is refundable if you get the 12 months one.
You will need long sleeves and pants in natural fibres, leather shoes (though I've worn runners every time I've competed with no probs), obviously an approved helmet. You'll need an approved fire extinquisher mounted so you can reach it without having to remove harness/seatbelt.
You'll need to tape up any forward facing lights - most guys use contact for this.
You'll have to remove anything loose in the car, also toolkit, spare tyre, jack, boot trim etc - basically anything that might come loose in an impact.
You'll need a supplementary bonnet restraint if you're not using pins, I use nylon webbing you can buy by the metre at bunnings - oh yeah, the fire extinguisher is $30 at bunnings with a bracket - you'll pay $60-70 for the same thing at revolution racegear.
If you're looking at new semi comp rubber, I've used Bridgestone RE540s and RE55s and been very happy with both - far better than the Azenis imho, though the brigestone wear quicker. Far more expensive too, my 215/45/17 cost me over $1400 the set
Octane booster is good too, just for an added safety margin. There's conjecture as to it's effectiveness but I've been using the nulon pro strength and when I had my powerfc installed, the knock value was 7-8 points lower with the stuff compared to without it, that's proof enough for me
It's known for killing 02 sensors, so probably not great for prolonged use.
Do yourself a favour, get the car looked at thoroughly by a mechanic before the event. Brakes and suspension are the number one things to ensure are in 100% order... I •••• myself when I lost power at over 200kmh due to a faulty cooler hose clamp, but it was nothing compared to when my brake pedal went right to the floor at the same speed! |
Peter Nitschke
Junk Filterer
South Australia
GT4.0 V8
Posts: 2692
Reg: 11-2004
|
Aaron Klaver wrote on Monday, December 12, 2005 - 08:52 pm:You'll need to tape up any forward facing lights
Glass lights only, so our plastic lights don't need to be taped. |
James Johnson
TryHard
Victoria
TT
Posts: 130
Reg: 07-2005
|
as said semi slicks are expensive.. i would suggest buying some cheap 18" and getting second hand slicks after a couple of meets it ends up being cheaper plus its faster!! |
Dan McColl
TryHard
Victoria
UZZ-32 V8 Soarer #138
Posts: 486
Reg: 07-2005
|
Ahhh yes. I already know I'm addicted.
I'm probably looking at some track specific brake pads. Possibly some slotted rotors.
I would prefer to run slicks so I'll talk to Juzza and start looking for some cheap 18" wheels.
It was good meeting you Damien, sorry about the sway bar thing, though it was amusing at the time.
Is there anything you can do with the factory seats or do I also look for a cheap bucket and some rails?
I guess it would be an interesting experience to try it once with a stock as active and then hit the fancy tyres and brakes and power later to make some comparisons.
I might have to drag my old man's transporter out of the woodwork to get all this crap down there.
Thanks for the info so far. Keep it coming and hopefully I'll see you guys at the track next year.   |
Gary Morriss
TryHard
SA
2.5 TT
Posts: 226
Reg: 07-2005
|
Dan- good to see your be having a go at a track day, .
Slicks in Vic Juzza could fix you up.
In Feb i should have a new set of 18" rims, so the ones i use now might be up for sell,they would have a set of slicks on as well,can talk about that later next year.
To get nice and tight in your own seat, wind your seat back a tad, do up your seat belt,then wind your seat forward,till its nice and tight around your chest,just make sure you can reach the steering wheel though!, best distance from wheel is when you can hold out your arms in front of you and your wrists can rest on the top of steering wheel.
Slotted rotors,dont bother yet,ive never used them,just get a set of Ferodos 2500's,cant go wrong with those.
cheers |
Aaron Klaver
TryHard
Victoria
TT and T
Posts: 116
Reg: 08-2005
|
Slicks are a bit of overkill for a first day out perhaps? They make a huge difference to your corner speed, if you stuff up, you'll be going that much faster when you come off.
If you do a few track days, the odds are pretty good that you're going to come off at some point |
Aaron Klaver
TryHard
Victoria
TT and T
Posts: 117
Reg: 08-2005
|
Peter Nitschke wrote on Monday, December 12, 2005 - 09:39 pm:Glass lights only, so our plastic lights don't need to be taped.
even the little turn lights at the bottom? |
David Vaughan
DieHard
ACT
Soarer GT-L (4.0 V8) Lexus is300 (3.0 VVT-i 6)
Posts: 933
Reg: 07-2005
|
high beams on '94+ cars are glass |
Daniel Lee
TryHard
Victoria
Soarer GT Limited UZZ31 V8
Posts: 408
Reg: 07-2005
|
I went to the Phillip Island cruise with another car club on Sunday and we got onto the Phillip Island race track for 3 "parade" laps and all for free without paying a cent 
We weren't given any rules to follow, but i guess is a common knowledge that on a parade lap you take it easy and don't harass the car in front or attempt to pass.
Boy at the track was fun and the Soarer handle pretty well as we havent done any preparation and we though we just cruise down there and watch the boys from the Alpha club race around the track.
Here are some photos:
|
David Ross
Tinkerer
Victoria
one single turbo VVTi and one TT
Posts: 83
Reg: 08-2005
|
Heh James, I thought the 280 rears were to big in the sidewall? Can you clarify?
Were they OK?
Did you get them from Juzza?
Does anyone know the dates of the first weekend at PI next year? |
James Johnson
TryHard
Victoria
TT
Posts: 131
Reg: 07-2005
|
have the guards rolled and the 280 fit nice and snug and no rubbing at all.
to make sure we tested it buy jacking the car up on one side and the wheels fit good.
had 280 the last 2 PI and still on the same set with plenty of tread.
i have 6 280 tyres including the ones i'm using still. could sell you 2 if you wanted any.
they are very good once they are hot they don't spin.....maybe not in the beast but it would help!! lol |
David Ross
Tinkerer
Victoria
one single turbo VVTi and one TT
Posts: 84
Reg: 08-2005
|
i would love a pair thanks James. |
Avin Luther
TryHard
vic
Soarer uzz31 Limited
Posts: 445
Reg: 07-2005
|
I am in preparation too!
My wallet is a little thin though.
Brakes are already upgraded and am shopping for whiteline sway bars. |
James Johnson
TryHard
Victoria
TT
Posts: 132
Reg: 07-2005
|
as long as your budget covers licence, membership, event day pass, fuel, fire extinquisher, helmet, 2nd bonnet restraint. you will have fun!! |
Damien Smith
TryHard
NSW
Manual UZZ31
Posts: 258
Reg: 07-2005
|
Neil can get the sway bars for ya. |
Avin Luther
TryHard
vic
Soarer uzz31 Limited
Posts: 447
Reg: 07-2005
|
Yeha i spoke to Neil about the swaybars on Saturday. He was helpful as always!
What are the specs for Fire extinguisher? |
Peter Nitschke
Junk Filterer
South Australia
GT4.0 V8
Posts: 2714
Reg: 11-2004
|
From memory, 1Kg and must be accessible while strapped in with your seat belts. |
Avin Luther
TryHard
vic
Soarer uzz31 Limited
Posts: 448
Reg: 07-2005
|
arent there different types eg, Co2, or foam or dry or ..something? |
Shane Standley
Tinkerer
NSW
IS200 TT
Posts: 62
Reg: 07-2005
|
Hey guys,
Ive been to two track days in the IS200. All I have upgraded is Pds, to EBC Greenstuff. I have to admit, they are aweoms,e but then again, i havent tried anything else. I havent gone to semis yet, As aaron suggested, its a bit overkill for beginners. On Saturday, there was an open day at wakefield, there were only 8 cars, so it was like we booked the track for ourselves, i got a bit carried away, with about 12 laps straight, full throttle, thats when it started to overheat, and also, under half a tank, started to surge too 9After market pump) For my second go, i was happy with teh times, with street rubber on 18" wheels, posting consistant 1:14's around wakefield. |
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