First time on the track: Advice?

[Purdue_Boiler_Viper]

I'm going to Putnam Park on June 6th for my first track day. My 01 GTS has new fluids, upgraded brakes (SS lines) with new EBC reds, new PS Cups, and Forgeline wheels. I've got the PS vent tube, pinned crank, Roe fan upgrade, and Dave PS pulley.
I've got Motul 600 put in last month. The only other fluid that has not been changed in the last year is the transmission.

I'm not going to drive the car all that hard, just trying to have some fun and learn to drive better.

Anything I need to do to the car for prep? I read somewhere about taping the headlights??

 

[Steve-Indy]

Suggest that you "tape" chin, nose, painted edges of wheel-wells & fronts of side sills.

You may go through the Red Stuff pads faster than you think...might take some spare pads/jack/tools along.

...and BE SURE that your coolant is updated and at correct levels in the overflow bottle in the front fascia...new pressure cap is a good investment as it may prevent the overflow bottle from "puking" coolant into path of right front tire.

 

[Steve-Indy]

Forgot to mention a common 2001 (and other year) problem...check the heater hoses into and out of the water valve...many of the OEM crimp stlye hose clamps used at the water valve"creep" with time/pressure ...have seen them leak and blow.

Viper Days Tech Inspector REQUIRES that you substitude a standard screw-type hose clamp on either side of this valve...noting that some just add these clamps while leaving the OEM ones IF space permits.

Keeping the valve open all the time is a good idea in my opinion.

 

[crazyspeed]

Suggest that you "tape" chin, nose, painted edges of wheel-wells & fronts of side sills.

You may go through the Red Stuff pads faster than you think...might take some spare pads/jack/tools along.

...and BE SURE that your coolant is updated and at correct levels in the overflow bottle in the front fascia...new pressure cap is a good investment as it may prevent the overflow bottle from "puking" coolant into path of right front tire.

+1 Carefully inspect cooling system after every run. Also, find out what type of coolant is required at the track.

 

[Purdue_Boiler_Viper]

Thanks Steve! New clamps and hoses all around. What kind of tape?

Thanks Crazy. Steve, is there a coolant requirement at Putnam?

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Keep an eye on those EBC reds.

 

[wastntim]

Start studying a track map. Memorize it. Another thing you can do is see if you can find some video of a lap around the track. Try trackpedia.com or just search you tube. Watch it over and over again as it will give you a good idea of what you are looking at. Attend as much classroom as you can, ask for help as much as you can and make sure you get an instructor. See you there!

 

[0260in3]

There's no coolant requirement at Putnam Park. A new set of pads will be plenty for one day. Putnam is pretty easy on the brakes with the exception of a turn or two.

Warning: Putnam is where I got hooked on Viper Days!
Have fun
Terry

 

[SoCal Rebell]

You're all set, go drive and have fun. If it's your first time you won't be going fast enough to hurt anything. The car is only as fast as the nut behind the wheel.

BTW, just watch temp on a 2001, the plastic impeller in the water pump is prone to cracking.

 

[Leslie]

Here's my check list, although it's for my Z06 and not my Viper. Some items may not be required for your first HPDE.

I will be at Putnam also, look forward to meeting you.




At Home:

• Check / change the oil (fill to top mark on dipstick; flushed within 30 days).
• Check / change radiator fluid. Add Redline Water Wetter to radiator.
• Check / change power steering fluid.
• Check transmission and differential fluids.
• Check for any fluid leaks.
• Check brake lines for cracks (stainless steel brake lines and "Speed Bleeders" are also a good investment) and make sure your brake lines have enough length in them when your suspension is fully extended. You can buy directly from speedbleeder.com or other performance vendors.
• Check / change brake fluid (flushed within 30 days).
  Check brake pads (should be 50% or better).
  Brake lights operational?
• Check / change clutch fluid.
• If pulling tranny/torque tube out of car for other maintenance, check around the bolt holes on the clutch pressure plate for cracking. Once you get to 40-50 track days, if you pick up a vibration in your car that varies with the clutch in and out, I would bet the pressure plate is beginning to get cracks around the bolt holes.
• Check hoses and belts for cracks
• Check rotors (especially the front rotors) and hubs for cracks and wear.
  Check tires for excessive wear, flat-spots, cuts and bad/worn/cracked valve stems; pressure (30-31 psi); torque lug nuts (100 ft-lbs recommended). Check wheels for cracks, especially around the spokes (this is even true of heavily used CCWs).
• Check the steering & suspension for excess play or clunking sounds. Check sway bar nuts and bolts, especially on the front where the sway bar bolts to the aluminum a-arm. With the car on jacks, wiggle the wheels. If they have some play and move back & forth with your hands at 6 and 12 o'clock, you probably have bad wheel bearings. If they show some play with your hands at 3 and 9 o'clock, you probably have worn tie-rod end-links.
• Drink extra water before track day, especially if during summer months.

(Recommended to replace brake and clutch fluid with high temp brake fluid (DOT4 recommended, but not essential for first event).

At The Track:

• Check / adjust tire pressure (30-31 psi cold, ~40 psi hot). Remove center caps. Tape up wheel weights with duct tape or that shiny silver/heat-reflective tape so when the wheel weight adhesive melts from the rotor heat that they don't fall off your wheel.
  Add oil to equal 1 quart over full (=7.5 qts)
  Gas cap secured.
• No exposed wires.
• Seats bolted tightly.
• Make sure driver’s seat back is up-right and seat is close enough that you can reach the steering wheel with bent arms at the elbows. You will have much better car control this way.
• Buckle passenger seat belt (if unused).
• Remove floor mats and ALL other loose objects.
• Clean windows and mirrors with windex.
• Apply racer’s tape / car numbers. Tape up the rocker panels below the doors and behind the doors go has high-up and all around the rear brake ducts. On tracks with debris and gravel, this is where 95+% of the paint chipping will occur.
  Make sure transponder, if any, is secured by at least two tie-straps, plus some tape is recommended, too.

Stuff To Bring (Required):

• Driving suit or clothes that meet requirements (long sleeves, long pants, cotton material, etc.)
• Racing shoes or similar that meet requirements (no open toe, etc.)
  Helmet (DOT may be acceptable; but check first. Best to have Snell 2000 or newer, SA rated rather than M rated).
  Required forms, completed in advance (e.g., medical, pre-tech, helmet/harness release).
• Race tape
  
  
  Stuff To Bring (Highly Recommended):
• Tire pressure gauge
• Tire air compressor
• Engine oil (1-2 quarts)
• 1 container of brake fluid
• Brake bleeding equipment (tube/bottle, etc.)
• Duct tape
• Fire extinguisher
• WD-40
• Windex
• Paper towels / rags / wipes
• Cotton towel for yourself
• Torque wrench w/ socket
• Other tools (sockets, wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers, etc...)
• Bottled water, Gatorade, etc.
• Food, energy bars, etc.

Stuff To Bring (Optional):

• Spare parts (This is probably overkill for the novice driver. However, it is always better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.)
  • Serpentine belt
  • Brake pads
  • Rotors (front & rear)
  • Wheel hubs (front & rear)
  • Caliper bolts and caliper bracket bolts and caliper pins
  • Short and long 02 sensors
  • Knock sensor
  • Spark plugs
  • Spark plug wires
  • Fuel filter
  • Fuel injector set
• Jack
• Jack stands
• Jumper cables
• Funnel for oil
• Tie wraps
• Tire pyrometer
• Run flat aerosol cans
• Service manual
• Grease
• Hand soap or waterless hand cleaner
• Ice chest with lots of water
• Sunglasses
• Sun screen
• Camera
• Camera batteries charged
• Extra tapes if you are doing in-car video (Don't use DVD or hard drive cameras. They don't record properly in the high G-force environment of the track.)
• Stopwatch
• Flashlight
• Map/directions/phone number of hotel
• Map/directions/phone number of track
• Gloves
• Folding chair
• Umbrella
• Ground tarp
• Rain tarp
• Extra set of keys

Beginning Track Session:

"Off the Line"

• Tire pressure
• Torque lugs
• Fuel

"On the Line"

• Memory Button – #1
• HUD – Track Mode
• AH – Off or Comp Mode
• NPP Valves – Open
• Radio/Nav – OFF
• Air Cond – OFF
• Seat Belt – Ratchet tight
• DRL’s – OFF

__________________

 

[99 R/T 10]

Yeah, don't let this happen to your car:

YouTube - Nelson Ledges Crash 24May08

 

[Purdue_Boiler_Viper]

Thanks to all for the great help!

 

[KWIK96]

How do I change my HUD to track mode?

 

[Early93Viper]

Maybe and just maybe some here might be overanalizing your first track day.

You don't need to bring a semi load of stuff. You won't go thru a set of brake pads your first track day. (You will be braking early for the turns no-doubt your first time)

As long as your fluids are changed and you have addressed weaknesses in your particular Viper ( As Steve-Indy pointed out with 2001 vipers) then you will be fine. Have fun and try not to worry. Don't overdue it your first track day and don't be that guy who doesn't give point bys.

With that said here is some video of Putnam park. I am not familuar with the track at all so I don't know what track configuration these are. (or even if there is more than one) But they should help you get use to the track.

YouTube - Putnam Park 100-Speed Lapping Day

YouTube - Putnam Park - Porsche Pumpkin Run 2007 - SS3

YouTube - Putnam Park 2006 Highlights

YouTube - 7/2007 - Putnam Park Lapping - Evo IX

 

[Leslie]

yeh don't plan on bringing anything if you plan on going 55mph around the track

 

[ViperTony]

The best tip I got the first time I got on the track was to have an instructor ride along. Nothing beats having an instructor that knows the Viper's handling abilities ride along with you giving you constant feedback and tips. Learn the apexes and the nuisances of the track. With good instruction, you'll get smoother around the track throughout the day and your lap times will get faster. If you can't find an instructor to ride along with you, follow one on the track. Our region sometimes has different run groups for track events, the newbies get to follow an instructor around the track which is very helpful as well. At the end of the day, enjoy it and don't try to get distracted by keeping up with the more advanced drivers...that will come later.

 

[Boxer12]

If you want a high quality video to study, you can upload this one...(it takes a while to upload). (The player on this site isn't full format.) [media]http://averydocserver.com/VIDEO/PP/NASA%20HPDE3%20PP508.wmv[/media].

 

[Steve-Indy]

Many Vipers use Redline P.S. fluid for this type of event...I have some if you decide to use it...I can only get it ariound here at Racer's Wholesale Supply...downtown, at Doman (sp) and EAST Michigan St...just EAST of I-65.

 

[Steve-Indy]

GREAT LIST, Leslie !!!!

 

[Purdue_Boiler_Viper]

Many Vipers use Redline P.S. fluid for this type of event...I have some if you decide to use it...I can only get it ariound here at Racer's Wholesale Supply...downtown, at Doman (sp) and EAST Michigan St...just EAST of I-65.

Thanks Steve. Have been to Racer's Wholesale many times.

Next question for all of you pros. A Snell 2000 helmet is required. Should I go for an open face model or closed? I don't see a need for a visor in a GTS.

 

[Mr U-2]

Just one more thought...and it's a routine habit...don't pull on the handbrake after you finsh a track session and park the beast. (Thanks to Bob Woodhouse at No Problem Raceway some years ago).

Paul

 

[DrumrBoy]

The list was exhaustive....lots of ideas there.

One point of clarification since the list was for a Z06:

How many road course folk fill to one quart over max at the track? I know lateral forces will put oil on one side or another but when sitting flat won't the extra oil be a nuisance (or worse)?

 

[SoCal Rebell]

Thanks Steve. Have been to Racer's Wholesale many times.

Next question for all of you pros. A Snell 2000 helmet is required. Should I go for an open face model or closed? I don't see a need for a visor in a GTS.

I asked that question here my 1st track day 8 years ago, the answer........."How much is your head worth?". Go with a good close faced helmet, buy an SA2005 from Motorcycle helmets and Motorcycle helmet - Helmet City you get a 10% VCA discount. I bought a $400 Simpson Super Voyager, measure your head according to the website directions Sizing Center | Helmet City , good luck.

 

[Leslie]

thanks Steve, definitely a list we could add to for guys who are track junkies like me.

I love my full face G force helmet, lightweight and has the flames on it. You could get a good deal on an SA2000 but personally I would just go ahead and get the SA2005 so you can use it a lot longer.

I use an extra qt of oil too

 

[Early93Viper]

Some great advice here! One more bit of advice would be to Join the VCA. Where other members can help you more personally.

 

[Rich Wesorick]

Putnam is great track to learn on - lots of different types of turns and good run-off areas...

Hopefully you will have a good instructor that will stress smoothness (hands and feet). Remember - slow in, fast out!

Rich
Go Boilers! (BSME 1988)

 

[Steve-Indy]

"Boilers"....what's THAT ?? !!!

 

[Rich Wesorick]

Steve - we will settle this at Putnam in Aug!

 

[Paul Hawker]

Remember tire temperatures affect performance.

First lap out you will have cold tires. Be careful for the first few corners till they heat up. You can gradually increase speeds as tires warm to track temps.

After several laps, be aware that if you overheat your tires by sliding too much they tend to get greasy and you will want to drive more conservatively, or just pull into the pits for things to cool down.

When you come in, again do not set your parking brake. Just stop, and leave your car in first gear to hold it. You may wish to open your hood to help the engine cool down faster.

Have fun at the track.

 

[Boxer12]

About 'runoffs' at Putnam. Keep it on the track. There is plenty of trouble off. Just my 2c.