Drivetek Motorsport
Drivetek Motorsport
GET SET............................. GO!
For the first timers and inexperienced track day competitors
This is aimed at helping you prepare to have fun
Who, what, when, where of an event or track day
Usually new competitors ask similar questions when preparing for their first track day. So I thought it would be a good idea to make a rough outline for you to refer to with things that you will need to do and what to do when you arrive at the track as well as preparing your car
Car preparation
Before attending an event, you need to ensure that your car is ready, to have an enormous amount of fun with you. This means that you must check all the basics normally done when your car is serviced, plus a couple of track requirements depending on whether you're running at Marulan, Wakefield Park or Sydney Motorsport Park.
Oils aint oils
lt aint oils - If your car hasn’t had an engine oil & filter change in the last 2,000 kilometres, do it now before the event! Don't use budget oils or filters when competing in motorsport events. A semi synthetic or full synthetic oil is cheap insurance against engine failure, provided the engine is in good condition to start with. A standard Ryco oil, air and fuel filter are good quality products to use.
Fluids
Next, make sure that all your FLUIDS are topped up such as coolant, brake fluid, power steer, gearbox and diff oil. If your brake fluid hasn’t been changed in the last 12 months, change it. DO NOT use a silicone based fluid unless its in your cars specifications. A DOT 4 rated fluid is all you'll need. Check that your brake pads still have plenty of material on them. If they have less than 3 to 4mm, change them to a performance pad.
Tyres
Your tyres should be in roadworthy condition. Before you get to the track, pump your road tyres up to 37psi. Air is not available at Sydney Motorsport Park and the pump at Wakefield Park is temperamental sometimes and the queue can be long when it does work. Take your pressure gauge with you to the track and check the pressures immediately after each run. As the tyres get hot, the pressure increases. You should aim for a maximum pressure of 40 psi hot in street tyres. Any higher than this and they may start lose grip.
Battery
Make sure your battery is secured by the proper bracket and doesn't move around. Cable ties etc will be rejected at scrutineering.
Fire extinguishers and blue triangles
Both are required under a CAMS permit. When you buy a 1kg fire extinguisher, the bracket must be made of metal.
Blue triangles are used to indicate the position of the battery, and are required. They are available here on our websiteor from out facebook page.
OK, so now the car is ready, what do you do on the day of the event?
Make sure you’re wearing PROTECTIVE CLOTHING, as per the supp. regs and have plenty of FUEL as you can't buy fuel at the track.
Low KW cars can easily do a track day if you have a full tank at the start. With more experience, you’ll carry spare fuel and run with less in the tank when your on the track. For now, you won't be breaking any records, so turn up with plenty of fuel.
Getting there
Once you head off to the track, do not be tempted to speed down the Highway - save it for the track! The roads are heavily policed and landing a speeding fine is a perfect way to ruin your day at the track.
That’s it. Apart from saying "have fun", which you will, remember that it's the nut behind the wheel that's the biggest performance improvement to lap times, not necessarily the bits bolted on.
Dicing with someone in your class whose times are within half a second of yours is more exciting than winning by three seconds. Remember its not a race!!