I've visited with a car club that go to a local track of mine called Limerock and theres an event in 3 days there. There will be instructors to help me but anything g35 specific that I should know (VDC, tips on manumatic?) and what to inspect myself before driving all the way up there?

I was going to get a rental track car but they don't supply them at this specific meet.

 

Turn VDC off as it will only try to correct anything that it thinks is imperfect. Tracking your car is all about learning how to handle it, you cant learn with VDC interfering. Check your brakes and the fluid level, make sure the master is full and you have plenty of pad life. Check to make sure your oil level is full, etc. etc. all the basics.
-GP-

 

I don't need an upgraded suspension right?
Any issues with warping rotors?

Thanks

 

You dont NEED any suspension upgrades, but you're not going to be able to get the most out the car or the experience in a car with a stock suspension. At the very least, i'd want a set of sway bars and good tires to go tracking. Either way i'm sure it will be an enjoyable experience.

As far as the brakes, there is the possibility that your rotors will warp and you will have brake fade, it all depends on how hard you are willing to push the car.
-GP-

 

For the first time no, but i'm 99% sure u are gonna come back home after the track and go get coilovers. Stock suspension is too soft and too much body roll even for agressive driving. But it is the best to get everything out of the stock suspension so u can know what u want afterwards.

 

hey thanks alot guys

one more question, this is only a one time sort of deal (driving my car at the track) so driving with normal tires which have plenty of tread is no prob right?

 

Depends on how hard you drive the car. If they are brand new tires with loads of tread on them there is a increased possibility they will "chunk" or loose blocks of the rubber on the tire. But even if that would happen there is a low possibility that you'll have any severe tire damage.

But it'll probably be pretty cool outside there in Conn. and the instructors will know this and do their best to keep that from happening. If your worried about it ask one of the instructors they'll be glad to help you out and answer questions, in fact that's why they are there.

Warping can be an issue if you start to get onto the breaks hard and long. Limerock has a pretty long straight (110+ mph) followed by a low speed sharp turn (~40 mph) so there is the possibility for break fatigue, and warping. Not to mention our cars are 3500+ pounds. Again it'll be cool so that'll help the situation. One word of advide, don't use your ebreak all day. You can actually melt your pads to the rotor. The mostly likely sceniro is that you boil your break fluid and you'll start to notice your breaks goto the floor VERY quick. If that happens make sure it change you fluid after the event.

Check all fluids (all topped off), break pad and rotor thickness (eyeing it is ok), make sure that helmet is tight, and for god sakes let people pass by you and check your mirrors before every passing zone (just think would you be pissed off if the guy in front of you won't let you pass when you can do 20 mph faster?)!

Can't comment on the manumatic, your instructor will though (unless he's a schmuck)... As for VDC I'd leave it on because the goal is to be smooth enough so that it doesn't kick in. But if you notice it intruding after your first 20-25 minute session there is no rule saying it has to be on (i'm guessing that the club you run with doesn't care ON or OFF).

I'd top off your tire pressure the day before to maximum rated psi. Then before you get on the track ask the instructor what he thinks is best for a car your size and reduce the pressure to what he says.

Do you think your windshild wipers are good enough to see at 100 mph? Could be a think to consider, many clubs run rain or shine.

Edit: Go Pats!

All that being said, if this is you first expirence pushing your car to the limit you probably have nothing to worry about as you'll most like push your own limits rather then the cars. But if you have other autosports expirence, like autocross or track days in another car then there is a greater chance of mechanical failure. I ended my first track day with no breaks (not litterally of course, but very spungey) and a unnerving drive home because I did boil the fluid. But I had experience pushing my car because of my autocross events.

 

WOW

thank you alot, I have all my windows rainx'd and should be fine in the rain
as for the comment on the e-brake, its a pedal e-brake on the automatics soo it probably wouldn't be useful at all

I'm pretty damn nervous considering I'm not financially ready wreck my car (which is paid off) and just leave it or bring it home as a lawn ornament. Did I mention I'm only 18 (and before I'm flamed I did pay for my own car thank you)

and yeah I know I'll be cruising in one of the slowest cars on the track so I'll make sure I check my mirrors for vettes and lotuses lol

 

I didn't mean use your ebreak for power slides but for parking. Although with an automatic it should not be a problem. But with a manual the instructors will tell you to let your car run for 5 minutes after you get off the track to help it cool down. And it's just a habit to slap on the ebreak with the engine running while parked.

Oh and if anyone is there taking pictures, professionally or otherwise, tell them to get a good picture of you and your car or you'll regret it afterwards. I sure as hell still regret it!

 

omg that was so much fun

man my street tires squealed like crazy even though I kept the VDC on (which is what just about everyone recommended at the event). I was in the novice class and was only passed once by some guy in a Vette that he had built literally the weekend before the event with new everything (nice way to break it in). I passed a few cars including a Porsche and a guy in a mustang who came up to me after the second run saying he just couldn't keep up with me at the straight aways lol. There were alot of civics and some that were pretty damn fast. In one run I did an instructor drove one of the students civics which had a completly upgraded suspension and he just took the curves like nothing. When I pointed for him to pass me on the straight I let off the throttle and actually had to tap the brakes so the thing would make a safe pass before the big turn.

It wasn't all about passing though, I learned alot and glad I took the plunge and recommend it to any of you other stock sedan or even coupe drivers

there was also a G coupe there too and his G had a stillen suspension and a nismo CAI. He had been tracking his G for a long time and still keeps the VDC on.

now I gotta go put all my stuff like my spare tire and floormats back in my car

THANKS for all your help and advice guys