Some of my coworkers are planning to go to our local track for the test-n-tune night. I'd like to take my bone stock 04 5AT sedan, but I have no idea how to race it properly. I read back through a couple years' worth of posts in this section and have picked up some valuable information (no burnout on street tires, VDC off, manual shift mode, brake stall to ~2700rpm), but still have some questions. Any advice is appreciated, and I specifically need guidance on the following:

1. How should I prep the car beforehand (removing weight, fuel level, change oil/fluids, etc.)?
2. I've read lots of launch techniques, but once I am moving with the tranny in manual mode when do I upshift? Am I looking at the tach, or waiting until it stops pulling, or listening for it to bounce off the rev limiter or what?
3. How should I maintain the car after a night at the track (change oil/fluids, etc.)?

Thanx in advance, and here's hoping the bug don't bite!

 

1. you can remove you spare tire and any other stuff in your trunk, run less than a 1/4 tank of premium name brand gas if possible, changing oil before wouldnt hurt, top off coolant. Check your tire pressure all around.

2. Try and shift right at red-line by tapping the shifter at around 6100-6200 RPMs since there is a slight delay before it upshifts. You will get the hang of it after a couple runs and know when to shift. Dont bounce off the rev limiter, you will hurt your ET times.

3. Check all your fluids after racing to make sure everything is in check. Not really necissary to do an oil change. Give her a nice wash afterwards to get rid of any VHT or track debris that may accumulate on the car.

4. Have fun.

 

Well that sounds like good advice and it looks like it's all the advice I'm going to get. I hope i can get a few runs in to get a feel for the shift point. Thanks for taking the time to help me out!