What all should i make sure i have with me and have done prior to going to the event?

New Feredo pads...
New ATE Super Blue Fluid...
Oil/Filter change...
tires...
cajones....

 

Quick suspension check - just look around and make sure nothing seems loose, cracked, or otherwise damaged. Failure's never good - failure at high speeds is REALLY bad. The track I do track days at has a checklist to go over, I'll see if I can find it online and post it if I can.

 

I always check the torque on my lugnuts to make sure that they are torqued properly and haven't loosened up on the street.

 

Oh check belts and hoses too.

Oooooh good point, not a bad idea to check between sessions too.

 

Take out floormats and any other non essentials. Especially if they require you to drive with the windows open you dont want that stuff blowing around.

 

It's also so things don't become projectiles in case of a crash. Usually you have to empty your trunk and glove compartment too.

 

check the following...

-lugnuts
-brake pads
-brake lines
-struts/shocks
-knuckles
-tire tread life
-tire psi
-power steering fluid/lines

To bring with you to the track

-CAA/AAA membership card
-jack + stands
-torque wrench + different size sockets
-air pump
-extra gas
-extra brake fluid
And most important of all...a good attitude.

 

A stock/GMS1 tune, or else you better be adding 100 octane. Street tune will knock. A lot.

 

Where are you running and when, roadcone?

 

i was considering doing an HPDE day at CMP but kinda changed plans... i probably dont need to do that in my only car and especially when im looking to buy a house... i may do it anyways tho lol

 

Most of the CMP course is a lot of fun, but the last few turns ruin it. I know they've changed the last few turns since I've been there, but they are still slow 2nd gear turns that murder brakes and tires. The fact that it's in a blazing hot, unpopular little town does not improve the situation.

All said though, if I lived near it, I'd rather go to the track than go to the office.

 

The new layout is great, the new turn 13 if phenomenal in a cobalt, the gearing is just perfect coming out of 12 for a long 3rd gear pull all the way through 13, and the kink at 110+ separates the men from the boys. Plus, friday is steak night at "The garden of Eat'in" in Kershaw.

I'm trying to figure out when to go back this year. I got a Groupon deal for $119 or 2 days with Turn1track events. Did my very first track day with them in '08.

 

I need to get to a HPDE this year. Anyone drive Memphis IR?

 

Don't forget to take out your spare tire when at the track!

I forgot to do that last year at VIR I bet the spare in my G8 weighs close to 50 pounds.

 

Come to a Trackdaze event @ VIR. Let me know, and I'll try to be there instructing.

 

I would love to, but can only afford to do VIR once a year. So I do that with my Dad and brother with the NCM at the end of June. I remember seeing several Cobalts there last year, were you one of them?

 

If it was June, that wasn't me. There's only one other Cobalt that has showed up to a Trackdaze event. Is NCM the Mazda club?

You should try to come to the VIR Grand event sometime. If you've never run it, it is a lot of fun, and tends favor our cars.

 

Yeah, it was June. NCM = National Corvette Museum.

I would like to get there more often, but I live in Saint Louis and it's a 12-13 hour drive for me.