re: Solo Race Prep
Hi Dave,
I'm off to a solo I-style event in Rockton this weekend, so I think it's a great question. I think I have a pretty low key approach. I race my daily driver. I drive my car to the track -- this wekend my wife and son are coming out with me. I have a set of wheels tires for the track, but I hate track side tire changes and I compete in a street tire class, so I drive to the track on my "race rubber." Preparation goes more or less like this:
1 month before -- if I even think I might need brake pads, or fluid, place an order with Porterfield for pads and Motul RBF 600
1 week before -- if it's been more than one track event or 3,000 miles, then Mobil 1 oil change and brake bleed (I'm lazy, so my mechanic does this). Check pads and if they're more than half worn they get changed out. Black Hawk Farms Racepark is MURDER on brakes.
2 days before -- Swap to track rubber; check tire pressure. If no oil change then I double check oil and other fluids (my mechanic is a racer so he knows what to look for).
1 day before -- buy "track snacks" and gatorade. Drive to event (oh - did I mention...it's 400miles away!) Try to put car through tech inspection the night before, if possible. Check into hotel and try to get a good nights sleep (I sleep lousy before a track day!)
Day of event -- try to show up early. Get everything loose out of the car. Set up race harness (I've got a 5 point in the car). Pull the "cork" out of my add-on brake ducts (this is my old car -- the new 330i PP that I just took delivery of won't need this step as the ducts are built in and properly baffled...yippee!). Check lug nuts for tightness, adjust tire presure to track specs. Relax, visualize the track, and wait until they call me for my time on track. And remember that I'm doing this for fun! Don't take it toooo seriously. Having said that, I keep a notebook, and usually have a few goals I set for myself, and maybe some different things I want to try to work on. A bit "Type A", I guess.
Relax between sessions, take tire pressures and adjust as necessary. Drink lots of fluids. Update my notes -- what did I try different from last time, how did the car perform; how did I perform. And talk to people...it's amazing what you can pick up from your fellow racers.
There are some great resources on the web, in terms of longer-term prep. One of my favorites can be found by Googling on "TurnFast.com"
And yes, I love "practicing" with GT3-ASpec for Playstation2. I don't know if it makes me a better racer, but I do notice that I make the same mistakes in the game that I make in the real world!
-b.