Open Track Options

[Brandon Hey]

Ok well I have been autocrossing since I have had my first car a 89 mustang. I have sold that car and gotten a little more into autocrossing. I have a 95 firebird formula with hoosier slicks and hopefully koni sa installed pretty soon. Now this car is my daily driver so I don't want to abuse it too bad but VIR has a open track event oct 28-29 and I want to go soo bad. My question is this I don't have a trailer or truck so I will have to drive it down there and back which is only 3 hours both ways. I am worried about though something breaking on the track or on the way back since I wont have a way to get back home. Also how will the stock lt1 brakes hold up on the track and on the way home. Should I change to DOT4 fluid maybe hawk pads. Any suggestions/comments are welcomed.
-Thanks Brandon

[Teutonic Speedra...]

Welcome Brandon!

I actually just got back from VIR last weekend (9-10 hour trip with trailer).---Awesome track! If you can get your car somewhat prepared ahead of time, I would give it a shot. I did about 20 track days before I got a trailer.....and the car never left me stranded (4+ hr. trips).

The car will see more strain than on an average day, but considering it will be your 1st school, you won't be pushing the car anywhere near its limits, thus less stress. Areas to focus on are power steering (fluid/cooler), brake pads (new/track-able...maybe HPS/HP+), brake fluid (fresh/properly bled). I'd still do a full-up inspection on the entire car too. I'd also go on street tires b/c you aren't going to be anywhere near using the capabilities of the Hoosiers, and will actually end up learning less.

Hope this helps....and have fun! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/burnout.gif)

This post has been edited by Teutonic Speedracer: Sep 22 2006, 03:50 PM

[RichJ]

Ok well I have been autocrossing since I have had my first car a 89 mustang. I have sold that car and gotten a little more into autocrossing. I have a 95 firebird formula with hoosier slicks and hopefully koni sa installed pretty soon. Now this car is my daily driver so I don't want to abuse it too bad but VIR has a open track event oct 28-29 and I want to go soo bad. My question is this I don't have a trailer or truck so I will have to drive it down there and back which is only 3 hours both ways. I am worried about though something breaking on the track or on the way back since I wont have a way to get back home. Also how will the stock lt1 brakes hold up on the track and on the way home. Should I change to DOT4 fluid maybe hawk pads. Any suggestions/comments are welcomed.
-Thanks Brandon

I'm driving to VIR from the DC area two weeks before that for a 2-day track event and I'm not trailering my car either. I've done the same thing going to the Memphis and Indy f-body national events, and there you are tracking, autocrossing and dragging the car over 10 hours from home. I would just check the car over well before you go (which you should be doing anyway for safety's sake) and then you should be fine if you are sensible on the track. I usually bring extra rotors and pads and the tools to change them, just in case the pads go quick or I crack a rotor. The LT1 stock front brakes will fade on you, but you can manage them on the track if you compensate. Good pads with a lot of life left in them are a must. Ducting doesn't hurt either.

[silverSS]

I drove Indiana - Texas for a track day and routinely do 7 hour drives to get to a track day. I've never bled brakes to get back home or broken anything, knock on wood. You should be alright, maybe sit out the last session if everything is still together. All depends on how hard VIR is on the brakes, never seen the track before

[Rob Hood]

Definitely add brake ducts of some sort, and bleed/flush brakes before the event, and bleed afterwards (you can bleed them at home).