track day prep

[kolosy]

so i'm going to a DE at Road America in September, first DE in the M3, and really first DE in my own car (I've done schools w/ BMW and Porsche but always in their rig).

Car is due for brake bleeding anyway, and PO threw in some SS brake lines so I'll do that. Pads look fresh. Tires are fresh. I'll do an oil change right after (or should I do before and after? It's been about 3 months and maybe 1k miles).

... what else?

[DRLane]

There are so many threads on this that'll answer all your questions.

TLDR: bring water, and no ego. Have fun.

[djschmitt]

Originally Posted by kolosy

so i'm going to a DE at Road America in September, first DE in the M3, and really first DE in my own car (I've done schools w/ BMW and Porsche but always in their rig).

Car is due for brake bleeding anyway, and PO threw in some SS brake lines so I'll do that. Pads look fresh. Tires are fresh. I'll do an oil change right after (or should I do before and after? It's been about 3 months and maybe 1k miles).

... what else?

I think you're doing more before your first event than I did :-D I took my M to the shop, had them check that everything was tight and within spec (the oil had recently been changed, same as you), then went to the event. Since you've done other schools you will probably be able to push a bit harder but in my first event I was nowhere near pushing the car to its limits. There were plenty of breaks to let everything cool down as well.

I did catch the bug though. Luckily, I have a E93 so I can't get too crazy...until I decide to buy a second E9X

[ap_rennen]

Originally Posted by kolosy

Car is due for brake bleeding anyway, and PO threw in some SS brake lines so I'll do that. Pads look fresh. Tires are fresh. I'll do an oil change right after (or should I do before and after? It's been about 3 months and maybe 1k miles).

... what else?

I'd say the minimum before rolling out:

• High temp brake fluid*
• High temp pads*
• Rotors > minimum thickness tolerance
• Track worthy tires
• Engine oil, gearbox oil, differential fluid, coolant check
• Tow hook
• Torque wrench

*Not required but don't recommend stock pads and fluid for track use

[kolosy]

That reminds me - I remember reading that high temp fluid like motul is very hygroscopic and shouldn’t be used in a street car because it’ll rust your lines. Did I make that up or is that a thing?

[Ximian]

Originally Posted by kolosy

That reminds me - I remember reading that high temp fluid like motul is very hygroscopic and shouldn’t be used in a street car because it’ll rust your lines. Did I make that up or is that a thing?

Not really a thing. Water contaminating the brake fluid and causing an accident would happen before rust would be a concern.

[M43S7RO]

Personally, I wouldnt worry about aggressive pads and tires initially. Take it easy learning the track and getting your lines down, feeling out the braking zones, feeling out how the car behaves in corners etc in the first track day or 2. Once you are comfortable and ready to push, get the track pads and tires on.

I think too many people try to win their first f1 gp first time out. Enjoy and be safe.

[nrubenstein]

Originally Posted by kolosy

That reminds me - I remember reading that high temp fluid like motul is very hygroscopic and shouldn’t be used in a street car because it’ll rust your lines. Did I make that up or is that a thing?

The issue is that many of the high temp fluids have short lifespans. But if you’re tracking the car, you’re changing the fluid regularly, so you’re fine. For pure street use, a standard fluid is best.

[slcook54]

I'm not familiar with Road America personally and don't know how hard it is on brakes. If it's not terrible on brakes, I think Castrol SRF and stock pads with adequate life are fine.

That said, my first day was at Laguna and I sent the pedal to the floor under moderate braking, would have preferred to be on a slightly more aggressive compound.

Otherwise just show up with the basics like everyone else stated.

You don't need track tires. I did my first 8 days on PS4S and they were amazing.

[Davisca455]

My first 5-6 days was always with freshly bled BMW brake fluid, Hawk HP-Plus pads (X4) and PS4s.

I probably would have tried with the OE pads the first day, but the track guys at work all chipped in and bought me the Hawk pads prior to the first day, so I felt obligated to use them.

Never had an issue with the brakes, even thought they worked great, but I'm not known for being a Brake Hero.

[Bmwguy88]

My first track day was last month at Road America. I switched out pads, brake fluid flush, oil change and had an alignment done. Day went smoothly but I have sooooo much to learn. But it was fun and I can't wait to do it again! Everyone there was great and helpful.

[nrubenstein]

Originally Posted by Davisca455

My first 5-6 days was always with freshly bled BMW brake fluid, Hawk HP-Plus pads (X4) and PS4s.

I probably would have tried with the OE pads the first day, but the track guys at work all chipped in and bought me the Hawk pads prior to the first day, so I felt obligated to use them.

Never had an issue with the brakes, even thought they worked great, but I'm not known for being a Brake Hero.

oof. the HP Plus is not safe for track use. the maximum temperature is not much higher than good street pads, and the fade curve is cliff like. you can get away with using them... until you can't. and there's a good chance you find out that you can't on the way to the gravel trap.

[PACarGuy]

Originally Posted by nrubenstein

oof. the HP Plus is not safe for track use. the maximum temperature is not much higher than good street pads, and the fade curve is cliff like. you can get away with using them... until you can't. and there's a good chance you find out that you can't on the way to the gravel trap.

Yeah, this is a good point. For my 1st track day at NJMP Thunder, I installed a set of Stoptech Sport pads (supposedly good up to 1200-1300F) and flushed with Motul 600, and then left the Stoptech pads in for the street as well. They do quite well on the street in all weather. I had a bit of a soft pedal by the end of the weekend, but the pads didn't fade. I was only in the intermediate group, so I'm not a brake hero either, but I was consistently braking hard from 110mph into T1 and the brakes worked well.

[MaximusB]

Originally Posted by kolosy

so i'm going to a DE at Road America in September, first DE in the M3, and really first DE in my own car (I've done schools w/ BMW and Porsche but always in their rig).

Car is due for brake bleeding anyway, and PO threw in some SS brake lines so I'll do that. Pads look fresh. Tires are fresh. I'll do an oil change right after (or should I do before and after? It's been about 3 months and maybe 1k miles).

... what else?

Just pads and fluids should be enough since your tires and oil are new. There’s no need to change the oil after either since they’re still fresh.

Also you don’t need anything fancy for brake fluids or pads (unless you want to) because chances are you won’t be pushing the pace too much since this will be your first track event in your own car. Just go have fun and drive within your (and the car’s) limit.

You should give rest of the car a look over. A few things some people will forget:
- bring an old sock for the power steering reservoir cap.
- are you running wheel studs? If so, how old are they?
- bring a camping chair unless the track has a club house.
- air pump and tire pressure gauge.