Hey All - I signed up with Track Daze for my first DE on September 6th, and I had some questions that hopefully the community can help me with.

1. I'd like to record myself driving, but I am not sure what GoPro mount I should buy.

2. Brake pads! -- My 2010 997.2 C2S has 26k miles. I bought it back in 2012 when it had 17k miles and I'm not sure if the previous owner had changed the pads. They feel fine ...do I really need to swap them before track day? If recommended, should I go with the factory ones sold by Suncoast or should I swap in Pagids? If Pagids, which ones ...there are so many options (sry if this is an extra rookie question).

3. Any recommendations on a good site to buy number decals?

Any information will be very helpful. Thanks to all.

 

Congrats, you will love it. To answer your questions:

1. I'd get the suction cup mount and mount it to the top center of the windshield (inside) on the passenger side of the rear view mirror, and then use the accessories that came with your gopro to get more flexibility for the mounting. Ideally you want it out of the way, but it never bothered me to have it there (I now have a rollbar mount). You can use the suction cup on the outside of the car, but the microphone will not function properly at speed.

2. It sounds like the pads are probably fine, but a set of Pagid Rs-29s will rock your world but are expensive and aren't "that good" for daily driving, so you would probably want to change back to stock (I do not but I don't mind the squealing when its really humid). Pagids are probably over kill for your first track day though, so I'd wait until you know how often you will do DEs. I'd highly recommend flushing your brake lines and putting in some better brake fluid. Motul is what I use and it performs well.
(I assume you have to get your car checked out and signed off on prior?)

3. Here is a great shop for decals: http://www.kistudios.com/race-numbers.html

Other advice:
-don't push it, be safe, respect the car as it can handle more than you can.
-Get track insurance for your 997.2 C2S
-bring a torque wrench for your wheel lug bolts
-bring a quality tire pressure guage. The TPMS are surprisingly accurate on my car, but I wouldn't rely on it
-hydrate a lot
-I'd highly recommend a pair of gloves. Your hands sweat so much more than you think they will and give you an added grip

 

RON1X, thanks so much for the well-thought out response! This is very very helpful. I might just buy a set of Pagid's just in case.

I just bought some Motul on Amazon, went with two bottles, and I had bought some gloves before too !

I appreciate the "other advice" section as well -- got some to-do's from there.

I'm very excited to finally take this baby out on the track.

 

I'd be sure to have adequate stone/rock/debris protection for the front end/headlights etc. It might not be an issue like it is on SoCal's desert lined tracks.

 

Awesome. Car came with the 3M clear bra (the one that goes half way up the hood), so I might be good to go with front end protection?

Any suggestions on how to protect headlights?

 

You'll be fine with stock brakes for your first several events. Usually there's a required tech inspection that needs to be signed off on. It requires that all suspension is inspected, fluids, pads, tires ect. If the group you're running with doesn't require that then if ask your dealer or Indy to do it for you anyways for peace if mind.

Have fun, bring sunscreen and lots of water.

 

Some of the guys use blue painters tape on the front end, mirrors, and anything that would be exposed to a rock chip in normal highway conditions.

I had a VW Corrado with over 100k miles that I did my first track days with and did not really care too much about it. Getting into wheel to wheel racing (Honda now) didn't matter either as it was part of the deal. I do remember following a car off track momentarily with the ensuing rock shower pretty much taking all the paint off the bumper cover. But at Willow Springs you are talking about driving through the desert when you go off.

It may not matter as much if the track has grass runoff and few rocks so the 3M clear bra might be adequate.

An extreme Corvette example:
http://i29.tinypic.com/2qwczz7.jpg

For the brakes I would run what you have and if you like the experience, consider upgrading down the road.

 

I've also had decent luck using the suction cup and some extension pieces to stick it to the back of the sport seats. It's a closer position than the rear window so you get more "scene" and it's still far enough back to catch driver inputs for learning after the fact. I also use a mount on the right side of my helmet which I happen to like a lot.
I did 2 days straight on stock pads/fluids and had no problem. The stock brakes actually impressed me and were more than adequate for my needs (aka, not going 10/10ths). But I agree with swapping fluid and eventually pads.

All excellent advice... especially the front end paint protection & tire gauge. I definitely got a couple rock chips from the track. And some rubber scuffs too.

Have a blast and be sure to post up your videos!!!

 

Thank you all so far! I am extremely appreciative of the advice and your willingness to help. Glad to be on here

I'll definitely post the vids ... and I'll post the vid of when I test out the Fabspeed side muffler bypass (if it ever comes!).