I need advice on preparing for the track.

2007 997 TT with a tiptronic some after market mods, ECU, exhaust, champion rims and stock tires michelins, clear bra

any advice / help with

helmet
driving suit needed ?
shoes?
rims, use stock rims
tires
brake pads, should I bring a replacement set to change at the track

body tape
anything else..

or just go and have a good time

thanks Badbruno

Badbruno

 

For your 1st few times you do not ned to do anything to your car except have the fluid bleed and a usual tech inspection. The tech inspection will look over the car and check the tires and brakes out. Stock pads are fine for your 1st few track days.

You will need a helmet and there are a lot of places to buy these is all different price points. No need for a driving suit and all that.

Study the safety flags, track map, look for a youtube video of the track you are driving and follow it with the track map. Read up on what the terms apex, turn in, brake zone mean and you might even go further and learn what trail braking, throttle steer and so forth means.

Hydrate yourself, eat right and get a good nights sleep and go to the event with an open mind, clear mind with an extreme willingness to learn.

You are about to have a blast!

 

mdrums
thanks

What do you think about the tiptronic on a road coarse?

 

The tip is not ideal for road courses. If this is your first DE then I would not worry too much, as you will have a lot more to concentrate on. Most students (depending on the track) never use more then one or two gears their first day out anyway. So go and have fun!

 

latter the tip will be an issue... because of the automatic allowing the car not to be direct coupled to the engine?

 

In my experience, when you shift the tip manually there is that delay between moving the shift lever and the transmission changing gears. I do not like the automatic mode as the car has the tendency to shift at times when I do not want it to shift. I am sure that as you drive the car more and more on the track you will learn how to best deal with the transmission. But In my opinion a manual transmission or the new PDK is optimal at the tack.

What track are you heading to for your first DE?

 

Living here in Northern VA, will go to Summit Point in April

 

I have 3 years driving the track (Sebring, Barber and Moroso) with a Tip. Not many 6 speed 997's got away from me. You will do fine, the Tip is a heck of a sturdy transmission. I always drove the Tip in manual mode.

Too much to type here about shifting the Tip in manual mode. If you want to talk call me...send me a PM and I'll give you my number.

Mike

 

Feel free to email me directly this is exactly what we do .

 

Above all, like has been said, don't sweat the little things like having a tip car. You will have so much to learn your first few times out. Learning the line, being smooth, etc. etc. Its humbling waving by guys in Miata's etc but if you check your ego at the door and come to learn and have a good time you will learn so much about driving and your car as well as having a blast.

 

Get paired up with an instructor who knows something about Porsches. You'll have information overload the first time out, but stay within your comfort zone. Having a nice car definitely helps masks any first time mistakes. "The best fun you'll have with your clothes on!"---> Finally, my post #911 (yippee).

 

I used to race Karts so I've already had the experience of youngsters passing me up. What about body tape for special spots on the car, advice guys? I have a clear Bra but extra protection cant hurt.

Does any one make a camera mount for the inside of our porsche which doesn't use a roll bar attachment?

Should I bring another set of brake pads?

thanks Guys

 

Best advice I have read thus far, this all matters far more than any of your equipment (as long as it is all in good working condition). This may sound over-simplified, but focus on being smooth (with any and all inputs: accelerator, brakes, steering, etc.) Remember to relax, you're there to have fun. You don't have to be in front to have a great time. You are only competing with yourself "how can I (safely) make this car go faster around the track." But be careful, it's addictive...there, you were warned.

 

I do plenty of track days and dont have a clear bra, honestly you are fine.

The only part that gets dinged up is the front bumper, if thats clear bra'd you are in the clear.

Aside from that just make sure you have full glass coverage on your insurance, I haven't chipped my windsheild at the track, but I have had it replaced twice, soon to be three.

Make sure to get your car teched, doesn't hurt to get motul brake fluid, and also watch your brake pads. You should run with stability control on, but it will wear down your pads faster until you get smooth.

If you start to make tracking a habit you'll want to invest in some track pads.

I destroyed a brand new set of OEM street pads in two days at Watkins Glen. You'll also probably want to replace the rotors at some point, the OEM cross drilled will crack pretty fast, especially if you go during the colder months.

Plenty of helmets and other safety equipment you can check out at stable energies, by the meadowlands in NJ. You always want to try stuff out before you buy it and Bob there is very helpful.

Aside from that remember to look ahead

 

I need to find a local speed shop for helmet and stuff, my karting equip is out dated

what about racing fuel at the track?