First Day at the Track

So, you have decided to take the plunge and see what your S2000 can do on the track? Not only will you have an incredibly thrilling experience, but you will learn a lot about car control, track awareness, and what this little 2 seater is capably of doing. Regardless, you will fall in love with this car all over again! Below are a few questions and answers to help you transition from street driver to track participant.

What is an HPDE?

An HPDE, or High Performance Driving Event/Education, is an event that takes place at a track and is structured to allow for the safe and fun learning of car control. Although some organizations hold races along side HPDE events, the HPDE event itself is not a race.

Generally, HPDE organizers split the participants into 4 or 5 groups depending on experience. The beginner and novice group participants are assigned instructors that will help the drivers with using basic car control techniques, learning the line, and building overall track awareness. Beyond the novice group, participants are usually "'signed off" to run solo. Some groups have more strict qualification for being "signed off" to run in the next group up and especially solo. Expect to have 3-5 sessions of ~20 each on track per day. Costs for HPDE's vary widely, but expect to pay $150-200 per day on registration fees.

What organizations hold track events?

Many smaller organizations and car clubs will hold track events at tracks across the country, but these are some of the bigger, national organizations that hold events:
BMWCCA
Redline Track Events
NASA
Porsche Club of America
Speed Ventures - West Coast
Chin Motorsports

Contact the registrar for any organizations you would like to run with and they will get you squared away with registering. Many have updated calendars and online registration.

Where are all of these tracks?

Trackpedia

What do I need to do to the car in order to take it to the track?

In short, nothing. Most organizations will have a basic tech inspection form that you should go over before you head off to the track. Things such as oil level, brake pad thickness, and tire life are the big things. If you have participated in track events before, and have experience pushing braking systems to the limit, a set of high performance pads and some high temperature brake fluid should be used. Popular brake pad manufactures are Carbotech and Cobalt. Contact them or search this site for recommendations. Similarly, ATE, Motul, and Valvoline Synpower are popular suppliers of high temperature brake fluid.
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showt...first+track+day


On many tracks and with many organizations in the Northeast and MidAtlantic, 4 point roll bars are increasingly being required for the S2000 due to its convertible configuration.
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showt...l=hpde+schedule
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=449124

Various manufacturers make roll bars for the S2000 that will qualify for use at HPDE's. Custom roll bars have also been fabricated. Popular discussions on roll bars for the S2000 can be found here:
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showt...ototype+install
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showt...292&hl=roll+bar
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=117220
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.ph...pic=328816&hl=
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showt...0&#entry1368525

Furthermore, organizations may have additional requirements for convertibles such as race harnesses in place of the factory seat belt. Check with the organizations rules before you sign up.

What should I bring to the track?

My basic track checklist.

For the event:
________ Waterproof Tarp
________ Camera
________ Cooler
________ Snacks
________ Folding chair
________ Rubber Soled Shoes
________ Cell Phone
________ Helmet
________ Gloves
________ Registration information
________ Tech form

For your comfort:
________ Rainsuit/Poncho
________ Umbrella
________ Change of Clothes
________ Sunscreen
________ Hat
________ Sunglasses
________ Ear Plugs
________ Aspirin
________ Water bottle
________ Snacks
________ Pants
________ Long sleeve shirt


For the Car:
________ Tools
________ Duct tape
________ Torque wrench
________ Jack
________ Brake pads
________ Brake Fluid
________ Engine Oil
________ Window cleaner
________ Paper Towels
________ Tires
________ Air pressure gauge

What should I expect?

Expect to be tired at the end, expect to have a new appreciation for your car, expect to suprise yourself, expect to have a new addiction , and expect to have a lot of fun.

The day will start around 6am and end around 5pm. You will be outside all day and your body and brain will be exposed to a lot of stimuli while on track. Expect to be tired. Most organizations to not require the participants to work, so you should expect to have about 1.5 hours between each of your 20 minute sessions. Being in one of the beginner groups, you will most likely have an in-class instruction session or two. Attend these. It is your chance to listen to ask any questions you may have. With your free time, relax and mingle with the other participants, especially the ones in your run group. You will meet a ton of people this way and will find it is one of the best aspects of a track day.
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showt...first+track+day
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=491774

 

^ you are right Joe, I oversimplified. Updated with my track checklist.

 

Good write-up! These cars really are amazing on track. Remeber to check cold tire pressures in the morning and after your first session to get an idea of the tires performance and if yuo are exceeding it. Remeber to hydrate yourself throughout the day, drink lots of water, preferaly a bottle in between sessions, and stay away from caffeine after the morning as it is a diaretic and will dehydrate you. Torque your lugs after each session and monitor the braking perfromance. You should have bled them recently and prepared a new set of pads or at least taken them with you. I think this thread is a great idea.

 

This thread has everything I need.

Thanks.

 

I think I am going to use that checklist.
I like it.
Thanks

P.S. If its a Race and not a track day dont forget to add Fire Socks, Suit, race shoes, and Hans if your required to have them.

 

Thanks!

 

I would be really surprised if anybody's first day at the track is a W2W race.

 

Good point.

 

I'm about to do my first track day in a few weeks and was told that I need to make sure to wear jeans/long pants, not shorts. I'm guessing that's pretty common with most organizations, but all I've ever done is autocross and it's not required there. Might wanna add that to the list.

 

Nice list.

For the car, I also bring my spare tire or chock to hold the car in place without a parking brake.