I am preparing for driving school next week. I have read that it is often required or recommended that the headlights be covered. Can anyone recommend what to use? A couple of sites mentioned duct tape, but I would prefer something safe and easy to clean off.

Is it worth the expense to try to find special racing tape? Someone mentioned shelf lining paper...does that work?

Thanks for the info!

 

I mentioned the clear shelf paper...and it works! It will not stop a rock, but it prevents the sandblasting effect when the guys in front of you are running soft tires and tossing all of that track grit and rubber at you. I wrap the whole nose...(minus the grill opening) looks like hell, but it does a good job.

 

IMO driving on the public roadways with all the trucks either dropping stuff or throwing it up into the air stream is the primary cause of damage to the car. Driving on the track is clear sailing except for a little rubber and most of it comes from my own tires. AutoX may be different, but I find the road course is clean running most of the time.. a little debris occasionally from an off-course but it gets cleaned up pretty quick. I would not worry about it.

 

I agree with Chris. Other than getting sprayed with brake fluid once, track days have been fine. It's the damn uncovered loads of gravel on the freeways that'll get you.

Ted

 

I went to a sign store and bought some clear "static cling" plastic for the head lights on track days. I works very well. I also like the idea of clear shelve paper - does it leave any residue when you take it off?
Thanks

 

Chris and others... I have experienced significant "sandblast" pitting from running frequent track events with my other cars. Granted, one of them was an Integra which means that I spent a lot of time BEHIND other cars while traveling down the straits! So far this has not been much of an issue with the "S". . But if you end up running behind another car, his sticky track rubber will be tossing up alot of grit that will pit your front fascia and headlight lenses. Either protect, or lead...or both!

Bobg, The shelf paper has very weak advesive but will leave a little residue in a handfull spots. It comes off easily with a mild solvent like WD-40, or Meguires Cleaner/Wax.

 

We use racers tape from Racer Parts Wholesale for the headlights. It comes in colors and find it easy to clean later than the regular silver duct tape which is very sticky.

 

You guys were right --- I got zero damage at the track. My windshield was cracked by a rock on the way home (by my wife, no less!).