How to make sure you and your car survive your first track day

The appeal of a lapping day at the racetrack is obvious—there’s no speed limit, no cops and best of all, there are no motorhomes or minivans squatting in the left lane. The track is the place where you can test your car’s abilities—and your own—with a clear conscience. Whether they’re called lapping days, open track days, high-performance driver’s school or any other name, driving your car on a road-racing course has never been easier to do or more popular.

Here’s the rub: Every week in America, someone takes their pride and joy to the track to see what it can really do, and they end up planted in a tire wall, nosed into the concrete barrier or sometimes upside down on the grass. That’s the hard reality of driving your car at the limit; you are putting your car and your body at risk.

Now here’s the good news: With some clear thinking and preparation, you can sharply reduce the chances that the unhappy guy taking his car home on a roll-back will be you.  As an added bonus, you’ll get more out of the experience and probably go faster than you ever expected.

Surviving an open track day starts well before you get to the track. First, you want to make sure your car is ready for this. A car that feels completely tight on the street can have a totally different personality on the racetrack. That’s because everything on track is magnified—you’re going faster, braking harder, cornering longer and using more of your body than when you drive on the public roads. It doesn’t always feel that way, but it’s true.

So the first step in your survival plan is to make sure your car is in the best shape it can possibly be. Take it to your mechanics and have them check for fluid leaks, and check shocks, brakes, steering and cooling, at a minimum. Check the alignment and tire pressures—slow leaks happen more often than you think. While you’re at it, give the car an oil change—you’re going to be sloshing all that oil around the pan, so new oil will help save your engine. Finally, check your battery hold-down—that needs to be present and functioning or you won’t pass tech.

Invest in a helmet of your own. They’re not too expensive, and you can get one that really fits you. The organizers may have loaners and these may be good—or not. But having your own helmet is always a good idea.

Before you head to the track, clean out your car. Get rid of the CDs, the box of jumper cables, any loose items and take only what you need. A torque wrench is good for checking lug nuts, plus a quart of oil, tire pressure gauge, some coolant, clean rags, and a cooler with drinks and snacks for you. Chocolate milk is a great idea—sugar, protein and hydration all in one tasty package. You might take some sun protection and a chair, too.

When you get to the track, take all the stuff you brought out of your car—including the spare tire and your hubcaps if you have them. Pile it all up in your parking spot. You don’t need the weight or the stuff sliding around in your trunk. Chances are good the organizers will have someone look at your car for a tech inspection. Don’t be offended, this should happen at every event. You don’t want stuff falling off the other guy’s car, and he doesn’t need stuff falling off of yours.

Many open track days will have a mandatory chalk talk before you drive for the first time. Attend that talk and pay attention—overconfidence is the biggest cause of trouble at open track days. If they offer you an instructor, swallow your pride and take the instruction. Some of the most experienced drivers take all the instruction they can get. You never know what someone may be able to teach you and there’s no shame in admitting you don’t know it all.

Your first couple of sessions are likely to be follow-the-leader, and these can be frustrating. You came here to stand on the throttle, not noodle around. Be patient and use the time to familiarize yourself with every corner, and pay attention to how one corner flows into the next. When you’re finally driving fast, it comes at you very quickly.

Once you’re opened up, you will still have designated passing zones. Follow the rules and you will get beyond the slower cars. Instead of being irritated that you had to wait to pass, why not be pleased that your car is so amazing that you can pass someone?  The other side of that is, there may be someone waiting to pass you. The best thing is to slow down a little, get them by you as quickly as possible then go back to learning your craft. Following a faster car can be very educational.

Finally, don’t get ahead of yourself. Understand that performance driving takes a lifetime to master and there are no racing team scouts watching you. Strive to be smooth, in control and keep your cool. I guarantee you’ll be faster than the guy who’s completely under the influence of what racers call “the red mist.” Remember that you want to drive your car home with happy memories and a feeling of accomplishment. The best way to do that is to check your ego, at least for now, and drive within your capabilities.

You also need to listen to what your car is telling you. Can you feel the tires going away—kind of a greasy feeling? Pay attention to that, along with the brake pedal, clutch, and the temperature and oil pressure gauges. When your car says she’s getting tired, give her a break.

With the right attitude, you will not only survive your first track day, you will be on your way to a whole new perspective on driving and performance cars. Don’t blow it. Drive like a pro.

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