Question for Aggie97 or other Road racers

[Beej]

I think I am ready to start tracking my car. I am trying to figure out what i need.

I am getting an extra set of wheels for tires, I have brakes, and helmet. What else do I need?

Harness bar, and harness?

extra pads and rotors? Don't plan to go balls out, just go out and have fun.

Where do I begin, where do I go to get proper training?

[2cammer97]

Finally Beej is going to put the Z where it belongs! :)

You're going to have some fun man. I'm jealous. You're going to get hooked like Josh. ;)

Marcus

[Beej]

Finally Beej is going to put the Z where it belongs! :)

You're going to have some fun man. I'm jealous. You're going to get hooked like Josh. ;)

Marcus

I think it will be fun, I just hope it doesnt eat a huge hole in my wallet :)

I am getting a new set of wheels delivered to the house as we speak, so now I will have a set of track wheels. check your e-mail Marcus.

[b1ake]

I suggest TWS Motorsport Club events. Most of the instructors are experienced racers or DE drivers. Lots of good SM racers instruct with them. Affordable, and no better track in Texas.

Harness and Harness Bar aren't required if you're just starting out, but as soon as you start ripping, you'll want them.

Blake

[Beej]

I guess I just need to see when the next track event is and make the plunge :)

[Beej]

Is The Drivers Edge a good program to get involoved with?

[b1ake]

They're good too. Probably the most structured traveling DE group in Texas.

[2cammer97]

Is The Drivers Edge a good program to get involoved with?

I think this is what Josh is involved with. Check with him.

I checked my email but can't open the link from work. Have to see the wheels when I get home.

Marcus

[SGT#3670]

There is NASA CMC/AI racing going on this weekend at Motorsport Ranch in Cresson, TX. You should check it out.

[b1ake]

There is NASA CMC/AI racing going on this weekend at Motorsport Ranch in Cresson, TX. You should check it out.

And SM if you want to watch a better race ;)

[Justa4banger]

There's always the 24 hours of lemons............. Much better deal, cheaper and no risk to your pride and joy.......... :D

[Beej]

There's always the 24 hours of lemons............. Much better deal, cheaper and no risk to your pride and joy.......... :D


Me and a few friends were talking about this over the weekend, and may be an option. I want to get out on the track, but I don't want to have to buy expensive tires, expensive pads, rotors, and things like that.

Lemons car would be much cheaper for a team to invest in.

[openroadracer3]

yeah, on closed road courses i'd concentrate on brakes tires and suspension first and foremost.

FYI, the big bend race is april 25th. open road racing is a blast and you don't need brakes.

[aggie97]

If you want to just get started...the extra wheels are good idea and I would start on a good intermediate tire, not a full R compound. They can get you in over your head WAY too fast.

To get started, bring the car as is with 1/2 pads and 1/2 tread left on the tires. Invest in a G-lock for now. You don't need harnesses until you are comfortable on track and start surpassing a point where you can actually get the full potential out of the car. You are a decent driver so you may progress quickly.

Yes, there is a NASA event this weekend at Cresson. I don't know that you would get very much instruction though...they usually run short on instructors and can be a free for all.

The Driver's Edge is a great program and does visit other tracks. Great instructors too. TWS Motorsports club is also a good group and I might be instructing with them this year. There is also an SVTOA event at TWS in a few weeks...

To get your feet wet, I suggest www.apexdrivingacademy.com We do one day events and they are at cresson and is much cheaper than the 2 day experience at TDE or other schools. This way, you can see if you really like it and I can personally make sure to set the hook DEEP! sign up early as that novice list fills up MONTHS in advance at apex...for a reason. It's a GREAT school with some of the finest instructors around...namely Me! ;)

Tires: Falken Azensis, Hankook has a decent tire, Toyo R888's in 17's...18's are expensive! There are a few others as well, but I need to know the size you are planning on using and knowing price is key, I could point you in the right direction. However, Cresson is so easy on tires, I could drive your car there all weekend and you might not even notice wear on them. Now if you are overdriving the car and doing stupid shit...yeah, tires go away quickly.

Pads? Start with what you have. Once we see how fast you are, we can talk about a track only set of pads rotors...they aren't needed until you are driving at 10/10ths...and only then if you are on R tires.

Come to the track this weekend for the nasa race and we can talk at length, and we can also find out from the local shop what pads he has for that brake package you have that are reasonably priced. Nothing is going to be cheap but I recommend PFC's race pads and stock rotors are just fine. I got two years on a set of stock Cobra rotors. Race pads (non endurance) pads typically are the wear item and not the rotors.

I wouldn't sweat this stuff for now and just get to the track. You won't be driving fast enough in your first weekend to wear anything out...it's not like you are as good as I am! ;) :beerchug:

[TXCMC#11]

And SM if you want to watch a better race ;)
The bumper cars are pretty fun to watch! :smile: