First DE event

Ok, I think i'm going to try my DE outing at Pocono raceway in the middle of September and I have some questions. 1. Helmelt - open face or full face? 2. Brand of Helmelt you would recommend. I'm not looking for cheap, I'm looking for safe. I'm thinking Bell sportman its like $280 as a good first choice. 3. I'm not totally sold on doing DE and may only do autocrosses in the future and I've been told open face is the way to go. 4. Should I tape up the font bumper with blue tape and lights? I saw this last year at pocono. And is it just regular painters tape? 5. Any other advice you think someone who has never tried a DE should know. Thanks everyone!

I would add gloves and buy a full face helmet. White color instead of black so it does not get as hot.

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See my responses in bold below:

1. full face bell will do just fine 2. no blue tape please 3. bring a chair and food 4. learn flags and passing rules 5. leave ego at home 6. enjoy... its very addictive. once you go DE I doubt you will want to autocross much

1. I would get a full face helmet that is certified for auto racing (includes more fire protection than a MC helmet I think) 2. Bell is good. I got a Simpson on sale and it fits my head good. Sizing is probably most important. 3. Dunno anything about AX but I can't imagine not being hooked on the track 4. No. 5. Have fun! Read this! http://www.trackpedia.com/wiki/Begin..._to_track_days Oh and one last thing...if you have a family go ahead and apologize for the obscene amount of money you will soon be spending on this addiction.

Thanks for the advice!

Buy some Mother's R3 for the rubber marks that get on the car. Works like magic. http://www.mothers.com/02_products/09224.html

my .02 borrow a helmet until you have a better idea of your path, but if you buy go for the best fit, don't shop on price. They may have some loaners at the track, check ahead of time. Use all the tape you want, the more track events you do the less tape you will use. Read and re-read the DE rules. Relax, you'll have a great time and meet some great people. and like Globe said, R3 is your friend. Good luck, you will love it!

All good points above. Drink water all the time. When it turns yellow its too late. Make friends with someone who shows up with a canopy tent. Most of all keeps your eyes, ears and head open. Have a great time!

Some great advice here. How many drive to and from the DE, vs trailer ?

I track my DD so she takes me to the track and back home.

REMOVE EVERYTHING that's not attached to the car. EVERYTHING. They will make you remove it all at the track. Make sure you have fresh brake fluid. remember - it's NOT racing.

All the above is good advice. For your first event, go get your car teched..... borrow a helmet, (in case this ain't for you and/or you prefer to play golf. Listen to your instructor, be observent, most of all have a lot of fun, repeat, as necessary. Once you decide that this "hobby" is your cup of tea, then you can decide the level of comfort, expense and safety you are willing to commit to continue pursuing this passion. The slope is slippery and steep.......but wait until after your first event before you :"step-up." As for trailering verses driving, for 5 years I drove back and forth, has its advantages simple, uncluttered...now I trailer, more gear, (of course) + more gas, but I still enjoy it and don't see myself goign back. But, it is a personal decision as to what level you want to attain to pursue the passion. Just go and enjoy. We will all be happy you help you spend your future earnings once the hook is set.

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Thanks for the tip. I've been fighting with several marks since my last event and wasn't aware of this stuff. -Shawn

Arai would be my first choice of helmet if you want the best. I used and used up a few in 8 years of motorcycle roadracing. The biggest mistake I've seen people may is trying to go fast, too fast. This will only make you look like a fool. You need to learn to be smooth to go fast. You need to go slow to learn to be smooth. Be smooth and speed will come. Have fun.

dont over thinik it - just have fun like the first time you smoked crack, you can stop any time

I prefer open face helmets. Check to be sure a Bell does not push your head forward forward due to the egg shaped bulge in the back. Tape not needed. Mother's r3 or Automotive Goof-Off for rubber marks. Bring a folding chair. reduce tire pressure, make sure tires do not exceed 40 lbs hot pressure. Street tires should be in the range of 36-38 hot in front and 38 rear measured as soon as you come off the track. Listen to and follow instructions given by your instructor, a lot of high performance driving is not intuitive - don't be surprised, just do it his way Best,

I disagree on tire pressure for street tires but the reality is most newb's will notice very little gain in tire pressures I would run them much higher - 42-44 range because of sidewall roll on stock setting/camber and compounds just sayin have fun..............dont get to worried about your car, it will be ok - as long as you didnt do anything stupid today, just do the same thing....NO ONE will make you drive faster or less in control than YOU will....so drive in control - like you did today

If you have a decent motorcycle helmet check that as it may be Snell (Shoei & Arai are), if so you can use it for DE's but not racing, for racing it has to be a car helmet spec. Dont know the difference as a bike crash for a helmet is usually way more severe than a car smash. I say this as I rented a helmet for my first training day only to find out i could have worn my bike helmet and saved the $75!, if your only doing a few a year it is worth looking into.

The difference between a auto helmet and a motorcycle helmet is the auto ones are fire proof.

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The auto helmet is also fire rated, that's the main difference between car and motorcycle. I started off with a bike helmet since it was cheaper and I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue doing this. It was a waste because I ended up only using it twice before deciding I needed a real bucket.

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Maybe it has to do with the tracks you run. My green students (first timers) see 4 to 6 lbs pressure increase in a 20 minute session. By the third session, a 6 lbs increase. Any 911 I have been in feels greasy if the rear tires have more than 40 lbs pressure. And that's a lot of 911's since I have been instructing for more than 15 years. The modern cars have novices going a lot faster than the ones driving older cars. I wish there was a loud horn which would sound when PSM is doing its thing!! PCA accepts Snell 2005 (and newer) SM (Motorcycle), SA (automobile) and BSI (FIA certification for automobiles, seen on Stylo, Stand21 and similar European helmets. As pointed out above, SA and BSI helmets have Nomex or equivalent linings which may be present in SM rated helmets but not required.

I prefer an open-faced Bell Mag 4. Better visiblility, less trapped heat, easier to talk and listen. That said, I actually use a Bell Mag 4 full face helmet because, as an instructor, I often ride in open cars. You have an OPEN car. Yes, I see the hard top, but that is not WELDED to your car. That's all I'm gonna say about that. Read the general instructions for the event and club that you will run with. They will tell you whether your helmet must be an SA rating, or if they allow M ratings. Either way it must be a safety-rated helmet. Although PCA is okay with M ratings, some Regions have stricter requirements. That also pertains to clothing and shoes. Since this is your first event, if you have any of those designer driving shoes, wear those. Do not wear tennis shoes or any big shoes. The closer it seems like you are only wearing socks, the better the shoe for track driving skills. But it must be a fully closed shoe - no sandals or clogs.

As for trailering: Not knowing what to expect, I trailered my brand new '93 RS America to my first DE in early 1993. That was the first time, and the last time I ever trailered. I just drive to each event and remember that I also have to drive home in that same vehicle. I have never owned or mounted an R-compound tire, high friction brake pads, larger brake rotors, or anything else that I would not willingly drive to work in hard rain on a hot or cold day. And interesting aside - I did not trailer the '93 RS America home from that event. A friend drove it carefully in my rear view mirror because my trailer had the totalled remains of a brand new, very rare, and very expensive '92 964 Turbo (nobody hurt). LISTEN TO YOUR INSTRUCTOR NO MATTER WHAT HE SAYS. DO IT! The driver of the Turbo was at his first DE and had "issues" with taking instruction. He was never invited back.

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Fernando where did you get your meatball? I looking for something similar. Thx.

I have found these magnetic hood protectors to work very well. No need to tape on as they really stick as long as you put them on in warm weather. http://www.rennline.com/Magnetic-Pro.../products/839/ I hope you enjoy your first track experience. There is a lot of good advice in the previous responses..please read carefully.

Interesting point Bob, agree on the PSM (or other traction control) I was instructing a guy last month who was WAY into the PSM and I commented on that - his reply, I know isnt it cool, that's why I bought it I would love to have shut it off for him but we would have crashed in under 10 seconds! NUTS!

I can't stand the PSM on the track. For me it really makes driving the car pretty scary.

As an instructor with NASA on the west coast, I usually encourage the new driver to leave the electronic nannies on if they have had no other on track experience ( autox, karting, etc), especially if it is damp or raining. Learning car control on the racetrack is not the best place experience this with other cars around. Usually after a session or two, I have a better idea of the drivers skill level. I always tell them once you turn it off always dial back their efforts to 5/10 - 6/10s until they get used to the lack of electronic support. But as other have said listen to your instructor, he or she will help you with your technique and allow you to gain speed safely. In regards to the use of an open face helmet, your car has an airbag and if it goes off, you are susceptible to facial injury.

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+1 Before I leave the pit I turn it off. PSM does spooky things in high speed corners.

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The bike helmet I just picked up off some shop on Ebay. But my auto helmet was purchased from http://www.apexperformance.net/ They are based outside of Myrtle Beach but often bring their trailer to DE events in the Southeast. Or just call them and order it up and if it doesn't fit they'll take it back. Good luck and enjoy!

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Most PSM's come on at the first sign of hard braking. I tried with a Porche Tech to disable mine but then you are messing with the ABS on some 911's. The PSM has gotten better over the years to be less intrusive but there is nothing like trying to left foot brake and have the throttle do nothing!!!