1st time tracking the car

Long time owner never tracked the car. It's a 2003 C4 cabriolet, tip, with 85xxx kms on the clock with low temp thermostat, new water pump, LN oil filter adapter, magnetic plug. It's coming up for its 6-monthly oil change, and I want to do the oil pump piston upgrade (got all the parts ready to go). So my questions: - do the oil change before or after? - what else do I need to do? - what do I might want to do after, such as changing brake fluid etc.?

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No deep sump?

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- do the oil change before or after? : BEFORE - what else do I need to do? Check brakes, all other fluids, get a torque wrench and be sure to check wheel torque before each session, get a good tire gauge and be sure to check pressures before and after each session, and adjust accordingly, get a good helmet, listen to your instructor, and have fun! - what do I might want to do after, such as changing brake fluid etc.? Prolly don't need to do anything much afterwards, EXCEPT, be sure and once again inspect tires, brakes, oil level, torque, etc. before you head home.

I'm far from expert, but have an '03 C2. I always put fresh oil in before a track day. New oil is always best oil. Many organization require brake fluid be changed within weeks of any track day, so I'd check into that and change it anyway. Make sure coolant is topped up and rads are clear of debris.

Changing the oil after tracking the car is definitely locking up the barn after the horses have gone. The best answer would be "both" - but if not both, definitely "before."

I just started doing DE events last year. All of the suggestions thus far are spot on. If you have the oil pan off, buy a X51 oil baffle and install, see other RL threads on this. Watch videos of the track you are going to. Different PCA chapters have track suggestion lists on their webpages, check them out. Be safe, listen to the instructor. GL David

Also do some slow warm down laps

And torque your lug bolts/nuts every day at the track

you got good advice above. check the tires for any issues. bring a good tire pressure gauge. check tire pressures before and throughout the day, the pressures will go up. make small incremental adjustments as needed. make friends at the DE event, there are typically guys that are knowledgeable that will help during the day. you can ask your P shop to do a tech inspection to check for fluids, tires, and any loose suspension parts. check the fluids before and after. check the lug torque before and after. change the oil and brake fluid before. especially if oil is 6+ months or brake fluid is 12+ months old. if you use good quality fluids, they should hold up for more than one day. I use torco motor oil and brembo brake fluid and they hold up well. check brake pads. if they are low, change them. consider pads that are good for street/track. get your tow hook out and availalble. bring thin painters tape for numbers. some without PPF bring wide painters tape to cover headlights and other parts. buy or reserve helmet. check youtube for turn by turn instructions for your track. youtube also has good videos on what to do and what to expect at DE day. clean out your car of anything loose. reserve an instructor if available. in beginner group find your own line. when you move up to intermediate, you can learn a lot from the better drivers. work on your line, not your speed. faster time will naturally come once you know the track and your line. watch your spacing, especially in beginner group. treat it the same as road driving, and avoid anyone pushing it too much. good luck and have fun.

Thanks all for your suggestions. I haven't seen the need to take the oil pan off, but will definitely put an X51 pan. Will need to: - book oil, filter and oil pump piston change - buy an overall - buy a helmet The event is organised through an outfit at Manfeild . The Club in NZ only organises regular DEs in Auckland, 600kms away.

Oh, I almost forgot. DON'T do this:

Or this:

Nope, not planning to ....

Pretty sure our fellow RLers didn't plan too either.

https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...heck-list.html Lot's of info about track days if you use the search feature. I would add to the above link. Check you tire's manufacture date. If you are riding on tires 4 years old or more they will suck at the track. Fresh tires are extremely important.

Be prepared mentally that your engine may not survive. is it likely to fail on street tires and in green...no, but it could.

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This won't help your Porsche perform any better. View and take notes. You Tube

I dunno, that's several pounds of "boost" being applied...

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There has been way too much paranoia in my opinion about tracking 996s. I have been tracking my 2002 C4S since I bought it brand new with no issues. You have stated you have never tracked the car, so I am assuming you have never tracked? In that case, if this is an organized track event you will be running in the novice group. It is unlikely that you will unduly stress the car in the novice group. So, just take the car and drive it on the track. Period. Specific to your questions: - If your oil change is coming up, do it before the event. - read up about the track, watch some in-car videos, make sure you comply with all the requirements such as helmet certification, bring supplies like water and snacks....As to the car it self, it sounds like you keep it well maintained, so nothing else to do, actually. Some events do require a Tech inspection and freshly bled brakes. Make sure the event will let you run a cab, since some clubs do not allow a cab without permanent roll bars. - after the event, wash and wax the car to get rid of debris and molten rubber, make sure your tire pressures and fluid levels are back to street spec, take the wife/GF/significant other to dinner and regale him/her with stories about your latest great adventure.

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But not slower than 80-85%! Other drivers won't be expecting you to be going any slower.

If it's your first time tracking, I would only change the oil and the brake fluid, and other than tire and brake pad condition and age, and make sure you inspect the car as much as you can, including wheel bolts, nothing else is really required. Also, consider track insurance. It might costs $170 on a $20,000 car, but anything can happen on the track, and if you track long enough - after 1000 track days - you will crash eventually. I did not get insurance my first 2 times on the track, but did for the 3rd one and then on. Most people don't get track insurance for a 1st time and most people don't need this, especially if you have an instructor and will be in the beginner group (highly recommended to do both). That said, I would create a checklist of things to bring to the track, including (but not limited to): Hat or sunscreen or umbrella chair Water Snacks Bicycle air pump (if you have one) Tire pressure gauge Painters tape or car numbers (I used a white erasable marker) extra oil full tank of gas Spare set of brake pads tools a positive and open mind, ready to have fun, meet people, and ask questions. The last one is most important and most rewarding.

I'll have to start the list of things to bring, especially basic essentials, wheel stopper etc. The one I was looking at is run by an organisation and they separate the 'Prestige' to other cars. Within whatever group you're on, it is further separated to newbies, slow, fast etc. If you know what you're doing and constantly passing other cars (under acceleration only), they'll move you to a faster group or to the front. Each group gets 15 mins track time, and during the day your group will be on the track 4-5 times. The Prestige group's fee (NZD250) includes insurance cover if you have a policy with a specific company (which I do). Haven't checked with my insurance yet whether I will indeed be covered. As Quad pointed out, will need to be prepared mentally - fortunately it is a Tip so I can leave it in D and concentrate in not crashing and not blocking anyone else. One can't mis-shift on a Tip on the track, right? Remember, newbie here :-) So many things to organise .....

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That's why I plan to quit after 999 days. Tips are great cars on the track, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. BUT, do NOT leave it in D, or it will suck big time. Switch to M, and be sure you are starting in 1st gear. Shift at roughly 6,200 RPM. Correct, you can not mis-shift. You can also "stack" your downshifts in advance. Good point about not blocking anybody. Look in your mirrors often, and let faster cars by. When you get the oil changed before the event, make sure it is NOT at the top fill mark when cold, or you may well end up blowing secret-agent type clouds of smoke.

Really keen to hear how you go especially in the cab. I ve not taken mine to the track club days in Auckland yet. Did go on Rons run( sort of cannon ball to lunch, 318 if you can get up here for it I would really recommend) result is brakes gone a bit spongy trying and failing to keep up with the gt4s and gt3 rs. Will do a brake fluid swap at next service.

@Cuda, thanks for the tips (oil and Tip on M) - this technique would have the electronic dipstick showing one bar down while cold? @sam, Ron's run is famous for its variety, length and scenery. Those GT4s and GT3 owners are hardcore and part of resnnsportgruppe which Playday also helped organise for their track days. Say hello to Leong Goh on your next outing with the club.

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Yep, one or two bars down when cold is good.

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Will make a note to remind to the dealer when they do the oil change, thanks

Dealer doing an oil change? Its a really easy DIY Have fun and listen to your instructor and you will do just fine

Guys - while it's true that some track events won't let you track a Cab, there are plenty that do. LAPS is an example, and I've done it twice in my Cab. Plus, you see Boxsters at these events, a very capable track car, and it would be a shame to never see a Boxster on the track. I believe Porsche DEs also allow Cabs.

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Boxsters have fixed roll hoops and many have roll bar extenders. 996s have pop up roll hoops which is the difference

Yup, dealers doing oil change - not much difference in cost to indy, and I get dropped off to work instead of having to take public transport. And they have proper coffee. Can't be bothered doing it myself, I also need them to take a look my weepy transmission including the mount, tighten bolts etc. Checked with the organiser, he's fine with Cab even after I mentioned that I can always put the hard-top on if required.

Need to get some action shot pictures. look forward to hearing how it goes.

Will update once I manage to get on the track. Looking at the schedule it will either be in October or November as I have to service the car next month. Are you going to the club's last track day of the year?

I would add remove the center caps from your wheels. I lost three of mine.

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And they didn't fall off under regular street driving? Honestly, I haven't seen this before on any Porsche on any track day.

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No just after the track. They were always a bit loose. Interestingly on a recent DE information sheet one of the pieces of advice in addition to "remove anything not bolted down" was "remove center caps".