Drivers Ed Questions

Will be doing my first DE event at CMP later this month and wanted to get some insights from you pro's who have done this multiple times before: - What tire pressure should I run? - Have heard people talk about racing tape and taping headlights. What is this for (protection from stones, I gues?)... should I tape things up? Is this just simple painters/masking tape? - Other than the usual stuff that PCA recommends to bring, any other items you can think of? - Any books I should read before hand that will help me out? - Other thoughts/tips? Thx! PS Gonna be 68 in CLT today/tomorrow... NICE... will be driving with the top down!!

I'm a novice to DE but I have taken the PSDS. I can tell you that two books that people keep recommending that I have bought and think are good are: "speed secrets" by ross bentley "going faster" by the skip barber school guys

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What tires do you have? Well, I guess it doesn't matter. For your 1st DE, just run at or a little below OEM pressures. It's just blue painters tape. There's no point in taping, a little blue tape isn't going to repel a rock hurled at you at 100MPH. Just bring you, your car with gas, and a helmet. Anything else isn't really "needed." Oh, and an open mind minus ego helps Not for your 1st DE. Your instruction at the track will cover everything. BTW, there is an entire Racing/DE forum on Rennlist. There are loads of "newbie" threads that might be helpful. -td

I've never done DE but am contemplating it. I think you need to make sure your fluids are fresh and your brakes are in very good shape. You probably know that though.

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I have the Speed Secrets... great book... Dell recommended that one a couple of months ago.

Here's the checklist I used for years when I was just starting... www.speedventures.com/events/trackchecklist.doc I have customized this list over the years to adjust for the trailer, car, track support items, etc. One item not on the list, If this is your 1st event, get an instructor in the right seat and don't be afraid to ask questions. ...

smr996: That is a great list. www.speedventures.com/events/trackchecklist.doc I now have a copy for myself. Dutchie in NC: the list is overkill for your first DE, but keep it -- this stuff is addictive and you will need it in the future Tire pressure: as above, try 2lbs less. This means that you do need a good tire pressure gauge -- and perhaps a pump. (BUY the gauge, its vital regardless. But a pump you can probably ask around -- someone else is bound to have one if you need it.) I take an extra large duffel bag to throw all the misc stuff in: floor mats, maps, water, some food, tools, emergency pump, etc. for when you are out on the track. Don't forget sunglasses! (Hat & sunscreen depending.) I also bring some windex, papertowel, some oil & oil funnel. Finally, have at least half a tank of gas -- nothing harder to do than leave the track (and lose precious track time & instruction) because you're almost empty! Have fun!

Just keep your vision ahead (where you want the car to go), focus on being smooth (inputs) rather than being fast, try to be relaxed (slow, deep breathing helps) and you'll be fine. I think most agree your first DE is one of the best, so just have fun. Oh yeah, and never lift!

One note on headlight taping. It's not to keep your lights from breaking but rather to keep the pieces in place if they do. That way you or the guy behind you might not get a flat tire. Also, on some cars (BMW e36's) the fog lights can pop out if you drop a wheel off or hit a curb. Taping helps keep the pieces in place so you can take everything home with you.

most important of all.....have fun! many people get all serious and forget that there is no trophy at the end of the day. Shiny side up!

most important of all.....have fun! many people get all serious and forget that there is no trophy at the end of the day. Shiny side up!

- What tire pressure should I run? I assume you are running street tires? If so I'd shoot for around 36 front, 40 rear hot. So you'll probably start around 4 lbs under that cold (since it's your first and it won't be too hot that day you probably won't raise the pressure too much, but if you are aggressive you may see a bigger rise) and measure temps as soon as you pull off. After that I'd tune for feel - Have heard people talk about racing tape and taping headlights. What is this for (protection from stones, I gues?)... should I tape things up? Is this just simple painters/masking tape? Personally, I wouldn't bother with this - Other than the usual stuff that PCA recommends to bring, any other items you can think of? Bring a good quality pressure gauge. Long sleeve shirt and pants. A helmet. A good attitude, and don't be afraid to ask your instructor for tons of advice and pointers - Other thoughts/tips? Check to make sure all of your brake lights are functioning properly before you head to the event. Change you brake pads prior to the event if you have less than 60% of the material remaining. Additionally it's not a bad idea to check your pad wear after each run. The stock pads will wear quickly on the track. Have fun!!

A couple of things I learned at my 1st DE: - Don't be shy about the communication you have with your instructor; +1 on asking lots of questions, but also remember that you're paying for his/her knowledge and instruction. If you two don't click after a couple sessions, I'd respectfully ask for another instructor. - Stay hydrated by bringing water and or some snacks; you don't realize how exhausting it can be after a couple sessions - Don't use your hand brake when you get off the track - the heat from the pads resulting from a spirited run can fuse the pads to the rotors - Consider borrowing a in-car video camera mount. You'll be able to relive the experience many times, and you'll be able to see what you did right and wrong. Enjoy. If your experience is like mine, you'll never forget it and you'll be chomping at the bit for the next one. Bob

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I don't own a 911, but have run in many HPDE's are am involved in running events now. For tire pressure, just run around OEM pressure settings, your first time out should be completely about learning, not going fast. Playing with tire pressures won't net you any real gain at this point, just ensure that the pressures are correct for the car. Taping can help hold broken pieces together, in case something gets shattered. On the other hand, I've never taped a street car. A lot of people tape everything, bumper, wheel wells, etc.. it can make cleanup of melted rubber a little easier I guess, but it's not worth the effort IMO. I'm not sure what PCA suggests, but what others said here is good. Ray S and himself were spot on with the good attitude and no ego part. If a stock civic is on your bumper, let him pass, don't try to prove that your car is faster, listen to your instructor, etc. You will be slow, you SHOULD be slow at your first event.. if you are doing 10/10ths in your first event then you will spin (or worse) the car in short order. I've seen it many times, just stay focused on learning. CMP can be rough on brakes, so make sure your pads are good. Oh, and don't lift in the kink

Advice from Tiff Needell

Check your oil level, clean out your car completely, have at least a half tank of gas, set your tires at factory settings (first few DEs), and the standard helmet, thin soled shoes without a fat welting (nothing to catch the edge of the pedels) and the standard stuff on the organizer's list like helment etc. ONce you get there, park the ego at the paddock entrance, and listen to your instructors. Make sure you get an instructor as many times as you can.

Don't try too hard, be relaxed and listen to your instructor. I think some of the most common mistakes I see with students is they think they're going to be really fast on their first time out on track, or they become too self conscious and/or try too hard. Also try to spot the flag stations early on.

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All, great advice... thx! ?????

Dutchie, you might also want to wear brown trousers, just in case you get a little aggressive and scare yourself. That way the "skid mark" won't be quite so obvious.

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Nice...!!!

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Here's the track map for CMP: http://www.carolinamotorsportspark.c...diagrambig.gif See the turn labeled 10? That's the kink. Don't lift there... almost all the incidents I've seen at CMP are there.. Since you are new, you'll likely be warned by your instructor anyways. The worse possible thing to do on that turn is to lift off the throttle (not that it's good to do so on any turn, it's just a sure fire way of having an off at speed there), so just don't lift. Worse case, if you are going to go off (anywhere on the course BTW, not just at the kink), let the car go off as straight as possible and recover control/slow down then. The kink can also feel a little unsettling in a light car, but you may not notice in the 911. In a E46 M3 I barely noticed, in a <2000lb Civic race car, the car feels like it's thrown to the outside of the turn after the apex (which is why people lift, which causes lift throttle oversteer, which causes a spin.. there's hard objects on both side of the track. They aren't near the track but it's not a slow turn so a car can slide across the grass for awhile as long as it doesn't dig into the sand going sideways (which is worse..)). I'm not trying to scare you (I know it probably sounds like it, sorry ), I just want you to be aware of what I've seen in the numerous times I've driven CMP. The kink isn't dangerous if you know what not to do there. Other than that, I love CMP and the course is a blast to drive, the new 12/13 section is a hell of a lot better than the old section (the old 12 and 13 I used to hate, it's like turn 17 and the hairpin at Sebring, I just never felt like I get them right. :shrug

Dutchie, Like others suggested, Going Faster and Speed Secrets are fantastic resources. Your questions are very common but I couldn't find a good source for all of the necessary information. After a couple of years complaining that there wasn't one out there, I decided to write one myself. Since my motivation has never been financial with the project and I'm far from even reaching break-even with it, hopefully people won't mind me mentioning it here. Just take a peek my site www.GoAheadTakeTheWheel.com . A few months ago I attempted to sell some of the popular racing books but it resulted in me starting to get away from my purpose of the resource I wrote / website so I stopped doing it. I think I have about 6 copies of Going Faster left, and one of Speed Secrets (as well as a few others). I bought them at 50% off the cover price; if you or anyone else wants a copy of one of these I'd be happy to sell them at my cost plus whatever I pay in shipping (USPS?). Absolutely no profit on my end. I as going to return them to the publisher but maybe someone here could benefit from this. I'd also be more than happy to give you any advice or answer some of the questions you may have regardless of whether you consider any of the above items or not. Get ready for a new addiction! Dave Gran

Dutchie, Lots of good advice in the responses. For your first DE, just leave the ego at home, keep an open mind, and bring water, sunshade, a chair, etc. A comfortable driver is a safer driver You will get an overview of the track (including the "kink" warning ) from your instructor and the classroom sessions. CMP is a a fun track, the new 12-13 section much more fun (and easier on the equipment) than the old layout. After a helmet, a decent tire guage would be the first tool to get as you build your DE tool bag. There is a tread on this event in the "Perf. & Comp." Forum under "Racing", which is the Rennlist forum that has the most DE related traffic. I'll be at CMP, instructing for this event. Drop by and introduce yourself.

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Got it. thx!