Getting set up for the track

I would be sure to join the sanctioning organization of that track.
They will then send to you a rule book.

This tends to help you understand what is required of
both you and your car before you go to the track.

Can you easily absorb a total loss? If not, get what's commonly known as "track day" insurance. Prepping the car is complex. Fluids get very hot and you need to prepare. Need to know about your engine cooling mods. You will also probably need to upgrade your brake fluid. You'll also want to check with the track for what safety upgrades they require. It's different depending on if you're just training using your car or racing. There are both clothing and car requirements.

Good point regarding fluid temps. . .

Many pay attention to engine temp.

But Automatic Transmission fluid can rise several hundred degrees
per minute when you have the converter loaded.

Road- or Drag- ? racing?

Be aware that your full-coverage insurance is not going to cover the car at the track. Purchasing track day insurance is a good idea

Great points! Thanks everyone! So, I am defiantly going to get track day insurance. What brake fluid is recommended for road racing?

Motul or Castrol. CHANGE YOUR PADS to a quality track day pad, like hawk/PFC or Pagid.

Tires are important, if you are running old tires, change them to a performance tire, Toyo, Michelin, continental, etc.

Take everything out of the car, leave your timers at home. The CTS V is a fatty, so read up on weight transfer. Do not be concerned with getting passed. Focus on the basics, head up, straight line braking, turn in, apex, track out.

Easy on wheel grip and pedal inputs, no jerking and stabbing the brake and throttle. Get a good instructor. Ask questions, find the instructor that has experience in high HP heavy cars. Listen to him. If you can afford to write off the car, don't listen to him and send it.

Good luck and there is plenty of info in here.

m13s said:

Motul or Castrol. CHANGE YOUR PADS to a quality track day pad, like hawk/PFC or Pagid.

Tires are important, if you are running old tires, change them to a performance tire, Toyo, Michelin, continental, etc.

Take everything out of the car, leave your timers at home. The CTS V is a fatty, so read up on weight transfer. Do not be concerned with getting passed. Focus on the basics, head up, straight line braking, turn in, apex, track out.

Easy on wheel grip and pedal inputs, no jerking and stabbing the brake and throttle. Get a good instructor. Ask questions, find the instructor that has experience in high HP heavy cars. Listen to him. If you can afford to write off the car, don't listen to him and send it.

Good luck and there is plenty of info in here.

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ok great! Sounds like I need to set a pretty penny aside. I think the most important up front is getting some good driving lessons. I will start stocking up on tires and additional parts for track days. Looking forward to California. Defiantly a better car culture there compared to Eastern North Carolina.

What track and what track day event are you looking at?

It seems there are a couple of race tracks in Monterey: WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca seems to be the big one. Looks like they have a school as well.

m13s said:

What track and what track day event are you looking at?

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In case you do not know, M13s has much experience with this form of racing.

Hopperj8 said:

It seems there are a couple of race tracks in Monterey: WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca seems to be the big one. Looks like they have a school as well.

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Funny. Yeah, it’s pretty world famous.


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IMHO Laguna Seca is not a beginner's track. The Corkscrew is tough solo, I'd hate to try it in traffic. I checked it out standing next to it on the outside, that drop is intimidating. It doesn't look as difficult on TV as in person.

Thanks for the heads up. I just happen to be moving to Monterey this summer and that is the nearby track. Is there another track recommended for beginners? The first thing I will do is sign up for classes either way before I hit any track.

Pebble Beach is a great track. Lol


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The cork screw has huge elevation change and you enter it blind. That's the big issue plus it drops off so fast as your turning. DB is right its a tough one but in a novice class you'll be OK as you will approach it at a lower speed to learn the correct execution points.

Let me see if I can get some good events for you.

PS don't overthink your first trackball. Read up on Ross Bentleys speed secrets. Lots of good info for first timers.

I don't take novice students (unless they are paid) but I'm glad to help out a forum member. There are many in here that track the V and other whips.

Duck thanks for the kind words!

Hopperj8 said:

I eventually would like to get into racing. ... What do you recommend I need to get started?

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An advanced driving school so you can learn what you need to learn without wrecking your car and possibly someone else's in the process. I did Skip Barber at Lime Rock a few decades ago. Bondurant has a school, still, I think. Find one and sign up. It's got to be a multi-day thing, you can't learn what you need to learn in one day.

There's nothing I hate more than getting on a track with someone who's clearly doing it for the first time. They're a danger to themselves and everyone else on the track.

M13s thank you so much for the advice. I will def read up on Ross Bentleys speed secrets. RocketSled, thank you as well. I am the kind of guy who will ease into the track. When I get to Monterey, I will look into weekend courses. In the meantime, I will start building my track day kit.

Rent a spec miata if they are available. You stated you want to get into racing and that is the best way. Learn to drive a slow car fast. FYI I'm not a huge fan of HPDE days as some of the teaching points are counter to racing. When I get a new client that is stating out racing I have to unfuck them on many inputs from HPDE.

Not saying HPDE is bad but they tend to blur the line at the events because they are on a racetrack.

They is alot of value in what they do, just most if not all students I get are freaked out the first few sessions on a w2w practice. They are not used to or ready for close passing especially under braking. Takes them a bit to adjust and they usually are to afraid to admit they are in over their head. I prep them for that and after the first few sessions they say why did I waste time doing HPDE ? Then we really get into it and the high is on.