Thoughts from my first track day(s) ever, VIR

1435 Views 16 Replies 4 Participants Last post by Spearfishin, 7 mo ago

Spearfishin

Discussion Starter · 8 mo ago (Edited)

I had an absolute blast. Way more going on than I realized when you're on the track. Lots to keep up with trying to learn the line, keep pace, point people by, watch the gauges, etc etc.

Really enjoyed my instructor. I thought his style and pace of instruction was perfect for me. Nearly everyone there was friendly and helpful, which was a pleasant surprise. Guys letting a random 7 year old climb in their McLaren race car was something I didn't expect to see.

I was SLOW. Just did not have confidence in braking anywhere near as late as I needed to, nor to to keep my foot in it all the way down the straights. Car could do it, instructor did a few laps driving me in it and proved it, then my check ride instructor pushed me faster on the back straight, and simultaneously deeper into the braking zone for turn 14. Car can do it. Now I've just got to get more time out there pushing it for myself.

That said, brakes were definitely weakest link. I flushed fluid with Castrol SRF, and put Power Stop "Track Day" pads, but next go round I'll be trying more aggressive pads at the very least. Other issue was no surprise... When really pushing hard, got "diff overheat" message. Not sure I'm going to put this particular car on the track enough to justify a diff cooler since I only saw it two or three times out of 8 sessions.

And @m13s, thanks for all of the upfront info and advice, and specifically the recommendation to sign up with Chin as a first timer. Really appreciate it.

Wheel Car Automotive parking light Tire Vehicle

(And don't worry, Camaro got the point by almost immediately after the picture was taken!)

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m13s

· #2 · 8 mo ago

Congrats on finishing your first track day! It is mentally draining as you just found out. D0 NOT worry about pushing your limits, you drive as comfortable as you want and push as hard as you want. Build speed gradually.

Welcome to the club and I hope you enjoy many more positive days, I am really glad you had a good first-time instructor, It makes a huge difference.

Be careful, the track is very addicting, like crack cocaine. Once you start it is very hard to stop.

Reactions: 1

djdonte

· #3 · 8 mo ago

7 year olds were running on the track?

Spearfishin

Discussion Starter · #4 · 8 mo ago

djdonte said:
7 year olds were running on the track?

Wandering the paddock with parental types... But they were looking longingly over the fence.

Reactions: 1

m13s

· #5 · 8 mo ago

FYI VIR is a big bite of an apple. Has it all, elevation change, blind turns, on-camber, off-camber, and FAST. Pat yourself on the back for completing the day and learning, it's a lot to learn. People think you can just hop in and go and then (as you found out) there is a lot to it.

When is the next event?

Spearfishin

Discussion Starter · #6 · 8 mo ago

m13s said:
FYI VIR is a big bite of an apple. Has it all, elevation change, blind turns, on-camber, off-camber, and FAST. Pat yourself on the back for completing the day and learning, it's a lot to learn. People think you can just hop in and go and then (as you found out) there is a lot to it.

When is the next event?

This was Sunday/Monday. I needed Tuesday and I think I'd have at least felt like I was on pace in the green group.

'When's the next one?' Well, my wife's answer probably doesn't match mine right now, so I'll have to get back to you, haha. Instructor said he's next at VIR with PCA and suggested I come to that, if I don't find something sooner.

I had two friends come for some/all of the weekend, and just spectating/driving lunchtime parade laps has them both talking about definitely returning as participants in spring Chin event.

m13s

· #7 · 8 mo ago

Chin and PCA, this is going to get good.

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Spearfishin

Discussion Starter · #8 · 8 mo ago

m13s said:
Chin and PCA, this is going to get good.

As in not going to be the same friendliness/vibe? Instructor swore it to be a similar environment.

m13s

· #9 · 8 mo ago (Edited)

They are all similar. BMW, Audi,PCA, Chin,HOD they are all good. The first three use the SLIP system which is a great platform to track progress of both driver and instructor.
Chin and HOD are for profit the other are not so they will be that dynamic.

Try as many as you like then settle in with the club or clubs that best fit your needs and budget.

Do not be afraid to ask for an instructor that will work with you on what you want t to accomplish. Go with some defined goals and communicate that with him/her so you can meet your goals.

One thing I would do as a novice is to not use ANY timing devices, and work on the basics and master them.

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Spearfishin

Discussion Starter · #10 · 8 mo ago

The bummer of the day: A 1 of 500 "Carbon 65" C7 Z06 went nose first into the tire wall between turns 3 and 4 Monday afternoon. Driver got out and over the wall on his own, but eventually ended up taking the ambulance ride to Danville, so things were shut down while medical crew was off-site. I took it as an omen and didn't wait around for my final session that would hopefully happen, assuming they got back in time. I loaded up and hit the road. Sounds like when ambulance got back it had already started a decently heavy rain, so my gamble paid off.

m13s

· #11 · 8 mo ago

Sorry to hear that and it sucks that the driver was taken out in the meat wagon. That section is a huge passing zone during a race and I know it well.

My biggest beef with HPDE's is the lack of training when things go bad. Most HPDE groups don't offer skid pad and none offer slide cars. The skid pad is usually a car control clinic that is separate from a track day. Driving at an event with such a high HP car things can go quickly. It's the ability to read and interpret feedback to correct it before it goes bad. This, I find is lacking in most if not all HPDE events.

Sad that car car is mashed and I hope the driver is OK.

Spearfishin

Discussion Starter · #12 · 7 mo ago

A question now that I've had time to reflect. Neither instructor nor I could tell any discernable difference in suspension modes, lap to lap. Should I be troubleshooting something in the mag-ride or is it just not quite as noticeable on the track? On the street it seems to give a distinct increase in firmness of the ride. Related, the little ride-height rods...no need to change anything with them after Eibach install? Do they feed into the mag-ride "logic"?

m13s

· #13 · 7 mo ago

Great question, when I tracked my wagon I could feel it being a bit stiffer. Not much though. I wouldn't worry about it. Practice and master the fundamentals, don't get caught up in track add ons until you are ready. You stated that the car
is more capable than you. Once you get to parity with the car then add suspension. That a fucking rabbit hole unto itself.

When your ready let me know and I can point you in the right direction.

Use your vision, braking, turn in, apex and track out. Over and over until it becomes muscle memory.

Spearfishin

Discussion Starter · #14 · 7 mo ago (Edited)

m13s said:
Great question, when I tracked my wagon I could feel it being a bit stiffer. Not much though. I wouldn't worry about it. Practice and master the fundamentals, don't get caught up in track add ons until you are ready. You stated that the car
is more capable than you. Once you get to parity with the car then add suspension. That a fucking rabbit hole unto itself.

When your ready let me know and I can point you in the right direction.

Use your vision, braking, turn in, apex and track out. Over and over until it becomes muscle memory.

No no, I'm just trying to make sure I don't have something broken or unplugged, haha!

Edit to add: Eibachs already on car.

midnight02

· #15 · 7 mo ago (Edited by Moderator)

Glad to see you enjoyed your first track day. Starting out at VIR (widely regarded as one of the best you could have access to) for a Chin event was a great way to start. I started 15 years ago at Road Atlanta with Chin and had a similarly positive experience. I do recall the biggest learning curve at first being to trust the braking so much deeper than I would've guessed. I got "bit by the bug" after that one event and changed my entire drag race type setup to a road course build (2002 Camaro SS).

I still have a lot to read and learn, however can you share if there are any other specific heat related concerns these cars struggle with on track and if they're easily remedied?

Spearfishin

Discussion Starter · #16 · 7 mo ago

My diff overheat warning showed up a couple of times, which a diff cooler should remedy, and my rear calipers got hot enough to change colors early on. I now have silver front calipers and nice golden hue to the rears. I assume that was related to traction control nannies as instructor had me leave everything on for first two sessions. No other glaring concerns in my first outing.

Spearfishin

Discussion Starter · #17 · 7 mo ago

midnight02 said:
Thanks for the confirmation. That sounds like an issue that has a relatively easy solution!

Sure, it's just money

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