Track Day: Car Prep?

[schussey]

Alright so the BMWCCA event is this weekend, what should I do to my car to prepare for it?

How should I prepare my M for it? Is it really that necessary to mask the front end of the car with painters tape?

Should I remove the spare wheel/tool kit? Or will that throw my 50/50 weight distribution off....

Any other recommendations/suggestions are greatly appreciated!

-chris

[sunir]

Alright so the BMWCCA Event at Barber Motorsports Park is coming up this weekend, and I absolutely cannot wait!

How should I prepare my M for it? Is it really that necessary to mask the front end of the car with painters tape?

Should I remove the spare wheel/tool kit? Or will that throw my 50/50 off....

Any other recommendations/suggestions are greatly appreciated!

-chris

don't worry about any of that...just get a good night's rest and show up early enough for the student DE meeting, reg and tech...have fun, listen to your instructor ...mask the headlights if you want...

[mcclaskz]

ss lines, new ATE fluid, get a decent track pad, take out all your mats and spare, get your tech done at German Speed Merchants on Market Street. You can tape off your front too, but be ready for some rock chips.

[osborni]

Oil change can't hurt either

[B.Watts]

Alright so the BMWCCA event is this weekend, what should I do to my car to prepare for it?

Just make sure you have enough tread on your tires, enough material on your brake pads, and fresh fluids. No other preparations needed.

How should I prepare my M for it? Is it really that necessary to mask the front end of the car with painters tape?

Not unless you want to look like a wanker...seems like a huge waste of time to me. A few paint chips are no big deal. Assuming you are going to the Barber event, there aren't any rocks of sand to worry about anyway.

Should I remove the spare wheel/tool kit? Or will that throw my 50/50 weight distribution off....

50/50 weight distribution is overrated.

For your first event, you shouldn't need to worry about replacing brake lines or using a track pad. Just go out and have fun.

[schussey]

Already had Rogue Engineering RSM's installed, as well as new ATE fluid.

I would have gotten the work done at German Speed Merchants in Wilmington, but I have been in Birmingham for the past week already (where the event is)

Should I mask the headlights even though they are the shitty stock plastic bullshiters?

-chris

[Jim Bassett]

Did the information packet include a tech sheet? Have the car teched per the sheet by a competent mechanic - brakes & tires in good condition, fluids topped off, etc. I only taped my headlights because I have Euro Ellipsoid headlights on the M3 (i.e. glass lenses vs. plastic for the stock ones).

Then just follow Sunir's advice, and at the end of the weekend you'll be asking when the next school is

Jim

[schussey]

Just make sure you have enough tread on your tires, enough material on your brake pads, and fresh fluids. No other preparations needed.


Not unless you want to look like a wanker...seems like a huge waste of time to me. A few paint chips are no big deal. Assuming you are going to the Barber event, there aren't any rocks of sand to worry about anyway.


50/50 weight distribution is overrated.

For your first event, you shouldn't need to worry about replacing brake lines or using a track pad. Just go out and have fun.

yea I wasn't about to buy tons of new gear for my car. I just got my track inspection done today, and everything looked good. No tires or brake components needed.

Thanks for the quick feedback!

-chris

[liuk3]

the only thing i would add is you may want to bring some kind of tupperware type bin to stuff all the junk from your car. it should be empty of items when you are on the track. in other words, no loose items in the car like that half drunk bottle of jack daniels you have rolling around under the passenger seat. have a great time!

[schussey]

yea I am definitly bringing a duffel bag to hold all my shit- - I agree, there is nothing more annoying than something rolling around

-chris

[nick325xit 5spd]

yea I am definitly bringing a duffel bag to hold all my shit- - I agree, there is nothing more annoying than something rolling around

-chris

A big plastic bin has the virtue of being waterproof if you put the top on.

[Jim Bassett]

Yep, I use a Rubbermaid bin to hold most of the small track crap

http://www.justracing.com/galleries/...lbum=83&pos=27
Click on the pict to get a bigger view - the purple bin the camera case happens to be sitting on. That's at this past weekend's race at Miller Motorsport Park, BTW.

Of course, when you're in a garage, rain isn't much of a concern

Jim

[M3 Pete]

Just make sure you have enough tread on your tires, enough material on your brake pads, and fresh fluids. No other preparations needed.


Not unless you want to look like a wanker...seems like a huge waste of time to me. A few paint chips are no big deal. Assuming you are going to the Barber event, there aren't any rocks of sand to worry about anyway.

50/50 weight distribution is overrated.

For your first event, you shouldn't need to worry about replacing brake lines or using a track pad. Just go out and have fun.

I agree with Bryan, although I used to use tape on my headlights and foglights before I got the stongard film on them. At one DE a guy in an E46 M3 had taped up the front of his car, but put it into the wall and tore the front wheel off. That was kind of ironic.

And the Rubbermaid/Craftsman/Wal-Mart generic bin is a good idea too. Theft is not usually a problem at DEs, but if things are out of sight, it just makes it even less likely. I usually drag tons of unecessary stuff to the track, like tools, a jack, etc., so the bins are nice just to throw in and out of the car with all the crap in them. A tarp to throw everything on top of is nice too, if you don't have a paved surface, or even if you want to throw the tarp over some of your junk.

[DatATX]

I usually just tape up the front fogs, bin to hold tools, extra oil, extra set of pads and slap the tow hook on just in case. I've also overfilled by half a quart for DEs and then drain it when I get home. Half a quart seems to stop the ticking/oil starvation in my car ('97 M3/2). Other than that, just what everyone else has been saying and by all means be open to suggestions from instructors...unlike iflysolo. LOL

Dat

[karim e36]

Don't forget a torque wrench.

Also paper towel and glass cleaner is always a good idea.

Duct tape can also come in handy, you never know.

I also keep a little electrical air pump to adjust tire pressure. I always have at least 2 tire pressure gauges.

Have fun!

[magnetic1]

Don't forget a torque wrench.

Also paper towel and glass cleaner is always a good idea.

Duct tape can also come in handy, you never know.

I also keep a little electrical air pump to adjust tire pressure. I always have at least 2 tire pressure gauges.

Have fun!

and ZIP TIES!!!!!!!!!

[schussey]

A big plastic bin has the virtue of being waterproof if you put the top on.

that is a great idea, considering the weather for the weekend, hopefully it doesn't rain too much

i bought a few extra quarts of oil today, and definitly am going to bring my torque wrench and air compressor out

i can't wait!

-chris

[clopez95m3]

Already had Rogue Engineering RSM's installed, as well as new ATE fluid.

I would have gotten the work done at German Speed Merchants in Wilmington, but I have been in Birmingham for the past week already (where the event is)

Should I mask the headlights even though they are the shitty stock plastic bullshiters?

-chris

Nope but the sidemarkers tend to commit suicide if they're not taped up. Don't use wanker tape, racer's tape is much cooler.

Have fun, take a chair, bring plenty of water and use sunscreen if you are melanin challenged.

-Carlos.

[B.Watts]

that is a great idea, considering the weather for the weekend, hopefully it doesn't rain too much

WeatherUnderground says it's only a 20% chance of a thunderstorm...that's pretty normal for any summer day in the South. Besides, rain racing is fun.

[Greg S]

Trash bags, great for keeping stuff dry.

[schussey]

WeatherUnderground says it's only a 20% chance of a thunderstorm...that's pretty normal for any summer day in the South. Besides, rain racing is fun.

yea seems like every time I go to Barber it rains at least a bit- - I'll be out there Friday watching you club racers do it up. What time does the 1 1/2 hr. enduro start?

-chris

[BM5W]

At every track event I have been to at least one person was changing their worn out brake pads. Make sure you have plenty of pad left and if not bring an extra set and tools to change them. If not, you lose valuable track time...

[1996 328ti]

that is a great idea, considering the weather for the weekend, hopefully it doesn't rain too much

If it might rain I would not tape up your headlights. In the rain we sometimes run with headlights on and you don't want them taped up if they are on.

As far as tarps go, be careful how you cover your gear. Water always has a way of getting in when I use a tarp. I now use a children's popup tent to store my stuff sitting on a tarp. Paddocks can get windy too.

Don't think too much. I think new students over analyze things. I know I did. First day was quite overwhelming. Bring plenty of water.

Off to Mid-Ohio for me.

[karim e36]

Also, I always treat the glass with Rain-X if there is a risk of rain.

Works amazing. You don't even need to use your wipers.

[putnampunk]

A big plastic bin has the virtue of being waterproof if you put the top on.

I got two walmart specials - one for spares, glass cleaner, brake fluid, tools, etc, and the other for soft shit I don't want to get soaked. makes the operation easy and stress free if the weather does get wet.


and did anyone mention sunscreen?


pick up some extra duct tape, zip ties, and a good pair of vise grips. you never know when they'll come in really handy, if not for you, but your newfound pals in need