JUST STARTED TRACKING

[CrossCajunMustang]

I just started tracking my S650, and well......I'm addicted. That said, I have a base GT with the electronic package. I plan to start the build towards the PP or Dark Horse, but I aim to build a dedicated Time Trial car. Starting slow in HPDE Level 1 with DriveNASA-SE, I have questions for the forum...

1. What organizations do you track with? (Especially if you are on the East Coast)

2. I went from 255/40 to 275/35 tire. On the last track day, the brakes felt like they couldn't handle the stopping power needed for the wider tire(stock brakes, stock brake fluid). With a dedicated track wheel and tire, should I get a dedicated rotor and pads? What do you recommend regarding brake upgrades?

3. I do not plan on doing performance upgrades for a while. I'm listening to the instructors and prioritizing safety. Should I get the oil cooler, transmission cooler, and diff cooler? Does it matter what order I do them in, or just eventually, sooner than later, get them?

4. Any other tips? For the car and the track.

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[RLE55]

Was a member of NASA-Great Lakes for 12 years, starting off in HPDE 1 and eventually going into TT3. Took a Roush 427R Mustang and slowly converted it into a TT3 race car. To answer some of your questions:

1. What organizations do you track with? (Especially if you are on the East Coast)
NASA GREAT LAKES, MVP TRACKTIME.

2. I went from 255/40 to 275/35 tire. On the last track day, the brakes felt like they couldn't handle the stopping power needed for the wider tire(stock brakes, stock brake fluid). With a dedicated track wheel and tire, should I get a dedicated rotor and pads? What do you recommend regarding brake upgrades?
THE ROUSH CAME WITH STOPTECH BIG BRAKE KIT. 4 PISTON FRONTS WITH STOPTECH ROTORS AND FORD OEM REAR BRAKES. FOR ROAD COURSE EVENTS, I RECOMMEND AT LEAST 4 PISTON CALIPERS UP FRONT AND PERFORMANCE ROTORS. I TRIED DIFFERENT BRAKE PADS, BEST FOR ME WAS HAWK PERFORMANCE PADS, DTC 60 & 70. BRAKE FLUID, EXPERIMENTED WITH DIFFERENT BRANDS, BEST FOR ME WAS STOPTECH STR 600. RAN 275/35-19 TOYO PROXES RR TIRES ONCE I GOT INTO HPDE3 AND SWITCHED OVER TO HOOSIER A7 AND R7, 315/30-18 WHILE IN TT.

3. I do not plan on doing performance upgrades for a while. I'm listening to the instructors and prioritizing safety. Should I get the oil cooler, transmission cooler, and diff cooler? Does it matter what order I do them in, or just eventually, sooner than later, get them?
NONE TILL YOU FEEL YOU NEED THEM. OIL COOLER MAY BE FIRST INVESTMENT. AS YOU PROGRESS IN HPDE, THE CAR WILL LET YOU KNOW ITS TIME TO UPGRADE, ESPECIALLY AS YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE GROWS. TAKE IS SLOW, LEARN ALL YOU CAN AND MOST OF ALL....HAVE FUN. AS YOU PROGRESS INTO HPDE 4 AND FEEL YOU MAY MOVE INTO TT OR RACING CLASSES, CONSIDER SOME PERFORMANCE DRIVING SCHOOLS TO FINE TUNE EVERYTHING NASA WILL TEACH YOU.

4. Any other tips? For the car and the track.
FIND YOURSELF A GOOD SHOP THAT SPECIALISES IN ROAD RACING MODIFICATIONS AND HAVE EXPERIENCE DOING SO. I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE WITH PAUL'S AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING IN CINCINNATI, OH. YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN ROAD RACING, HE AND HIS SON ARE NASA NATIONAL CHAMPIONS MANY TIMES OVER, RACING MUSTANGS. THEY TOOK MY CAR FROM OEM AND DID ALL THE WORK TO MAKE IT A TT3 CAR. YOU REALLY NEED A SHOP THAT KNOWS THEIR STUFF AND HAS BEEN THERE, DONE THAT.

 

[CrossCajunMustang]

Thank you for the info. I've done most my work myself but wouldn't mind the help of a mechanic or engineer who has done this all before.

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