Getting Ready for the TRACK

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Nov 25, 2007 | 02:35 PM

#11

houstonnw

2nd Gear Member

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 162

From: Texas

RE: Getting Ready for the TRACK

Quote:

ORIGINAL: RodeoFlyer

Body roll really wont be a concern with the way you are set up now. I agree with Norm on the dampers if it's in your budget. If you do I wouldn't bother messing with them at the track unless your instructor advises it. Figure out how you like them on the street and add a few clicks when you get to the track if you must.

HP+ are much better for the track but are very noisy. You will sound like a school bus with them on the street. The reality is that right now you are going to use the brakes way more than you need to so it's not worth blowing money on the HP+.

If your handy i'd just take an extra set of stockers and a 13mm wrench with you. Somebody there will have a jack

No sense in destroying the good stuff - and use stock rotors! I use factory takeoffs at $40 a pair.

I've done 7 track days this summer in my completely stock '07 GT. Since I have the 17" wheels and all-season Pirelli's the stock brakes and pads have held up fine. I've seen a little fade but that was because the pads were completely gone. I won't let them go much below 1/2 thickness in the future.

From what I've read, and been told, you don't make up much time in braking anyway. As a beginner you should concentrate on carrying speed through and out of the corner.

-Wayne

Nov 25, 2007 | 03:41 PM

#12

UrS4

4th Gear Member

Joined: Mar 2006

Posts: 1,313

From: CA

RE: Getting Ready for the TRACK

Pretty much whatever RodeoFlyer says is golden.

In regards to brake pads, you may be able to get a good idea what type of pads will be best based on the track layout. A short tight course, stock pads are fine, a longer track with some high speed straights that lead to slow corners will show you that your stock pads are the weakest link not your tires.

Speaking of tires, which ones where you going to run?

Nov 25, 2007 | 06:15 PM

#13

HunterS664

Thread Starter

1st Gear Member

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 69

From:

RE: Getting Ready for the TRACK

Im not sure ive heard alot of different opinions about tires
I have the stock 17"X8.5" rims
what would yall suggest for those?

Im thinking of upgrading to 18's
RodeoFlyer, what width would you suggest for the front and rear of an 18" rim
and what tire would yall suggest?

Nov 25, 2007 | 08:44 PM

#14

jayel579

2nd Gear Member

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 408

From: Flanders, NJ

RE: Getting Ready for the TRACK

Quote:

ORIGINAL: HunterS664

Im not sure ive heard alot of different opinions about tires
I have the stock 17"X8.5" rims
what would yall suggest for those?

Im thinking of upgrading to 18's
RodeoFlyer, what width would you suggest for the front and rear of an 18" rim
and what tire would yall suggest?

Stock 17's are only 8" wide, but you can go with a 275/40R17, I have that size on my track rims. That is about as wide as you can go, maybe a 285/35R18 for an 18x8.5" rim. I know of guys running a 285/35R18 and they have minor rub at max sterring lockout. For Auto-X that might be fine but I wouldn't go 285 in the front on the track.

Nov 25, 2007 | 08:46 PM

#15

houstonnw

2nd Gear Member

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 162

From: Texas

RE: Getting Ready for the TRACK

Quote:

I'm planning to stay with the 17" tires and P-Zero Neros for another year or so. Their limits are lower, so I feel that I can drive the car closer to it's maximum. I'm learning to drive my car, balancing the understeer with trail braking or a slight throttle lift.

I guarantee that I am learning more than the guys in the Corvettes. I figure that when I do upgrade the tires/brakes/suspension I'll be a lot faster.