ashutt

I am preparing for the spring when I will track my car at the Miller Motorsports Park in Utah. It is a new track: http://www.millermotorsportspark.com/trackOverview.cfm

I am looking for advise from anyone who has also tracked their car. I currently have lowered the car with H&R springs, installed StopTech Stainless Steel Brake Lines and replaced my brake fluid with ATE Type 200 Brake Fluid (dry boiling point of 536 degrees F). I have added a bottle of Red Line WaterWetter to reduce the coolant temperatures by as much as 30ºF. I installed a set of Green Filters to allow the car to breath easier. I will probably install a new Steering Damper as well since they are cheap.

I have the standard 17 inch AMG monoblock wheels which I will use a tire size of 235 in the front and 255 in the rear, unless I can go 265 in the rear? I will probably mount the Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 or the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3. How much would 18 inch rims assist in control?

What else would the car benefit from? Are the Bilstein Sport shocks stiff enough with the lowered suspension to avoid significant body role?

Chappy

In the same boat...

I'll be looking at R-compunds (possibly the Toyo RA-1) mounted on the stock 17s....my 18s will be for street use.

Other than what you've described, I'll be looking for some racers tape to protect the paint.

ashutt

Hey Chappy,

Did you install the brake lines? Which brand did you use? What is racer's tape? Do you know if we can put 265's on our 17 inch rims?

Allan

Chappy

My brake lines are stock, just refreshed the fluid. Racer's tape is supposed to prevent rock chips, etc. when on the track. I just googled for the info.

I have 265s on the rear in 18...I'll probably run 255 on the 17s, once I wear down the PS2s I have mounted, then get some R-compounds.

I'm currently looking into a couple tracks in the Southeast. The main issue I'm having is I don't want to run with 50 other cars....less hassle and less chance for damage if the group is kept very intimate (around 10-15 cars). Plus, you'd have as much track time as you'd want.

topless in SB

Can one of you tell me what the Green Filters are? Air filter? I thought they were for the cab/interior?

C43AMG

yes.

ashutt

Green Filters are the brand preferred replacement engine air filters (not the cabin air filters) for our cars. They (there are two of them) appear to breath as good or better than K&N and do not have the require oil problem that has been known to damage the mass air sensors. They run about $110.00 for both filters.

Allan

sdunham

I just picked up a pair of Green Filters ( # 2247 ) for my '04 CLK 500 from www.Carxpressions.com for $83.24 shipped...

Also, for the track, bring a good air pressure guage to adjust the air pressure in your tires... If the sidewalls roll in the corners, add air... I used to track my '02 C5 Coupe and '02 Zo6 and ran 41 F and 38 rear in 18" GS-D3's...

Chappy

Allan,

What size tires are you running....gotta make a decision soon as the track date is approaching. What about 235/45-17s in the front with 255/40-17s in the rear?

Think they'll rub in front?

ashutt

Morning Chappy,

Well, I would assume 235 on the 17" rim would be ok. I am running 235 on 19", which is bigger. I do have a slight rub on very sharp turns on the front passanger side which I will fix by moving the inside panel in slightly with a rubber mallat- no big deal.

The more rubber on the road the better so I would try the 235. Are you going with an R-compound tire? There appears to be a division on oppinion on the profile of the tire to use. Lower will make the stearing more sharp as there is less rubber mass to scub when turning but at the same time higher profile may allow more rubber to mold to the road on curners as the tire folds onto the road.

In preparation, I have been reading Carl Lopez's "Going Faster! Mastering the Art of Race Driving", which has been very valuable for learning the line and braking techniques. I highly recommend this book as a resource prior to racing. The other thing that has been very helpful was to do an Internet search for track videos posted by others for the track you will be attending. Then you can visually see the course and the track-in, appex and track-out line for each corner before you arrive. This will significantly increase your initial learning curve. Here is an example of my track or here is another.

Below is a my Race Day Preparation List, which may or may not be useful for you:

Things to Bring to Track:

1. Track course map (Should include the line plan and brake zone type identified on each corner)
2. Long pants & shirt
3. Racing shoes
4. Racing gloves
5. M95 or SA95 or newer helmet
6. CG-LOCK lap belt tightener
7. Electronic temperature gauge
8. Tire gauge
9. White chalk for tires (To see if tires are rolling over onto the sidewall)
10. Battery air compressor
11. Fire extinguisher (mount this in the trunk)
12. Glass cleaner
13. Rags
14. Wax
15. Tire blocks
16. Chair
17. Basic tools

Preparation:

1. Complete inspection form required by track.
2. Fill car tank full with 93 or above fuel.
3. Make sure the car has been aligned (more negative camber may be beneficial).
4. Inflate tire pressure at least 5 PSI cold above manufacture recommendation.
5. Mark tires for correct pressure. Record tire pressure and mark the edges on each tire.
6. Check critical fluids and for leaks.
7. Clean all windows to remove any glare.
8. Remove loose items such as floor mats,
9. Remove extra weight such as spare tire & jack.
10. Place track course map in view for reference.

Pit Stop:

1. After a lap or two check the chalk marks on the tire edge for wear. Determine if the tire is rolling over.
2. Check tire pressure after the tires have heated up as pressure will change.
3. Change tire pressure as needed. You may need to reduce or add pressure to adjust handling.
4. After prolonged lapping, check temperature of tire and examine for heat blisters or chuncking.
5. Use tire blocks to keep our car from rolling. Don’t use the parking brake as will cause rotors to warp.
6. Keep the engine running for a couple of minutes with the hood up allowing the engine to cool & circulate fluids.

neilbo75

Good stuff. Thanks.

Chappy

Wow, thanks for the detailed info! As far as the tires, I haven't ordered any yet....still have some PS2s I need to wear out, but will be looking at possible additional track events later in the year.

Thanks for the feedback.