Tracking for the first time, any tips?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 145
Likes: 40
From: West LA
2016 GTS; 2021 G63; 2015 Range Rover Supercharged
Tracking for the first time, any tips?
Hello all,
I will be going to the track to track my car for the first time, ever. There is a community event which will be held at the AAA Speedway in Fontana on Thursday, March 12, if anyone is interested in joining, please let me know.
Here is the info on my GTS:
MY2016 GTS
Mods:
Pure Turbos Stage 2
Catless DP's
Golabworx Tune
H&R Springs
Performance Intake
Upgraded Spark Plugs
I'm super excited to go as this is a real race track. Has anyone in SoCal taken their car to this track? What do I need to do beforehand?
I will fill up my tank with 101 Octane Race Gas, and tune my car properly using my handheld.
Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
I will be going to the track to track my car for the first time, ever. There is a community event which will be held at the AAA Speedway in Fontana on Thursday, March 12, if anyone is interested in joining, please let me know.
Here is the info on my GTS:
MY2016 GTS
Mods:
Pure Turbos Stage 2
Catless DP's
Golabworx Tune
H&R Springs
Performance Intake
Upgraded Spark Plugs
I'm super excited to go as this is a real race track. Has anyone in SoCal taken their car to this track? What do I need to do beforehand?
I will fill up my tank with 101 Octane Race Gas, and tune my car properly using my handheld.
Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 257
Likes: 112
From: Delray Beach, FL
'18 AMG GTC, '96 BMW 318i, '25 Ram RHO
The best car to drive on track is the one that stops, so...
What about a brake fluid upgrade? Don't go on track, especially with power upgrades, without a brake fluid with a high wet boiling point around 600 degrees like Castrol SRF or Endless RF650 or Motul.
Make sure you have at least 50% of your brake pads if you still use OEM pads.
Make sure to not let your parking brake set, which it wants to automatically do. If it sets when the brakes are hot, your rotors will warp.
Also,
Have an instructor ride with you for at least a couple of sessions to teach you the basics, the racing line, passing, watching for flags, etc.
Have a tire pressure gauge with a valve. Take pressures right after you leave the track and keep them around 32 psi hot for better grip.
I let my car run for a bit after a session to keep the fluids circulating, and open the hood for more air flow.
Have fun!!!
What about a brake fluid upgrade? Don't go on track, especially with power upgrades, without a brake fluid with a high wet boiling point around 600 degrees like Castrol SRF or Endless RF650 or Motul.
Make sure you have at least 50% of your brake pads if you still use OEM pads.
Make sure to not let your parking brake set, which it wants to automatically do. If it sets when the brakes are hot, your rotors will warp.
Also,
Have an instructor ride with you for at least a couple of sessions to teach you the basics, the racing line, passing, watching for flags, etc.
Have a tire pressure gauge with a valve. Take pressures right after you leave the track and keep them around 32 psi hot for better grip.
I let my car run for a bit after a session to keep the fluids circulating, and open the hood for more air flow.
Have fun!!!
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 961
Likes: 240
From: Canada
2019 E63s
What Buc said plus
I always run a couple of cool down laps between sessions. During those cool down laps I try to avoid touching the brakes and I usually open my hood and let the engine run for about 5-10 min in the pits then shut it down
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 25
Likes: 7
From: Santa Monica, CA
2016 AMG GTS
Does your car have the automatic collision avoidance/braking system? If so, the only way to defeat it 100% is to turn ESC off completely. Otherwise, the car will emergency brake as you're approaching other cars from the rear, making for some very sketchy situations.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 145
Likes: 40
From: West LA
2016 GTS; 2021 G63; 2015 Range Rover Supercharged
Thanks for the tip. In Race Mode it should be turned off right? Planning on being in Race mode the entire time and switching from auto to manual shifting.
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Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 25
Likes: 7
From: Santa Monica, CA
2016 AMG GTS
It is not turned off in "race" mode, nor if the system is disabled through the dash menu. Turning ESC off is the only way to 100% defeat it.
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Member
Joined: Dec 2010
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From: Houston, TX
Lifted G500, GT-S, track Cooper S
You're either going to get your rear brakes super hot, or being very carefully managing traction on exit with that much power. But it will be lots of fun.
I expected my rear tires to get super hot battling for traction, but my fronts were the ones that took three sessions to find the right temp/PSI combo. Once I did, they stayed steady the rest of the day.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 145
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From: West LA
2016 GTS; 2021 G63; 2015 Range Rover Supercharged
Leave it in auto, particularly if this is the first time you're taking it to the track. In sport + or Race, it is in the right gear 99.9% of the time, which is likely more than can be said if you manually shift it, and there will be less risk to the drivetrain or upsetting the car heading into a corner.
You're either going to get your rear brakes super hot, or being very carefully managing traction on exit with that much power. But it will be lots of fun.
I expected my rear tires to get super hot battling for traction, but my fronts were the ones that took three sessions to find the right temp/PSI combo. Once I did, they stayed steady the rest of the day.
You're either going to get your rear brakes super hot, or being very carefully managing traction on exit with that much power. But it will be lots of fun.
I expected my rear tires to get super hot battling for traction, but my fronts were the ones that took three sessions to find the right temp/PSI combo. Once I did, they stayed steady the rest of the day.
--- I will leave it in Auto.
--- Which PSI is best for front and rear tires? 30? 32? How do I warm up my tires?
Thanks again.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 145
Likes: 40
From: West LA
2016 GTS; 2021 G63; 2015 Range Rover Supercharged
Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 152
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From: San Francisco
2016 AMG GT-S
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 961
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From: Canada
2019 E63s
Tire warm up
is usually a bunch of laps to open the track day first thing. Depending on your tires, track and time of year putting heat in them could take a bit. Keep a good pressure gauge in your car and don’t hesitate to pit and check/adjust as needed. Usually depending on the tire max hot pressure is between 32-34 psi with the lower number on the more aggressive tires like sport cup 2’s. You can monitor and display your tire temps on the cluster between the speedo and tach if it helps.
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Joined: Feb 2018
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From: Dallas
18 Avent. S, 18 GTS, 17 Cali T, 20 C8, 20 M850
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From: Overland Park, KS
‘24 BMW iX M60
I would never abuse the tyres early in a run session just to try and build up some heat into them. Just take it easy the 1st and 2nd lap building speed progressively and then cut the car loose. Plus always be cognizant of ambient temps, remembering that high performance tyres hate low temps. Frankly all 'sports' cars should come with a combination TPMS system that also reports tyre temperature. Of course it's not a true carcass temperature but algorithms are no doubt designed that when the sensor shows the tyre 'green', it implies an optimum handling temperature.
