1. Get a full tank of gas before you enter willow springs. If you want to just run our 91 octane stuff, it's a LOT cheaper outside the track, however if you want the good juice, they got it there.
2. If it's a track "day" and you're going to be on/off the track a lot, bring sunscreen. LOL I burned like crazy out there.
3. Check the lugs/brakes like the others said, and wish I would have studied the track via youtube before I went.
4. It's hot out there, so bring lots of fluids.
5. If they are going to have instructors there, have them ridew a lap or two with you, or do as I did and try to get them to be in the car every lap. LOL they know their stuff, might as well pick their brain all day long.
6. When I went with Sector111 (A Lotus Elise/Exiege group) lots of people brought a jack, extra tires/wheels and brake pads. While those are a bit much for a first-timer, even my bud and I had to run around asking people for a tire-pressure gauge because as the tires get hot, you need to bleed pressure (and add pressure after a lunch break) so bring a 12v compressor and a good tire gauge.
7. Bring a good helmet. Since it's now hot here, I suggest an open helmet otherwise you will need to have the A/C on unless you get one of the cool liquid-cooling race suits.
8. If you have a camcorder (or two) bring them. Record the instruction, and then record both out your windshield AND your feet on the pedals. There's a lot you can learn when you later see how (in my case -- bad) of a driver you are.
9. Bring blue painter's masking tape. Either before you get there, or arrive early then put on, but tape up your headlights, and everything low to the ground. Rocker panels, side skirts, air dam, etc... You'd be surprised how much gravel gets on the track out at willow springs.
I raced on the "Streets" track, with my buddies Exiege S
and it was the best thing money can buy. I believe the "big" track is a high-speed track (150-200 mph in the porsches that were racing the day I was on the streets track) I've only went that one time, and I learned a lot. It's far better to brake late then too early, which is a n00b thing that I did. I also learned you need to trust your brakes more.
some words of advice from some people I heard:
- use the whole track, since you paid for the whole track (i.e hit the apex, but right after swing wide using the full width of the track.)
- get on the gas only when you are prepared to stay on it.
- Get on the brakes hard at first, then taper off them. Keeping the contact patch happy means keeping your times low and you safe.
- keep your hands at 9 and 3 and never change them. That way you don't have to look down at the wheel while taking a full sweeper at 120 mph
- look where you want to end up. on the track, you look higher up (further away) than you do on the street. Remember, you're on a track with people that (hopefully) know what they are doing and you can spend less time on watching them and more time on where you are going.
- if they use flags, pay attention to what they mean.
- learn the "ok to pass" signal. If you're good, you'll wait to see it before you overtake the slow-poke in front of you. If you're like me, you'll be giving it many times
- As the instructor predicted (correctly in my case) I got strung out getting on the track and missed the 2-3 shift. He said it's good to admit you're nervous, but just keep your cool and you will actually go faster than gritting your teeth and squeezing the steering wheel with all your might.
most importantly have fun and drive safe. They reminded us that the local PD doesn't put up with anything outside of the track so make sure to "get it all out" while on the track
Big Willow on 5/24
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