My VW R32 driving buddy (also an experienced motorcycle track day guy like me) has been bugging me about taking the T/A up to one of those 2 tracks this year for a track day. I'm leaning towards it, but am a little nervous about the car.

Currently:
Strano springs/koni's/36mm Strano front sway, 1LE rear sway.
Brembo 4-pot calipers F (CTS-V), C6 Z06 rotors (14"), stock pads/calipers/rotors rear, Ate SuperBlue fluid (fresh)
Stock driveshaft, 10 bolt, T2R diff, 4.10 GM gears.
Poly motor/trans bushings, homemade LCA's (solid rubber chassis end, UMI roto-joint axle end)
BMR full-length torque arm, still attached to trans.

Motor makes 405rwhp, 140k miles on it.

18x9.5" front, 265/45 Michelin PS2, 19x11 rear, 305/30 Michelin PS2, on SSR wheels.

That's about all I can think of for now... My question is what do I absolute NEED before the track day, and what would make life much better, but not mandatory? (i.e. cage, better seats, harnesses, etc.)

He feels that I'm good to go with what I've got, but my car weighs about the same and is about twice as powerful as his...

First you may want some better pads I do not think stock ones are gonna last long or be fun when they fade. Change fluids and at least give the brakes a good bleed. Other than that if you can get some seats to help hold you in place I would.

My pad suggestion would be Carbotech XP10 or better. Have fun

Check this thread for some discussion on first time track days:
http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/index.php?showtopic=14239

Very simple for your first weekend. Brake pads ( I like Hawk blues or black for track day cars), bleed brakes (quality brake fluid, I like Modul 600), Check belts, hoses (replace if worn), check and or change fluids, engine oil, coolant, powers steering, trans, rear end, etc... Check all suspension, steering and brake components bolts. Start slow, learn first, go fast later. Try and go fast first, and you wont learn or have as much fun.

Second weekend and beyond, get some worn out street tires (not 100 yrs old, but worn treads). You are going to tear up regular street tires, so might as well use good tires that have minimal tread. Fast and expensive, sticky tires should come much later on. Brake duct cooling will also be needed. Check out other cars at the track.

Beyond that, If your giong to go to several weekends a season, then a good seat is a plus. After several weekends, you may want to invest in some good track tires. Keep up on the maintenance items, and check those brake, suspension and steering bolts regularly. Your really don't need much more then that. You need to work on all the driving skills. It will take many weekends to get good, but it's a blast learning and driving. Don't get caught up in thinking that you need to make the car faster. For the first few years, you need to make the driver better, the car comes second, in regards to speed.
At some point, you may need to upgrade some coolings items, such as power steering cooling and engine oil cooling and improving the stock coolant system, but don't' worry about this at first.

Ask around at the first event, you''ll get all kind of help. You need very minimal stuff to get started.

Good luck, Be safe and have fun
Dave

This post has been edited by DAlgozine: Jul 12 2010, 03:42 AM

Rich,
I just registered to run HPDE-1 at Monticello on Sept 17th with NASA-NE. The track is supposed to be amazing. Memberships are crazy $ so catching a club event seems like a great opportunity.
I'll be trailering my mustang to drive there (no longer plated). Good car but stock engine. Working on tightening the nut behind th wheel. This will be my first HPDE w NASA. Let me know if you commit to going. I'm in northern NJ. It would be good to have someone around as backup & to compare notes with.
Bill

You have way more car than most of us did when we started...which is to say be careful starting out.

You noted that you have "fresh" brake fluid but unless you bled the entire system in the past week, I would recommend doing it again before the event. Some upgraded track pads would be advisable. The ATE fluid is OK for what you are doing. I'm not familiar with pad availability for the CTS caliper, but some hawk HPS would be nice for the rears. HP Plus for the fronts.

Based solely on your description above, your car sounds like it is probably really nice and kept up nicely for the street. I would consider trying to find some wheels/tires to use for this event rather than mess up yours with brake dust, or maybe worse if you have an "off track" excursion, which is a definite possibility with your first event. probably will need 17inch minimum, maybe even 18's. I presume you know what will fit. You will likely find it easy to outdrive the street tires within just a few laps, so take it easy.

Making the assumption you have a 6 speed, with your power, your 4.10 gear is too low for road racing in my opinion. watch your revs closely because with the power you have and street tires, you will be breaking the rear loose at most corners, even assuming the T2R is working properly.

The best advice i ever got in the beginning was just this: If they offer instruction, take all you can get, then ask for more. Be an instructor hog. Made HUGE differences to me.

Seats, harnesses, etc. all come later if you decide you really like doing this....which you will!

Good luck and have fun.

bock