Doing my first driving school this weekend....any tips?

[Cornpanzer]

I am taking the 70 "S" out to Putnum park in Indiana for my first try on a road course. This weekend I installed a harness bar and harnesses. This evening I will be changing the oil, adjusting the valves and checking the brakes and bearings. I have 16x6 Fuchs back on the car with Toyo Proxes tires.
The car has big sway bars, heavy torsion bars and multi-adjustable Konis.

Any tips regarding car or driver?
TIA
Dave

[JackOlsen]

Regarding the car, just make sure it's safe, and that its suspension settings are not going to produce any erratic handling. Assuming it's the first time you're going out on a road course, the specific mods to the car aren't going to make much of a difference at all. You're going to be spending your time and energy learning how to drive on a racetrack, which is very different from what we do on the street. At this stage in the game, you could be in a highly modified 911 or a beat-up rental Neon, and your laptimes would be in the same ballpark.

However, you're going to have a blast.

Regarding the driver, show up with an open mind and try to keep your instinct to try and push the car faster than the other novices in check. Your instructor should be able to show you the basics of the line for the track, and that will be plenty to try and get your head around the first time out.

I don't know if it's overkill, but here are the notes I used for a classroom session I taught last week. Maybe others here can add to it, and we can put together a novice driver FAQ.


BEFORE YOU GO OUT:

Empty pockets, car clutter, garage remote, cell phone, floor mats, gum.

Check lug nut torque, tire pressures, brake fluid, gas.

Adjust your seat. Position the wheel closer to you than you would for street driving. You want your elbows at a 90-degree angle when your hands are at 9 and 3. Keep both hands on the wheel (not on the shift selector) and your left foot off the clutch.

Know your flags and hand signals (for passing, danger ahead, intent to exit and that you're not injured after a spin).

Enter the track only with permission, warm up for the first 1-2 laps. Check mirrors out of every corner. Check gauges before the bigger straights.


IF YOU GO OFF COURSE:

Go off straight and you won't roll the car. "If you spin, both feet in." (Apply both clutch and brake.) Once the spin is over, check for a corner worker. When they give you permission, re-enter -- off line. If your car isn't working, do not get out of your car. Only ever exit the car if you're on fire.


WHAT'S DIFFERENT ON A TRACK:

Braking: straight line braking

Cornering without crashing: the late apex

New terms: Braking point, Turn-in Point, Apex, Track-out, Contact patch, Understeer/Oversteer, Smoothness

Passing. Preferably on left (although this varies from group to group). Always with a point-by. Never pass under braking. Passed car holds the driving line. Passing car is always responsible for a safe pass.

Contact: Understand that you are responsible for your own car, no matter who is at fault.

You drive where you're looking. At the braking point, look through the apex to track-out.

Situational Awareness. Your focus point will get closer to your hood as you get fatigued.

Someone goes off? Aim for the spin. Let up on gas, but check mirrors before you brake.


INEVITABLY:

You will turn in too early.

You will brake at the wrong time. (First too early, then too late.)

You will get back on the gas out of a turn too late.

You will not use all of the track when you turn.

You will be holding the wheel too tightly -- probably holding your breath, too.

[Chuck Miller]

Here's one that allot of instructors miss Dave...

Something I tell first time students is to drive your car around the block a couple of times with your helmet on .... It's pretty amazing what you DON'T hear...

At first you can't relay on 'hearing' your shift points ... you have to use 'feel' ... and your rev-limiter.

It will be well worth the strange looks your neighbors give you...


Another is to RELAX...and to know when you're not...

A good sign of not being relaxed is lifting yourself out of the seat and 'choking-up' on the steering wheel.

Sometimes it's good to start with the seat adjusted one click closer then normal so you're already there... and don't have to make the effort....

After a short time you'll be able to hear your engine with your helmet on … and probably LIKE the seat one click closer...

Have a great time bud... you'll love it

Cheers,

[HarryD]

Dave,

I did my first DE this spring. What I did:

Planned on having fun.

Took all the loose stuff out of my car.

Used the same setup I use for AutoX (add 5 psi to each tire).

2 weeks prior to event, did a safety check to verify safe operation.

Had a good nights rest night before event.

Listened to my instructors.

Let faster cars pass.

Shared my experience with a friend both during and after.

Had fun.

[JackOlsen]

One more thing: if they're Toyo Proxes street tires (not RA-1's), start at 31/33 F/R pressures, and bleed hot above 40 psi.

[John Fusco]

[QUOTE=Chuck Miller]

Something I tell first time students is to drive your car around the block a couple of times with your helmet on .... It's pretty amazing what you DON'T hear...

Very good point - My first time around that was the thing that struck me right away - also the vision thing - takes some getting used to. So you might want to drive around a very quiet street at first.

John

[Cornpanzer]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the tips. I spent the night last night replacing the brake fluid with Super Blue and bleeding. Also put some new gear oil in, changed the oil and adjusted the valves. Could use some more sleep today

Good point on the helmet Chuck. I will find a secluded area and give it a test run.

Yes jack the Toyo's are street tires. Thanks for the tips.
Dave

[69911T]

Oh boy, are you going to have FUN. Tuck your ego away in the garage and listen to everyone, you can sort the wheat from the chaff when the learning curve is not so steep.

One of the best things I did for my car was to get a competion alignment. It won't be necessary for your first DE but as soon as possible get to a Porsche race prep. shop and get the weight and balance correct.

Have fun!!!

[Grady Clay]

Dave,

You are getting good advice here.

This DE is not about the 911, it’s about you. Keep a cool head. It is easy to have sensory overload with all these new things happening. One of the first symptoms is “Tunnel Vision” where you seemingly only focus on the tack directly in front of the car and not the peripheral total picture.

I generally advocate prepping the 911 a week or more prior to an event (just as I would for a road trip.) The two reasons are that allows time to address issues found during prep and have some time to find and fix anything I screwed up.
Only the best professional race crews can work right up to track time. The thrashers are usually one-lappers. If you have to pull an all-nighter before an event – something is wrong with the planning.

Send me your e-mail address to gradyclay@hotmail.com and I’ll send you a draft of my “How to go to DE Events.” It has nothing about cars or driving – just going. This started last winter as advice to rs911t about specifying a trailer and developed into more. Anyone who wants a copy, please e-mail me directly.

Dave, we want you to give a full report from a first-time standpoint. No detail is too insignificant.

Keep cool and have fun.

Best,
Grady

[a911s]

Dave, I would not use a harness with a harness bar on the track. If the car rolls over at high speed and the roof flattens you will have no where to go. I would use a harness with harness bar at an autocross, but when on the track I would use the standard belt or get a properly installed roll bar or cage.

As far as instructions in general. you have received some excellent advice from everyone here. I would just add the following:

1. Work on the line first. Do not be concerned with speed now - that will come later after you are consistently on line. Trying to go fast without being consistently on line is asking for trouble.

2. Pull your chin up and look as far ahead as you can. "Eyes up" will prevent so many mistakes you won't believe it.

3. Be smooth with all your inputs. Pretend you're balancing an egg on the dash. That's how smooth the best drivers are. Smooth is fast.

4. Drink plenty of water, and take breaks if you are feeling tired or getting sloppy in your driving. This will also prevent many problems.

Most novices try to drive fast before learning the line, don't look far enough ahead, are jerky with their inputs, and do not drink enough water. Impress your instructor and learn much faster by avoiding these pitfalls.

You will have information overload, so just focus on the basics: stay on the line, look ahead, and be smooth. I know I'm repeating myself, but that's what I end up doing all day as an instructor! Have fun!