NSXPO HPDE Advice for Niewbies Like Me

[mcano]

I'm participating in the HPDE. Since I'm a newbie, I did a search for information that would help me until we get instruction at the track. Below are links for others new to tracking their car (there is a ton of info out there; this is only a sampling of what I looked at).



http://www.trackpedia.com/wiki/Main_Page

http://www.trackpedia.com/wiki/Beginners_guide_to_track_days

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U55_G8iN6ks&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1X3jg3Zivg&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqjK7aIk1Ro&feature=related



Also below is advice from two Prime Members

Mike (bc777):

1. Listen to the instructors

2. Go on Youtube, find the track and put the track in your head. Learn it inside and out.
(watch the drivers that videotape themselves and learn their lines)

3. Watch other Youtube videos about lines, hand signals, apex, etc

4. Check your oil, fluids, and pads (I rec. racing brake fluid, ESP. newbies, b/c you guys will COOK your brakes fluids)

5. And drive for yourself and not for others. If you feel you can't keep up, point by, and let then pass. Don't try to do to much, and keep your TCS on.

ALSO: WATCH OUT FOR THE TURTLES. (No joke). Its a fine if you intentionally run them over. They are protected by Nevada laws.

keN SaX (NSXTASY)

Quote:
Originally Posted by mcano View Post
What brand(s) of racing break fluid do you recommend?
Over the years I've mostly used Motul RBF 600, which has a very high boiling point of 594F. I recently switched to Prospeed RS683, which has an even higher boiling point, but it's not available everywhere (I got mine from Pegasus), although neither is the Motul. I think the Motul RBF 600 is fine for almost everyone.

Quote:
Originally Posted by mcano View Post
Also, will OEM pads being sufficient , or is there an upgrade pad that you would recommend?
If your current pads have plenty of pad material left on them (50 percent or more), then don't bother changing them. However, it's a good idea to bring an extra set of pads with you whenever you go to the track (although at NSXPO, it's almost guaranteed that if you run out of pads, there will be someone else with extras that will fit your car). Either way, you're probably going to want to buy a set, either to put on beforehand or to bring with you.

Then, the question is whether you want trackable street pads, or track-only pads. Track-only pads offer better grip and handle heat well; downsides typically include squealing, ineffectiveness when cold, and dust (sometimes corrosive, such as with the Hawk Blue 9012), all of which may not matter for track use. Most people who use track-only pads either have a car they use primarily on the track and not on the street, or they change to the track-only pads before and after each track event. Trackable street pads don't have those downsides, which makes them usable in daily driving, and there's no need to swap back and forth. Their grip is not quite as good as track-only pads, though, and some of them don't handle heat well.

Because I use my NSX on the street as well as the track, I don't insist on the ultimate grip, and I'm too lazy to change pads before and after events , I prefer trackable street pads. I started out using the stock pads on the track, and they're okay. I've tried numerous street-track pads over the years. My current brake pad of choice is the Hawk HP+ (Hawk HP Plus). They offer excellent performance and stand up to the heat of the track, yet they don't squeal and they're effective when cold. The only downside is that they dust quite a bit, but the dust washes off easily. I've found the best prices on Hawk HP+ pads at Discountperformanceautoparts.com.
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8 Days & Counting

 

[nils]

im a SMMR club member.. best advice I can give you is to NOT speed in pahrump... cops there love to pop the out-of-town track guys for speeding tickets.

Once you leave the 15 and head west on hw160 its about a 40min drive to the track.. its on the right side of the freeway before pahrump, bunch of flags & big entrance.. impossible to miss. Back in the day it was real hard to find.. hahah.

Take it easy & have fun guys, i dont think i'll make this event.. maybe.

 

[NSXAMG996TT]

Check your ego at the door, watch youtube video like the bible, and just have fun.

Most novice drivers will not be pushing their cars to the limit, but instead focusing on the lines and being smooth. Everyone will be courteous and drive home safely with their toy intact.

Finally, big KUDOS goes out to everyone who tracks their NSX (which was developed just for that purpose).

 

[stuntman]

Make sure you have a good amount of brake pad left.

Make sure you have a good amount of tread on your tires!!

Before the weekend and the day of (and during the day if you know what your doing) -check your tire pressures.

Bring a torque wrench and check the tightness of your wheels after every/every other session (NOT when the wheels are hot though).

If you don't remember the last time you flushed your brake fluid, flush it and put a good fluid like ATE Superblue or Motul 600 in.

Check your coolant level and make sure its filled to the proper level.

It might not be a bad idea to change your oil before the trip.

Stay hydrated with a lot of water/gatorade.

BE RELAXED and comfortable in the car.

Listen to your instructor (Try to get Jeff Tyler if you can )

Have an open mind. There will always be someone better than you, you are not God's gift to motorsport, try to learn from as many people as you can, especially those who often track their cars as well as your instructors. If someone's faster than you, it's not a race, let them by (in the designated areas -you'll find out more in the Drivers Meeting) and just work on yourself and not worry about the speed of other guys.

HAVE FUN.

 

[EdinKali]

And last but not least, don't forget to breathe. You may think I am kidding but you'd be surprised how often it happens. I used to put a piece of duct tape where I could see it that said "Breathe and Relax". Make sure you drink lots of fluids and just have fun.

 

[SFNSXguy]

What "stuntman" said. (except the Jeff Tyler part ;-) )

 

[docjohn]

lol...try to get a decent nights sleep...hard to do in vegas....hangover+ hpde=fustrated instructer

 

[stuntman]

What "stuntman" said. (except the Jeff Tyler part ;-) )

apparently you don't know Jeff...

 

[SFNSXguy]

apparently you don't know Jeff...

It's just that those "in the know" would request me! :biggrin:

 

[VegasSpeed]

I have a felling there will be several first timers at this NSXPO. One thing to keep in mind is to always use gradual inputs while driving your car. Don't turn erratically into OR out of a turn. In other words slowly turn your steering wheel in and slowly turn it straight out of a turn. This isn't drifting so your car's inertia will be controlled much better if you choose a good line and add speed after you figure out the road. If you have good traction on your tires and use controlled inputs while entering a turn and leaving a turn you should avoid any feeling of loss of control while in the car. People see lots of TV and movies with these quick steering movements like they are trying to drift a car but that isn't normal for most drivers. Billy might be different since driving is his life but most of us learn to control the car with nice, easy movements.

Focus is number 1 on the track. So when you get going fast and learn the track you will notice a lot is going around your car. Example: Driving towards a big sweeping turn and before that you have to point by a driver behind you, as well as you have 3 cars up ahead slowing the driving. Just be aware of your surroundings.

Also, for first time drivers of this track in a NSX you may want to try driving the first session in one gear, 3rd gear that is. That way you can focus on the driving line and less about shifting which can get stressful. You can do most of the track in 2nd and 3rd gear in most NSX's. 2nd gear is only critical in the turn 5 on the old track configuration.

Ask a lot of questions and don't be afraid to learn as much as you can while you are out there. This is what our cars were meant to do so benefit as much as you can to learn how to really get the most of our Formula 1 inspired Acura NSX.

 

[RSO 34]

I have a felling there will be several first timers at this NSXPO.

There are 8 drivers who will be on the track for the very first time. There are another 9 who have 3 or less track days so a total of 17 out of the 37 registrants are newbies. You will have a lot of company...........and a lot of fun.

 

[nsxtasy]

Don't start out thinking "I'm a fast driver because I've driven over 100 on the highway". Track driving is very different. At events with different kinds of cars, you'd be amazed how an experienced driver in a slower car can blow the doors off a novice driver in faster car. It's all about the driver.

If you want to be fast by the end of the event and do so safely, don't worry about trying to drive fast when you start out. Your first couple of sessions, concentrate on learning the track and the line. (This means learning what's coming up ahead and how to take each turn, and where to position the car, where to brake and accelerate, etc.) It's easier to learn how to go fast by starting out slowly while you're learning the track and the line, then once you understand where you want to be, adding speed gradually, lap by lap and session by session. If you start out trying to drive fast before you learn the track and the line, it's going to take you a lot longer to figure it all out.

Before you go, read a little bit about track driving. You should understand the components of a turn: the entry point, the apex, and the trackout. You should learn the difference between an early line through a turn and a late line through a turn. If you take an early line, you run out of room at the trackout (and you can use this to judge your line). That's why it's safer to start out with a later line, and then make it a little less late as you progress.

If you find yourself driving off the track, hold the wheel centered so you're going straight ahead with only minor steering corrections; DON'T jerk the wheel to force yourself back on the track. There's plenty of room off the track at Spring Mountain and you're less likely to do damage by going off the track than by forcing it back on. Depending on where you go, you can then maneuver your car so you're driving alongside the track and you can gently drive back on.

You're going to get a lot of information and learning all at once. Don't get overwhelmed. Everyone else in the novice group is going to be a novice like you, with the same amount of information to be absorbed. And all the experienced drivers were once novices and remember what it's like. Take a breath, relax, and HAVE FUN!

 

[SFNSXguy]

You should learn the difference between an early line through a turn and a late line through a turn. If you take an early line, you run out of room at the trackout (and you can use this to judge your line). That's why it's safer to start out with a later line, and then make it a little less late as you progress.!

#2 on my list of "must do's"...... #1 would be "learn to drive SMOOTHLY"... no jerky movements with the steering wheel, no hammering the shifts, no getting into ABS under braking.

Driving fast smoothly will make you (and your instructor) more comfortable.

Speed will come, trust me.

 

[mcano]

Well, it’s only a few days before the big event. I've been checking this thread, watched several hours of videos and have chatted with a few Primers off line. A lot to learn, but I'm also excited about learning.

After all of my video viewing, several years of attending Champ Car, Indi Car and American Lemans’ races, there is one observation that stands out, and that is "smoothness". In-car videos of experienced NSX owners and professional drivers, and viewing of races as a spectator, I noted how smooth they are on the track.

Thanks for all of the other recommendations. I’m looking forward to having a great time.

Best,

Mario

 

[VegasSpeed]

If they have a ground school to teach you than it should be fine. They go over those types of things in the class. Just keep an open mind and listen and you will be fine.

I haven't seen a single turtle on the road in all of 30 years I have lived in Vegas. Don't worry about those guys.

 

[nils]

in the ten years I have gone to SMMR i have only seen a turtle on track once... besides, they are pretty big & look like rocks... any person would avoid it at all cost no matter what.

n

 

[SFNSXguy]

Since there's not a lot of water around, they're probably tortoises, not turtles.

 

[EdinKali]

Also, look where you want to go, not where you currently are. In other words if you are entering a turn you should already be looking at where you want to exit the turn.

 

[docjohn]

"Use the force Mcano"!!!!!!!

 

[mcano]

As a follow-up to this thread, I created a new thread describing my experience after participating in the HPDE at NSXPO Las Vegas. See the following link:

http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1370620#post1370620