Upcoming Free Track Day all thoughts/tips appreciated

[archsteve]

Taking my new (December) AT with almost 5,000 miles for my free track day this Friday at NOLA Motorsports (right outside New Orleans). The car is my daily driver, and have seriously loved the first five months of driving. Never been on a track before and 99% chance will never do this again (unless somehow the track bug bites me hard LOL). So obviously I'm in the HDPE-Intro (Friday) noob group with other GR cars, but so far the only new Supra signed up. Appreciate any first-timer suggestions for the car, myself or for the NOLA Motorsports track itself. The car is stock, except for PFF on the front and the wind noise deflectors.

My particular thoughts/concerns right now include:
Do I do anything special with the tire pressure? I am driving it the 15 minutes to the track and back home so I assume standard tire pressures for regular driving are ok for the track ??

Borrowed a cycle helmet from a friend - never appreciated until now the awkwardness of trying to drive with a big helmet on - are the rental racing helmets at the racecourse better/more suitable than a cycle helmet?

Am thinking of borrowing a GoPro and mounting it on my radar detector's suction cups - anyone have good/bad experience with something like that?

I saw a suggestion on the NASA page of removing everything from your trunk except for a cooler for waters etc. Is there anything else that people typically bring?

Should I plan on getting an oil change immediately afterwards?

I've read a decent amount of the tracking posts here and appreciated them all (although most are wayyy over my level) - any other advice appreciated.

Thanks

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[Rensuhlo]

@FLtrackdays

 

[razorlab]

Borrowed a cycle helmet from a friend - never appreciated until now the awkwardness of trying to drive with a big helmet on - are the rental racing helmets at the racecourse better/more suitable than a cycle helmet?

Are you talking about a bicycle helmet?

 

[Gabe]

I went through the experience for the first time last year and was bitten by the track bug. This is my beginner point of view:

Standard tire pressures for your drive to and from the track. Once you get to the track you will need to register, take your car to tech: (a review that everything is in order) with a brand new car you will have no trouble.

after tech get your car back into the parking spot or garage and lower the pressure on your tires. With the heat at NOLA starting around 30PSI will be ok.

EDIT: Torque your wheels: 105 ft-Lb on each nut. All 4 corners. Borrow a torque wrench that morning. Ask someone if you are not familiar with what that means. Everyone takes torque wrenches to the track.

A motorcycle helmet will not be ok. You need a proper motorsports helmet. Look in Amazon for “Snell car racing helmet” something like This will do. Again: a DOT motorcycle helmet will not be approved by tech. An open face helmet is easier on the senses for the beginners, but I have gotten used to my closed helmet after just a few sessions.

I’m not sure if helmets for rent are available. Call them and ask. If they are you MUST get a balaclava like This one. People sweat on those helmets like crazy.

Absolutely get recording. Is a great memory to keep. (I have 6 cameras on my car). My suggestion is to mount it on the passenger side (upper right corner) on the windshield w suction cups. That side view of your driving the car will give you a great footage for the memory and social media.

Bring water (although NASA is known To give you free water) and snacks. Remove any other objects including loose stuff in the cabin. Remove your drivers mat.

no need to do an oil change after your first track experience. The car is brand new and you won’t be squeezing all the power it has. Just follow your routine maintenance.

you don’t need special brakes and brake fluid yet. If you. Like the experience and plan to repeat it, better braking is the first thing you have to get, after getting your own helmet.

you will have a great instructor that will guide you through the track. Don’t get nervous. You will not crash. These cars take a lot to crash them on a track and the instructor won’t let you be on a bad situation.
I find the track way safer than I95 in miami on a Saturday.

Those are the very basic answers to your questions. There will be an orientation that morning. As I said I’m just beginning, but went through the same questions just over a year ago.

Truly anything beyond what I wrote here flies over one’s head at the beginning.

People like @FLtrackdays and @razorlab and many many others here are a wealth of knowledge on this car and Motorsports in general. Take their advice.

HAVE FUN. this car belongs in a track. You will see.

ask all the questions you have. I can answer the 101 basic stuff. Beyond that a more experienced forum lurker will help.

 

[i3igpete]

I would not assume that you will have access to a rental helmet at the track. even if they have spares, it might fit like shit and give you a headache.

 

[archsteve]

Are you talking about a bicycle helmet?

sorry for not being clear motorcycle touring helmet

 

[DisMahhhlon]

If you have a bluetooth OBD II reader (like the ones we use with bimmercode), I can't recommend the Track Attack app enough. Records from both the front and rear cameras, and lets you choose how much data from your car appears on the vids (mph, location on track using GPS, timing, etc).

It's free to try out: https://www.trackattack.app/

 

[archsteve]

I went through the experience for the first time last year and was bitten by the track bug. This is my beginner point of view:

Standard tire pressures for your drive to and from the track. Once you get to the track you will need to register, take your car to tech: (a review that everything is in order) with a brand new car you will have no trouble.

after tech get your car back into the parking spot or garage and lower the pressure on your tires. With the heat at NOLA starting around 30PSI will be ok.

EDIT: Torque your wheels: 105 ft-Lb on each nut. All 4 corners. Borrow a torque wrench that morning. Ask someone if you are not familiar with what that means. Everyone takes torque wrenches to the track.

A motorcycle helmet will not be ok. You need a proper motorsports helmet. Look in Amazon for “Snell car racing helmet” something like This will do. Again: a DOT motorcycle helmet will not be approved by tech. An open face helmet is easier on the senses for the beginners, but I have gotten used to my closed helmet after just a few sessions.

I’m not sure if helmets for rent are available. Call them and ask. If they are you MUST get a balaclava like This one. People sweat on those helmets like crazy.

Absolutely get recording. Is a great memory to keep. (I have 6 cameras on my car). My suggestion is to mount it on the passenger side (upper right corner) on the windshield w suction cups. That side view of your driving the car will give you a great footage for the memory and social media.

Bring water (although NASA is known To give you free water) and snacks. Remove any other objects including loose stuff in the cabin. Remove your drivers mat.

no need to do an oil change after your first track experience. The car is brand new and you won’t be squeezing all the power it has. Just follow your routine maintenance.

you don’t need special brakes and brake fluid yet. If you. Like the experience and plan to repeat it, better braking is the first thing you have to get, after getting your own helmet.

you will have a great instructor that will guide you through the track. Don’t get nervous. You will not crash. These cars take a lot to crash them on a track and the instructor won’t let you be on a bad situation.
I find the track way safer than I95 in miami on a Saturday.

Those are the very basic answers to your questions. There will be an orientation that morning. As I said I’m just beginning, but went through the same questions just over a year ago.

Truly anything beyond what I wrote here flies over one’s head at the beginning.

People like @FLtrackdays and @razorlab and many many others here are a wealth of knowledge on this car and Motorsports in general. Take their advice.

HAVE FUN. this car belongs in a track. You will see.

ask all the questions you have. I can answer the 101 basic stuff. Beyond that a more experienced forum lurker will help.

very much appreciate the wealth of information !!

 

[DisMahhhlon]

Also, for my free NASA track day, they offered the GR cars free brake pads and oil changes. This was at Buttonwillow in California, so your mileage may vary.

 

[Bug2th]

I think you can get the second track day (same Sunday after the free Saturday track day for half price). I would have done that had I known.

 

[DEupra]

Also, for my free NASA track day, they offered the GR cars free brake pads and oil changes. This was at Buttonwillow in California, so your mileage may vary.

When I was there a Toyota rep offered free 0W-20 mobil 1, non bmw and non Supra approved lol. A certain forum member would have had their mind blown by this Toyota employee.

 

[FLtrackdays]

I went through the experience for the first time last year and was bitten by the track bug. This is my beginner point of view:

Standard tire pressures for your drive to and from the track. Once you get to the track you will need to register, take your car to tech: (a review that everything is in order) with a brand new car you will have no trouble.

after tech get your car back into the parking spot or garage and lower the pressure on your tires. With the heat at NOLA starting around 30PSI will be ok.

EDIT: Torque your wheels: 105 ft-Lb on each nut. All 4 corners. Borrow a torque wrench that morning. Ask someone if you are not familiar with what that means. Everyone takes torque wrenches to the track.

A motorcycle helmet will not be ok. You need a proper motorsports helmet. Look in Amazon for “Snell car racing helmet” something like This will do. Again: a DOT motorcycle helmet will not be approved by tech. An open face helmet is easier on the senses for the beginners, but I have gotten used to my closed helmet after just a few sessions.

I’m not sure if helmets for rent are available. Call them and ask. If they are you MUST get a balaclava like This one. People sweat on those helmets like crazy.

Absolutely get recording. Is a great memory to keep. (I have 6 cameras on my car). My suggestion is to mount it on the passenger side (upper right corner) on the windshield w suction cups. That side view of your driving the car will give you a great footage for the memory and social media.

Bring water (although NASA is known To give you free water) and snacks. Remove any other objects including loose stuff in the cabin. Remove your drivers mat.

no need to do an oil change after your first track experience. The car is brand new and you won’t be squeezing all the power it has. Just follow your routine maintenance.

you don’t need special brakes and brake fluid yet. If you. Like the experience and plan to repeat it, better braking is the first thing you have to get, after getting your own helmet.

you will have a great instructor that will guide you through the track. Don’t get nervous. You will not crash. These cars take a lot to crash them on a track and the instructor won’t let you be on a bad situation.
I find the track way safer than I95 in miami on a Saturday.

Those are the very basic answers to your questions. There will be an orientation that morning. As I said I’m just beginning, but went through the same questions just over a year ago.

Truly anything beyond what I wrote here flies over one’s head at the beginning.

People like @FLtrackdays and @razorlab and many many others here are a wealth of knowledge on this car and Motorsports in general. Take their advice.

HAVE FUN. this car belongs in a track. You will see.

ask all the questions you have. I can answer the 101 basic stuff. Beyond that a more experienced forum lurker will help.

very much appreciate the wealth of information !!

What a GREAT write up!! I’d add that some tracks don’t have garages. So bring stuff for being out in the sun (or rain) all day if that’s the case. I’m betting you’ll have a blast & you’ll get more than one “Is that a Supra?” while you’re there.

And…. this probably won’t be your 1st, only & last time. So, totally agree on just getting a SA2020 approved helmet. You get a 20% discount on one of these, starting at $199. Similar to a motorcycle helmet, make sure it’s tight.

https://www.gforce.com/pages/tgr

Oh yeah, most importantly, have fun!! That’s why you bought this car in the 1st place. Glad you’re finally getting a chance to see what she can do ? ??

 

[exe36m3]

Bring the helmet you have anyway. Motorcycle helmets will do in a pinch. Hooked on Driving, BMW CCA, etc. Schools out here just asked for DOT approved helmets.

Like other posters mentioned, on track helmet rentals may not fit or may just be pretty gross in my experience.

I personally ran an HJC motorcycle helmet for my track days as I only did maybe 2 or 3 a year at peak. Obviously if you commit then get an auto helmet - which generally cost more.

Oh, not sure about the NOLA track, but fill up. Each track days I did, I easily logged 100 miles each day and came away with like 1/4 tank. Sonoma/Infineon had a mini Sunoco station on site, but Laguna Seca not when I was there.

Have fun!!

 

[FLtrackdays]

You gotta report back after you did it and let us know what you think!!!!

 

[Rocksandblues]

send it. these cars drive themselves

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