Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave-ROR
Of course I read (and agree with) your reasoning. But if he's going to be going so slow than he won't overheat the trash brake fluid these cars come with then the alignment will *never* become a safety issue at his speeds.
Novices also tend to use throttle on the straights and then overbrake a LOT. Novices often run very high brake temps for that reason. They are usually cornering at 5/10ths while braking more than they need to. He will also likely be using the stability control systems that are also using the brakes to further heat the fluids.
So while I'd suggest he do the track alignment I don't see it as required. To me, the brake fluid is a required change and it's just stupid not to change it. It's very cheap insurance.
As for the track not making a difference, even for a novice, I assume you don't really believe that.. a track that uses very little brake will generate less heat and make this less of an issue than a track that chews through brakes... I don't care what skill level unless one is just cruising at 45mph and not touching the brakes anyways. I know nothing of the OPs skill level in general but I've seen novices just a few seconds off intermediate and advanced drivers pace at the end of one day. Not often, but it happens. Ending a track day because of boiled fluid is just dumb.
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Concerning alignment, I mentioned as a potential safety issue. Street or track driving on a screwed up alignment is potentially dangerous. This is especially true if you get caught in the rain or an avoidance maneuver is required to avoid a situation and your alignment is severely out of spec. This is potentially dangerous. As proof, I have heard several people mention how bad the SS and SS 1LE are in the rain. I’ve been caught in the rain three times now, once an outright deluge while on a highway traveling at the posted speed limit and never experienced these issues. I bet the majority of these folks have not had an alignment done.
Not 100% on the OPs experience with proper alignment setup or what this actually feels like. So again, I mentioned as street and track safety item. Not much you can do to correct a severely out of spec alignment blazing into turn 1 at 90MPH the first time now is there? I for one wouldn’t want to be in the passenger seat for that. And if I was you can bet the session is over until the issue has been corrected. Brake fluid, well you can always back down the speed. Again, I don’t see that being an issue here. I’d put money on the fact that the OP isn’t going to be hammering around Sebring turning mid 2:20 lap times.
As far as beginners being harder on the brakes, I get the reasoning. However, since these folks aren’t using the car anywhere near its potential the speeds generated will be lower than an experienced drive is capable of producing. Resulting heat put into the braking system will be significantly lower. Where I have seen the situation, you described most often is the newly minted “intermediate” driver. These folks are usually just fast enough to be dangerous. They haven’t figured it all out yet, but are comfortable using the car much harder in the braking zones, generally know where the apex is located and are much better on corner exit and use more of the track, thus producing much more speed on the straights. At the end of the day, the OP asked about alignments, I gave my advice and rationale. If he decides to change the brake fluid again by all means that is his choice. As far as being “stupid” this is a matter of experience and opinion and in these areas, I happen to run opposite to your belief.