Track Day with the ZL1 - Recommendations Needed

BDivine76 · 07-23-2018, 10:36 AM

I bought the ZL1 with the intention of doing a couple track days and having fun with the car. It's finally ready with the exception of changing out the brake fluid.

I'm in the So Cal area and looking for some advice on how to get started doing this. I've never done a track day before and I am looking for some good event organizers, clubs, etc. that can help me find some dates at local tracks. Any advice or input is appreciated.

kropscamaro16 · 07-23-2018, 11:50 AM

speedventures.com is the best guys out there!

MikeEM1 · 07-23-2018, 12:02 PM

Although it's a must to swap out brake fluid(I like Castrol SRF), I doubt you'll need it for your first time tracking(most likely won't be running the brakes hard enough).

I'm in So Cal, here's some organizers.
Speed Ventures (meh, grid guy is an asshole)
Speed District
LA Track Day
Extreme Speed Track Events
Speed SF
Fast Toys Club

GrabTheWheel · 07-23-2018, 12:42 PM

Tip #1 Make sure you get an instructor
Tip #2 I would get an alignment (and swap brake fluid) before your first track day and that's all you need!
Tip #3 Try and familiarize yourself with the track you'll be visiting through videos or however you can
Tip #4 After your first couple days consider swapping brake pads if you drive hard for a whole session and are pushing the brakes the stock pads will be inadequate (Note: you will go through rotors much quicker with track pads)
Tip #5 Motorsportreg.com is your best friend!

mr965 · 07-23-2018, 03:23 PM

^this!

bwolf11 · 07-23-2018, 03:35 PM

For what ever it’s worth, I didn’t do anything other than fill my gas tank up and lowered my tire pressure a bit and then had some fun. Here is a link to some of my laps. The last few laps were the best. Go figure. Chasing the Grey Shelby GT.

https://youtu.be/Pgm-T4DNIrY

BDivine76 · 07-23-2018, 04:47 PM

Thanks everyone for the quick responses! I appreciate any and all feedback.

Best,
Brian

Stealth7 · 07-23-2018, 06:43 PM

It all depends on how long and how hard you drive. First several times, you are probably good with bwolf11's suggestions. You might add some blue painter's tape to key areas as well, even with PPF (PPF is very expensive).

If you start to drive harder, use Castrol SRF brake fluid and really watch tire pressures. Does anyone here have an idea of the target HOT tire pressures? Once you know this, then you can bleed the tires down to that psi immediately after leaving the track. I would avoid switching brake pads since all changes involve compromises on the street and on your rotors and you are not likely turning pro in this car--everything is for fun.

Finally, BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS ON TRACK AND DO NOT ASSUME THAT THE OTHER DRIVERS WILL FOLLOW ANY RULES OR CONTROL THEIR CARS.

Try2paz · 07-23-2018, 11:26 PM

Just finished my first track day.

My prep (just hit 1500 miles)
E diff flush
Three oil changes with last being 15-50
Motul brake fluid
26 psi around ( came up to 32/33/34) off track

Even with stock pads the brakes are amazing

I also did track / track steering and set mode to sport 1

Dry was to intrusive

BDivine76 · 07-24-2018, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Try2paz

Just finished my first track day.

My prep (just hit 1500 miles)
E diff flush
Three oil changes with last being 15-50
Motul brake fluid
26 psi around ( came up to 32/33/34) off track

Even with stock pads the brakes are amazing

I also did track / track steering and set mode to sport 1

Dry was to intrusive

Thanks for the tips! I need to sit down and figure out where/when I'm going to do the first event. I will probably leave the brakes alone, but change the fluid. It's not that big of a deal and I enjoy working on the car.

bwolf11 · 07-24-2018, 09:08 AM

I think my next track day, I will try Sport 2 or Race pending conditions. If I remember, Race trim is no assistance, your on your own, the good old days.

Try2paz · 07-24-2018, 10:00 AM

I forgot to mention I did a 4 wheel alignment to the track settings based on the manual.

I set the rear as described and set the front camber at -2 vs .2.7. I was driving to the track and while Toe typically kills tires I knew my first time out I'm going to be more focused on learning the car vs "kill" mode so I figured id try and save some of my tires as I had a 3 hour drive each way.

07-23-2018, 03:35 PM	#6
bwolf11 Drives: 2012 Camaro ZL1/2018 ZL1 1LE Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Marlton, NJ Posts: 119 View My Garage	Track Day For what ever it’s worth, I didn’t do anything other than fill my gas tank up and lowered my tire pressure a bit and then had some fun. Here is a link to some of my laps. The last few laps were the best. Go figure. Chasing the Grey Shelby GT. https://youtu.be/Pgm-T4DNIrY

07-23-2018, 04:47 PM	#7
BDivine76 Drives: 2018 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: CA Posts: 144 View My Garage	Track Day Thanks everyone for the quick responses! I appreciate any and all feedback. Best, Brian

07-23-2018, 10:36 AM	#1
BDivine76 Drives: 2018 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: CA Posts: 144 View My Garage	Track Day with the ZL1 - Recommendations Needed I bought the ZL1 with the intention of doing a couple track days and having fun with the car. It's finally ready with the exception of changing out the brake fluid. I'm in the So Cal area and looking for some advice on how to get started doing this. I've never done a track day before and I am looking for some good event organizers, clubs, etc. that can help me find some dates at local tracks. Any advice or input is appreciated.

07-23-2018, 11:50 AM	#2
kropscamaro16 Drives: 2016 1ss camaro Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: 909 Posts: 10,138	speedventures.com is the best guys out there! __________________ 16 1SS NIGHTFALL GRAY METALLIC WITH NPP #BECAUSERACECAR #SAVETHEMANUALS

07-23-2018, 12:02 PM	#3
MikeEM1 Drives: Tracks: 18' ZL1 1LE Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Irvine, CA --> ATX Posts: 146	Although it's a must to swap out brake fluid(I like Castrol SRF), I doubt you'll need it for your first time tracking(most likely won't be running the brakes hard enough). I'm in So Cal, here's some organizers. Speed Ventures (meh, grid guy is an asshole) Speed District LA Track Day Extreme Speed Track Events Speed SF Fast Toys Club __________________ 18' ZL1 1LE Red Hot track toy Endless RF650 Ported TB/Rotofab dry intake AWE Track w/PLP APR GTC300 wing / Singular Endplates ASC Splitter / PA tunnels MFR Engineering Custom Diffuser Race Louvers Fender Vents Trackspec roll bar Various SPL suspension Hawk DTC 70/60 pads APEX SM10 & ARC8 For sale: 2018 OEM ZL1 1LE Wing 12' Nissan GT-R SOLD

07-23-2018, 12:42 PM	#4
GrabTheWheel Drives: 18' ZL1 A10 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: California Posts: 98	Tip #1 Make sure you get an instructor Tip #2 I would get an alignment (and swap brake fluid) before your first track day and that's all you need! Tip #3 Try and familiarize yourself with the track you'll be visiting through videos or however you can Tip #4 After your first couple days consider swapping brake pads if you drive hard for a whole session and are pushing the brakes the stock pads will be inadequate (Note: you will go through rotors much quicker with track pads) Tip #5 Motorsportreg.com is your best friend!

07-23-2018, 03:23 PM	#5
mr965 Drives: ///M3 Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: west coast Posts: 439	^this!

07-23-2018, 06:43 PM	#8
Stealth7 Drives: Gen V Viper GTS Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: SoCal Posts: 260	It all depends on how long and how hard you drive. First several times, you are probably good with bwolf11's suggestions. You might add some blue painter's tape to key areas as well, even with PPF (PPF is very expensive). If you start to drive harder, use Castrol SRF brake fluid and really watch tire pressures. Does anyone here have an idea of the target HOT tire pressures? Once you know this, then you can bleed the tires down to that psi immediately after leaving the track. I would avoid switching brake pads since all changes involve compromises on the street and on your rotors and you are not likely turning pro in this car--everything is for fun. Finally, BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS ON TRACK AND DO NOT ASSUME THAT THE OTHER DRIVERS WILL FOLLOW ANY RULES OR CONTROL THEIR CARS.

07-23-2018, 11:26 PM	#9
Try2paz Drives: 1967 Nova Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Livermore Posts: 72	Just finished my first track day. My prep (just hit 1500 miles) E diff flush Three oil changes with last being 15-50 Motul brake fluid 26 psi around ( came up to 32/33/34) off track Even with stock pads the brakes are amazing I also did track / track steering and set mode to sport 1 Dry was to intrusive

07-24-2018, 09:08 AM	#11
bwolf11 Drives: 2012 Camaro ZL1/2018 ZL1 1LE Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Marlton, NJ Posts: 119 View My Garage	I think my next track day, I will try Sport 2 or Race pending conditions. If I remember, Race trim is no assistance, your on your own, the good old days.

07-24-2018, 10:00 AM	#12
Try2paz Drives: 1967 Nova Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Livermore Posts: 72	I forgot to mention I did a 4 wheel alignment to the track settings based on the manual. I set the rear as described and set the front camber at -2 vs .2.7. I was driving to the track and while Toe typically kills tires I knew my first time out I'm going to be more focused on learning the car vs "kill" mode so I figured id try and save some of my tires as I had a 3 hour drive each way.

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