Quote:
Originally Posted by nitrorocket
I have a pretty good idea what it takes to make it around the track except the adrenaline rush part! Sound a little small scale, but I am a very good and experienced RC car racer. Same principles, but real life. I just want to have some real fun. I have a buddy who was a track instructor at RA and we have torn it up a little, great fun!
Anyway. I just run a DOT 4 SYNTHETIC, I think, I havent looked at the bottle since winter. It is Valvoline brand though.
I might consider the C5 swap, But I really like the pure strength of the new ZO6 brakes, I could never see brake fade with those. I have to start doing alot of research on calipers and go from there.
I was really concerned about the high speeds because I have such a high powered heavy car that really taxes the brakes. Road America has some rediculously long straights and that brings some serious MPH!
I have always wanted to get into road racing. I am a very aggressive driver on the street and really want to take it to the track. Country backroads are real fun at 100+ but dangerous. Any sport bike rider will know what I am talking about. I regretfully had to sell the bike, and I really miss the "rides", but the car will do just the same......with a radio too! Yes, I drive the cars like they are meant to be driven. No trailer Queens for me!
What class do you race???, Bike I assume?
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Man, you know it all
you have some good ideas but just still need to let down on the macho attitude. I too thought I was pretty bad ass, until I realized I didn't know anything. But you are right, Road america looks ridiculous fast, and you will need some good brakes but like Charlie said your first day, or at least the first half of the day, don't worry about blasting down the straight. You sound like you are more worried about going fast down teh straight away then taking the turns quickly. Why even go to the track if your goal is top speed? I thought we already had this discussion????
But don't worry your outlook on all this is very typical for an inexperienced driver. Everyone thinks they are mario andretti unti they crash and burn
I don't race, and yes the bike. and for the record, I'm sure you'll make a great driver and such, but typically a lot of the guys who think they are great drivers from hauling ass up in the hills suddenly realize that they don't know anything and realize just how slow they really were, ask any biker how much slower and boring the street is after going to the track. Anyway this is getting repetative. Let us know what you plan to do in terms of braking. Don't do the Z06 stuff its crap, the C6/C5 stuff can't be beat for the price.
Here is what you need to do;
Do a C5 brake setup with some really good pads, Hawk race pads would be "okay" then spend the extra money you are saving on a set of good tires. Get some R compound tires, that will be the biggest improvement you can do. If you used to ride bikes than you should also know that tires are HUGE, same applies to cars, You will be able to not only brake harder but will get much more grip and stabilty. You should be able to do the C5 conversion for $4-$600 maybe even less
EDIT: sorry if I sound harsh or coming down on you, but after a few trackdays you will come back and read your posts and understand why I kinda jumped on you. You are heading in the right direction, and I woudln't worry about getting the car top notch, I would just take it as-is(maybe with the brakes and tires) and take it out there. Don't have any goals or expectations from yourself, just go do it to have fun and see what its about. Then over the winter build your car up. I think this would be a MUCH better plan, then building your car all up, and then going out and trying to beat a land speed record, and either crash trying, or dissapoint yourself and get stressed out. And for the record I am not great driver nor do I have years of experience doing it, but it was only a little while ago when I thought just like you did, and so I recognize what you are thinking. Whatever you do have fun and be safe because at the end of the day, you will never be the fastest and its much more fun to just relax and enjoy yourself