HPDE necessities

[aklackner]

As I get my car on the road and hopefully track soon after, I need to sort out necessities.

1. Helmet- I (me not even talking car) run very hot and produce a lot of moisture (I’ll fog any car just sitting in a passenger seat without fresh air). Beyond ventilation I believe I want something that’s going to support an intercom, at least initially to support in car communication, with an instructor/experienced driver. Then there’s the fit factor, I measure 57cm so should be ~ a snug medium in most brands. Most historical guidance is to try something on before buying, but that’s a bit of a challenge currently. Any suggestions on products or how to tackle?

2. Tool kit - I don’t anticipate extensive track side changes and solo won’t really have room to carry spare wheels so this would be more just in case something comes up.
- Jack & Stands (have a pair of alum. stands and a small alum. jack)
- 1/2 socket set and extensions, ratchet, and breaker bar, metric wrench set, coilover tools.
- Tire pressure gauge and compressor (Jaco gauge and viair potable/tire compressor)
- couple quarts of oil & some brake fluid
-spare brake pads ( just something cheap that would get me home if I burned up what I rolled on).

? HANS/Neck support devices - I’m still 3 point belts but there are compatible options. Is this something that I should pick up right away or something to get more serious about as I gain experience and speed?

? Cool shirt - given heat I normally produce I suspect this is very likely a necessity for me should I just pick up a kit now? Does that make sense, anything I should know before I do?

? Gloves, shoes, trackwear - I figure I can pick this up over time as I feel it will be of benefit.

What else should I plan? What do others rolling solo haul to the track?

[KIngpinMachine]

This document is probably going to be overkill for you at this point but I still think it could be helpful eventually. I have been out of the "game" for a bit and unless I meet a local ATL area track enthusiast that isn't aloof and can light a fire under me, I doubt I will ever return to my track days. I am happy to shoot you the original Word version so you can adapt to suit your track needs. Being organized will give you a huge advantage over everyone else.

https://kingpinmachine.com/images/TrackCheckList.pdf

[aklackner]

Thanks for the quick response! And thanks for sharing, it’s a great list.

Somehow I sort of assumed there would always be (mostly) level concrete somewhere to do any work but from your lists it’s a good reminder it may not always be available. I’ll have to keep that in mind.

[KIngpinMachine]

You are very welcome. One thing to keep in mind is that many and maybe most tracks will not let you set normal jackstands and a jack on their asphalt surface. VIR has people that drive around to check that you don't. Very important that you bring plywood underlayment to sit beneath your jack and jackstands. Make sure the jack board is long enough to let the jack travel some. Last time I was at VIR I had a lot of folks borrowing my boards as it is not something most people would think about or plan for.

[coolhandluke]

As I get my car on the road and hopefully track soon after, I need to sort out necessities.

1. Helmet- I (me not even talking car) run very hot and produce a lot of moisture (I’ll fog any car just sitting in a passenger seat without fresh air). Beyond ventilation I believe I want something that’s going to support an intercom, at least initially to support in car communication, with an instructor/experienced driver. Then there’s the fit factor, I measure 57cm so should be ~ a snug medium in most brands. Most historical guidance is to try something on before buying, but that’s a bit of a challenge currently. Any suggestions on products or how to tackle?

I learned a few years ago that a properly fit helmet will be much warmer. Previously, my Bell was simply not the best helmet for the shape of my head. Different helmet designs use different molds. Your head may not fit helmets that fit my head, etc. My head fits Arai & Stilo, but it did not fit Bell- and I had been using a Bell M3 for a decade. The indication of a misfit was a pressure point on the tip of my forehead. Simply put, go somewhere and try on the helmets. I paid a little more via a local facility that educated me on fitment and allowed me to test helmets (pre-COVID.)

The helmet I chose offers two "slots" in the mold to allow for intercom, water, etc. These are optional and common accessories for many helmets. Note, I was focused on weight reduction, so I chose a composite option:
https://www.stilohelmets.com/products/s ... ing-helmet


Additional helpful items:

1.) Balaclava: This piece allows one to increase fire protection and decrease sweat/moisture transfer into helmet materials. I put on my my balaclava before going out and immediately remove. Resting the balaclava on the dashboard or in the sun will help it dry before my next session.
Rec: Pay more for a design with two stitches on the sides versus a center stitch. This will help prevent a high spot on the balaclava leading to pressure. Example:
Simply put, go somewhere and try on the helmets.

2.) Apply Rain-X to inside of visor. This will help prevent fogging.

2. Tool kit - I don’t anticipate extensive track side changes and solo won’t really have room to carry spare wheels so this would be more just in case something comes up.
- Jack & Stands (have a pair of alum. stands and a small alum. jack)
- 1/2 socket set and extensions, ratchet, and breaker bar, metric wrench set, coilover tools.
- Tire pressure gauge and compressor (Jaco gauge and viair potable/tire compressor)
- couple quarts of oil & some brake fluid
-spare brake pads ( just something cheap that would get me home if I burned up what I rolled on).

I recommend being full independent versus constantly borrowing tools. A minimum kit for me is:
-Oil, ~2qts per day depending upon the car's burn rate
-Tire pressure gauge for reducing tire pressures for sessions + increasing tire pressures before driving home
-Torque wrench to check wheel lug torque before each session
-Jack + jack stands for swapping wheels or TS'ing issues
-Std "Honda" tool set: 8/10/12/14/17/19/34mm sockets, 10/12/14/17/19 box wrenches, 10/11*/21mm flare nut wrenches for brake bleeding/hardlines & tie-rod, rubber mallet, pry bar, and brake bleeding kit
-Spare brake pads if/when. This issue is especially important for Spoon mono/twinblock users since due to overheating nature when pads are <40% life.
-~1-2x liters of high temp brake fluid
-Electric air pressure kit (mine is hand held)

? HANS/Neck support devices - I’m still 3 point belts but there are compatible options. Is this something that I should pick up right away or something to get more serious about as I gain experience and speed?

Good questions and I'm glad you are walking in with a safety focus. Since you note OEM/3 point belts, there is only one option, Simpson Hybrid S Head & Neck restraint

Key take away: The OEM safety restraint systems (SRS) are designed to work together. Changing one piece inhibits the others, so it is recommended to stay all OEM or go full bucket + 6pt + roll over protection + head & neck restraint.

? Cool shirt - given heat I normally produce I suspect this is very likely a necessity for me should I just pick up a kit now? Does that make sense, anything I should know before I do?

If one's car doesn't have AC or one themself runs hot, a cool shirt could be worth investing in. In ~13yrs without AC I've never gone that route. Note both the costs & requirements for the install, ie a cooler installed in the car.

? Gloves, shoes, trackwear - I figure I can pick this up over time as I feel it will be of benefit.

I recommend driving gloves to prevent sweaty hands and help protect in the event of fire. Shoes should be none-synthetic for fire protection. I have both driving shoes and Sambas (leather), I prefer Sambas for overall weekend use. I recommend wool or cotton socks to aide in the event of fire.

What else should I plan? What do others rolling solo haul to the track?

Water and proper rest. Much of this will depend on your goals:
-Performance focused, ie maximizing track time for learning & improving skills/times/etc.
-Enjoyment/Experience, ie enjoying track time with friends, more relaxed
-Just having fun, ie less focus on maximum track focus

If nothing else, hydrate well before and during the day. I typically consume ~1`2-16oz of water after every on-track session in addition to my typical ~3L of water consumption. This is due to how hot my head/body are after each ~25min session.

If rolling solo:
-Tire plug set
-Tire valve set

[aklackner]

You are very welcome. One thing to keep in mind is that many and maybe most tracks will not let you set normal jackstands and a jack on their asphalt surface... not something most people would think about or plan for.

I’ll have to do some research on SoCal tracks to make sure I’m prepared!

[aklackner]

That’s an amazing download. I love it.
I’d been eyeing the Stilo, and the Simpson support. I went ahead and ordered the Simpson support since there’s no question or options there. I’ll probably order the Stilo later this month and if it doesn’t work out it looks like Stilo has 30 day return policy or I’ll pass it on.
- do you recommend adding aone of the mic kits for the Stilo?

I’ll skip the cool shirt for now. I was looking at the drag kit, it’s smaller than the full coolers but doesn’t require mounting so can be added any time if needed.

I’ll take a closer look at at more of the protective clothing/gear. I suppose a novice is more likely to be involved in an accident so it’s probably a bad choice to leave this until I have some experience.

Given more extensive outing pack list than I anticipated I might see if I can do a short session at ACS infield, or an autox event first. It’s probably easiest, least isolated (if I need anything), and probably likely that I’d be able to get a more experienced friend to meet up and do some hand holding. Autox would probably be the smartest and let me get a better feel for the handling before I push higher speeds. We’ll see though if an opportunity comes up I may just go for it, if something does happen I can’t handle I could probably get the car towed home or to storage somewhere until I can address.

I’m super excited to get out there. Thanks for all the advice. Please keep it coming as you think of nuggets.

[coolhandluke]

I went ahead and ordered the Simpson support since there’s no question or options there...

The Simpson Hybrid is unique in that it works in any setup, OEM SRS or 5/6pt. I previously considered it when I was tracking 97 #00171 alongside #981040.

That’s an amazing download. I love it.
I’d been eyeing the Stilo...I’ll probably order the Stilo later this month and if it doesn’t work out it looks like Stilo has 30 day return policy or I’ll pass it on.
- do you recommend adding one of the mic kits for the Stilo?

That's slick of Stilo to offer an easy return. I will ping a few individuals smarter than I for areas to focus on with helmet fitment.

I have no plans to do an endurance racing or instruct, but I am at a point where I want to pursue coaching. Your thread motivated me to research and appears this kit is plug & play:
https://discoveryparts.com/genuine-stil ... 34326.html

...I’ll take a closer look at at more of the protective clothing/gear. I suppose a novice is more likely to be involved in an accident so it’s probably a bad choice to leave this until I have some experience.

Pre-COVID, a novice would generally have an instructor unless signed off. Similar to pilots, accidents occur most to students after sign off in either Novice or Intermediate. The key to driving home at the end of the day is to exercise caution and leave insurance on the table and respect certain turns, even more so at the end of the day when you & the car are tired.

Given more extensive outing pack list than I anticipated I might see if I can do a short session at ACS infield, or an autox event first. It’s probably easiest, least isolated (if I need anything), and probably likely that I’d be able to get a more experienced friend to meet up and do some hand holding. Autox would probably be the smartest and let me get a better feel for the handling before I push higher speeds. We’ll see though if an opportunity comes up I may just go for it, if something does happen I can’t handle I could probably get the car towed home or to storage somewhere until I can address...

The majority of "track day prep" is pre-event. Going through the car end to end prior to a track outing, whether short or long, insures less time wrenching and more time driving. There will always be risks of failure, but preventative maintenance reduces those risks. That's why I'll always opt for a car that's been track over one that's been parked. I trust a car whose owner has put their life on the line versus the unknowns of a shady tree mechanic.

[KIngpinMachine]

Here is a car prep list that OPM Autosports used when I did a little track side support for them back in 2010 or so. I added a few items to it and the order could be improved some. But might be a decent starting point that you can modify for your needs.

https://kingpinmachine.com/images/PrepList.pdf

One thing I have noticed is that you almost never see an HPDE guy nut and bolt his car during the event and many racers don't either. Most/nearly all successful teams/racers nut and bolt their suspension and select problem fasteners over the course of the weekend. Just something to keep in mind. Again, this is coming from the racing side of things so maybe info overload for a starting HPDE guy. But I figure the thread could serve as a useful reference for folks at different stages.

[aw614]

My Integra is held up find for the course of nearly 2 years since the motor swap, but I've had weird luck on some stuff coming loose or just really stupid things that can end a day at the track. Finding that the more stuff you have on your car like AC, PS, etc means extra stuff to look out for.

Are there any select fasteners that others have had issues with them loosening overtime? and maybe to spend extra attention to?

Some weird and random things I've had go bad at the track and autocross...
-VTEC solenoid started leaking a few days after a track event, one bolt was missing, two were barely holding the solenoid. Became more of an issue a few days after event I was at
-one of my OEM spark plug wires kept popping out of the distributor causing the car to run on 3 cylinders, not sure what happened there as they were new, but bought new wires again which fixed the issue. Keep them as emergency spares now.
-ac pulley bolt loosened and fell off during an autocross, drove home without ac or ps.
-cheap injector harness adapters to use RDX injectors gave me all sorts of issues, buying the rywire adapters fixed that problem
-Mugen intake rubbed through the clutch soft line causing a leak, was able to get home and promptly for a braided line to avoid this issue occurring again.