its only 130k 
need road course setup advice
TECH Resident
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 828
Likes: 0
From: North Dallas
I would be a little concerned about the locker in the 12-bolt. That might make it push more, which our cars do a lot of anyway. Here is where I am at after 5 HPDEs.
1. I need some track tires. I wanted to learn the car "as is" but the tires were howling for mercy last time out.
2. I need a more supportive seat as bracing myself for the corners is becoming an issue.
3. Thinking about upgrading the sway bars.
4. I just changed to Hawk HPS brake pads and am happy with them so far.
If I did much more with the car I would do more suspension mods. As already stated though, it is too nice to turn into a dedicated track car.
I too like the road coarse much better than drag racing. As Mitch said, it is addictive. My last 2 events have been just pure fun!
BTW Mitch, I am currently solo qualified in Blue group.
1. I need some track tires. I wanted to learn the car "as is" but the tires were howling for mercy last time out.
2. I need a more supportive seat as bracing myself for the corners is becoming an issue.
3. Thinking about upgrading the sway bars.
4. I just changed to Hawk HPS brake pads and am happy with them so far.
If I did much more with the car I would do more suspension mods. As already stated though, it is too nice to turn into a dedicated track car.
I too like the road coarse much better than drag racing. As Mitch said, it is addictive. My last 2 events have been just pure fun!
BTW Mitch, I am currently solo qualified in Blue group.
WooHoo!
When you show up Sunday morning and they announce in the driver's meeting that a few have been moved to Red and you mysteriously now have a red dot on your windshield, consider it a compliment.
When a pair of dentists who have almost new Mini Cooper S's complain that you almost ran them off the track and they get their money back and are told to go home, consider it a compliment.
When the NASA Texas region owner flags you down as you are leaving Sunday evening and tells you not to come back until you have a full blown race car, consider it a compliment.
On topic ...
It got to the point where I was spending 2x open tracking my street car keeping it nice AND competitive than I spend on my race car.
I would have never thought it true, but trust me ...
When you show up Sunday morning and they announce in the driver's meeting that a few have been moved to Red and you mysteriously now have a red dot on your windshield, consider it a compliment.
When a pair of dentists who have almost new Mini Cooper S's complain that you almost ran them off the track and they get their money back and are told to go home, consider it a compliment.
When the NASA Texas region owner flags you down as you are leaving Sunday evening and tells you not to come back until you have a full blown race car, consider it a compliment.
On topic ...
It got to the point where I was spending 2x open tracking my street car keeping it nice AND competitive than I spend on my race car.
I would have never thought it true, but trust me ...
My first suggestion would be to invest in some reading materials, join NASA and SCCA and get yourself informed about all of the required safety rules. Then look around on forums like www.FRRAX.com to see the level of preparation that others have gone through.
From there you can make the decision about what kind of racing you want to do and what kind of budget you have to invest in your racing goals.
The best thing you can do is put in laps, autocross or road course does not matter, as long as it is seat time, you can learn from it. Any car, any opportunity, just get out there and get after it. You would be surprised what just hopping in someone elses car can teach you about any shortcomings of your skills or your own car.
-Tim
From there you can make the decision about what kind of racing you want to do and what kind of budget you have to invest in your racing goals.
The best thing you can do is put in laps, autocross or road course does not matter, as long as it is seat time, you can learn from it. Any car, any opportunity, just get out there and get after it. You would be surprised what just hopping in someone elses car can teach you about any shortcomings of your skills or your own car.
-Tim
My suggestion is to sell this car. It looks like a really nice, well equipped, low mileage car. You should be able to get $10K or more for it. Putting it into track duty will not allow you to keep it nice looking. Been down that road already.
For less than half what you get for your car, you can buy a car that has "seen better days." There are a couple LS1 equipped cars around here that are in the $4-5K range.
For less than half what you get for your car, you can buy a car that has "seen better days." There are a couple LS1 equipped cars around here that are in the $4-5K range.
Its definitely a difficult decision and one I am struggling with at the moment, but I can see the logic in sell and going with a dedicated car. Plus no matter what you will likely end up progressing to the point where you are towing to and from events anyway, so in time the infastructure will be in place. I lost a brake line earlier this year at a an autox event and it cost me $350 to get home on the flatbed. Talk about throwing money out the window?
I'd do some homework, get a feel for what you want: autox with some trackdays or are you more trackday oriented, even that distinction will lead you down two different roads. Its great fun either way. Good Luck.
Chris
if you only do 4-6 track days a year, selling it and buying a dedicated race car is a total waste of money and a nice street car. think about blowing all that money on a truck to tow it....having it to be a nice truck since itll be your daily driver, unless you get yet another car. and a heavy enough truck that itll reliably and safely tow the car. not to mention a trailer. plus the extra gas and insurance for the new truck and trailer. plus, where are you going to keep all this extra stuff? do you live in a house? apartment? have a garage? have extra space for a truck and trailer.....and enough room to back in the trailer, or turn it around, or even load it? sure, getting a racecar may seem like a nice idea, but its wholy impractical for about 85% of us. unless you plan on hitting a course EVERY WEEKEND, or get seriously into racing, either time attack or wheel to wheel, dont waste your money. get the usual, basic suspension setup, 2nd set of wheels for track tires, start out with a g-lock before a harness, and just have fun and learn for the first year. worry about everything else AFTER a season or 10 or so track days.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Buffalo, NY
as far as the towing issue I have a 2006 Silverado Ext Cab Z71 4x4 (I love it!) and a car trailer already so I'm set there. The trailer is not enclosed but that will change soon. I store them at the dealership so that's not much of a concern either. We actually use the trailer to trade cars with other dealers sometimes.
I absolutely have some homework to do but since I only plan on 4-6 track days a year I will skip selling it for a dedicated track car, I like it too much. I'll more than likely get a harness bar, some better seats with harnesses, help the brakes a bit. I think another set of wheels and track slicks would be a good investment too.
EDIT: should I be worried about the locker in the Moser? Should I change it or is that too extreme and unnecesary?
This is all great advice, thank you guys very much!
I absolutely have some homework to do but since I only plan on 4-6 track days a year I will skip selling it for a dedicated track car, I like it too much. I'll more than likely get a harness bar, some better seats with harnesses, help the brakes a bit. I think another set of wheels and track slicks would be a good investment too.
EDIT: should I be worried about the locker in the Moser? Should I change it or is that too extreme and unnecesary?
This is all great advice, thank you guys very much!
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