starting out Road Racing
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TECH Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: PURDUE
starting out Road Racing I'd like to take my C5 on a road course. The only thing done to it is a set of BFG R1 tires. I am not interested in competing, just lapping the track while going fast and having fun. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> First, do I need a cage? I'll get a Wolfe 6pt bar if I need to, but I don't want anything more really.
So where do I start? I'm already a member of SCCA.
So where do I start? I'm already a member of SCCA.
Re: starting out Road Racing You have started in the right place with the tires.
A general servicing of the car prior to going is always good. New pads, ss lines, (make sure the tires are heat cycled), etc.
Also, if you goto an open track day or something start the first few laps S L O W getting to know the track and the way your car reacts to it as well.
A general servicing of the car prior to going is always good. New pads, ss lines, (make sure the tires are heat cycled), etc.
Also, if you goto an open track day or something start the first few laps S L O W getting to know the track and the way your car reacts to it as well.
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,413
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From: PURDUE
Re: starting out Road Racing John, what i'm trying to figure out is who is who I need to contact about actually getting on the track. I'm also trying to determine what saftey equipement and prerequisites are required.
Re: starting out Road Racing Alex,
Glad to see that you made it to my little corner over here <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> The best thing to do is jump on with some of the MFBA guys and see what they are doing for opentracking sessions. They just finished a weekend at Road America. IF you can wait a few months, Ill be up there, and well find some tracks to play at. As far as the SCCA membership goes, you might want to look into some local or reigeonal tracks that everyone goes to.
Louis
Glad to see that you made it to my little corner over here <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> The best thing to do is jump on with some of the MFBA guys and see what they are doing for opentracking sessions. They just finished a weekend at Road America. IF you can wait a few months, Ill be up there, and well find some tracks to play at. As far as the SCCA membership goes, you might want to look into some local or reigeonal tracks that everyone goes to.
Louis
Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 77
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Re: starting out Road Racing </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by bigSS:
<strong>I'd like to take my C5 on a road course. The only thing done to it is a set of BFG R1 tires. I am not interested in competing, just lapping the track while going fast and having fun. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> First, do I need a cage? I'll get a Wolfe 6pt bar if I need to, but I don't want anything more really.
So where do I start? I'm already a member of SCCA.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Get a helmet, fire extinquisher and do a tech inspection of the car. If you can tech inspections yourself then we can go into detail on what to do.
Thats it for your first few times. Then like Louis said, hook up with a club. When going with clubs you get cheaper rates, tips, driving instruction etc.
Once you get bit by the addiction, go for the mods like cage, harness, fire suite, gloves, brake system mods, tires, suspension changes etc.
Joel
<strong>I'd like to take my C5 on a road course. The only thing done to it is a set of BFG R1 tires. I am not interested in competing, just lapping the track while going fast and having fun. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> First, do I need a cage? I'll get a Wolfe 6pt bar if I need to, but I don't want anything more really.
So where do I start? I'm already a member of SCCA.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Get a helmet, fire extinquisher and do a tech inspection of the car. If you can tech inspections yourself then we can go into detail on what to do.
Thats it for your first few times. Then like Louis said, hook up with a club. When going with clubs you get cheaper rates, tips, driving instruction etc.
Once you get bit by the addiction, go for the mods like cage, harness, fire suite, gloves, brake system mods, tires, suspension changes etc.
Joel
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 105
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From: Germantown, MD
Re: starting out Road Racing What you really need to do is sign up with the folks at N.A.S.A. and attend their HPDE sessions.
It's a blast.
You don't need a rollbar, unless you're in a convertable.
It's a blast.
You don't need a rollbar, unless you're in a convertable.
On The Tree
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Owensboro,KY
Re: starting out Road Racing I dont know if you plan on many mods, but for your car and for road-racing, I would start with suspension work, then drivetrain, then brakes.
I bet that C-5 makes a great road racer.
<img border="0" alt="[Z06 Corvette]" title="" src="graemlins/z06.gif" />
I bet that C-5 makes a great road racer.
<img border="0" alt="[Z06 Corvette]" title="" src="graemlins/z06.gif" />
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Re: starting out Road Racing </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Andy West:
<strong>I dont know if you plan on many mods, but for your car and for road-racing, I would start with suspension work, then drivetrain, then brakes.
I bet that C-5 makes a great road racer.
<img border="0" alt="[Z06 Corvette]" title="" src="graemlins/z06.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I would suggest brakes as the first upgrade, then suspension and drivetrain. Brakes are your best friend on a road course!
<strong>I dont know if you plan on many mods, but for your car and for road-racing, I would start with suspension work, then drivetrain, then brakes.
I bet that C-5 makes a great road racer.
<img border="0" alt="[Z06 Corvette]" title="" src="graemlins/z06.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I would suggest brakes as the first upgrade, then suspension and drivetrain. Brakes are your best friend on a road course!
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Germantown, MD
Re: starting out Road Racing My mods have been light, with just some SFC's and a STB. My best mod has been the brake upgrade and it was done immediatly after my first event.
Nothing fancy, just the GMPP front rotors and DuraStops.
I've since gone to Hawk 'black' pads and Hoosier 'R' compound tires.
With the C5, at least upgrade the pads from stock and you'll have a good time. Then you won't have to go home early, like some of the import guys did the other day.
Nothing fancy, just the GMPP front rotors and DuraStops.
I've since gone to Hawk 'black' pads and Hoosier 'R' compound tires.
With the C5, at least upgrade the pads from stock and you'll have a good time. Then you won't have to go home early, like some of the import guys did the other day.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: NYC, NY
Re: starting out Road Racing </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by bigSS:
<strong>I'd like to take my C5 on a road course. The only thing done to it is a set of BFG R1 tires. I am not interested in competing, just lapping the track while going fast and having fun. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> First, do I need a cage? I'll get a Wolfe 6pt bar if I need to, but I don't want anything more really.
So where do I start? I'm already a member of SCCA.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I wouldn't add *anything* The best money you can spend is getting seat time. Your car is fine as-is (all you need is a helmet), and in fact most recommend that novices don't move to sticky tires as they can mask mistakes and don't teach you as much (you can hear your stock tires reach their edge of adhesion).
Sign up for some driving schools. Check out http://www.bmwcca.org. They have very good events (they are not model specific). You'll have an instructor with you at all times and you'll really learn a ton.
g'luck.
-N
<strong>I'd like to take my C5 on a road course. The only thing done to it is a set of BFG R1 tires. I am not interested in competing, just lapping the track while going fast and having fun. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> First, do I need a cage? I'll get a Wolfe 6pt bar if I need to, but I don't want anything more really.
So where do I start? I'm already a member of SCCA.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I wouldn't add *anything* The best money you can spend is getting seat time. Your car is fine as-is (all you need is a helmet), and in fact most recommend that novices don't move to sticky tires as they can mask mistakes and don't teach you as much (you can hear your stock tires reach their edge of adhesion).
Sign up for some driving schools. Check out http://www.bmwcca.org. They have very good events (they are not model specific). You'll have an instructor with you at all times and you'll really learn a ton.
g'luck.
-N