Episode 1: Track day preparation
Welcome to the GAZOO RACING CLUB Track Sessions: a series that’s all about getting you ready for your next track day. This first session covers a checklist of fundamentals to optimise your car and your track driving position.
Watch the video below and read on for more.
The tips in this video are provided to enhance your driving experience on race tracks only and are not recommended for normal road driving. All driving and associated tips were provided by professional Motorsports drivers from Norwell Motorsports about GAZOO RACING CLUB track days, and are not a substitute for the road rules & regulations that operate in your state or territory. Please drive safely.
Vehicle preparation
Every part of the car works harder on the track than on a normal road. You’re accelerating faster, braking harder, and cornering more intensely, so there are a few details to review before your next track day.
The steps below are designed to optimise safety and performance and can typically be completed by car enthusiasts. If you’re not confident performing a self-inspection, we recommend seeing your local Toyota technician for help you can trust.
1. Check the tyres
All steering input is translated onto the track by the tyres – making their condition a priority. The below steps will help increase their life and performance.
To inspect the condition properly, turn the steering wheel to full lock for a better view of the whole tyre, including the inner edge. Check for cracks or tears in addition to making sure the tread has sufficient depth and the sidewalls aren’t overly scuffed. The manufacturer’s manual is your best bet for finding optimum tread depth.
Likewise for tyre pressure, start with the manufacturer’s recommendations and make small changes throughout the day as needed. Beware of over-inflating at the start of the day: the pressure will rise as the tyres heat up, so try building speed over a few warm up laps and then set the pressure.
Tip: if the car is heading back onto a regular road, check the condition and pressure at the end of the day, once the car has cooled down.
2. Clean and check the wheels
Next up, your wheels. They’ll need to be well balanced: any movement or vibrations will be amplified on the track, making it harder to feel subtle feedback through the wheel as well as accelerating wear to the suspension components.
When servicing your vehicle, ask your Dealer to check the brakes (see step 3) and tyres. They should remove any brake dust and grime, then check for any hairline cracks, buckling, or other structural issues.
And of course, make sure the wheel nuts are torqued up at the start of the day and check them every time you return to the pits.
3. Inspect the brakes
Like the tyres, the demands placed on the brakes will be extreme on the track. The brakes should be in good condition, with plenty of material on the brake pads – at least 75% to be safe.
Consider asking your Toyota Dealer to flush the brake fluid prior to a track day if the car has previously done a lot of heavy driving. Some drivers will opt for a premium racing brake fluid as it has a higher boiling point and can handle the heat of the brakes for longer.
4. Optimise the fluids
The oil, coolant, and clutch fluid should be at optimum levels to handle the increased G forces of track driving. Full or near full is ideal, but check the manufacturer’s recommendations for specific advice and talk to your Dealer. If the oil is old, dark, or opaque, consider flushing it before a track day.
Adjusting your driving position
A car is simply a machine that responds to your inputs, therefore your driving position is crucial to your ability to control it. If the foot and hand controls feel like natural extensions of your body, then you’ll have smoother input and greater control. You want to feel alert, engaged, and comfortable in the car.
For optimal distance from the pedals, push the clutch all the way without overextending your leg. Check you can reach the footrest comfortably as this will help keep you balanced.
Your shoulders and lower back should never peel away from the seat. Therefore you want to sit upright with the seat vertical. This position gives broader visibility and will help you feel the movements of the car. Test your seat angle by resting your wrist on top of the steering wheel, making sure your back doesn’t arch.
For steering position, you want to hold the wheel at 9 and 3 o’clock. Avoid shuffling your hands around the wheel – keeping them steady at 9 and 3 will make your steering smoother. Practice getting comfortable by rotating the wheel back-and-forward 180 degrees when the car is off, keeping your hands in position as the wheel turns.
Coming next issue
Track Session Part 2: Understeer
The tips in this video are provided to enhance your driving experience on race tracks only and are not recommended for normal road driving. All driving and associated tips were provided by professional Motorsports drivers from Norwell Motorsports about GAZOO RACING CLUB track days, and are not a substitute for the road rules & regulations that operate in your state or territory. Please drive safely.
Discover their drive experiences and driver training programs that Norwell Motorplex have to offer: norwellmotorplex.com.au
