So, you’ve decided to chase that bucket list item and head to the track, but you have absolutely no clue how to get started or what to expect… That first track day can be intimidating. Let me help you take the anxiety away and explain the basics of how to sign up, what to expect, how to prepare and what it’s like when you show up at the track!
First and foremost, you’ve decided you want to try the HPDE experience, but you don’t have a track car, just a stock Porsche, “what do I need to do to my vehicle”?
No worries, my friend! You need nothing special to get started, just a Porsche (No SUVs, sorry…) in good working condition with reasonable tread left on the tires! Yes, you heard that right! You’ll need to get your vehicle in for a track inspection at the dealership or qualified shop and make sure things like your oil and brake fluid are fresh, your brakes are in good shape with enough life left in the pads and a few other items. You don’t even need new tires, just enough to safely complete the weekend! Most folks with stock, or semi-stock, vehicles can get multiple track weekends out of a set of tires. If you’re running something like a Michelin Pilot Sport 4S on a stock vehicle, then 50% tread life would still likely be enough to make it through and back home safely. No modifications necessary!!!
Ok! I’ve got a Porsche, and I can handle that! Where can I find these track days opportunities?
PCA always puts on a great event, but there are also other groups out there like Chin and 10/10ths that also do a great job and can have even more makes and models than your typical PCA HPDE. Your best place to search for these events is on motorsportreg.com or clubregistration.net. Also, please watch for announcements, or just reach out to myself or the club, there will be lots of events where we will have considerable SMT attendance, it’s always more fun with friends!!
Wow!! There’s a lot of options for these events! How do I choose the right one?
As a beginner, I would highly recommend one of the smaller tracks to begin. Barber Motorsports Park is one of the closer tracks for our region and offers a thrilling course without some of the extremely high speeds and higher risk corners you might experience at somewhere like Road Atlanta or VIR. Plus, Barber has beautiful facilities, an immaculately groomed infield and a very nice motorsports museum if you have some extra time to kill!
So that’s it? I just sign up and show up?
not quite… Let’s look at some other items you’re going to want to look into. Some of these will deserve a deeper dive in another article, or a discussion with myself or another veteran track day enthusiast. Here’s a list of some things you should have or consider that will make your weekend much easier and relaxing! It’s always good to be properly prepared!
Helmet
- If you’re just trying this out for the first time, don’t rush out to purchase one. SMT may have one from Autocross you can borrow. If you have your own, or want to purchase one, make sure it’s at least an SA2015 certification for the 2025 season.
- If you get more involved or want to continue further, built in comms for instructor/student communication is invaluable! Try out a Roux for a nice helmet with lots of features and built-ins typically only found on much more expensive brands.
Car Numbers
There are several online companies out there that offer track numbers, or you can visit your local sign shop. However, if you’re just getting started, good ol’ blue or green painter’s tape works wonders! (As long as you don’t have a lot of ceramic coating, ask me how I know…)
Track Weekend Insurance
You may know folks who don’t utilize this but take it from someone who has seen it firsthand. If the unexpected happens, you’ll be glad you had it! Yes, it may add $400-$1,200 to your weekend (it’s based on vehicle value), but that’s cheaper than replacing a $100,000 car. Some of us have first and secondhand stories and can tell you, it’s highly recommended!
Lodging
Find you a place nearby as possible. Most days are an early start, so don’t add extra stress of a long drive. Grab some breakfast too! I know you may have a nervous tummy, but you must feed the driver, he needs the brainpower!
Alright! I’m all set. I’ve signed up, secured my lodging, insurance, numbers, and helmet. Now, I’m ready to pack my overnight bag and head to the track. Is there anything else I should remember to bring?
It’s always a good idea to have the items below for the track! A Rubbermaid tote works well to hold everything and keep it out of the weather. There are several sizes that fit nicely in the Frunk!
- Tools and Track Items
- Helmet
- Track Inspection Paperwork
- Cooler with water and ice
- Snacks
- Torque wrench and lug nut socket
- Tire pressure gauge
- Extra quart of motor oil
- Bug repellant and sunblock
- Hat
- Chair
- Rain gear – poncho, umbrella, etc.
- Electric Tire pump
- Waterless wash and rags for installing track numbers
- Zip Ties
- Duct/Gorilla Tape – for repairs or covering wheel weights (yes, with high brake temps the weight tape will get gooey and you can easily sling these off).
- Track Inspection Paperwork
- Helmet
- If you’re a more serious track junkie, have a trailer or the extra room, consider:
- Jack
- Metric Sockets and open-end wrenches
- Torx bits
- Pop-up Tent
- Torx bits
- Metric Sockets and open-end wrenches
- Jack
Ok! I’ve done all the prep work, and my track day is here!!! What can I expect when I arrive at the track?
Pick out a good paddock spot!
- Find a spot with shade, a good view of the track and close to the classroom and/or drivers meeting location. You may feel a bit rushed with all the activity, no need to give yourself a mile hike to the paddock! You will likely be there with others you know, so seek them out.
Track Tech Inspection
- If you’re there on Friday evening, try to get this done early! Most track weekends will have early tech available Friday evening between about 5-7pm so you don’t have to rush around Saturday morning or arrive extra early to complete this mandatory step! Saturday morning tech can be busy and may be as early as 6am. This really cuts down on the stress!
Mandatory Attendance Meetings
- Driver’s Meeting – This will happen around 7:30am each morning. You’ll get your pairing with an instructor if you are a novice. They will also go over safety, track rules and give an overview of the day.
- Novice Classroom Sessions – This will happen after the driver’s meeting each day before you head out on the track. There may also be other sessions throughout the day depending on your skill level. In these sessions, you’ll learn the ins and outs of track driving, etiquette and get educated on the meaning of the flags and corner worker signals.
This is awesome!!!! I can’t believe I’ve waited this long to do an HPDE! I’m here, I have my instructor pairing, I’ve learned about the flags, apexes, tracking out, pitting, and all these other things. I’m ready to go set my world record lap time, right? Is there anything else I should know before I go out for my first session?
There is so much more to learn, and you will with time and practice! Here are some of Carl’s tips to make the most of your time as a beginner!
- During your first lap or two out, you should be under yellow flag. Take this opportunity to learn the corner worker stations, pit in/out locations and emergency crew locations. Things can go wrong, and you want to be aware of where you should be looking or stopping if needed.
- As a new driver, please realize you are NOT the only one on the track. Situational awareness is very important! Following the appropriate line and not making erratic movements will lead to trust with other drivers and the ability to make quicker passes and follow closer without needing to over slow.
- POINT BYs!!! No matter who you are, you will have someone faster come along. This is not a place for egos or drag racing down straight stretches. If you see someone come up behind you, point them by at the first opportunity and give them room to get by. You may even need to slow up a little if you have a higher power car. If you turn out to be faster and catch back up later, consider this a great learning opportunity to practice passing.
- Pit lane can be used for space! If you find yourself in a train of cars, which often happen in the lower run groups, pull into pit lane and let them know you’re just looking for space. They will monitor traffic and let you know when to pull back out!
- Track fuel isn’t always cheap, make sure you come with a full tank and know what’s available on the track and nearby. Sometimes the track pumps are a reasonable deal or you’re in a hurry. Sometimes it’s nice to get out and get a snack and top off at a local station. Regardless, watch your fuel, you’ll use a lot more than expected! Your MPG will be low to mid-single digits.
- We all want to go faster, but don’t worry about your lap times… Practice smooth inputs and good lines. You will become faster, and your peers will appreciate the consistency in your driving! This will build trust and get you moved up to higher run groups.
- Take time to meet new friends. You’ll be amazed the like-minded people you’ll meet and build relationships with.
- Don’t forget to feed and water the driver!! This is a physically and mentally exerting exercise. Even if it’s not your norm, have a small breakfast, have some snacks, drink plenty of water and Gatorade. You don’t want to get dehydrated or brain fog, that’s not good for you or anyone else you’re on the track with.
- Relax!!! Maybe not all the time, but find a long straight, ease your grip on the wheel up, wiggle your fingers, take a deep breath, take stock of your gauges. If you need to ease up on yourself or the car, do so!! This isn’t a race, we’re not here to push past the limits of the driver or the car.
- Take note of those weak spots and improve yourself or the car later and capture these thoughts before they vanish. Maybe a brake upgrade is in your future, maybe you need to practice looking ahead more. Be cognizant of these things and work to improve them in future sessions and events. There’s lots of drills and more robust parts that can improve your experience as you improve your skill even off the track.
- You know your car well… you’re pushing harder than on the street and you’ll get some unusual feedback in the form of vibration, smell and noise. This isn’t necessarily a sign of failure, but if you have that gut feeling when you smell something funny, get a weird vibration, or a strange noise. Pit in and take a look! It’s better to find the cause off the track than while on it. You’ll quickly learn the feel and sound of common things like brake fade and OPR (other people’s rubber – you’ll pick these chunks up on your hot tires especially if you go offline).
- Remember to ease up as the day goes and things get hotter. With elevated heat, tires can get greasy, brakes can fade, you can get mentally fatigued quicker, but you’re prepared now and are looking out for things like this! You’ve got this in the bag!
Now you are ready!!! Get out there and exercise that Porsche like intended! Make some great friends and have some fun doing it! You owe it to that fine piece of German engineering to take it for the drive of its life! Maybe you’ll just find out that you want to be a Track Rat too!!
– Carl