First Track Day
You made it! You completed everything you needed to in order to get yourself to the track, so let's now talk about what you should bring to the track, what you should expect when you arrive, and how the day will progress.
01
Gear Up!
Before you head to the track, there are some supplies you will need to make sure your day is a safe and comfortable one. On our Gear page you will see a list of recommended tools, safety equipment, and other items that will add to your enjoyment.
02
Arriving at the Track
When you arrive at the track, you will have to check in at the entrance gate. The attendant will very likely have you sign a liability waiver for the track facilities, acknowledging that you understand the risks. This check-in is not the organizer check-in, which is separate. Depending on the track, there may be an advantage to arriving early to get a shaded spot if they are available (like Thunderhill, pictured here).
03
Check-in
Once you have your parking spot picked out, head to the organizer check-in desk to let them know you are there. Here you will receive your run-group sticker along with any other stickers to note any special circumstances (solo vs. coach etc.), you will likely receive a name tag, the day's schedule, as well as when your run group driver's meeting will occur.
04
Driver's Meeting
At the driver's meeting, you will meet all of the people you will be out on track with that day, so introduce yourself and let them know what car you are driving. During this meeting, the organizer will always go over passing protocols for your group, a review of the flags, what they mean, where they are stationed and what you should do when you see one. They may also review the track, talk about the configuration you will be running, passing zones (assuming it is point-by), as well as any nuances and or tricks or tips for a smooth lap.
05
First Session
Before heading out, be sure to: remove all loose items from your car and trunk, insure your tow hook is in place, your number stickers are in place, your helmet is on, you have enough gas, and that your tire pressures are set correctly. On this last point, we recommend noting your pressures when you go out and immediately upon return. This will allow you better manage your temps in later sessions.
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On your first session out, assuming you are with an instructor, you will do your first lap of the first session under caution, or a yellow flag, just so you can get a good view of the track condition and familiarize yourself. There will not be a yellow on your next session out, it will be green from go!
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Now it is time to have fun! Listen to your instructor and start to get a feel for how your car performs, what its limits feel like, and stay focused on being smooth... remember, smooth is fast! Also, it is NOT A RACE! Be safe!
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There will be passing protocols to follow, they can be unique to each group, so listen to your instructor on this front.
06
Cool Down Process
Depending on how hard you have driven, your car will be very hot by the end of your session. It is helpful to give your car, the tires and brakes an opportunity to cool down. To do this, you have two options:
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1) As soon as the checkered flag has been shown to you, take that as your signal to start your cool down lap. Begin safely slowing your pace, allowing any drivers behind you to pass as quickly as is possible. If you have to leave the track before you get a full lap, use method two below.
2) Once you have safely left the track, find an open area in the paddock to slowly do some circles, allowing your car to cool. It won't take long, so generally a few circles will do. You may find you have company when doing this, so watch out for others!
07
Driver's Meeting
After your first session, and possibly your second, you will have a driver's download meeting with your group. This meeting is much shorter than your first meeting, with the topics being restricted to assessing how the session went, were flag protocols followed, were passing rules followed, was there any dangerous driving going on, etc. As you progress to more advanced groups, this meeting is also used to insure that everyone who is in your group belongs there, or whether they should be in a more junior or advanced group (people often overestimate their capabilities).
08
Wrapping Up
After your last session, the day is done. Congratulations! You have just completed your first track day! There are no closing meeting or anything like that, so when you are ready to head out, just head out at your leisure. Be sure to clean up after yourself, leaving the paddock as you found it. Now that you have read about your first day, head to the Calendar section to find a track day in your area!
