Mods, please sticky this. Everyone else, feel free to add to it - I'm sure I missed something while rushing through this.

Things to do to your car before Track
- Make sure your car is in GOOD working order (see checklist in post below). I should not need to highlight what problems are specific to DSMs in general or to each individuals car - you should know!
- Check Fluid levels (Engine, Transmission, Brake, Steering, windshield wiper, coolant)
- Make sure Engine/Transmission/Brake fluids are fresh
- Inflate to your preference of Tire PSI (I will get into this more later)
- Check Brake pads to see if you have enough material (I highly recommend stepping up to at least a Hawk HPS or better yet, HP+ as these will be adequate for any beginner/intermediate driver)
- Make sure your tires are balanced
- Rotors are in good working order (A good set of rotors is as important as a good set of pads - vented/slotted is great, just don't go cross-drilled unless you're buying high end, as the cheap cross-drilled rotors will crack)
- Wheel Nuts are torqued correctly (And check them in the pit every time after you come off the track - your studs will stretch A LOT the first time the car is put through its paces on a track)
- Remove all unnecessary items (leave them at home or on the sidelines)
- Proper alignment
- Arrive at the track with a FULL tank of gas because you WILL use it all, especially in a DSM

Things to do at Track
- Check tire pressure, fluids after runs (again, will get more into tires later - they are a whole different beast)
- Do NOT engage the parking brake after runs (this can and will warp your rotors as they will cool unevenly - bring wheel chocks if desired
- Let the engine run for a few minutes after returning from your cool down lap to the paddock and make sure you pop your hood
- Stay calm no matter what; you're there to have fun, not win an F1 championship
- Remember to do warm up and cool down lap(s)
- If you see anything unsafe or something that you're unsure about, point it our and/or ask the appropriate people

Things to Bring to Track
- An approved HELMET in good condition
- A jack and possibly jackstands (especially if swapping tires)
- Tools, tools, tools (handtools, a ratchet set, etc.)
- Torque wrench and break bar or cordless impact gun (the impact gun is a godsend)
- Extra fluids
- Bring a Jacket/Umbrella (depending on weather)
- Water/Drinks (non-alcoholic, of course)
- Food (if not provided)
- Jerry can FULL of gas, so that even if you run out at the track, you've got something to get you to a gas station.
- CAA Card (hopefully no one needs to use this, but it's nice to have)

Things to do/watch out for after track
- Reset your tire PSI back to street levels
- Watch out for glazing brake pads (OEM pads WILL glaze - Glaze should be gone after some regular driving
- Check fluid levels. Depending on how fresh your fluids were before track, you may want to change them
- Rotate tires if needed















Here's an inspection checklist from the SOLO Sprint guys:

PLEASE CHECK OFF (
) ALL ITEMS INSPECTED AND IN SATISFACTORY CONDITION.
INDICATE WITH AN (X) IF NOT INSPECTED OR NOT IN GOOD CONDITION and REPLACE or REPAIR.
SoloSprint Annual Inspection Checklist
(Appendix B of Entry Form)

1. BRAKES: VERY IMPORTANT!
( ) Friction Materials: pads, shoes; >50% material,
in good condition
( ) Calipers: no leaks, operating freely, attachment hardware OK
( ) Steel lines: fittings, attachments, no apparent corrosion
( ) Flexible lines: no apparent cracks, fittings in good condition
( ) Brake fluid: was changed with in the last 6 months
( ) 15 second static brake test: pedal firm with no loss of
pressure

2. STEERING & SUSPENSION
( ) Ball joints or swivel point: within wear specifications, grease
seals intact, attachment secure
( ) Idler arm, pitman arm, links and tie rod or link ends: within
the wear limit, secure attachment, seals intact
( ) Bearings: hubs properly adjusted with no excess play or wear,
cotter pins or locking devices where required
( ) General condition of system: springs, shocks, bushings frame
attachments, anti sway bar mounting, etc.

3. TIRES AND WHEELS (MUST BE WHEELS AND TIRES USED
FOR COMPETITION)
( ) Wheels: in good condition with no apparent cracks, good
valves
( ) All studs or nuts: present and in good condition, with
sufficient threading and length for safe attachment
( ) Tires: no cord showing, no cuts, no interference with body or
fender through reasonable range of motion

4. DRIVELINE
( ) Transmission: no apparent leaks, cracks or missing fasteners
( ) Driveshaft(s), u joints, cv joints: no excess wear, grease seals
intact
( ) Rear axle, final drive: no apparent leaking, seals intact, no
cracks in unit, axle end play within specifications

5. FUEL SYSTEM
( ) Gas tank or fuel cell: no leaks, attachment secure, cap present
( ) Fuel lines: in good condition, no leaks or excessive corrosion
( ) Fuel filter(s): clamps on flex hose, no cracks or leaks
( ) Fuel delivery line (to carburetor or fi systems): no leaking,
safe routing (multiple carbs)
( ) Carburetor, fuel injection systems, injectors: no apparent
leaks

6. OTHER
( ) Battery: securely mounted; no movement
( ) Hood latching mechanism and lock: in good working order
( ) Floor pan and body panels: no rust perforation or apparent
loss of integrity, no loose, jagged or missing parts
( ) Brake light: operational
( ) Engine: no apparent major oil leaks
( ) Exhaust system: no leaks to passenger compartment, safe
exit from under body

7. SAFETY EQUIPMENT
( ) OEM 3 point seatbelt assembly, properly attached
( ) Aftermarket seatbelt/harness, properly attached, min.
Grade 5 fasteners
( ) Roll bar/cage (if applicable): Securely mounted and padded
where necessary
( ) Fire extinguisher: securely mounted and fully charged (if
present)
( ) Window net: secure (if applicable)
( ) Helmet in good condition

Tires

Will add to this later.

Approach

Not talking about how to approach a driving line here, that can be saved for another post. This on how to approach a track day.

Remember, whether beginner or advanced, you're going out there to have fun and push your car in a proper and safe environment. That being said, it is still VERY easy for things to go wrong if you or someone around you is careless. With that said, here we go:

- ALWAYS be paying attention whether on the track or in the pits, things can go wrong quickly.
- On the track, know where all the cars are around you - USE YOUR MIRRORS
- Learn the rules of the group you're tracking with as well as the 'rules of racing' - i.e. passing off the racing line, etc., although lapping days generally only have passing zones with a signal from the driver ahead allowing the driver behind to pass
- Drive as hard or as easily as YOU feel comfortable doing. Even if there is a car on your ass, keep calm and let them pass you at the next passing zone - do not risk your car or your life by going out there and trying to be Senna on your first lap on a track
- The above goes with this - take the time to learn your car and all the nuances of it so that you can spend more time focusing on learning the track and bettering your skills as a driver than trying to 'tame your car'
- You're out there to have fun and become a better driver, part of this is experimenting. Play around with stuff like early/late/trail braking, heel-toe, throttle control, line of attack, etc.

All of the above will make you a better driver. Don't be afraid to spin your car out or lose control. If you drive with fear, you will never drive well. But, don't be reckless. Better to be cautious and slowly step it up than to go overboard and to try and tone it down. I once had a professional race mechanic/race instructor sit in with me for a few laps at Shannonville and his first comment after we got back to the pits was "You're a good a driver, but what impressed me most was how much restraint you had - almost to the point of not pushing it enough, which is rare for most, but even rarer for someone your age...." - I was 20 at the time.

As for everything else, don't blame lap times on the car. Go out there, and drive your car until you've not only reached the max potential of its current settings but have also developed enough as a driver to be aware of everything and able to properly translate a lapping day into knowing what kind of adjustments need to be made. This comment is more aimed at suspension/handling/dynamic adjustments but just in general.

Make it a goal to improve your average lap times each outing. Remember, one quick lap and a lot of slow laps is worse than consistent decently-paced laps. Excluding being held up and experimentation, ff you cannot keep your lap times consistent, you are not as good as you can be.

And before I forget - TALK TO PEOPLE. If you have questions, ask. If you want to know how to approach a corner or a racing line, ask. If you see someone throwing down incredible times, ask them to go for a ride-along - both you in their car and them in your's for some pointers. Just being in a car with someone who can put down consistent, fast laps will better you as a driver if you pay attention like you should.

Sticky'd

Amazing.

Good write up Sal!

I'm taking your advice verbatim here and will apply it when the time comes for me to have some fun too. Hopefully, it will be with the group of you guys.

Come to Calabogie, it's 20 mins from my place looool

I've been itching to get out to Calabogie. Nice to know I'd have a place to stay. But, I don't want to drop the money or spend the time until I am confident in my car being ready for the beating it would get, and I doubt that will be this season because remember, I'm still a full-time student and that means nooooo money in the bank. Hahaha

Calabogie

Is

AWESOME.

My father works the safety team there, I did an event with him. That is a beautiful track.

What.A.BAWSS!!
I'm a sucker for checklists like this