Tko motorsports tips and track tweaks tweaks and track tips begineers

[Shannon Whitehead]

#38894

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TKO MOTORSPORTS TIPS AND TRACK TWEAKS, TWEAKS AND TRACK TIPS
TRACK TIPS FOR BEGINNERS
HOW TO GET YOUR CAR ON TRACK, HOW TO PREP YOUR CAR FOR YOUR FIRST TRACK DAY
So you bought yourself a viper, vette, m5, alpha, GTR or whatever fast car does it for you. Now you have the desire to take your road missile to the track and see what you and it can do; but maybe your not sure where to start. We will go over the “ how” “who”, “what” and “where” basics to get you and your road missile on track safely and have good time doing it.

STEP 1 CAR INSPECTION MECHANICAL AND FRESH FLUIDS
A. Mechanical inspection. No matter if you purchased a brand new car or used car you need to do a top to bottom mechanical inspection. Even the smallest problem will become amplified when on track . You want to find and address problems long before you get on track.
1. Start at the outer body. Look for any loose body panels , missing or loose fasteners.
2. Wheels. Start from one wheel and go in, repeat all checks on each of the four corner of the car.
Check all you lug nuts or lug studs for wear, damage or missing. Find correct wheel nut or lug studs torque specs and use a torque wrench when reinstalling.
Check you tires make sure no cracks in side walls ,bulges and tire wear is within mfg limits; replace tires as needed
Check the tire mfg date make sure your tires are no more then 2 years old.
Check your wheels for cracks and or flat spots. Replace any damaged wheels ( Its always recommended you use metal valve stems and high quality forged wheels).
Check your brakes. Its always best to start out with new pads both front and back. Chances are your brake pads will be below 50% after your first track day.
Check your brake rotors for cracks or excessive wear.
Check wheel bearings for play. Excessive wheel bearing play its time to replace.
Check all suspension ball joints for excessive wear or torn boots
Check you axles. Torn CV boots, leaking CV boots, or leaking axle seals
Check the brake lines. Look for cracking in the rubber lines or weeping at the ends. Replace brake lines that don’t pass inspection
Check brake calipers for leaks and corrosion. Leaking brake calipers must be replaced. Corroded bleeder valves are almost guaranteed to snap off the Friday night at 11pm day before you track day
Check engine oil lines and coolant lines for leaks and wear. Replace any line in question. A leaking coolant line or oil line on track is a bad day for you and everyone else on track.

B. Fluids
1. Engine oil. Its best to start out with fresh engine oil before every track day. Your most likely going to flog your car a bit so don’t cut corners start out with fresh engine oil.
2. Brake fluid is the most critical fluid and should be fresh before every track day. There are a few different ways to perform a complete brake fluid change; We prefer to “ hot bleed” all brake systems. Hot bleeding is simple and effective and can be done at the track with very basic tools.
3. Radiator fluid. Same deal as oil and brake fluid always start off with new fresh radiator fluid. Vacuum fill radiator filling is recommended as this will remove almost all air from cooling system.

C. NUT AND BOLT
You will hear this term “ nut and bolt” in every form of motorsport at every level from amateur to professional. “nut and bolt” simply a continuous ritual that means check every nut and bolt make sure they are tight and in good condition before every run.
Always start with the “ jesus” nuts and bolts first. wheel nuts, suspension nuts and bolts all your critical fasteners; Then go onto the less critical nuts and bolts coolant line clamps, body fasteners etc. Always remember to keep your eyes open and looking when your crawling around nut and bolting……you will be surprised at what you may find.

All of us in motorsports have this in common no matter who you are…… Lewis Hamilton, Dan Gurney, Jackie Stewart, Walter Rohr, Sebastian Vettel , Memo Gidley EVERY ONE OF US WAS ONCE A BEGINNER……………………………..EVERYONE

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