VIR Track Day - April 10 & 11

[Sleeper_08]

I'm considering joining a group of drivers from Toronto, Ontario, Canada going to this event. I've been tracking my car now for 3 years and have about 25 events in total including at least 5 at Mosport which is also a high speed track.

http://www.davidmurry.com/event-list/details/2-vir-track-days-2012?xref=1

My preparation for the season will consist of;
1) thorough check of all suspension components
2) new Ford GT500 front and stock rear rotors, new Carbotech XP10 pads and new ATE Superblue brake fluid
3) Oil change

Just prior to this event I'll do a session at my local small track to shake the cobwebs out of myself and the car.

Instruction is included at VIR.

I'll probably need to block off some brake cooling.

The trans and diff fluids are Royal Purple put in before my first track day.

The engine and intercooler coolant were replaced last year.

I'll be running 275/35/18 Nitto NT01s, about 26" dia, with a 3.55 rear diff ratio. The engine rev limiter is set at 6,250 RPM.

Car mods are per my sig.

Any thoughts? It is a long way to go so I don't want to blow up.

 

[kevinatfms]

pm me about this, i may be interested in going.

 

[knownukes]

I'm considering joining a group of drivers from Toronto, Ontario, Canada going to this event. I've been tracking my car now for 3 years and have about 25 events in total including at least 5 at Mosport which is also a high speed track.

http://www.davidmurry.com/event-list/details/2-vir-track-days-2012?xref=1

My preparation for the season will consist of;
1) thorough check of all suspension components
2) new Ford GT500 front and stock rear rotors, new Carbotech XP10 pads and new ATE Superblue brake fluid
3) Oil change

Just prior to this event I'll do a session at my local small track to shake the cobwebs out of myself and the car.

Instruction is included at VIR.

I'll probably need to block off some brake cooling.

The trans and diff fluids are Royal Purple put in before my first track day.

The engine and intercooler coolant were replaced last year.

I'll be running 275/35/18 Nitto NT01s, about 26" dia, with a 3.55 rear diff ratio. The engine rev limiter is set at 6,250 RPM.

Car mods are per my sig.

Any thoughts? It is a long way to go so I don't want to blow up.

I don't think you will have to block off brake cooling. I have about 10 track days there and brakes get a good workout at the end of the front and back straights as well as going into NASCAR bend and turn 10. Very fast track(similar to Watkins Glen or Road Atlanta) with hi terminal velocities followed by pretty hard braking.

Hope that helps. Have fun and take your time to learn the track. It has a couple of spots that will bite you at pretty high speed if you get it wrong.

BJ

 

[Sleeper_08]

I don't think you will have to block off brake cooling. I have about 10 track days there and brakes get a good workout at the end of the front and back straights as well as going into NASCAR bend and turn 10. Very fast track(similar to Watkins Glen or Road Atlanta) with hi terminal velocities followed by pretty hard braking.

Hope that helps. Have fun and take your time to learn the track. It has a couple of spots that will bite you at pretty high speed if you get it wrong.

BJ

Thanks for the comments. The package includes instruction and my number one priority for any track day is always "drive the car home".

I just got back from having my Nitto NT01s flipped on the rims and picking up new brake rotors.

The weather is getting nicer and the itch to get back on a track is getting stronger by the day.

 

[Ponykix]

You definitely will not need to block off the cooling for the brakes. Your 3:55 gearing is perfect for your car for this track. Watch the the uphill esses and turn 10, several people have had offs at these locations. You can get on YT and see plenty of looks at this track and where people mess up.

Here is video of one my runs that will give you a good idea of what to expect. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6ucrlkqX68 It is a great track and facility, just give it the respect it deserves and you will bring your car home safely.

Have fun.

 

[pcdrj]

If you've never been there, you can watch online videos to learn the track layout. There are plenty on youtube.

 

[Big Stig]

If you've never been there, you can watch online videos to learn the track layout. There are plenty on youtube.

Even better, join iRacing.com and buy VIR and drive it virtually. It help me out a bunch before driving Road Atlanta for the first time. Professional race car drivers even use it to prepare for a new track.

 

[Sleeper_08]

Is there a way to download a video so that I can then watch it on my TV instead of on my Computer screen?

If i can get the time off work it looks like I'm going.

 

[Ponykix]

Most new tvs will take a cable from your computer to be used like a display. If that doesnt work try downloading a video and burning a DVD on your computer for the tv.

 

[Sleeper_08]

Thanks to the suggestions I am now able to watch videos of VIR lapping on my 60" Plasma TV via an HDMI cable!

I started with this one

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRgzmtdtXnk

Even my own Youtube videos look good.

 

[Fishstyx]

You might want to check out both NASA and Track Club USA. Both have track weekends at VIR this Spring. The track club / SCMC / SVTOA event in May is three days and just $500 IIRC. That event is mostly Mustangs, which is really nice. I enjoy the NASA events, but waiting for a point by from a from all manner of sub-200 HP Euro coupes can get a bit old.

 

[Chim-Chim]

Don't lift in the climbing esses! Seriously.

 

[pcdrj]

Don't lift in the climbing esses! Seriously.

He makes 445 rwhp. If he's carrying any amount of speed in 5, 5a, he could see 120+ by 9. You better lift or you'll be singing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lydBPm2KRaU&ob=av3n

 

[Sleeper_08]

He makes 445 rwhp. If he's carrying any amount of speed in 5, 5a, he could see 120+ by 9. You better lift or you'll be singing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lydBPm2KRaU&ob=av3n

I wish it was 445 rwhp - it is 445 flywheel HP.

PS - I'm signing up today!

 

[pcdrj]

Nice. Have fun. I plan on being back there in November with trackdaze.

 

[Sleeper_08]

We leave tomorrow morning and will be on track Tuesday and Wednesday.

The car is going down and back in a trailer and I get to ride in the truck.

We are staying right at the track and have a garage space for our use.

The weather forecast is mainly sunny with a high of 57F/14C both days.

If all goes right the next posting should be of video.

 

[pcdrj]

We leave tomorrow morning and will be on track Tuesday and Wednesday.

The car is going down and back in a trailer and I get to ride in the truck.

We are staying right at the track and have a garage space for our use.

The weather forecast is mainly sunny with a high of 57F/14C both days.

If all goes right the next posting should be of video.

Sounds like you got everyting covered. I don't think you'll have to block off your brakes ducts. On my last lap I'll continue to use brakes but less aggressively and take a cool off laps around the padock with an occasional pedal pump to bring temps down slowly.

 

[Sleeper_08]

Here is a brief bio from the Canadian Motorsports Hall Of Fame of one of the instructors on the trip;

Biography
Craig Fisher of Toronto was one of the top sedan drivers in North America in the '60s and early '70s, winning several CASC and SCCA class and overall sedan championships. A former member of the Canadian Comstock Racing Team, Craig and the late Mark Donohue finished 1-2 in the 12 Hours of Sebring in Roger Penske Trans-Am Camaros in 1968. Craig Fisher became the first Canadian to win a Trans-Am when he teamed with Mark Donohue at Marlboro, Maryland in 1968. He was the first driver to score Trans-Am points for both Chevrolet and Pontiac divisions.