CIVICXI *NOVICE* Track Thread!

[Icehawk]

Describe "cheap helmet"?

Zamp RM-18H open face jobbie, it's SA2020 and was ~$140 shipped. Wish I could run my MC helmet as I have a very nice Schuberth I still use on the occasional kart day.

Also got Forza MS 7 (again, lol) since it has Homestead as well as the 'Ring which I plan on visiting next year for my 50th, can't hurt to have some familiarity with the layouts prior to driving. The point of this track day is to make sure I've had one higher speed event under my belt before heading to Germany, I've done plenty of autocross and even a couple drift events before so low speed I got handled.

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[PointByPatrol]

Zamp RM-18H open face jobbie, it's SA2020 and was ~$140 shipped. Wish I could run my MC helmet as I have a very nice Schuberth I still use on the occasional kart day.

Also got Forza MS 7 (again, lol) since it has Homestead as well as the 'Ring which I plan on visiting next year for my 50th, can't hurt to have some familiarity with the layouts prior to driving. The point of this track day is to make sure I've had one higher speed event under my belt before heading to Germany, I've done plenty of autocross and even a couple drift events before so low speed I got handled.

Zamp is decent stuff! Just wanted to make sure your head was safe!

 

[Icehawk]

Zamp is decent stuff! Just wanted to make sure your head was safe!

No worries, I care about my skull! Also, want to pass tech

 

[BigBird]

Cries in Canadian

that truly sucks.

Even though I never knew about it when I started so I used to go on track without it.

Thankfully I became in the know, or would have had a pretty expensive paperweight.

 

[J_D]

that truly sucks.

Even though I never knew about it when I started so I used to go on track without it.

Thankfully I became in the know, or would have had a pretty expensive paperweight.

Until I get a dedicated track car, I'm only taking the FL5 to well organized, safe, HPDE events up here.
With traction control/VSA on. I'll eat the brake pads for now.

 

[MooMoo]

You won't. This brake pad talk, unless you can do really good pace you will be just fine. I mostly run with TC on and brake wear is just fine.

 

[CG13]

Until I get a dedicated track car, I'm only taking the FL5 to well organized, safe, HPDE events up here.
With traction control/VSA on. I'll eat the brake pads for now.

I noticed no safety improvement from TC/VSA on in the FL5 in dry conditions. In heavy rain I left it on and it was useful.

The FL5 is very forgiving on track. I would replace brake fluid and brake pads and do the pedal dance for the safest setup in dry conditions.

I have run TC on in a 911 GT3RS and Lotus Evora GT so I’m not completely against it. In the FL5 I have found it’s not helpful, not necessary, and increases the risk of braking issues.

 

[J_D]

I ran my old FK8 for 8 hours at a HPDE school last year before it died.

For the FL5 my plan with Castrol SRF, EBC RPX on front and EBC NDX on the back. I'm debating running the OEM PS4S until they are cooked, or getting a set of 18" and getting either RS4's or Indy 500s. From what I understand Its better to learn on a worse tire - to avoid masking bad habits?

The main reason I want to leave TC on is incase of lift off oversteer. I saw the crash video of another member, and I am nowhere near his skill level.

 

[Djseto]

You won't. This brake pad talk, unless you can do really good pace you will be just fine. I mostly run with TC on and brake wear is just fine.

I went through a set of Carbotech Xp12 up front in three HPDE days at VIR with everything off except brake vectoring. This is running in the advanced group though but I couldn’t believe how quickly I went through pads.

 

[BigBird]

I ran my old FK8 for 8 hours at a HPDE school last year before it died.

For the FL5 my plan with Castrol SRF, EBC RPX on front and EBC NDX on the back. I'm debating running the OEM PS4S until they are cooked, or getting a set of 18" and getting either RS4's or Indy 500s. From what I understand Its better to learn on a worse tire - to avoid masking bad habits?

The main reason I want to leave TC on is incase of lift off oversteer. I saw the crash video of another member, and I am nowhere near his skill level.

PS4S aren't terrible starting out. If you do get another set of wheels for track, RS4, V730 (dry only), 71RS are all better choices than the Indy 500 as a track tire.

 

[J_D]

I was thinking 18x9.5 +45 Motegi traklites with 275/35/18 RS4's. If I leave the PS4S for the street they will last forever I assume.

 

[CG13]

I ran my old FK8 for 8 hours at a HPDE school last year before it died.

For the FL5 my plan with Castrol SRF, EBC RPX on front and EBC NDX on the back. I'm debating running the OEM PS4S until they are cooked, or getting a set of 18" and getting either RS4's or Indy 500s. From what I understand Its better to learn on a worse tire - to avoid masking bad habits?

The main reason I want to leave TC on is incase of lift off oversteer. I saw the crash video of another member, and I am nowhere near his skill level.

Lift oversteer is definitely a thing.. but if you’re controlling your speed I really don’t think it’s a big crash risk with this car. It’s really forgiving. Start slow and smooth and you’ll pick up speed pretty quickly.

 

[BigBird]

Lift oversteer is definitely a thing.. but if you’re controlling your speed I really don’t think it’s a big crash risk with this car. It’s really forgiving. Start slow and smooth and you’ll pick up speed pretty quickly.

It's definitely a risk, don't ask me how how I know

 

[CG13]

It's definitely a risk, don't ask me how how I know

Haha, of course it’s a risk but this car is very forgiving on track. I’ve owned and driven on track:

2013 GT-R
2015 GT-R Nismo
2018 Focus RS
2019 GT3RS
2020 Evora GT
2024 FL5

The FL5 is the easiest to drive safely, followed by the Focus.

 

[MooMoo]

TC off is a conundrum.

On one hand a novice driver might not have the skill to catch the car if something goes wrong so TC is great. On the other hand if you get used to TC you will never learn to drive without it. Really depends on what it means for someone. TC is definitely robbing power and therefore laptime when you start getting some pace. Decisions I guess. I do recommend to take the car to a car control clinic or auto cross so you can at least experience the limit of the car in a safe place.
I do agree that this car is very forgiving and the has a large brand before reaching the limit.

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