For those fence sitting on going to the track...

Very useful thread thank you OP for posting this!!!

I'm going to a PCA event at chuckwalla on may 19-20. I'm running on comp rims with b&g springs and spacers. I hope that's ok?

bigjae1976 wrote

You have to come for grips that your paint will get focked up especially when you get behind someone with r-comps...which fling stuff at your car. And you will accumulate black tar streaks.

My car wears these with pride, like a red badge of courage (except black). I can take a tour around the car, thinking, "this rubber mark is from NJMP last November, and this one is from Watkins Glen in May..." At least my car is dark blue so it hides the marks fairly well.

M3 Montreal wrote

Don't take it negatively but I always find it funny when new people to the track tape up their cars.

It doesn't protect accidents and the black marks from the rubber take less time to clean than the time it took to put all that tape.

bigjae1976 wrote

You posted this in the wrong forum. Nice review. Just wanna point out that you'll find out the blue tape thing is such a PIA and quit caring about your paint at some point.

The biggest track no-no? Trying to wax your car in the paddock between sessions. I usually point and laugh.

So true about the community thing. When my engine blew in my 330, I got 5 offers for rides home even though I was about 2 hours out of the way.

Heh, when I go thru my track day photos, my car has less and less blue painters tape and, after about half dozen event, only masked the license plate, but I don't even do that any more.

paradocs98 wrote

My car wears these with pride, like a red badge of courage (except black). I can take a tour around the car, thinking, "this rubber mark is from NJMP last November, and this one is from Watkins Glen in May..." At least my car is dark blue so it hides the marks fairly well.

Yea, dark cars show the marks more, but I'm with everyone here that eventually I'll get tired of taping.

OC3 wrote

Heh, when I go thru my track day photos, my car has less and less blue painters tape and, after about half dozen event, only masked the license plate, but I don't even do that any more.

Yea, I see cars all the time with their plate(s) taped over. Why do this?
vz

I will be at VIR with the PCA on those days too. Running in blue group number #11[/QUOTE

]

arter wrote

I have Watkins Glen May 5&6 with my local GVC BMW CCA, then down to
VIR on the 18-20 with First Settlers PCA.....

See you all at VIR. I will be instructing with First Settlers. Good group to run with. Most likely #711
vz

von_zoom wrote

Yea, I see cars all the time with their plate(s) taped over. Why do this?
vz

Insurance companies have (or used to have) people check out cars at the track to void their insurance in the event they claimed a track accident. I know of one instance where a guy at Road Atlanta crashed and had the crashed car towed to a public street nearby, where he called his agent. That of course is fraud anyway, but the point of covering your plate is hiding from the insurance scouts. Personally I don't cover mine because I know if I hit something I am paying.

Great first OP, may be sticky-material.

Yep, what Porschefile said

Porschefile wrote

Insurance companies have (or used to have) people check out cars at the track to void their insurance in the event they claimed a track accident. I know of one instance where a guy at Road Atlanta crashed and had the crashed car towed to a public street nearby, where he called his agent. That of course is fraud anyway, but the point of covering your plate is hiding from the insurance scouts. Personally I don't cover mine because I know if I hit something I am paying.

Great first OP, may be sticky-material.

Thanks dude, I'm updating comments as you experienced folks comment along, all good stuff!

docbolo wrote

Very useful thread thank you OP for posting this!!!

I'm going to a PCA event at chuckwalla on may 19-20. I'm running on comp rims with b&g springs and spacers. I hope that's ok?

I'm sure you'll be fine! Have an awesome time out there. Others here can comment on whether riding on spacers for extended use on the track is a good idea, I've heard otherwise. Once is harmless.

nice tape job~how long it took you?

zhouzitao wrote

nice tape job~how long it took you?

Not too long actually, maybe 10 mins?

I think the license plate urban legend was started back before insurance companies all had exclusions to track driving. I don't think my insurance company cares if I wreck the car at the track because they're not liable.

As for taping up our car...maybe use some shelf paper or even spray some plastic dip on the front. There are other spray bras as well. Anythings got to be better than taping strips all over it.

Which NASA region were you with North East? NASA regions are all a little different so keep that in mind as you travel to different tracks. MidAtl is a great region but their HPDEs are often shadowed by racing.

Car54 wrote

I think the license plate urban legend was started back before insurance companies all had exclusions to track driving. I don't think my insurance company cares if I wreck the car at the track because they're not liable.

As for taping up our car...maybe use some shelf paper or even spray some plastic dip on the front. There are other spray bras as well. Anythings got to be better than taping strips all over it.

Which NASA region were you with North East? NASA regions are all a little different so keep that in mind as you travel to different tracks. MidAtl is a great region but their HPDEs are often shadowed by racing.

NASA NE, yep!

Painter's tape is perfect, it's cheap, easy to take off and put on and doesn't affect the paint.

As for spray bra, have you used it? If so, what brand and where did you buy it? Sounds interesting, didn't see anyone mention or use it on the track.

SROC5 wrote

NASA NE, yep!

Painter's tape is perfect, it's cheap, easy to take off and put on and doesn't affect the paint.

As for spray bra, have you used it? If so, what brand and where did you buy it? Sounds interesting, didn't see anyone mention or use it on the track.

check this out~I order it~~
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=679223&highlight=matte+blue

SROC5 wrote

As for spray bra, have you used it? If so, what brand and where did you buy it? Sounds interesting, didn't see anyone mention or use it on the track.

There's this option:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=679223

Then if you want to get crazier there's this convenient kit option:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=rNY9Dx617N8
http://dipyourcar.com/shop/category_3/Pro-Car-Kits.html?shop_param=cid%3D%26

Both spray on as something like a liquid vinyl layer, which peels right off as a sheet when you're done with it. I haven't sprayed my car before since I have a clearbra (with plenty of molten rubber spots melted into it), but I have sprayed my wheels black before. It was really neat/convenient as the brake dust just caked onto the wheel, then I just peeled the layer off and everything came right off, showing a completely clean wheel underneath. I imagine it'll do the same when applied to your front bumper.

Very nice option, I like it. The pro-kit is pretty expensive, but I like it because it seems to have a clean and easy application method. If it lasted 10-15 visits to track, then it would be cool.

The paint bucket approach seems cumbersome. Good price though, $25 bucks!

LateBraking wrote

There's this option:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=679223

Then if you want to get crazier there's this convenient kit option:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=rNY9Dx617N8
http://dipyourcar.com/shop/category_3/Pro-Car-Kits.html?shop_param=cid%3D%26

Both spray on as something like a liquid vinyl layer, which peels right off as a sheet when you're done with it. I haven't sprayed my car before since I have a clearbra (with plenty of molten rubber spots melted into it), but I have sprayed my wheels black before. It was really neat/convenient as the brake dust just caked onto the wheel, then I just peeled the layer off and everything came right off, showing a completely clean wheel underneath. I imagine it'll do the same when applied to your front bumper.

zhouzitao wrote

check this out~I order it~~
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=679223&highlight=matte+blue

If you are having trouble cleaning your car after a HPDE, ask Martin - Auto Finesse -
martin@autofinesse.us
for help. He has a host of products which will simplify the process.
vz

Meguiars Swirl Remover is the best thing I've found for removing cone and tire clag. You have to wax after though.

I've tried polish, rubbing compound, clay, different pads and towels, goo gone, peanut butter, goof off, simple green....Meguiars Swirl Remover is the bees knees.

arter wrote

I have Watkins Glen May 5&6 with my local GVC BMW CCA, then down to
VIR on the 18-20 with First Settlers PCA.....

ill be up there..


OP - good post! those on the fence, dont think you are pressured to 'race' its whatever you want it to be. stay open, and enjoy the ability to learn.

Car54 wrote

Meguiars Swirl Remover is the best thing I've found for removing cone and tire clag. You have to wax after though.

I've tried polish, rubbing compound, clay, different pads and towels, goo gone, peanut butter, goof off, simple green....Meguiars Swirl Remover is the bees knees.

mothers makes a rubber remover. it works decently. its good for quick cleanups.

http://www.autopia-carcare.com/r3-racing-rubber-remover.html

OP Great Post. I was on that fence and was easily swayed to try tracking my car this summer. I have yet to register for some local events, but I have started to find a decent approved helmet, but didn't consider the points you have provided; although obvious to some; I was going to overlook a couple things like "brake/oil fluids" ;

I havent searched the forums. but this is a good sticky for those on the fence.. and need to know the basics to maximize their investment.

Subscribed and found some DYI linked to http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=333653