A Beginner's Guide To Going to the Track

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BMWCCA, NASA, SCCA, COMSCC - with so many groups to choose from, you need to check and see if the organization you pick matches what you want to do with your car on the track. Do you want to learn how to be a better driver? Become involved in a time trials series? Prepare for door-to-door racing? Find out the details before committing to a specific track date. A special note to those driving open cars: make sure the group you are interested in allows convertibles. Most do, as long as they have a roll bar installed, although some may let you run with factory rollover protection. Many BMW clubs discourage open cars from attending, so it's wise to check in advance.

Almost every organization that runs a track day is going to require you to have a helmet to protect your delicate brain from potential injury. And not just any helmet - one that conforms to the independent Snell standard for motorsports. The current standard (they are updated every five years) is SA2010, which should be advertised on the inside of your helmet, underneath the foam, in the form of a sticker. Some clubs may also accept the previous standard, SA2005. Motorcycle helmets (those with an M2010 or M2005 sticker) aren't going to cut it, as they don't protect adequately against fire or multiple impacts (head hitting steering wheel, then roof, then roll bar, etc).

Driving on the track can stress out your car to a greater degree than commuting, which means that your fluids - brake, engine oil, coolant, transmission, clutch - all have to be in top spec prior to the drop of the green flag. You also need to make sure your brake pads are up to the rigors of repeated hard stops from high speeds, as your stock compound might not last the entire day (remember, you're going to have to drive home). Finally, your tires need to be properly inflated, show sufficient tread, and not feature gouges or bumps that could be unsafe as they heat up on the track.

On top of a full tank of gas, it's a good idea to bring extra engine oil and brake fluid to the track with you, as well as a basic set of tools in case something needs to be adjusted, the brakes need to be bled, or you need to verify some aspect of your car's setup. A tire pressure gauge is also an absolute must, along with a lug wrench so you can take your car's wheels on and off (and, of course, a jack), and you will want some kind of brightly-colored masking tape with you, too, so you can affix numbers to your car (used to track vehicle classes, etc).

Most of what you will need should fit inside a small tub, which you can pick up at any hardware store and keep in your trunk. Finally, don't forget to pack some supplies for yourself, too. It can get hot on the track standing around on all that asphalt, and water, snacks, and proper clothing (typically long sleeves are required for safety reasons - and no flip-flops or shorts) are a must. Your driver's license is also going to come in handy, as some clubs will ask for it at the gate. 

Most track days start bright and early, with sessions beginning between 7 and 8 a.m. to maximize the amount of daylight available. You'll need to be at the track at least an hour beforehand in order to register, unpack your car (removing any loose items that could become a distraction or pose a safety issue), and attend the driver's meeting. The driver's meeting will explain the rules of the day along with any important information that you might need regarding that particular track. If it's your first time at the track, you will not be sent out alone in your initial session - there will be an instructor assigned to ride along with you. It's a good idea to seek that person out and introduce yourself prior to getting into the car together.

No one expects you to be able to turn in Vettel-like lap times on your first day out. In fact, most clubs won't care about lap times at all. Instead, the focus will be on getting you comfortable on the track and learning how to drive your car properly at speed. A key aspect of achieving this is staying safe, which means paying attention to passing zones, braking zones, and the words coming out of the mouth of your instructor.

Don't get caught up in the 'red mist' that sometimes descends over high performance driving event participants. There's no trophy at the end of the day, and you want to drive your car home that night, remember? Stay within the limits of your abilities and grow your skills and confidence by working on proper technique, and don't worry about how fast you are going in comparison to anyone else.