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LOL Stone head like me
Track Day Gear
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I do not think you really need to go all out buying track gear for your first track day. Most track days through SCCA / NASA / BMWCCA or the like will ask that you have a helmet with a SA2005 helmet at a minimum (you can get away with a m2005 for autocross usually) and long sleeves and pants and shoes that enable you to be very mobile. Gloves are nice but not mandatory. If you show up in a suit for an introductory track day, you are going to be an odd one out.
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They require a certain type of clothing to be worn out there to like here ? no open toed shoes long natural fabric (aka Cotton) pants and shirt with long sleeves ? As well as a newer helmet and some place here dont allow Motorcycle helmets has to be snell 2005 or 2010 approved depending on club and event.. Some local clubs let you use what ever you brung so ya see guys out the with MotoX helmets... But those events are not much for speed and more for twisty parking lots...
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Oh yeah, here's another handy item I intend to bring to my upcoming track day:
"PSX2 Battery Jumper / Air Compressor"
http://www.amazon.com/PowerStation-Hi-Current-Jumpstarter-Hi-Volume-Compressor/dp/B005CL1OPC
This is a slightly newer version than mine. I believe there is an even newer PSX3, but that could just be the unique CostCo label (they often do that). It has a fancy fake carbon-fiber wrapper on it now, too (mine is just red/black).
I've had it a few years and keep it plugged in. It seems to manage the trickle charging/thermal boundaries well, and always performs well.
I actually bought this for offroad duty as a spare battery for my Jeep (though I've only ever used it to jump other folks!).
Costco sells this currently, and it's a lot less money. I just had the Amazon link handy.
It's higher output than the smaller, cheaper compressors. It's a handy way to top off or re-inflate from the track. It's only good on "normal sized tires". I rarely use this on my Jeep since my 35s would take all day to fill! I use my CO2 tank or front-mount Warn compressor instead.
"PSX2 Battery Jumper / Air Compressor"
http://www.amazon.com/PowerStation-Hi-Current-Jumpstarter-Hi-Volume-Compressor/dp/B005CL1OPC
This is a slightly newer version than mine. I believe there is an even newer PSX3, but that could just be the unique CostCo label (they often do that). It has a fancy fake carbon-fiber wrapper on it now, too (mine is just red/black).
I've had it a few years and keep it plugged in. It seems to manage the trickle charging/thermal boundaries well, and always performs well.
I actually bought this for offroad duty as a spare battery for my Jeep (though I've only ever used it to jump other folks!).
Costco sells this currently, and it's a lot less money. I just had the Amazon link handy.
It's higher output than the smaller, cheaper compressors. It's a handy way to top off or re-inflate from the track. It's only good on "normal sized tires". I rarely use this on my Jeep since my 35s would take all day to fill! I use my CO2 tank or front-mount Warn compressor instead.
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This isn't my first track day, but I appreciate what you are saying.
This gear is about safety for me. If it can help me avoid serious injury, or worse, a fiery end, it's worth it. Ordinary road cars are often more susceptible, not less, than track cars for this kind of thing (regarding fuel containment in a crash).
I do agree that you can get away with less. When I first started in the 90s, they let us use our motorcycle helmets. I think that's pretty universally a no-no, now. Back when I ran track days with more regularity, I found that regular stuff really was lacking -- especially the shoes. You can approximate some nice flat bottom shoes, but they make application specific shoes, so why not? The same is true for gloves.
With luck, I'll be doing track days with regularity again. Maybe some people here will join me too!
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I have never had much luck with the combo air compressors jumper pac never enough juice to help or i let others use my air and they overheat the compressor and it looses pumping power.. So i just got a Honda portable genny and a small plug in air compressor i haul around in the car trailer. If i go to a event in the car alone i take the cheapo DC plug in unit or mooch off friends or the track
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Nice! I'm trying to economize space. I agree that most combo units suck -- this one really doesn't! It, um, blows, well...I have never had much luck with the combo air compressors jumper pac never enough juice to help or i let others use my air and they overheat the compressor and it looses pumping power.. So i just got a Honda portable genny and a small plug in air compressor i haul around in the car trailer. If i go to a event in the car alone i take the cheapo DC plug in unit or mooch off friends or the track
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If you ever get up this way let me know we have this cute lil track around here we could go have fun at and let our cars stretch their legsThis isn't my first track day, but I appreciate what you are saying.
With luck, I'll be doing track days with regularity again. Maybe some people here will join me too!
maybe you heard of it .. Road America ? not for the faint of heart on the pocket book but it is on my bucket list .. was out there last year in a honda fit during lunch box runs what a hoot never needed brakes just lift and you are good
still fun running the big track...
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Oh man, Road America! Yes, that's on my list too. My track experience is limited to Big Willow, Streets of Willow, Buttonwillow (totally different area with similar name!), and lots of time on drag strips (I did a little Pro-Import Drag Racing back in the day).If you ever get up this way let me know we have this cute lil track around here we could go have fun at and let our cars stretch their legs
maybe you heard of it .. Road America ? not for the faint of heart on the pocket book but it is on my bucket list .. was out there last year in a honda fit during lunch box runs what a hoot never needed brakes just lift and you are good
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I started out about 56 years ago on dirt track ovals.
Now I am more in to Touge.
I have done mini stocks at Riverside and Saugus.
Motorcycles at Fuji and Laguna Seca.
I have done the big track at Willow two weekends a year for over 20 years.
I have only done the Streets of Willow about 4 times and looking forward to going back.
Sent with my retro keyboard and mouse.
Dave
Now I am more in to Touge.
I have done mini stocks at Riverside and Saugus.
Motorcycles at Fuji and Laguna Seca.
I have done the big track at Willow two weekends a year for over 20 years.
I have only done the Streets of Willow about 4 times and looking forward to going back.
Sent with my retro keyboard and mouse.
Dave
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We're on the same page -- I did that very thing when I signed up originally.
It's only $50/day for the resident hot shoe's time! At least that's the price when you sign up in advance.
Also, I'm not a newbie, but I can check my ego -- I'm in the Beginner run group. It's my first run with FiST and I want to be as scientific about the experience as I can.
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Oh yeah, bikes and dirt! I recently took Rich Oliver's Mystery School. That's flat track racing! It's the single biggest thing I've done to improve my riding and driving skills! I wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone.
Life isn't the same after you're comfortable sliding both the rear AND front end around a turn!
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No not bikes and dirt.
You can still see the dirt in the wheels.
Sent with my retro keyboard and mouse.
Dave
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Hey Dave, I'm just glad you warmed up to SoW.
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