nOOb here

[Nick Leone]

I am going to start doing TT and I can't wait :D I need to know do you need to do a PDX every time you go out or is it just a one time thing?

[jhadler]

If you haven't run with us before, and don't have much (or any) prior high speed track experience, we are asking that you enter the PDX for your first event. For two reasons... One, so you get some one-on-one instruction and learn what is needed to drive the track. And Two, so we can evaluate your driving and determine if you're ready for the Club Trials portion of the event.

By the way, there is nothing in the rules to prevent you from entering the PDX every time. It's personal instruction from some exceptional drivers/instructors, and it's more seat time.

-Josh2

[Nick Leone]

Ok cool just wanted to find out, so that I can find out how much money I will be needing this summer because I want to do a lot of TT:D

[Nick Leone]

Now it says in the rules that have to have a muffler, is that just because it has to be under the 103db sound limit? Because my car would be under that with out the muffle and it breaths better too so do I really need it or can I go with out it?

[GingerGSR]

Ok cool just wanted to find out, so that I can find out how much money I will be needing this summer because I want to do a lot of TT:D

Remember, if you work the course, the PDX is free!

I think what I'm going to do is take the PDX at LaJunta and again at PMP. I did pretty good at the FAASST Day at PMP on 3/8 but having an instructor to point out the correct line will be great.

It's a blast Nick!

[Nick Leone]

Remember, if you work the course, the PDX is free!

I think what I'm going to do is take the PDX at LaJunta and again at PMP. I did pretty good at the FAASST Day at PMP on 3/8 but having an instructor to point out the correct line will be great.

It's a blast Nick!

Yeah I can't wait:D

[usakubko]

Yeah I can't wait:D
Yeah, me too :p

[jafo]

Grant has answered some of my questions, but I have a few more I thought I'd post here for future generations. :-)

On the arm restraints... The sccatimetrials site implies that there are restraints that are designed to work with an existing stock seat-belts in your car, but that will release cleanly in the event of an emergency instead of you being tied into the car. However, after quite a lot of searching around, and ordering a pair of restraints, I'm not able to find anything that particularly seems to work well for an existing 3-point harness.

How hard is it on the brakes? Is it the PDX that's hard or the CTT? My Audi S4 has massive brakes, and I'm putting serious fluid in it and making sure the pads are in good shape. Do I need to get much more serious pads than what is on there? I mean, it's a heavy car at 3700 pounds, but my mechanic says that most trucks have smaller brakes than my 2005 S4.

I'm tempted to sign up for the CTT as well, just to get more time on the track if I'm up for it. Does that seem like a reasonable plan?

Thanks,
Sean

[lonemustang]

The sccatimetrials site implies that there are restraints that are designed to work with an existing stock seat-belts in your car...I'm not able to find anything that particularly seems to work well for an existing 3-point harness.Good question, Sean. As you have apparently discovered, most arm restraints' connecting straps have rings at the ends that fit nicely over a RACING harness's buckles. Using them on an some OEM belts (like I do) might take a little creativity.

Not to worry, though. All you need to do is connect them in such a way that they keep your arms from extending much beyond the contour of the car's body without interfering with your driving. They also need to be easy to un-do if you need to get out of the car (by yourself or with help) in a hurry.

One way to connect the straps is to use a good caribiner. Don't feel like they need to pass a heavy stress test or anything, though. The connection just needs to be strong enough to not break or fall off easily.

We might publish some more guidance and/or suggestions on arm restraints soon, so stay tuned to this forum. In the mean time, experiment (that's how I figured mine out). We'll happily verify your setup when you get to the track.

How hard is it on the brakes?Brakes are potentially the most abused part of the car when doing any kind of track driving. I'm the club's brakes-abuse poster child; I can vouch for this personally. :o

This page should answer all your questions about brakes: http://sccatimetrials.org/requirements/brakes.html

I'm tempted to sign up for the CTT as well, just to get more time on the track if I'm up for it. Does that seem like a reasonable plan?It is! Just be aware that you will need to be signed off by your PDX instructor to do the CTT (not guaranteed) unless you have shown sufficient previous experience. You'll also need to be sure you have enough tire rubber and brake pad material to last the day.

Hope that helps!

[jafo]

I got my restraints. I'm going to try making a nylon webbing thing that I can slip over the seatbelt tongue, so that if I release the belt the restraints are no longer hooked to the car.

I'm going to toy with that a bit.

The Summit Racing restraints I got have straps that are too short to attach at my right hip for the left restraint. I'll probably have to either extend the straps or replace them entirely. I'm half thinking I'll use some climbing rope and attachments to make the restraint to belt component.

Maybe I'll take some photos of the result to try to get some preliminary idea about whether they will be sufficient. Because the day of the race is probably a little too late to know that they won't work. ;-/

As far as the brakes go, I spoke to Chris at the Fort Collins Autocross lunch. He said that Pueblo isn't particularly bad on the brakes, and that his stock pads were just starting to fade after around 15 minutes...

But, I also spoke to my mechanic and at the brakes are good enough for around another year on the street, which means I'll definitely need to replace them before I go to the track. My mechanic isn't up to anything but the stock pads, so I've got an e-mail in to SCR to see what they can do for me.

It doesn't sound like I'll need anything particularly aggressive, so I'll probably go for something like the Metal Masters which are kind of a street+light track pad, as I understand it. I'll speak with SCR to see what they think...

Then I guess I'll sign up for the CTT, since I know I'll have the brakes for it. :-)

For tires, they're brand new, so I'd hope I have enough to handle the CTT+PDX.

Thanks,
Sean

[usakubko]

It doesn't sound like I'll need anything particularly aggressive, so I'll probably go for something like the Metal Masters which are kind of a street+light track pad, as I understand it. I'll speak with SCR to see what they think...
Brakes make the difference! Just ask the guys I've passed at Pueblo :p It's so much fun filling faster cars' mirrors with my blue snail-mobile :D I went with the Hawk HP+ brake pads (http://www.hawkperformance.com/performance/hpplus.php) which are pretty popular. They do get noisy when cold, so they sometimes squeak on the street, BUT, they do make your car stop a lot faster and don't overheat after a day of insane abuse :cool: Besides, once you start converting your DD to a weekend racer you'll get used to it real fast. Before you even know it, you start putting shocks on it to compromise the comfort for the handling :p

[Solo2GS]

I have found Carbotech (http://www.ctbrakes.com/) brake pads not to be very squicky. Been using them for years on the track with great satisfaction. Even use them for Solo2. A good idea is to get some brake air ducting from the front end to the back of the rotors. On most cars they either make kits or you can make your own with some heat resitant flexiable hose. Works wonders. La Junta doesn't seem to be as turn or brake intensive as The Streets of Willows or Buttonwillow (California), but keeping the brakes from getting to hot is a big plus. Same with having some good rate brake fluid.

Some other tips over the years can be found here (http://www.bauerracing.net/Prepare/DriversEd.htm)

[jhadler]

About brakes... (and other things)

Please go to the Colorado Region Time Trials website.

http://www.sccatimetrials.org/

There are a host of good primers and answers to questions there.

As for brakes, there's a great section dealing with that specifically...

http://www.sccatimetrials.org/requirements/brakes.html

I second the recommendation of brake ducting. It will make a significant difference. What is mentioned on the website brakes info and I'll mention it again here, is that brake ducting is even more important here in Colorado than it would be in California. The higher altitude will reduce the amount of air that can absorb heat from your rotors, brakes that may be fine at sea level, might just overheat at altitude. So any way you can get MORE air to the brakes will help.

Granted, Second Creek was harder on brakes than La Junta is or PMP is. At Second Creek there was very little time for brakes to cool before having to get on them again. Still, brake ducting can make a huge difference...

But make sure you've got good fluid, and good pads before heading out...

-Josh2