Putnam - April 10 - 11

Do you plan to attend this event?

  • Total voters
    9
  • Poll closed .
I'm very interested, but what if something breaks? The tow truck charge back to St. Louis would be a killer. In all seriousness though, what is the standard way to handle this? I've never done anything like it, but I would love to try. I guess a lot of unknowns. I have to get the car to Omer for my final tune, get a drive shaft hoop installed, buy a helmut and I'm not sure with the helmet if I'll be below the rollbar. Is there anything else I can check while I'm here? I'd just have street tires, but that's what Mark and Tim would have too. Are there additional things to bring? Spare belts, tools, whatever else? Can someone post under the Road Course Forum a typical list of safety things you must have and then a list of things you'll maybe want to have? That way we could always reference it. Or make it a sticky some where that only the Expert can add to. That way no one mucks with it.
 
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Dan:

Some answers to your questions.

What if something breaks? I have a trailer and I assume Dean does also. We'll load your car into one of the trailers and drive our car home.

Drive shaft hoop - You won't be running your car much harder than on the street so it's not a "have to" for Putnam. If this was drag racing that would be a different story. When you do get a hoop, make sure you get one for both ends of the driveshaft.

Helmet - make sure it's a Snell 2005 (2010?) rated helmet. Motorcycle helmets don't count. MVP's web site has the specifics. They will check to make sure your head is not above the rollbar. It doesn't have to be inches below; just as long as it isn't over. You'll need at least a 4 point harness. In order to convince an instructor to ride with you, you'll need a passenger side rollbar and 4 point harness. Long pants, long sleeved shirt and shoes.

Street tires - they are the best tires to learn on. Unless you were born with Mario Andretti driving skills, you won't push your car hard enough for the tires to make a difference.

What else to check - make sure everything is tight - driveshaft bolts, linkages, etc. Nothing leaking. Fresh brake fluid. I drive mine enough normally that I also get my oil changed before the event.

Extra parts - A tool kit, lead hammer and safety wire if you have true knockoffs, belts, hoses and maybe even a fuel pump (they tend to go bad on SPFs) is plenty. At Putnam you're 30 minutes from Indy and there'll be plenty of people with tools and spare parts that are happy to help.

Be prepared to have fun, to spin out and even leave the track. At Putnam none of these things are a problem.

The next part is probably worth a separate thread - Insurance. The vast majority of policies will not cover you at any event like this even if there's no "timing" going on. I have insurance through Continental Western (CWG). They will cover these High Performance Driving Events. The SPF I'm driving is my second one. CWG paid to replace the first one when I was rear-ended by a soccer mom. They're a great company. I think everyone in the club should be using them. No, I don't get a commission. I'm happy to field any calls or questions on this.

Steve
 
I don't have much to add to that. I would say this. Just get there. Everything else can be handled. I would love to drive my car home. If you need the tow rig, its yours. I hope you don't but it is a none issue. I bring a full garage full of tools and spare parts, including fuel pumps. Don't worry about that either. Get a good helmet and pay your fees. Steve and I will be there running in a different class so we will be there to help all of you who want to try this during your session. By the second day we can start taking your tire temps and fine tune the set up on your car.

Steve, I'm really looking forward to doing some laps with you!
 
Well I need to get a helmut regardless. I like Mark's, but I'll look and find one that fits. I have one hoop for the driveshaft up front. I have the standard MK2 4 point harness, but the "Y" variety not the "H" style and I have dual roll bars. Brand new Walbro 255 LPH in the tank, but I might get a spare, we'll see. What a pain to replace. I'll have new rubber on the back and fairly new up front. I'll go over the car and make sure everything is tight and the brake fluid replaced. If I don't make it on the 10th, I'll at least be ready for the next event. I've promised myself one of these this year. We'll just have to see how much I get done.
 
TBULL said:
I'll go over the car and make sure everything is tight and the brake fluid replaced.
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Dan:

MVP wants their tech form completed by a certified mechanic within two weeks of the event. I don't know how to attach a .pdf on this forum. If you'll email me stevefehr@musketeergroup.com I'll reply with a copy. I typically have Pat at Mastertech sign off as he's changing my oil.

Steve
 
Dean Lampe said:
I don't have much to add to that. I would say this. Just get there. Everything else can be handled. I would love to drive my car home. If you need the tow rig, its yours. I hope you don't but it is a none issue. I bring a full garage full of tools and spare parts, including fuel pumps. Don't worry about that either. Get a good helmet and pay your fees. Steve and I will be there running in a different class so we will be there to help all of you who want to try this during your session. By the second day we can start taking your tire temps and fine tune the set up on your car.

Steve, I'm really looking forward to doing some laps with you!
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I have fun without fine tuning my car. Adjusting my Koni's is a pain in the arse. I really hope to get the scales working as I think setting weights on each tire equally would be a great start to proper setup. Since I'm there to have fun, running fastest times won't be important. Just to learn my car's limit's will be my goal. I'm thinkin' I'm in at this point....maybe :D
 
Steve, or should I say "sand bagger" You need to run in the advanced group. It is just safer.

Guys don't stress over the tech sheet. I didn't even unload my car for the inspection last year. Ans as for Brake fluid, the kind you need you can't buy at autozone! If it cost less that $18 a pint, it isn't what you need. Get Willwood 600 or Motul. Trust me on this. You will need your brakes to last late in the sessions. Without good fluid, you won't make it.
 
Ok Dean, since you brought it up - My electric brake system all but requires DOT 5 or 5.5. DOT 3 & 4 are too dirty for the system. At both RNG events, I experienced no brake fade or any change in my brakes. I have researched this a bit to know that the boiling point for DOT 5 is higher than DOT 3 and 4. Wilwood fluid, what makes it so special?
 
Dot 5 is silicone. It is fine for weekend racing. If you are not set up to run silicone then you can't use it. Dot 3 and 4 need a 600 degree wet boiling point. Never mix the two very different fluids. Thanks for bringing that up. You don't want to go there. It would be a disaster.
 
Steve Fehr said:
The next part is probably worth a separate thread - Insurance. The vast majority of policies will not cover you at any event like this even if there's no "timing" going on. I have insurance through Continental Western (CWG). They will cover these High Performance Driving Events...
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Hi again guys. Re: Insurance; I just got an e-mail from Bill at 10/10ths that WSIB Insurance is now offering on-track coverage for all of their track days and venues. You can contact them to see if they will cover you for events that are have not been evaluated for approval. Maybe Mark with MVP could check into having their events pre-approved to simplify the process for those who may be interested.

I am going to have to be traveling in early April but if I'm here the weekend of the 10th & 11th I plan to attend! I'll know for sure by Mid-March.

Dean, just out of curiousity a question on the subject of silicone fluid. I've never run it, and don't have any plans to, but have heard that it has a certain amount of compressability that will lead to a slightly soft pedal, which can be a bit unsettling at first. Have you used it in any of your cars and if so was that the case?

We're covered in snow this morning so it looks like a good day to just go to the garage and tinker around with the car!

Later,
Jeff
 
Jeff, you are right about the silicone fluid but once you have it, you can't really change it. It is really not a racing fluid but will work fine for the track days as long as you know what your pedal is going to feel like late in a 10/10th's type of session. It is better than a DOT3 or 4 with a lower, OEM type boiling point.
 
I am officially registered, so I will see you there! :D Now, where could I find some racing slicks......:rolleyes: Hmmm, a trip to fastlane this weekend is in order :D
 
Good idea. Not currently no, other than within the thread. I will talk to Mark tonight and see if that can be added.
 
Steve, I could add a poll to the thread and select the option that shows the voters names on 'Yes' and 'No', that would accomplish the same thing, right?
 
I don't think it is a very long list. Outside of the three of us, who else do you believe might be interested?
 
I haven't mentioned it to Dave. I mentioned the Muncie day, and he sent in his registration for that. I will send him an e-mail. I thought Mark was going to this one? Maybe Randy L too?
 
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