, only had the car for 5 days, and haven't hit the track in 16 years.
Reply With QuoteI agree with Gavs below, semi-comp tyres, track pads & intercooler are a must unless you only want to do three laps at a time.
I would even toy with the idea of going down an inch in rims if you were to buy a new set specifically for track days, the skinny low profile 17" might be hard to find semi-comp track tyres for, fatter 16" semi's might be more readily available & provide better grip, less under steer.
As for other generic things required for scrutineering(?):
-Blue Battery triangle, buy a kit off ebay & get it delivered (should come with tow hook stickers which generally not required). Cheaper than buying it on the day & atleast you will have spares if you dont plan on leaving them on between track days.
-Fire extinguisher, make sure its less than 3 years old and has two mounting bolts dia. 6mm or larger. Approved Extinguishers costs $20 from bunnings, PM me for pic of bracket I made up before a Motorkhana late last year, can be easily bolted/unbolted under passenger seat and doesn't require any holes drilled into car.
-Some clubs may require you to have metal valve caps, most don't.
-You might have to screw in your tow hook located next to your spare wheel into the front bumper (small removable plastic panel under RHS headlight I think).
I'm not sure if the Gti has one as standard but look into fitting or upgrading an oil cooler with thermostat, I saw temps of over 110deg. c after only repeated short minute long 'blats' on a 35deg day at lower speed on a skid pan & short TT circuit. I would imagine a 7 lap session on a track day would produce higher temps, but may be kept in check with higher speed airflow through car.
Some might be, but I'm not comfortable with sustained 120+ deg oil temps, use your MFD as gauge to know when to back off. I'd much prefer to go this route rather than changing engine oil after every track day, oil shouldn't break down if you keep the temp low.
If you're precious about your paintwork maybe look into some clear 3M film on the front of your car & behind front wheels & down low on your rear bar. These areas tend to get trashed if your running with semi comps that get hot & stick to everything, releasing them on the straight, also from cars in front with semi's throwing up rocks into your path.
Originally Posted by gavs
While not critical, i'd look at the following:
Intercooler. not so much an issue for one or two days but with the heatsoak that will aflict you on the track with this motor, you really should look into this. It will also help in keeping the intake temps down on highways etc as well. Mine drops heatsoak temps very quickly now, to the tune of about 5-10 secs at 60kph after 20 mins @ 100kph. It used to take 25-30 secs in the same circumstances.
Tyres. oh man you need tyres. Look at some cheap semi slicks to start with because you will hate having to replace your normal every-day tyres all the time. One track day will probably destroy the Dunloip SP Sport Maxx'.
Trans oil, don't bother. it's a sealed, lifetime fill.
If you go to full track-spec pads, do a proper bed-in otherwise i'd be stocking up on rotors
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