racing helmet
 

im thinking abt going on my very first track day!

but i have absolutely no idea what i need to bring...

well at least i know i'll need a helmet

does anybody know the most economical or the most popular racing helmet that meets the requirements?

also, for those of you who goes on track often, what do i need to bring? what do i need to do to get my car prepared?

noob on professional racing... some brief racing techniques?


thx in advance for all the help guys!!

long sleeve shirt, pants, closed toe shoes

i can run the car with street tires?? do i need extra brake pads? brake fluid? tools? painter's tape for bumper? suspension, brakes, are all stock

any helmet suggestions?

so... not many speed 3 owners track their car?...

See if there is a performance store at the track. If there is one, you can usually buy tape and other stuff needed for the track (gloves, fluids, etc). I use a washable window marker for my numbers, lol. I would rent a helmet first, it should be like $5 a day or so. After my first day (when I knew that tracking my car was something I wanted to pursue long term) I bought a full face helmet at the track. A tire pressure gauge is useful but you can just borrow one from someone, everybody is really helpful. Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a water bottle is a must, you will be drinking water like crazy. May bring a camping/beach chair too.

you fucking kidding right?

run the car stock, its fine. youll need a helmet, shoes, shirt and pants.


god forbids you forget your, shirt, pants or shoes.

ugh... no im not fucking kidding. ive never track a car... i didnt even know im allowed to track a street car until i own my first car and start getting knowing the automotive world.

so... no... i was not fucking kidding at all. i just thought maybe i need to prep the car in anyway to go on track

but yeah thx for the info man now i know stock is fine :)

thx for the info man!! this is what im looking for. how much did u pay for ur helmet?

I have been Tracking my speed3 for three years now....The car has gone from stock to heavily modified with a turbo upgrade and a bunch of other stuff, but thats not your worries now...your car stock will do surprisingly well.....Rent a helmut or go buy one...Saferacer online has good deals...have your long sleeve shirt long pants and closed toed shoes...also sunscreen food and water.....maybe a popup if you have one because sitting the sun all day will get the best of you....Aside from that just have fucking FUN!
Also learn your car...this is the time to push your car and your limits because like the car you are far more capable of what you know as of now...If there are instructors there, take advantage of that for sure..let them drive your car too as you ride along with them....Just be a sponge that day and take in everything....Ask questions...everyone there had there first time too and they will love to chat and answer questions...Also by you asking and them answering it KEEPS the track safe!
And once again "have fun"
goodluck!

im actually a lil concerned on tires... currently running continental dws... my friend was telling me those will just go byebye after 2 track days... is that true or ill be just fine? maybe put the stock tires on the front wheels for track days?

Well heres the deal you are in a frontwheel drive car..remember to not roast the wheels threw the tight 90 degree turns or any turns at that, you will kill your tires...also i would rotate your wheels every two sessions to save your tires....If you end up loving the track invest in some other rims and track tires...the hankook race slicks are great and very well priced.....If you dont care about price go with the hoosiers....Also watch your tire pressures after each session...you should start off lower pressure than you would on the street, your tires will heat up and you will feel the difference, but her is where you can tweak your car and get better times...At the end of the day have fun pal!! be safe!!! also if you cant do track tires i love the khumo tires for street and track, but i have been using dedicated track wheels and tires for about 2 years now...I just couldnt deal with killing my street tires....
Goodluck be safe!

What is retarded about this helmet? G-Force—Modified SA2010 Helmet—-—SafeRacer

I looked into open face until finding out you need a full face for wheel to wheel.

i guess i'll go with this one

Zamp Racing—FSA-2 SA2010 Auto Racing Helmet—-—SafeRacer

I bought a lightly used motorcycle helmet for autocross off craigslist for $40 IIRC.

Most tracks down here require you to run with an instructor if you are a novice. I would highly suggest you do this.

Nah, you need this one -

Stilo—ST4 Formula 8860 Carbon-Fiber Helmet—-—SafeRacer

http://www.saferacer.com/hans-device...?productid=595

You'll need that as well when you hit the NOS button.

This ^^^^^^^

I paid about $300 for my helmet, any SA2010 helmet will do, I would buy one with mounting points for a neck harness, just in case later on you decide you want to get more serious... But really, just rent one for the first time or two. Learn first how to drive your car stock, then throw in some upgrades, learn how to handle the car again, throw some more upgrades.... it is a never ending process once you are hooked :biggrin:

As everyone said, long sleeve shirt, pants and helmet are the minimum usually.
As for the helmet, get yourself to a place that sells helmets and get the fitment right. The worst thing to do is to have it too big and it fall over your eyes or too tight so no blood can get to your head. The proper fitment is to be snug, just enough to move your scalp when you move it side to side while it's on your head, but not super tight so you start seeing your veins pop up on your forehead after a few minutes of wearing it. After you get the right fitment and the style helmet you like then you can go price hunting on the internet. Motorcycle helmets will work, that's what I wear, Just make sure the snell rating is up to day. Usually the snell sticker is hidden under the padding on the inside of the helmet. Snell ratings come out every 5 years so the current one is 2010. Most tracks will still accept 2005, but don't quote me on that.
As for your car. Oil change before you go, unless you just did one. If you have more than, I'd say, 1000 miles on that oil change get another one. If you haven't replaced your brake fluid in a while I would do that too. Make sure your tires have enough tread on them and you want to overinflate them a tad so if you're at the recommended 34 front 32 rear I do 36-38 front 34-36 rear it helps out. It depends on how warm it is outside and how warm the tires are. But then again I use a laser temp gauge to figure it out.
When you're ready to come off the track after running a few laps make sure you do at least 1 cool down lap. I usually do 2. It helps cool the car down to normal operating temps. Just drive the track "spirited" not aggressively. Let it run for a few minutes before you shut it off too. Then lift the hood to help it cool down.
After the track day change the oil and brake fluid again.

I always deflate my tires a bit before running. I usually start with about 34 cold tires and after each session deflate a bit to keep the tires at about 38. If you start with 38 front you will have like 45 after a session. :bigeyes:

Opps yeah sorry I should have been more clear. Tha'ts why I use the laser pointer temp gauge

yeah sure buy me these lol

The OP won't need a helmet because based on his knowledge he's never going to break 14.00

You know he's going to blow right through pre-stage and stage by 4 car lengths before the race starts.

By the time he gets it staged properly the yellows will start coming down and he won't even have had time to bring his engine up to speed. He leaves on green thinking that was a pretty good reaction time. So a bogged launch will be followed by 3 granny lift throttle shifts and disappointment when staring at 17.3@98mph with 2.8 60' time. He gets out of car and wonders wtf just happened.

The consolation prize is: we've all been there dude.

And if this is really this guys first time out, the last thing he needs to worry about is tire pressure guys and combating heat soak in the intercooler, sheesh. Y'all are gonna scare the kid y'know?

OP: you will make mistakes the first few times you drag race. Just schluff it off and go back for more.

lol thx for the tip bro! im was actually going on a circuit track not drag strip lol. yeah i know that was not your point hahah thx man!

Guys that I know, put painters tape on their bumper to protect if they hit cones, (this is in Autocross)

The MS3 is generally pretty track capable out of the box. Get yourself a helmet in your budget, and go to the track!

I say, don't go full blast trying to get the best time. Give it maybe 80%, see what you like and dont like about the car. Then next time you will know if you want to upgrade your brakes, swaybars, tires, etc. Run it stock first, see what Mazda gave you, then do what you want with it.

But yeah, you need that helmet too....

Hope this helps! :)

lol I'm the one who needs to read better lol.

So I guess the only thing I can recommend to you is this: Don't assume that more air (higher tire pressures) = more grip. I have never tracked an MS3 but I have run solo2 in other fwd cars and I remember pumping the shit out of the rear tires to get the car to rotate (i.e. reduce push/understeer). Inflate them to almost their maximum allowed on the sidewall. Then, dial in your handling characteristics by altering the tire pressures up front. I'd start the fronts at OEM (35psi) and not be afraid to go down, 30, 28, 26 even perhaps. Everyone always thinks they have to jack up the front to max psi. Put chalk on the front tires to see how far they are rolling over on their sidewalls. And then LOWER the front tire pressure just until they are about to rollover. Yeah you're gonna chunk some of the outer ribs but if you drive smoothly then it shouldn't be a worry.

Driving fast is knowing where and when to drive slow.

And smoothness, smoothness, and more smoothness is the key to a good lap time.

Have fun!