2014 RTR DE Schedule

[Marty Kocse]

I'm not Marty, but I've done lots of DEs. No need for different tires, brake pads or anything for the Intro to DE. I did a number of DEs with a brand new car on the OEM tires and pads and had no issues. Race tracks, including WGI, are less likely to have stones or other debris on their surface than the highways you drive to get there. Tracks are carefully inspected and the flaggers watch for debris. That said, if you care about your paint a clear bra makes sense for ALL the driving you do. That dump truck two cars ahead of you on the highway is more likely to drop some stones that will chip your paint than a car you are following on the track will kick up a stone, but either could happen. Some DE drivers put "racer's tape," a kind of masking tape all over the nose of their car, but a clear bra looks better and will protect your paint on the street, too. Your dealer or other shops can help you with a clear bra.

Just FYI, common wisdom (to which I subscribe) encourage use of street tires for DEs for at least the first year. Those tires give more notice to the driver before they lose grip which they do slower and more predictably than R-compound tires. As long as you pay attention to wear of your brake pads you will be find with the street compound, too. For a one-day Intro experience I predict no issues at all.

What you should note is that WGI, as one of the older tracks we run, has less runoff in a number of places than more modern tracks. Your instructor will help you drive within your ability and you should not get the chance to meet any Armco. It is there, but if you keep your head straight it is not any closer than it is on many highways you drive without thinking about it. Just keep within your skills and you'll do fine. Your instructor and your VERY capable car will help with that!

Ditto to what Chris said, but just one more thing to add. Using painters tape (no duct tape) and/or clear shelf paper (sticky platic wrap), you can temporarily protect the front of your car (bumper, hood, headlights, fenders, and mirrors) and around the edge of the wheel wells both front and rear to protect those areas and at a very reasonable cost - the clear bra is quite expensive but is the best long-term solution for all types of driving (street/track). You may think taping up the car sounds funny, but that's what a lot of people do for a track day as beginners. I did that to some extent for the first couple of years and it worked quite well. All those items can be put on and taken off without incident. I hope to see you out there with us.
Marty