There's nothing quite like the experience of pushing your car to its limits on a proper race track. But showing up unprepared can turn an exciting track day into a dangerous or expensive disaster. At Raw Exotics, we prepare countless customer cars for track use, and I've seen firsthand what happens when people skip critical preparation steps. Whether you're heading to your first HPDE (High Performance Driving Event) or you're a seasoned track veteran, this comprehensive guide will ensure your car is safe, reliable, and ready to perform when you hit the circuit.
Safety First: Non-Negotiable Requirements
Before we discuss performance, let's talk safety. Track days are infinitely safer than street racing, but only when proper precautions are taken. Here are the absolute essentials.
Helmet
A quality helmet is mandatory at every track day organization. Requirements vary, but generally you'll need a Snell SA2015 or newer rating (some tracks accept M-rated motorcycle helmets for novice groups, but SA is better).
Key considerations:
- Proper fit: Helmet should be snug but not painful. It shouldn't move when you shake your head
- Fresh rating: Don't use expired helmets - Snell certification is typically good for 10 years
- Eye protection: Full-face helmets are safest and required by most organizations
- Budget $300-800: Quality options from Bell, Arai, Simpson, or Stilo
Fire Extinguisher
A functional, properly mounted fire extinguisher is required at most tracks. Don't just throw one in the trunk - it needs to be securely mounted and easily accessible from the driver's seat.
Recommendations:
- Minimum 2.5 lb capacity
- Halon or ABC dry chemical
- Metal mounting bracket (plastic melts in heat)
- Check pressure gauge before every event
- Replace every 5 years regardless of use
Tech Inspection Items
Every track day includes a technical inspection where officials check your car's safety. Common inspection points include:
- Battery tie-down: Battery must be securely mounted, no movement
- Brake lights: All three brake lights (including center high-mount) must function
- Wheel bearings: No play or grinding sounds
- Suspension components: No worn bushings, loose bolts, or leaking dampers
- Brake pads: Minimum 4-5mm pad thickness remaining
- Fluid leaks: No oil, coolant, or brake fluid leaks
- Seat belts: Factory belts acceptable for street cars, but must be in good condition
- Interior objects: Remove all loose items - floor mats, phone mounts, loose change, everything
Fluids: The Foundation of Reliability
Track driving generates heat that street driving never approaches. Proper fluids are your first line of defense against mechanical failure.
Engine Oil
Fresh, high-quality oil is absolutely critical. Track driving sustains high RPM and loads that push oil far beyond normal street conditions.
Pre-track oil service recommendations:
- Change oil and filter within 500 miles before the event: Fresh oil has maximum additives and detergents
- Use quality synthetic oil: Mobil 1, Pennzoil Platinum, Motul, or Castrol Edge
- Consider higher viscosity: If you typically run 5W-30, consider 5W-40 or 10W-40 for track use
- Overfill slightly: Add an extra 1/2 quart to compensate for oil starvation during high-G cornering (check your specific vehicle's recommendations)
- High-performance oil recommended: Motul 300V, Joe Gibbs Racing oil, or similar for serious track cars
After the event, change your oil again within 500 miles. Track oil gets contaminated with fuel and breakdown products much faster than street driving.
Brake Fluid
This is the single most important fluid upgrade for track use. Factory brake fluid has a relatively low boiling point and absorbs moisture over time, further lowering the boiling point. Under heavy braking, fluid can boil, creating vapor in the lines and resulting in complete brake failure.
Brake fluid specifications matter:
- DOT 3: ~400°F dry boiling point - NOT suitable for track use
- DOT 4: ~450°F dry boiling point - Minimum for occasional track use
- DOT 5.1: ~500°F dry boiling point - Better for regular track use
- Racing fluid (Motul RBF 600, Castrol SRF): ~590-600°F dry boiling point - Ideal for serious track work
At Raw Exotics, we recommend completely flushing brake fluid before track events. Use Motul RBF 600 or similar racing brake fluid. Yes, it costs $30-40 per liter versus $10 for regular fluid, but brake failure at 120 MPH is considerably more expensive.
Critical: Bleed brakes properly, starting from the furthest wheel from the master cylinder (typically passenger rear) and working toward the closest. Get all air out of the system.
Coolant
Many tracks restrict or prohibit glycol-based coolants due to cleanup concerns (glycol creates extremely slippery conditions if spilled). Check your track's rules, as you may be required to run water and Water Wetter only.
If glycol coolant is allowed:
- Ensure cooling system is in perfect condition (no leaks)
- Use fresh 50/50 mix of quality coolant and distilled water
- Consider Evans Waterless Coolant for the ultimate in boil-over protection
- Verify proper operation of electric fans
Transmission and Differential Fluid
Often overlooked, these fluids also see extreme stress on track.
- Manual transmission: Change to quality synthetic gear oil (Redline MT-90, Motul Gear 300)
- Automatic transmission: Fresh fluid if approaching service interval
- Differential: Switch to synthetic 75W-90 or 75W-140 depending on ambient temperature
Tires: Your Only Connection to the Track
Tire selection dramatically impacts both performance and safety. Track days are brutal on tires, so choose wisely.
Street Tires vs. Track Tires
For your first few track days, quality street tires are perfectly acceptable. However, dedicated track tires offer significant advantages:
High-Performance Street Tires (Good for beginners):
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4S
- Continental ExtremeContact Sport
- Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position
- 200-280 treadwear rating
- Good for 4-6 track days typically
Extreme Performance Summer Tires (Better):
- Yokohama Advan A052
- Nitto NT05
- Bridgestone Potenza RE-71RS
- 100-200 treadwear rating
- Significantly more grip but wear faster
- Good for 2-4 track days
R-Compound / DOT Race Tires (Serious track use):
- Hoosier A7 / R7
- Toyo Proxes RR
- Goodyear Eagle RS
- Under 100 treadwear (or none listed)
- Maximum grip but typically last only 1-3 track days
- May not be street legal in all areas
Tire Pressure
Proper tire pressure is crucial for both performance and safety. Tires heat up significantly during track use, increasing pressure.
General guidelines:
- Set cold pressures 2-4 psi LOWER than street settings
- Check hot pressures after first session (aim for 35-38 psi hot for most applications)
- Adjust cold pressure based on hot readings
- Consistent pressure across all four tires unless you know what you're doing with stagger
Bring a quality tire pressure gauge and portable air compressor to the track. You'll be checking and adjusting pressures throughout the day.
Tread Depth and Condition
Don't track on worn tires. Minimum 5/32" tread depth for safety. Inspect for:
- Uneven wear patterns indicating alignment issues
- Dry rot or cracking (common on older tires)
- Previous damage or repairs
- Manufacturing date (tires older than 6 years should be replaced)
Brake Pads: High-Performance Friction
Factory brake pads are designed for quiet operation, minimal dust, and gentle stopping power. Track driving requires pads that can handle sustained high temperatures without fading.
Pad Selection Strategy
For street cars doing occasional track days:
High-performance street pads that work both on street and track. These compromise slightly in both environments but offer convenience of not swapping pads.
- Hawk HPS 5.0 (Street/occasional track)
- EBC Yellowstuff (Good balance)
- StopTech Street Performance (Quality option)
For dedicated track pads (swap before events):
Maximum performance pads that may be noisy and dusty on street but excel on track.
- Hawk DTC-60 or DTC-70 (Serious track use)
- Carbotech XP10 or XP12 (Aggressive, high temp)
- Ferodo DS2500 (Popular European option)
- G-LOC R10 or R12 (Premium race pads)
For regular track cars:
Full race pads offering maximum performance but essentially unusable on street.
- Hawk DTC-80
- Carbotech XP16 or XP20
- Pagid RS pads
Bedding New Pads
New brake pads must be properly bedded before track use. This process transfers a thin layer of pad material onto the rotor surface, ensuring optimal friction.
Bedding procedure:
- Find a safe, empty road or parking lot
- Perform 6-8 moderate stops from 60-15 MPH (not complete stops)
- Perform 4-5 harder stops from 70-20 MPH
- Perform 2-3 aggressive stops from 80-25 MPH
- Drive gently for 5-10 minutes to cool brakes (no complete stops if possible)
- Park and let brakes cool completely before driving normally
Properly bedded pads will have even, dark discoloration on the rotor surface and offer consistent bite.
Alignment: Maximizing Tire Contact and Handling
Factory alignment settings prioritize tire life and straight-line stability. Track alignments optimize grip and handling response.
Key Alignment Parameters
Camber: The inward/outward tilt of the tire when viewed from the front.
- Factory settings: -0.5° to -1.5° (minimal negative camber)
- Track settings: -2.5° to -3.5° front, -2.0° to -3.0° rear
- Benefit: Keeps tire contact patch flat during cornering
- Downside: Slightly reduces straight-line traction and increases tire wear on street
Toe: Whether tires point inward or outward when viewed from above.
- Front toe: Minimal toe-out (0° to -0.05°) for quick turn-in
- Rear toe: Slight toe-in (0.05° to 0.10°) for stability
- Excessive toe causes rapid tire wear
Caster: The forward/backward angle of the steering axis.
- More caster = better high-speed stability
- Most modern cars have good caster from factory
- Maximizing caster (within adjustment range) benefits track use
Street vs. Track Alignment Compromise
If your car sees both street and track duty, consider a compromise alignment:
- Front camber: -2.0° to -2.5°
- Rear camber: -1.5° to -2.0°
- Front toe: -0.03° (slight toe-out)
- Rear toe: +0.05° (slight toe-in)
- Maximum caster within factory range
This provides 80% of the track benefits while remaining reasonable for street driving and tire wear.
Pre-Track Day Vehicle Inspection
One week before your track event, perform a thorough inspection to identify and fix any issues.
Mechanical Inspection Checklist
- Brake system: Pad thickness (minimum 5mm), rotor condition, no leaks, firm pedal
- Suspension: No leaking shocks/struts, tight bushings, no clunking sounds
- Wheel bearings: Grab each wheel at 3 and 9 o'clock, push/pull - no movement
- Tires: Tread depth, even wear, no damage, correct pressure
- Steering: No excessive play, smooth operation, proper fluid level
- Battery: Securely mounted, clean terminals, good voltage (12.6V+ at rest)
- Exhaust: No loose hangers or leaks
- Fluid levels: Oil, coolant, brake fluid, PS fluid, transmission, differential all at proper levels
Interior Preparation
Remove everything that could become a projectile during high-G cornering:
- Floor mats (tape down if required by track)
- Loose change, sunglasses, phone mounts
- Anything in door pockets or center console
- Aftermarket gauges that aren't permanently mounted
- Sound deadening that's coming loose
Secure or remove any aftermarket equipment like radar detectors, cameras, etc.
Track Day Essentials to Bring
Pack these items for a successful track day:
Safety Equipment
- Helmet (SA-rated, recent certification)
- Driving shoes (thin soles for pedal feel)
- Long pants and long-sleeve shirt (natural fibers preferred)
- Sunscreen and hat
- First aid kit
Tools and Supplies
- Tire pressure gauge (accurate digital gauge)
- Portable air compressor
- Basic hand tools (sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers)
- Torque wrench (for wheel lug nuts)
- Jack and jack stands
- Duct tape and zip ties
- Shop towels and degreaser
Fluids and Consumables
- Extra quart of oil
- Brake fluid (full bottle of what's in the car)
- Coolant/water
- Window cleaner
- Tire cleaner (remove debris picked up on track)
Comfort Items
- Canopy/tent for shade
- Folding chairs
- Cooler with water and snacks
- Camera or GoPro to record sessions
- Notebook for recording tire pressures and setup changes
Day-Of Preparation
The morning of your track event, perform these final checks:
Morning Inspection
- Check all fluid levels (oil, coolant, brake, etc.)
- Verify tire pressures (set cold pressures per your plan)
- Torque wheel lug nuts to specification
- Ensure battery is secure
- Verify brake pedal feels firm with no soft spots
- Remove any loose items from interior/trunk
First Session Strategy
Your first session should be a warmup:
- Drive at 7/10ths to get a feel for the track
- Gradually build speed over 3-4 laps
- Focus on learning the track layout and braking points
- Listen for unusual sounds (grinding, knocking, etc.)
- After session, immediately check tire pressures and brake temperatures
Between Sessions Maintenance
After each track session, perform quick checks:
- Tire pressures: Check and adjust while still hot
- Visual inspection: Walk around car looking for leaks or damage
- Brake inspection: Look through wheels at rotors (any cracks or severe discoloration?)
- Fluid levels: Quick check of oil and coolant
- Wheel lug nuts: Verify they're still tight
- Cool-down lap: Always take one slow cool-down lap before pulling into paddock
Post-Track Day Inspection and Maintenance
After the event, thoroughly inspect your car:
- Complete fluid check (look for signs of contamination or excessive consumption)
- Brake inspection (pad wear, rotor condition)
- Tire inspection (uneven wear, chunking, or damage)
- Suspension check (any new leaks or sounds?)
- Schedule oil change within 500 miles
- Note any issues for correction before next event
Common Track Day Mistakes to Avoid
Learn from others' errors:
- Skipping brake fluid flush: Results in brake failure and ruined rotors (or worse)
- Using worn tires: Dangerous and slow - replace before track day
- Ignoring tire pressures: Wrong pressure causes poor handling and rapid wear
- Not bringing tools: Simple issues become day-enders without basic tools
- Overdrive your skills: Start slow, build speed gradually - crashing is expensive
- Forget ear protection: Extended time at high RPM damages hearing
- Not staying hydrated: Track days are physically demanding, drink water constantly
Final Thoughts
Proper track day preparation ensures a safe, reliable, and enjoyable experience. While the checklist may seem daunting for first-timers, it quickly becomes routine. The investment in preparation pays dividends in reduced mechanical issues, improved performance, and most importantly, safety.
"Track days are the best way to improve your driving skills and truly experience your car's capabilities. But preparation is everything - show up ready and you'll have an incredible time. Show up unprepared and you'll spend the day in the paddock wrenching instead of driving." - Josh Munford
At Raw Exotics, we offer comprehensive track day preparation services. Bring your car by our Houston shop and we'll perform a complete inspection, fluid service, alignment, and any necessary upgrades to ensure you're ready for the track. We can also help you select the right modifications for your skill level and budget. Whether it's your first track day or your fiftieth, we'll make sure your car is prepared to perform safely and reliably.