So we've all talked about how to prep your car for a track day, but what do you do after? I just got done with a 2-day event at VIR in which the car didn't explode, so I'm going to be trying my luck again in a couple weeks at AMP. Here's my list of post-HPDE activities:

* Clean corrosive brake dust off wheels
* Bleed brakes
* Inspect pads, rotors
* Change back to street pads
* Inspect wheels, hubs for cracking
* Inspect exhaust manifold hardware (turboooo)
* Bleed clutch
* Change oil? How many track hours between oil changes do you go?

What else do you guys do?

 

Fix crash damage mostly

 

For a turbo, I'd change the oil regardless. Bleeding brakes could probably be done every other track day or even more if you're not insanely fast, clutch bleed is never a bad idea with the MIata's shitting hydraulic system.

I'd agree with inspecting pads and rotors, but instead of checking for wheel bearings, just jack up each corner and wiggle the wheel left-right, then up-down. If there's any play, you have a bad wheel bearing or bad ball joint. If it's both side to side and up/down play, usually wheel bearing. If only side to side, usually tie rod, if up/down only, usually upper or lower ball joint.

 

SCCA - I check tires for wear.

Track day. - put it on 4 jack stands and remove wheels. look at stuff. consider oil change or bleed depending on which hasnt been done recently.

 

Sometimes after a track day mine just sits in the trailer until the next one haha.

But in all seriousness - I usually check the hubs for play, check pads for wear, rotate tires, make sure suspension bolts are tight. Change oil every 2-3 track weekends depending on how hot it is.

Unless I run into a specific problem during the weekend I don't spend much more time on the car than a quick nut/bolt/fluid/safety check. I'll then usually give the car another good look over using whatever tech sheet the group I'm running with next uses the day before it goes back on the trailer for that next event.

 

I make a list and note anything deserving of attention and prioritize the tasks. I do nothing until about 2 weeks before the event and try to address everything I can with the time available. somehow washing the car and dressing the wheels never seems to get done. I almost detailed it once. I sprayed it down a few times. order tires and brake pads, perhaps a few other bits in march. This behavior is not possible with many cars for track use. answer = miata!

 

Swap street brake pads and wheels/tires back onto the car. Look over suspension for eccentric movement and loose bolts and look for new oil leaks. Enjoy car until next track day when I do a full detailed inspection 1-2 weeks prior to event.

 

I've only recently started doing track days again after mostly racing enduros for years now. The prep is so much more relaxing, and yet several things I learned carry over.
During the weekend I keep a scratch pad of things noticed and improvements to research before the next event.
Take NOTES: of weather and setup along with changes throughout the day. This will help you greatly the next time you visit that same track. A picture of the car can help too.

Wait to wash/clean the car so leaks and oddities are easily noticed
Check that all lugnuts are still tight (if things are still hot, don't re-torque them just make sure they are snug, think 1/2 of the original torque spec)
Put the car up on 4 jackstands and check hubs, top 12-6 shake : 1-7 shake : 11-5 shake - checking also for suspension play especially in the rears with a 3-9 shake.
Inspect with a flashlight for leaks and new fluids around the typical spots, valve cover gasket, oil filter, oil pan, rear seal, trans plugs and seals, differential. Also check the calipers and shocks.
Pull the wheels and all four calipers, check the brake pads (don't be lazy, check the inside pads too) and the rotors.
Check all of your witness marks (paint pen marks from the nut or bolt head to a stationary spot for a quick visual check if anything has moved.) Put these on EVERYTHING!
Check and Change fluids as needed.
Wash car and wheels last (unless your pad dust is corrosive then get to this after pulling the wheels, usually this becomes more of an issue with dusty wheels that get wet)

Slap it all back together and relax knowing you made the best track car choice
Sign up for the next track day

 

Also: Analyze the data! I'm pretty ---- with recording data from every session, so I like to look through it afterward to be sure my tune is doing what I think it's doing.

 

Great post. cats.

 

I street drive the car so I do a general checkup when I put back the street tyres on after the day is over.

When I get home ? Get greeted by cat. Pet cat. Sleep with cat. Then check videos and upload.

If its mid-season I do an oil change, otherwise if nothing's broken/in the process of being broken, nothing #stockNAlife.

 

Submit Hoosier forms to get mah tires.

 

sip a beverage.

 

This first.

 

Usually end up swapping motors. I'm on my fifth between two cars!

 

Haha, **** I feel your pain!

 

Only thing I usually do after an event is remove the wheels, wash them to get the brake dust off and put them away in the dark.

anything else can wait for the pre event checks..

 

If the event was successful in regards to lap times the after action to do's include alignment check, ride height check, stabilizer bar positions, wing angle, splitter height, and so on. I just try to collect all the settings to act as a benchmark.