Some hints for comfort:

I suggest that you bring a folding chair to sit on. We will be parked out on the paved pit/paddock area and that's about all there is. Also bring a small folding table if you have one. Bottled water! A pad of paper & pen to take notes during drivers meetings and critiques. Bring a print out of the track layout (map) as well. It's a great tool to have so you can refer to points by turn numbers and to make notes on. I suggest that you also have a printed copy of the days schedule and display it so you know when you will be going out.

Tools: Torque wrench for checking wheels, tire pressure gage, small portable compressor, gloves for working on the car if necessary and some basic tools (screw driver, plyers, etc.). A roll of duct tape can be very handy as well.

If you have a small canopy bring it for rain or sun. If you are wearing driving shoes, bring along an extra pair of comfortable shoes for walking. You may want to walk around the course from the "spectators" views and watch other cars. You may learn alot about the best "line" by watching others.

Remember leave all the other unnecessary stuff behind in the garage. Before you go out on track, empty EVERYTHING out of your car. You don't want anything rolling around distracting you while you are on track.

Pit in a group or with a freind so you can keep an eye out on each others stuff while the other one is out one track. It is very rare for someone to take your stuff, but it wise to keep an eye on stuff anyway.

 

There will be a fourth group for the ladies if enough sign up and request it. Otherwise its just three coed groups. My bad not HOD.

 

on a non competative day like this, Ill push 112 in 5th before I lift for 1. But thats with serious suspension adjustments and R compound tyres...

it all depends on your exit speed of 15 and how hard you want to go into 1...but seeing as this is your first time out in the car, even with your experience, I doubt you will see too much wear and tear. the F1 GS-D3's are soft, but the track wont get up to summer heat, so you wont see too much wear if you drive within the limits of a stock setup and proper tire inflation. Im happy to assist you in setup at the track if you like. I had F1's on my car for street use, but I had a bad allaingment done and caused 2 to cord. Tell you what, I have the remaining 2 with only 1200 miles on them, yours if you come up and use them as part of your coustume. <im serious>

I wont lie though, if you overdo it and are in a constant push all day, then your have edge wear.

 

Great advice from pooper...

water will be on hand from HOD, but one may want to bring some health snacks for body and mind replenshiment.

1st timers, if you want a spot under covered parking in the paddock get there early as these spots go fast!

Track maps will be inside your welcome package. Logbooks for notes will be on hand as well.

For those without tools, like wrenches and tyre gauges, not to worry, enough of us have them..and while I will hunt down the guy who "forgets" to give me back my socket, I still am happy to share...

Im happy to hold court in the paddock in the morning for anyone who has questions, concerns or just wants a hug.... Everyone should participate in the recon laps. If you have not been to an HOD event or THill before, jump in a C class or coaches car for a review of the track at 40mph..

Everyone going up the night before?

and dress in layers this time of year. Sometimes sunblock and a rain pancho make sense on the same day.

 

You lift for 1??

 

Signed up for group C.
I have run the Goodyear F1's for 5 track days this year and I was surprised at how well they wear and grip. The outside edge will wear down and I just had to flip the tires to get the inside edge to the outside so I will use these for a couple more days on the track until my new wheels and tires arrive. These are my daily driver tires and I now have over 30,000 miles on these and should get another 10,000 miles.

 

Yup, not as gutsy as some

 

Thanks for the info, the tire offer, and the offer to help me. Definitely sounds like a cool group of people that go, which would make it even more fun. That's good to hear about the F1s since I'm gonna get them after this winter to replace my runflats. Also, I don't have a completely stock suspension setup, I have the JCW suspension(shocks, sway bars) along with the Mach V springs...handles extremely well on the street, so would be interesting on the track. Plus, I work on a NASCAR grand national race team with a main area of expertise in suspension/chassis setup, so I would have no problem tuning my suspension; but I totally appreciate the offer. I just think I'm gonna have to wait, to be able to have the time to go up.

 

Cool, when you are ready, let me know...I could use your opinion on my suspension setup

 

I will definitely let you know...and I love helping fellow car enthusiasts with their suspension setup if they want accurate information

 

10 more days and counting......

 

update: The track will have air for tyres; many drivers will be bringing tools and most are willing to share. So don't worry if you don't have any tools.

I'll have a few torque wrenches, and I'll bring along a portable air tank. and I will have a small portable air compressor with me. I'll bring some extra tools and eveyone is welcome to borrow what I have.

Need to know what socket size for the lug nuts for the classic Minis. My torque wrench will be 1/2" drive.

Bring a chair, water bottle, a roll of duct tape, tire pressure gage, extra pair of comfortable shoes.

Suggest that you fill up before you get to Thunderhill. There are several gas stations at the exit off I-5 at Willows. Chevron, Shell, and some others. You can probably get some high octane gas at the track, although I doubt it will make a big difference in performance, but it will make a difference in your wallet.

Check all your fluids before you leave the house, brake fluid, oil, coolant, etc. If you have any issues with oil, bring along a few extra quarts just in case.

Empty your Mini of all unnecessary items. NO clutter! Then empty the rest before you go out on track. Nothing worse that a coke can rolling around under your feet while you are downshifting and braking for a turn.

If you are driving with a helmet for the first time, go ahead and try it on and drive your Mini around beforehand. Don't worry you won't be a GEEK! The full-faced helmets do limit your vision to some extent and it's good to get acustom to wearing one before you got out on track.

Be safe and enjoy!

 

Get some V-power from the Shell station in Willows, top off at the track. While it costs more, the money goes back to the SCCA and is put back into the track...and you will get 93 octane, which smells better than 91

Ditto on the "remove everything" note. Last time I was out, I had to convince my parking neighbor to remove the 5lb mag light from his rear seats. Everything needs to come out. Ask yourself, do I want this to hit my eyeball at 90mph? If the answer is no, take it out and leave it at home...

 

I also wanted to let you all know that BRracing will be attending the event, we all knwo they are one of the main sponsors as well but they are now going to be there too. It will be nice to meet both Bruce and Robb in person. It was unsure at first as this event fell right in the middle of their trip to SEMA but they cancelled that to come out with all of us, how nice . I know that they are bringing both of their trailers with their two show MCS's that they will be offering rides in as well as providing track support for anyone that needs it. They will have all their tools with them as well as parts that they carry for our cars from Dinan, Alta, Helix and more. From what I hear they are also bringing their BMW race car to have on hand so that we can drool.
I am sure that if anyone is needing anything before the event or for their cars that BRracing can help with sourcing and bring the stuff with them to the track on Thursday. Send them an email at brracing@gmail.com I believe.

 

Possibly off topic, but does anyone know of a local Bay Area place where I can pick up a CG Lock?

 

I have one.
I'll bring with me. Its yours.

 

If anyone else wants to purchase the CG Lock, email me and I'll bring some down. kens(at)minimania.com

For that matter, if anyone pre-orders product, I can deliver it at the track - provided the item is in stock and not too 'bulky' (must fit in a MINI). Orders must be placed by 3pm today.

Ken

edit: specify 'for delivery at Thunderhill Nov. 1'.

 

I just looked in the package and the little allen/hex key wrench is missing (required to assembly it your belt).
May want to see Ken for a nice new CG-Lock.

I'll still bring it.

 

I'll bring the tool so unixgal can borrow it.

ken

 

They have covered parking at THill now? Cool. When I was racing there (AFM - motorcycle, for the fun/thrill of it) in 2003 they didn't have anything covered other than the picnic table area. Sounds like things have changed for the better. I'm sooooo psyched about tomorrow.

Also, in case anyone is interested in seeing a lap and a half at THill from the m/c perspective, here is a video from a helmetcam on the side of my R6's fairing. The video starts from the front straight towards turn 1.

 

So you really don't want it? Or just b/c of the tool? I'll give you some green for it if you want to give it up. Thanks.

 

No charge.
I have a 6 point harness

 

unixgal, there is 'limited' shaded parking. You need to get there early if you want shade!

ken

 

Awesome. I have a full set of metric and standard hex keys so I should be good.

 

A big THANK YOU to everyone that participated. I hope everyone had fun at the event. The weather was perfect (except for the pm winds) and we had a great turnout!

Looking forward to our next event!!

Ken