Gas!!! Arrive at the track with a full tank of gas. I know it sounds stupid but people do it, run out in the middle of the
track and then have to get towed off. You can imagine how many friends those people make by wasting the next group's time
on the track. The eclipse actually is okay on gas mileage, I drove 5 20 minute sessions and then 200 miles home on one tank.
But all the same fill it up before you get there.
Tires, you will need new tires. Especially if you have no suspension mods. Also if if you have suspension don't skimp out
by buying cheap tires. These are the only part of the car that touch the pavement, good tires will help you many times over.
Get a pair some with an aggressive tread. As shown in the picture below. The best way do to this if you are not towing and
your car is a daily driver is to buy an extra pair of used wheels on Ebay for like $50 or buy a nice composite pair. Have
your racing tires on the spare pair and when you get to the track switch your tires. This way you could probably get away
with two days of track time on one pair and keep your street tires as well.
BAD TIRE, GOOD TIRE
Lighten it up. The eclipse is a monster, it has a curb weight of 3,200lbs (no passengers or cargoe). Take out the spare tire
(WHEN YOUR AT THE TRACK NOT BEFORE), the back seats and the front seat. This is about 100lbs.
Other things can include,
a lighter performance battery 10 lbs
remove air conditioner
remove driver and passenger windows, niether are allowed up on the track
carbon fiber hood (we've heard anything from 15 to 40lbs shaved off)
carbon fiber trunk
replace back window with lighweight material
all carpet
get racing seats
Anything that could go wrong will go wrong. Make sure all minor repairs are fixed. This is extremely hard on your car. For
20 mintutes straight you will be flooring it then braking then flooring again. If something goes wrong in no way does it mean
your car is crummy, there are always plenty of expansive cars that have to sit the day out after 1 session. Just count on
a major repair everytime (it won't happen everytime) but just have that money set aside just in case. For example Power steering
$700+ Misfire $400+ (you must remove the intake manifold to replace all spark plugs, alot of labor charges)
Change all fuids. This is extremely hard on your car don't make it harder by using old oil. Coolant, Transmission you don't
have to change out the brake fluid but if at the track your pedal feels "mushy" next time switch to Dot 4. Also
performance powersteering fluid is a good preventative. If that blows from racing around the track all day thats an expensive
repair that will also cut your day short.
Check your brake pads
And a last few rules, BE MODEST and listen to instructors if there plus they can help ALOT. Also turn the heat on while on
the track, pop the hood while off and when parking after a run just leave it in gear so the parking break does not warp the
extremely hot rotors.
