Garage Heroes (In Training)

Learning as we go. Come along with us and Enjoy the Ride!

Mike Skeen is our Guest

  • Mike Skeen Podium
  • Mike Skeen

On GHIT Podcast #0190: Mike Skeen is our Guest

Yes, That Mike Skeen

We were honored to have Mike Skeen join our podcast as a guest.  He is an amazing driver and has seemingly competed in every type of driving we can think of and it seems he usually wins.  We go over a bit about how he progressed and what he is currently racing, as well as a great discussion on the skills and abilities that can separate a great driver from a typical amateur driver.  He has a talent for explaining racing that rivals his driving skills.  I think Vicki and Jen have now added working with Mike as a coach at a track.  Bill was already on board that train long before the episode.  We are pretty sure Ben may even look to join us for that.

Mike Skeen Mustang

On this episode of Dominating with Dawson, we

have our first ever series of story time questions with Ben, Vicki, and Jennifer where we try out two new fast and furious story time questions.

You can subscribe to our podcast on the podcast provider of your choice, including the Apple podcast app, Google music, Amazon, and YouTube etc. 

Also, if you could give our podcast a (5-star?) rating or even better, a podcast review, we would greatly appreciate it and it would help us to grow the passion and sport of high performance driving.

For instance, leaving an Apple Podcast rating is very easy.  If you go to your podcast library, under shows and click on the podcast you can leave a (5?) star rating and enter your review. 

A link to the episode is: https://tinyurl.com/MikeSkeenwithGHiT

We hope you enjoy this episode!

PS  Please don’t forget that if you are looking to add an Apex Pro to your driving telemetry system, don’t forget to use our discount code for all Apex Pro systems you will receive a free Windshield Suction Cup Mount for the system, a savings of $40.  Just enter the code “ghitlikesapex!” when you order.  We have two systems for our team and Bill is looking to add a third for this season, pending CFO approval from Vicki.  They are a great system and truly invaluable in safely increasing your speed on track and/or autocross etc.

Best regards,

Vicki, Jennifer, Alan, and Bill

Hosts of the Garage Heroes In Training Podcast and Garage Heroes In Training racing team drivers

Mike Skeen Mercedes

Highlights from this episode include:

1)  It all starts off with a bit where Vicki does a bit of a time delay/selective deafness to whatever Bill says.  In other words, a normal day and episode.  lol.

2)  We learn a bit about how Mike worked his way up through various racing series and progressed to where he is currently competing as a professional driver.

3)  Mike goes into the benefits of the different forms of racing he has done, how each helps him, and the benefits and excitement of cross training as a driver.

4)  Bill dug deep and finally found something Mike hasn’t tried racing, yet.

5)  Mike does a great breakdown on the typical skill differences that separate a good professional driver from an amateur driver in a way that not only helps us to understand but really clarified what we need to look for and work on.  ~31:00 in.

6)  It was also great to hear that even Mike Skeen is still working on his driving and learning things from his recent driving and coaching in some prototype cars.  Once again proving that we are all always “In Training”.

  • Mike Skeen Optima Series
  • Mike Skeen Trans Am
  • Mike Skeen at Pikes Peak

GHIT 0190: Mike Skeen is our Guest

Racing 101 Part 8: Tools for a Track Day

GHIT 0188: Racing 101 Part 8: Tools for a Track Day – AKA Fools With Tools

Our podcast is trying to encourage people to try high performance driving and racing, so Vicki wanted to start a special series she calls “So You Wanna Racecar”.  In this episode, we go into the dark recesses of Bill’s mind and enter the world of Lists.  We have lists for what tools to bring if it is an HPDE or an endurance race, what parts to bring, what to pack for the paddock, etc, etc.  All will be available on our website at www.GarageHeroesInTraining.com and we update them at least once a season as we learn.  On this episode, we start with a shorter list of things we bring to an HPDE.  The list is shorter because the event is much less taxing on the vehicle and our HPDE cars tend to be newer or running better than our race cars (but we are working on that diligently) so they tend to require less work to keep running or to repair.  We hope this gives you a good foundation to develop your own set of lists for tools, etc since every car has specific needs and issues, each team will have a different list after time to fit their own needs.  

Please let us know if we missed anything that you may want discussed in a future episode of our Racing 101 Series. 

The outline for the series is:

Part 1:  Building Your First Race Car (and options to not)

Part 2:  Safety and Safety Related Equipment Needed

Part 3:  Best Entry Points To Start Performance Driving

Part 4:  Buying and Selling Cars (With Special Guest Lara Vernon)

Part 5:  Going To and From The Event/Track – What To Expect

Part 6:  Paddock and Pit – Best Practices

Part 7:  Perspective of a New Driver (With Guest Adam Owens)

Part 8:  Tools, Spares, Supplies Needed for a Race Weekend

Part 9:  Common Issues All Drivers Will/May Experience in When On Track For the First Time

Part 10:  Miscellaneous Topics (& Things We Forget to Mention Earlier)

On this episode of Dominating with Dawson we cover what a Point By is, how to use it on a track, and how to respond to one if you are in the car being pointed by.  It is a very useful tool on track for controlling passing and controlling traffic on the track.  When used well, the event is more enjoyable for all.  When used poorly, or not at all, it can often lead to tension and stress by all the drivers affected.  We even have our first ever episode of GHIT Jeopardy.  Vicki is somewhat less than pleased, but it is rapidly taking over the racing world.

You can subscribe to our podcast on the podcast provider of your choice, including the Apple podcast app, Google music, Amazon, and YouTube etc. 

Also, if you could give our podcast a (5-star?) rating or even better, a podcast review, we would greatly appreciate it and it would help us to grow the passion and sport of high performance driving.

For instance, leaving an Apple Podcast rating is very easy.  If you go to your podcast library, under shows and click on the podcast you can leave a (5?) star rating and enter your review. 

A link to the episode is: https://tinyurl.com/Racing101Part8

We hope you enjoy this episode!

PS  Please don’t forget that if you are looking to add an Apex Pro to your driving telemetry system, don’t forget to use our discount code for all Apex Pro systems you will receive a free Windshield Suction Cup Mount for the system, a savings of $40.  Just enter the code “ghitlikesapex!” when you order.  We have two systems for our team and Bill is looking to add a third for this season, pending CFO approval from Vicki.  They are a great system and truly invaluable in safely increasing your speed on track and/or autocross etc.

Best regards,

Vicki, Jennifer, Alan, and Bill

Hosts of the Garage Heroes In Training Podcast and Garage Heroes In Training racing team drivers

Highlights from this episode include:

1) We go into the recent track visit Jennifer had.  Unfortunately, it was not racing related.

2)  Vicki starts to discuss our new themes but won’t share any details until they are unveiled.

3)  Vicki and Alan have been working hard on the El Jeffe race truck for our upcoming race at PittRace and so far, things look like we are on schedule.  We still have a bit of mechanical and fabrication to do, as well as a full re-theme.  Fingers crossed.

4)  Bill goes into the way that we break down tools by the event.  We have different tools and part needs depending on what car or cars we are bringing and the type of event.    

5)  Some valuable advice on how we budget our tools and think about what type we keep in the garage and what we take with us to the track.  We are not as random as we appear.  lol.

6)  The basics are a socket set, a wrench set, and a set of screwdrivers.  Things tend to grow quickly from there, but don’t forget, you can usually borrow tools if you are new at the track from your new friends that you will meet at the track.

7)  One key decision is the ecosystem of your battery powered tools.  Try to make sure to try to stay within a single family and minimize the battery cost.  So review what tools you think you will need and like and make sure as many as possible of them are available.

8)  Vicki also goes into her favorite Little Tykes Chair.

9)  Bill also covers the ways that we have found to organize a drawer the best.

Additional Information and Links:

Detailed Car Repair and Maintenance Manuals (usually ~$25-30):  www.emanualonline.com 

HPDE/Track Day Tools

Allen Keys – Metric
Allen Keys – SAE
Allen Keys – Torx
Bailing wire
Batteries
Bits – Nut Drivers
Bits – Screwdriver & extensions
Brake pad press
Breaker bar
Chargers
Dead blow
Electrical supplies fuses etc.
Fasteners
Hammer – Dead Blow
Hammer – Standard/Ball Peen
Magnetic trays
Masking tape
Painters tape
Socket – 1/2 ratchet adapter 
Socket – 46 mm
Socket – Impact – for lug nut
Socket – Impact set
Socket – Set – Metric
Socket – Set – SAE
Socket – Wobbler set
Tape Measure 
Torque wrench 
Wrenches – Metric
Wrenches – SAE
Zip ties

Race Weekend Tools

Standard Tools:

Adapter – 1/2” to 3/8” 
Adapter – 3/8” to 1/2” 
Adjustable wrench
Adjustable wrench – Pipe
Bit driver – ratcheting 
Breaker bar –  1/2” 
Center Punch
Chisel
Clamp – C 
Cordless drill
Cordless Sawzall
Cutters – diagonal wire cutters
Extension – 1/4”  
Extension – 3/8” long 
Extension – 3/8” medium 
Extension – 3/8” short 
Extension cord – 4 plug
Files – set
Flashlight – Mag-light
Grinder, Cordless is possible
Grinder, Wheel – Cutting
Grinder, Wheel – Grinding
Hammer –  mini sledge
Hammer – ball-peen 
Hammer – big ball-peen 
Hammer – Cross ball-peen 
Hammer – dead-blow 
Hammer – regular 
Hammer – Rubber
Hammer – Sledge
Hammer – slide (set) 
Hammer – small 
Hex bits
Hex keys – metric
Hex keys – standard
Hex to 1/4” adapter
Hose pliers
Impact – 1/2” Driver
Impact – 1/2” Set – Metric
Impact – 1/2” Set – SAE
Impact – 3/8” Driver
Impact – 3/8” Set
Impact swivel –   1/4” 12 mm
Impact swivel –  1/4” 8 mm
Impact swivel –  3/8” 12 mm
Impact swivel –  3/8” 14 mm
Impact swivel –  3/8” 14 mm deep
Impact swivel –  3/8” 17 mm
Impact swivel –  3/8” 17 mm deep
Impact swivel –  3/8” 19 mm
Impact swivel – 1/4” 
Impact swivel – 1/4” 10 mm 
Level – 6″
Level 18″
Lug Wrench
Magnet – extending
Mirror – to see around corners/tight places
Nuts and bolts – assortments
Pick – 90 degree
Pick – bent
Pick – hook
Pick – straight 
Pliers
Pliers –  long angled needle-nose
Pliers –  long straight needle-nose 
Pliers –  needle-nose
Pliers – cobra-grip
Pliers – snap-ring 
Pry Bars
Punches – set
Ratchet –  1/2” 
Ratchet – 1/4″ 
Ratchet – 3/8” 
Razor blades – box
Razor knife
Screw extractors
Screwdriver – big flathead 
Screwdriver-  big Philips 
Screwdriver – flathead 
Screwdriver – Philips
Screwdriver – pocket
Screwdriver – stubby flathead 
Screwdriver – stubby Philips 
Socket – 13/16” spark plug 
Socket – 21 mm (lugnut size)
Socket-  3/8” deep 
Socket – 3/8” standard 
Socket – 5/8” spark plug 
Socket- 3/8” metric 
Socket set – 1/4″ 
Wrench -Torque (cheap ok)
Wrenches – metric
Wrenches – standard 

Other tools and supplies we bring

Cordless battery – Charged
Connectors –  blue female blade 
Connectors –  blue male blade
Connectors – blue crimp 
Dexron – case (If automatic) 
Gear oil
Oil – Case Shell Rotella T6
O-ring kit
Sheetmetal screws – self tapping
Spare BMW Front hubs etc.
Spare Brake pads
Spare parts
Trailer – Battery
Trailer – Hitch Tool Box
Air chuck
Aluminum – Angle – 8 feet
Brake cleaner – cans
Brake wrenches
Compressor
Cordless batteries
Cordless battery – Charged
Cordless battery charger
Cordless drill
Cordless Sawzall
Cotter pin kit
Dolly/Seat/Chair
Dremel 
Dremel – bit set
Drill bits – set
Drum – waste oil 
Earplugs – bag 
Emory cloth
Engine Lift
Exhaust tape
Gas Tube lids
Gasket scraper
Generator
Glue – Rubber/Vinyl Adhesive
Glue – Super/Crazy
Glue – Super/Crazy Gel
GoPro’s
Grinder, Wheel – Cutting
Grinder, Wheel – Grinding
Hacksaw
Hacksaw – mini
Hacksaw blades – spare – Box of ~10
Halogen overhead light
Harmonic balancer puller set
Heater
Hemostat
Hose pliers
JB Weld
JB Weld – Kwik Weld
Jump box
Jumper cables
Knee Pads
Knee pads
Lock for Trailer/Truck
Loctite – both kinds – 2 each
Lugnuts – Spare
Magnet – extending
Mirror – to see around corners/tight places
Paint – Touch-up 
Pencil
Plumber’s pipe dope (for sealing fuel fittings)
Puckey – Gray tubes
Pyrometer
Rags – box
Rain X – Yellow and Black
Rechargeable spotlight
Rechargeable spotlight charger
Rubber Gloves
Sandpaper -variety pack
Seat Cushions for Race Seat
Stapler
Starter Fluid/Carb Cleaner
Straps – Ratchet
Straps – Ratchet – Heavy
Straps – Ratchet – Heavy for Axles
Tape – Duct – non-silver 
Tape – Loctite Go2 tape
Tape – Racing/Racer
Tape Measure
Taps and Threaders
Teflon sealant
Teflon tape
Torch – butane 
Torch – butane tanks
Track map
Trailer – Hitch Tool Box
Trailer – Test Battery
Vicki’s favorite tool box
Welders – TIG and MIG, MIG more likely, not likely needed at track
White board – Paddock responsibilities
White Board Markers
Windex
Wire strippers/crimpers

GHIT 0188: Racing 101 Part 8: Tools for a Track Day

Perspective from a New Track Driver with Guest Adam Owens

GHIT Podcast episode #0187: From our Racing 101 series Part 7 with Adam Owens

  • Adam Owens with his first racing team
  • Adam Owens Racing Driver
  • Adam Owens at His First Race at PittRace
Adam Owens at his First Race at PittRace with the Boston Whiners

Our podcast is trying to encourage people to try high performance driving and racing, so Vicki wanted to start a special series she calls “So You Wanna Racecar”.  On this episode, we have Adam Owens on to talk about his first track events he had last summer.  Adam has a lot of fresh memories from these events and is a good friend of our team (and potentially future team GHiT member).  In talking with Adam, it is even more apparent that the biggest thing stopping anyone from trying to drive at an autocross or a track event is just saying “yes” and doing it.  

Please let us know if we missed anything that you may want discussed in a future episode of our Racing 101 Series. 

The outline for the series is:

Part 1:  Building Your First Race Car (and options to not)

Part 2:  Safety and Safety Related Equipment Needed

Part 3:  Best Entry Points To Start Performance Driving

Part 4:  Buying and Selling Cars (With Special Guest Lara Vernon)

Part 5:  Going To and From The Event/Track – What To Expect

Part 6:  Paddock and Pit – Best Practices

Part 7:  Perspective of a New Driver (With Guest Adam Owens)

Part 8:  Tools, Spares, Supplies Needed for a Race Weekend

Part 9:  Common Issues All Drivers Will/May Experience in When On Track For the First Time

Part 10:  Miscellaneous Topics (& Things We Forget to Mention Earlier)

In this episode, we cover the differences between driving at an HPDE or a track day where you are more or less driving as singular cars on track vs driving on track and racing wheel to wheel vs other drivers and cars.  Neither is better or worse, but they are different, and both offer different challenges.  Largely the key difference is increasing the number of factors you need to keep track of and this increase proportionately to the number of cars on the track and the length of the track (overall car density).  In addition, there are often car specific details and peculiarities that will need to be considered.   Ben puts it best don’t worry, “if you are on the track, you are already a winner”.  Start slow with zero pressure, keep to shorter stints until you are comfortable with going longer while maintaining focus.  We are looking for any great stories from your first-time racing on track.  Please let us know for a great future episode.

You can subscribe to our podcast on the podcast provider of your choice, including the Apple podcast app, Google music, Amazon, and YouTube etc. 

Also, if you could give our podcast a (5-star?) rating or even better, a podcast review, we would greatly appreciate it and it would help us to grow the passion and sport of high performance driving.

For instance, leaving an Apple Podcast rating is very easy.  If you go to your podcast library, under shows and click on the podcast you can leave a (5?) star rating and enter your review. 

A link to the episode is: https://tinyurl.com/Racing101Part7

We hope you enjoy this episode!

PS  Please don’t forget that if you are looking to add an Apex Pro to your driving telemetry system, don’t forget to use our discount code for all Apex Pro systems you will receive a free Windshield Suction Cup Mount for the system, a savings of $40.  Just enter the code “ghitlikesapex!” when you order.  We have two systems for our team and Bill is looking to add a third for this season, pending CFO approval from Vicki.  They are a great system and truly invaluable in safely increasing your speed on track and/or autocross etc.

Best regards,

Vicki, Jennifer, Alan, and Bill

Hosts of the Garage Heroes In Training Podcast and Garage Heroes In Training racing team drivers

Highlights from this episode include:

1)  Adam has done 1 day at a racing school, 1 HPDE, and 1 race to this point and is an enthusiastic racing driver in training.  For his day job he is the host of the local radio morning show and we have significant audio quality envy of his audio quality.  Post Covid, we will be reviewing our techniques with him.

2)  Without any prompting, Adam says one of the issues he had in starting was how and where to get started.  We are a bit biased, but we know of at least one podcast that is specifically aimed at this. 

3)  Adam’s bucket list goal was to drive a car on the race track.  Now he just wants to do it again! And again.  And again.

4)  We discuss with Adam the impacts of Covid on the past racing seasons and the upcoming 2021 season.

5)  How Adam first went on track at NJMP.  It was really as simple as a google search.

6)  We also go into how Adam and Bill first “met” and how small a world it is in that one of the teams Adam has been on track with our good friends at Safety Third Motorsports.

7)  Adam goes into how it felt to be on the track for the first time at an HPDE event and then his first time on track in a wheel to wheel race at a Champ car event.  As always, it was a bit different than he expected.

8)  Adams pro tip to this point:  No Coffee before a stint.

9)  We go into the advantages and disadvantages of renting/arrive and driving a car at the track.  It’s not only a fiscal transaction but also a chief concern is the safety aspects.

Additional Information and Links:

Rental Safety Suits:  http://www.racesuitrental.com/

Lucky Dog Seat Rental:  https://tinyurl.com/LuckyMatch 

24 Hours of Lemons Seat Rental:  https://tinyurl.com/LemonsMatch 

ChampCar Seat Rentals:  https://tinyurl.com/ChampMatch 

  • Adam Owens at Spec Miata School
Adam Owens at the Spec Miata School

GHIT 0187: Racing 101 Part 7: Perspective from a New Track Driver with Guest Adam Owens

Paddock and Pit Area – Prep and Tips

GHIT Podcast Episode #0186 on our Paddock Prep

Paddock Chef
Paddock Prep: Our Way

Our podcast is trying to encourage people to try high performance driving and racing, so Vicki wanted to start a special series she calls “So You Wanna Racecar”.  For this episode, A lot of our fellow teams recognize that our paddock game is often better than our on track game so we could not  escape our Racing 101 series without covering our paddock prep and processes at a race weekend.

Please let us know if we missed anything that you may want discussed in a future episode of our Racing 101 Series. 

The outline for the series is:

Part 1:  Building Your First Race Car (and options to not)

Part 2:  Safety and Safety Related Equipment Needed

Part 3:  Best Entry Points To Start Performance Driving

Part 4:  Buying and Selling Cars (With Special Guest Lara Vernon)

Part 5:  Going To and From The Event/Track – What To Expect

Part 6:  Paddock and Pit – Best Practices

Part 7:  Perspective of a New Driver (With Guest Adam Owens)

Part 8:  Tools, Spares, Supplies Needed for a Race Weekend

Part 9:  Common Issues All Drivers Will/May Experience in When On Track For the First Time

Part 10:  Miscellaneous Topics (& Things We Forget to Mention Earlier)

In this episode of Dominating with Dawson, we discuss the idea of racing in the rain or on a wet track.  We strongly feel that this is a great opportunity to learn since you will have less grip and go at lower speeds.  It also reduces the amount of wear to your brake pads and tires.  Try to view this as a great thing for everything related to learning except for taking pictures of you driving on the track.  The central trick is to mentally approach it from a positive perspective.

You can subscribe to our podcast on the podcast provider of your choice, including the Apple podcast app, Google music, Amazon, and YouTube etc. 

Also, if you could give our podcast a (5-star?) rating or even better, a podcast review, we would greatly appreciate it and it would help us to grow the passion and sport of high performance driving.

For instance, leaving an Apple Podcast rating is very easy.  If you go to your podcast library, under shows and click on the podcast you can leave a (5?) star rating and enter your review. 

A link to the episode is: https://tinyurl.com/Racing101Part4

We hope you enjoy this episode!

PS  Please don’t forget that if you are looking to add an Apex Pro to your driving telemetry system, don’t forget to use our discount code for all Apex Pro systems you will receive a free Windshield Suction Cup Mount for the system, a savings of $40.  Just enter the code “ghitlikesapex!” when you order.  We have two systems for our team and Bill is looking to add a third for this season, pending CFO approval from Vicki.  They are a great system and truly invaluable in safely increasing your speed on track and/or autocross etc.

Best regards,

Vicki, Jennifer, Alan, and Bill

Hosts of the Garage Heroes In Training Podcast and Garage Heroes In Training racing team drivers

Paddock Grill

Highlights from this episode include:

1)  Bill ends up sleeping in the bathtub right from the start 

2)  We start off with several of the more popular options for where to stay at or near the track, hotels, RV’s, rental RVs’, local campgrounds, etc.  We go over some of our experiences and preferences, as well as several of th factors to think about for each potential option. 

3)  There are also options for where to set up you paddock area at the track.  Many tracks have enclosed garages that are available for rent.  Almost all have electrical hookups as well.  

4)  Paddock prep and organization strategies we have found to work for our team, as well as when we have had shared paddocks with several other teams and friends.   As with the pit area and track area, we find it helpful to have a Paddock King/Queen to lead everyone, as well as several other jobs within the team.

5)  If you have ever wondered about what supplies you should or could bring, we have what we have found to work best.  Your mileage may vary and you can add or remove as fits your team.  We tend to have a large number of team members at our races, so we may have a lot of things that your team may not need every time, but we wanted to be inclusive. 

6)  Vicki and Jennifer sprinkle in several paddock prep tips and tricks that we have learned, developed, and stolen from other teams and paddocks.

7)  Water, drinks, food, plates, cuttletry, masseuses, seating, tents, etc are all discussed.  Add in seerla great tips of things to bring with you and things that are easier to pick up at or near the track.

8)  Since at most tracks if you are staying on site you are essentially dry camping, there are a  ton of  tips and tricks that  have been used by campers for years. 

9)  If there was one key word for this it would be to pre-prep whenever possible.  

10) Breakfast tips, Lunch tips, and Dinner tips, including crock pots and crock pot liners, as well as snacks and things you can easily grab on the go.

11)   We have also found that having a few white boards to be invaluable for communicating within our team.  Each one will cover an individual area.  The three we use routinely are our on track related schedule (planned and updated), any tools/parts/supplies needed, and Car Issues/Upgrades that need to be addressed at or after the race.   The big thing is to communicate as well as you can as a team, under stress, and often scattered across the race track, paddock area, and local towns/parts stores, lol.

12)   Totes and kitting your tools, parts, and supplies are critical to being able to quickly perform many of the more common jobs without having to scramble and look for various items and  supplies, wasting time.  An added step that should not be skipped is labelling the totes and kits with labels from a label maker or on a post it that have been taped over to make them waterproof.

13) Tools and parts are a critical aspect that we cover quickly in this episode.  We have an entire episode dedicated to this area or paddock prep in an upcoming Racing 101 episode. 

14)   We are still looking for a good solution for keeping our hands warm while racing in the rain, especially when its cold and rainy.

Additional Information and Links:

Our recommended and prioritized checklists are available on our website at:   https://garageheroesintraining.com/racing-checklists/ 

Several of our favorite recipes can be found on our website:  www.GarageHeroesInTraining.com   

Homemade Meatballs and sauce (for sandwiches etc):  

Chicken Fajita

Steak Fajita

Hawaiian/Kalua Pulled Pork

Pancakes

Smores 

Track Map

Tool Lists:  

Little Tikes Chairs:  

GHIT 0186: Paddock and Pit Area – Prep and Tips

GHIT 0185 Racing 101 Part 5: What to Expect At Your First Track Day

or What To Expect When You Are Expecting To Drive On Track For the First Time

Racing Expectations

Our podcast is trying to encourage people to try high performance driving and racing, so Vicki wanted to start a special series she calls “So You Wanna Racecar”.  On this episode, we go over a typical track visit from arriving at the gate to departing at the conclusion of the event.  It’s like you get to experience everything about racing on a track without the thrill of driving, and without the post-race hangover from your adrenaline crash.  The goal of this episode is to help you to be prepared for what usually happens when you visit a track for the first time and hopefully reduce some of the anxiety of going into the “unknown”.

Please let us know if we missed anything that you may want discussed in a future episode of our Racing 101 Series. 

The outline for the series is:

Part 1:  Building Your First Race Car (and options to not)

Part 2:  Safety and Safety Related Equipment Needed

Part 3:  Best Entry Points To Start Performance Driving

Part 4:  Buying and Selling Cars (With Special Guest Lara Vernon)

Part 5:  Going To and From The Event/Track – What To Expect

Part 6:  Paddock and Pit – Best Practices

Part 7:  Perspective of a New Driver (With Guest Adam Owens)

Part 8:  Tools, Spares, Supplies Needed for a Race Weekend

Part 9:  Common Issues All Drivers Will/May Experience in When On Track For the First Time

Part 10:  Miscellaneous Topics (& Things We Forget to Mention Earlier)

On this episode of Dominating with Dawson, we go into the seeming obsession in the paddock with late braking for turns.  If it is your first time on track, please don’t try to push your brake points to the very last minute.  Leave some room and focus more on your corner apex and exit.  It is much faster and much safer, especially early on in your career of driving a track.

You can subscribe to our podcast on the podcast provider of your choice, including the Apple podcast app, Google music, Amazon, and YouTube etc. 

Also, if you could give our podcast a (5-star?) rating or even better, a podcast review, we would greatly appreciate it and it would help us to grow the passion and sport of high performance driving.

For instance, leaving an Apple Podcast rating is very easy.  If you go to your podcast library, under shows and click on the podcast you can leave a (5?) star rating and enter your review. 

A link to the episode is: https://tinyurl.com/Racing101Part5 

We hope you enjoy this episode!

PS  Please don’t forget that if you are looking to add an Apex Pro to your driving telemetry system, don’t forget to use our discount code for all Apex Pro systems you will receive a free Windshield Suction Cup Mount for the system, a savings of $40.  Just enter the code “ghitlikesapex!” when you order.  We have two systems for our team and Bill is looking to add a third for this season, pending CFO approval from Vicki.  They are a great system and truly invaluable in safely increasing your speed on track and/or autocross etc.

Best regards,

Vicki, Jennifer, Alan, and Bill

Hosts of the Garage Heroes In Training Podcast and Garage Heroes In Training racing team drivers

Highlights from this episode include:

1)  Our goal is to reduce some of the flood of information that occurs when you first go to the track for your first event.

2)  Bill provides a tip to answering the dreaded question of “Do I look fat in this dress” and also goes into potentially what may be the worst response to the question.  

3)  Our team is founded on checklists and we provide several examples of what we use on our website at:  www.GarageHeroesInTraining.com.  Hot tip though, having a checklist that you don’t bring with you or use won’t help you at all.

4)  One of the tried and true sayings from our Lemons races “Numbers are hard”.  Here are several tips that try to make them a bit easier.  

5)  Tips on garage and paddock layouts at the track.

6)  We try to walk you through the point where you arrive at the track and all the way through the event.  Many tracks and series have slightly different details and procedures, but we try to give an overview of many of the most common procedures.

7)  We go through the tech inspection process of both the driver’s safety equipment and the car’s mechanical and safety tech inspection.

8)  Tracks also will have varying ways that they hold their practice schedule and we try to give a couple of examples that are most common.  It is important to make sure you know what the schedule is and make sure you can get the value for the expense.  If it does work for you, especially if you are a new driver or new to the track, we recommend signing up and getting some laps on the track, often with only a few other cars on the track.

9)  If you aren’t familiar with them, track walks are a great way to learn the track, especially if you can tag along with a group who is familiar with the track.  If you see us taking a track walk, please feel free to join us.

10)  Our endurance races usually start Saturday morning until Saturday evening, pause, and then resume Sunday morning and finish Sunday evening.  As such, Saturday mornings and Sunday mornings are very similar.  Also, Friday evening and Saturday evening are usually similar, but often if things are going well, Saturday has a lot more social “opportunities” (read as parties) in the paddock.  

11)  Organizing the paddock and pilot area are key to getting the car prepped quickly and efficiently.  Tips abound.

12)  Most races end Sunday evening and the track closes in a few hours after that, so there are a few tips on prepping the paddock and pit area for departure to make this possible.

13)  Try to get everything done as early as possible since there are often unforeseen issues and problems that arise unexpectedly.  We give a few hypothetical examples we have “heard” about.

14)  How did Bill get the nickname “toddler”

15)  Some factors that may need to be considered when thinking about and setting up your driver line up, especially for the first stint.

16)  There are also a few of the racing etiquette details sprinkled throughout the episode.

17)  Bill gets several homework assignments for providing some lists on our website.  It may take a bit, but they are coming and will be updated shortly. (ish)

GHIT 0185 Racing 101 Part 5: What to Expect At Your First Track Day