Advice for Mosport DDT.......

[Honda Hatchie]

Hey Guys/Gals,

Heading to the DDT for this Sundays lapping day (Touge).

First time there - any pointers?

1991 Honda Civic - stock engine, upgraded suspension/brakes.

Looking to have fun overall, but getting my dollars worth is important too. :D

Thanks!

Jay

[Slowpoke]

Four "first track day" rules:

Ride with someone experienced before you go out.

Have them ride with you at least your first time out.

Complete your braking in a straight line and be off the brake and balancing the throttle (not accelerating, just holding your speed) before you turn in for the corner.

Don't lift your foot off of the balanced throttle as you go through the turn if you think you've overcooked it. No brake taps! You committed to this apex speed, so suck it up and just make it happen. No ifs, ands, or buts.




If, however, you decide not to do the four things that I told you above, remember the following: When you've lost it and you're hurtling towards a wall / grass, etc. without hope of recovery, "Both feet in!" means depress the clutch and brake completely and pray.

Again, if you do the first four things I mentioned at the DDT, you won't need to go "Both feet in!"

Have a good time! And though Touge doesn't require it... borrow a helmet if you don't own one.

[pigeon]

- Do a brake fluid flush! Fresh high performance fluid... or at bare minimum, fresh Ford DOT3.
- Bring extra oil, and check between runs - keep it topped up.
- Retorque your lugs after your first run.

[Slowpoke]

- Retorque your lugs after your first run.
ONLY after your wheels are cool to the touch. Not while hot.

[Honda Hatchie]

Thanks guys.

I should have said that I do have some track experience from the Westcoast (Mission, Portland), but none so far in Ontario.

Am looking for any pointers from the Honda crowd in regards to the DDT specifically, ie. brake pad choice, which config. around track is better, etc..

I am unsure whether to run Hawk HP+, or HT10 pads? I do have seperate rotors, high temp fluid, etc..

Being a stock motor, job one is watching my mirrors for, well, EVERYONE else.:D Is the DDT a 3rd or 4th gear track for most?

Have OLD Yoko A008rs tires. Remember those????

Thanks again for any advice!!

Cheers,

Jay

[Matt]

If your tires are screeching, slow down, you'll go faster :)

[HBomb]

I found DDT to be hard on brakes because there is very little time between corners to cool them (only the CCW outer perimeter allows some cooling time). Definitely go with the HT10's on dedicated rotors.

I personally like both the CW and CCW confirgurations using the 1 uphill kink going CW and no kinks going CCW. The elevation changes add to the enjoyment for sure.

I found there to be a lot less runoff at DDT than at other airport based tracks I've run at but with some experience and a cool head, you'll likely do just fine.

Hanif

[MilesM]

I'll be there in a gray civic hatch. Come up to me and I'll give you a ride along and ride shotgun with you.

[Matt]

Take up on Miles' offer! He's knocked a couple seconds off of my DDT times.

[Solid Alibye]

Yes Miles *will* make you giggle when he take you out!

Better yet have him coach you! .....you'd be surprised on how much speed you can carry thru some corners! .....and how late you can brake..!

("Where are you braking at Mulligan?" "I start @ the 200 mark why?" "You're braking wayyy to early..... brake after the 50... and AT the turn sign...!" "WhhhhAATT??!")

:D

[Honda Hatchie]

Thanks guys!!

Miles, very good of 'ya. Will take you up on your offer.

See you Sunday.

Jay

[MilesM]

Fun day, not a lot of traffic, plenty of seat time. Lots of high dollar cars, driven by people with little track experience - but they were surprisingly well-behaved. They would gladly point you by as they gingerly cruised their cars around the track. :D

Broke an axel and had to pack up early. :(

[nrg3k]

how was the temperature of the track and tires during the day? Did they run CW or CCW ? Kinks ?

DJM:>

[MilesM]

CCW with one kink at the bottom of the hill. Hit like 10 degrees and took time to get heat into the tires. First run out I spun the car twice and was dogging it. Crazy!

[Honda Hatchie]

Thanks Miles for the advice around the track. Was a ton of help to get my bearings.....:eek:

Now, if I can only get some time off next year....

And some tires from this decade.....

And, and, and, :D:D:D

Cheers,

Jay