I am planning on taking my car to the track sometime in the future and want to start planning for it now.

I've made a big list of all my questions and ideas and have been filling it in as I research and now I think I'm ready to post it and see what you guys have to add.

I've gone to a Motorcycle track day to watch while a couple of friends rode. So I kind of know you get there early, get everything prepped and they have a big morning meeting about how everything is going to work, then they call out the first group to go ride and they take turns switching groups.

I have a 2013 Subaru Impreza 5 door and its not a WRX or STI or even MT, but it should still be awesome.

I've been googling and searching the forums on how to go about this.
I guess I'm looking for a Subaru Bay Area how to do list.
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Ok after all the awesome input from everyone here and researching a bit more
I see doing a track day as three steps.
Pre trackday - getting ready to do a track day and what to do first.
First track day - simple trackday no need for anything crazy.
Post first track day - now you know what you need and can upgrade whatever you feel is necessary.
I narrowed down the list to try and make it easy for myself. So far this is what I'm going to do

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Pre Track Day:
(1) Go karting to get a feel for controlling at higher speeds and more racing style controls.
*Lemans Karting - Fremont - LeMans Karting
*K1 Speed - Santa Clara - K1 Speed Indoor Go Kart Racing – Eighteen Centers Nationwide
*Go kart racer - Burlingame - Go Kart Racing ? Indoor Go Kart Racing in Burlingame CA

(2) Go do Auto Cross to learn how your car handles.
You don't need to do anything to your car it can be all stock
as long as you have brake pads, tread on your tires, and the car is in good condition.
you need a helmet. Depending on the rules motorcycle helmet is fine but SA2010 is better.
You probably want some good oil since your car will be stressed more.
I don't think brakes will fade as long as your brake fluid isn't all old and water.
*NASA

(3) Learn the track(s).
Maybe play some Forza.
Watch youtube videos.
I know Leguna has days you can ride your bicycle on the track for a small fee.

(4) Driving/Swerve school
Performance Driving Clinic - ButtonWillow - Performance Driving Clinic | Buttonwillow Raceway Park
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First Track Day:
*Arrive Early.
*Stock tires are fine as long as you have good amount of tread left.
*Stock brake fluid is fine as long as it is in good condition.
*Stock brake pads are fine but if worn replace.
*All service should be done the weekend before, so track day you can concentrate on driving. Track or club website should have a check list.
*Fill up gas right before you get to the track so you can have a full tank when you arrive. Track gas is expensive.
*SA2010 Helmet.
*Have a good breakfast
*Snacks for during the day. Bananas to help stop cramping.
*Lots of water.
*Sun block
*Chair to sit during others sessions
*Some extra fluids: Oil, Brake Fluid, Coolant.
*Install tow hooks.
*Safety check car, levels of all fluids, Check all nuts, bolts are torqued done. url]
*Tire pressure gauge.
*Check tire wear and adjust tire pressure to keep wheel from rolling on sidewall.
*Tire marker or shoe polish to mark tires to see wear easier.
*Way to clean windshield - Stoner invisible glass, microfiber cloths.
*Blue painters tape or window marker/ shoe polish to put number on you car.
*Have diner and rest afterwards before driving home
*Torque wrench to check lug nuts before driving home or between sessions
*Track paper work, wristband

__________________________________________________
Future Track Days:
Now you can start getting some better stuff
because now you know your car a bit better and what it needs.
*Check if the oil you used had any consumption issues.
*Get better brake fluid.
*Get better brake Pads.
*Get better tires once your others are worn.
__________________________________________________ _
Recommended Parts:
Brake Fluid:
*ATE Superblue or ATE Typ-200.
They are actually the same, but one is blue and one is gold.
You alternate colors so that you know when the flush is complete.
_____________
Brake Pads:
*Hawk HP+
*Carbotech XP8
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Engine Oils:
*Rotella T6
*Total Quartz
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Tires:
*Direzza ZIIs
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Coolant:
*Motorex
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Helmet: not sure which to get. Other Recommendations?
*HJC AR-10 Helmet SA2010
Sparco, OMP, Puma, Aria, Bell, HJC, Hans, Alpinestars - Wine Country Motor Sports

__________________________________________________ __
Tools: Anything I'm missing here?
Tool, Brand, Purpose
*Car Jack Harbor Freight, Jack stand, Some wood.
*Breaker Bar, Craftsman, Wheel Removal.
*Tire Pressure Gauge, Motion Pro.
*Torque wrench, Craftsman 1/2 inch, Wheel Installation
*Sockets, Craftsman Set, Wheel removal
*Hex Sockets, Craftsman Set, For Brake pad Changes
*Brake Pad Spreader, Harbor Freight, Easy pad replacement
*Battery powered air pump
*Gas Jug
*Canopy
__________________________________________________ ___
Recommended Shops:
*Lubrify -headquarters in Dublin -Has many higher performance brands of fluids from oils to brake fluids and they deliver.
Lubrify.com | Racing Fluids - AMSoil, elf, ENEOS, Lubro Moly, Mobil1, motul, Pentosin, Red Line Synthetic Motor Oils, swepco, Torco, Total

*Auto Innovations -Milpitas- for tires and suspension.
Auto Innovations, LLC
__________________________________________________ ____
Tracks: Any other places I can go?
*Leguna Seca - 73 miles from San Jose
*Infinion/Sonoma/Sears Point - 78 miles from San Jose
*Thunder Hill - 177 miles from San Jose
*Buttonwillow - 217 miles from San Jose
__________________________________________________ _____
Again I'm new to track days and to Subaru in general and I'm trying to make sense of all this and what better way than to ask local people that have done it and know the best way to go about it. I'm trying to get good options and narrow down the list so I know exactly what I need.
I'll keep researching and trying to find good reviews for everything and keep updating this.

https://speedventures.com/events/Default.aspx
Trackmasters Racing Home
Find a car track day in NorCal
Good List of what is needed
Northern California Racing Club - Are you Ready?

Thank you

 

I'm about to head to my own first track day. Everything you've listed looks pretty similar to what I've turned up from my own research. Others with more experience will chime in, but I think you're on the right track considering a local autocross.

You get to consider a (subset of) the car prep, and you get to run the car at 10/10s in a safe environment. The difference between spirited driving and pushing the car to the limit of control is pretty remarkable.

 

I'd recommend taking a small step back and learning in karting first... learn to drive a rotax (shifterless) kart or a shifter kart even in your 2nd step.

The fundamentals are basically the same, and if you get good at karting, you'll instantly be lightyears ahead behind the wheel of your car.

much cheaper also.

 

Too bad you don't live in So Cal.

A local site sponsor hooks up track events for cheap around 75 bucks for Willow Springs


Don't over think bringing your car to the race track. Its still a car. Not a race car. No need to get all crazy with upgrades like brake rotors, brake pads, tires. Best start on what you got so you have a better idea after the track day what the car is asking for. Stick with beginner group and get an instructor to ride with you.

You pretty much nailed it with the helmet with anything with an SA2010 rating. Gloves are optional. As for tools, up to you, the more you bring, the more you have to unpack then pack again. Bring a chair and water, pack like you are going on a picnic. If you want to bring a canopy, up to you or you can make friends and just chill with people at the track.

My creds:

Former instructor/organizer at local track events (HPDE) in Sore Cal
Race team engineer/mechanic/spokesmodel

 

I only recommend karting to people who have been doing HPDE and experienced the pains of breaking and failure. Karting is cheaper because you can find that limit at a relatively lower cost. Now if you take into consideration cost of a kart, gear, and a method of getting your kart to the track. You can pretty much buy a spec miata.

 

But the spare parts are easier to store than a spec miata

 

and you don't mind being seen in a kart

 

 

That's a pretty good breakdown of things to do. I'd highly suggest doing some AutoX events first. Get to know your car and understand it's weakpoints. Kating is a good idea to. Just going to a local place like K1, Le Mans, or Go Kart Racer and doing some sessions can give you an idea of what it's like to drive around a track.

As far as clubs, I hear that Hooked on Driving is a very good club for beginners. Once you get more experience, you'll hear more about the other clubs.

For tools, I don't think you will be able to find a lever jack to lift the car in one go. The car is rather heavy for that. I picked up an impact wrench from Harbor Freight and it's been working well. But it's not wireless so I can't use it at events. My buddy got a caliper spreader from Harbor Freight as well and it has proven to work pretty well.

I have a 5 gallon fuel jug. Although I've only used it once, I like it a lot. California is kinda weird about their fuel jug laws.
For tires, I really like Dunlop. I have an old set of Star Specs and a new set of Direzza ZIIs. I like both. The ZIIs are the replacement for the Star Spec and I plan to get another set of ZIIs when the Star Specs are done.

For brakes, I recently got a set of Hawk HP+ pads and Centric Blank rotors. So far they have been great on the street and AutoX competition. Only downside is that they dust a lot and make a lot of noise at low speeds. If I wasn't restricted by SCCA's AutoX rules, I would have gotten Hawk Quietslot rotors.

I have a bunch of cans of Super Blue that I have been meaning to put in. I just haven't gotten around to it. I have heard good things about Motul though.

I'd stay away from Mobil 1. I have been having oil consumption issues and I have been trying some different oils. I have heard great things about Rotella T6, but I haven't tried it yet. This is why I suggest some AutoX first, you can see how you car reacts with different fluids.

Shops, for suspension and tires, I go to Auto Innovations. I love them. For fluids, (oil) I got to Lubrify. They have a bunch of off brands that are hard to get.

Although I have yet to go on to a track, I plan to. I have done a bunch of AutoX events. For a track day, the biggest things on my list to bring would be extra wheels/tires, extra brakes, the tools to change them, and extra fuel.

 

I was referring to renting first! But I do agree to some extent...

 

I did a lot of NASA Auto-X in Marina back in the day. But I'll say, the best time I've had in my car was at an NCRC Event at Thunderhill last month. Frickin' eye-opening!

 

oh yea then renting is the way to go

In my work shop we have CRG karts and believe me when I would rather rent than own after the hell me and my friends put these karts through.

 

I vote rally school.

Primitive Racing Performance Parts

 

I think the suggestions of doing some Karting are wise. It's a good place to learn how a vehicle works at the limit with very little risk. If something gets broken, it's not your's

Auto-X is a nice place to learn, but it's a bit more of a commitment of time and $. Honestly I don't feel that Subaru's are great platforms for autocross. The AWD has inherent understeer issues and on a small track that can be very frustrating Yes you can drive around it... but I think karting is more applicable to track days.
Not to mention when Karting, you learn to drive in traffic

If you want to go hardcore into track days you can get a purpose built race car rental and a private instructor for ~$2500
Race Car Rental Program | Goodies Speed Shop

Nothing will probably teach you faster

 

if autox is your thing, just get a older civic hatch, drop a k20 motor in it and go have some fun. Like a big kart... ha