CFoS Time Trial newbie questions

[Kim Crosser]

Hi - if there is a FAQ that covers these, please point me to it... This is my first time at the CFoS Time Trial, and I am wondering about...

1. The "Mandatory for 1st Time Rookies, Provisionals and Invited Guests" meeting Thursday evening. It sounds like this is only for the Club Race people - is that correct?

2. There is a Saturday night "Driver Awards" dinner, but the TT timing isn't until Sunday. I assume that the awards are just for the Drivers Cup USA racing? Do any of the TT attendees go to this event?

3. I heard someone say that TT sessions on Friday were an additional fee. Is that correct?

4. Sunday doesn't have a TT Drivers Meeting scheduled. Is that correct?

5. In addition to the Friday/Saturday TT Drivers Meetings and the actual TT run group sessions (and lunch!) what other events/sessions/activities do TT attendees also get involved in during the 3 days?

6. Do I need to be up there for anything on Thursday, or is check-in on Friday morning ok?

7. If I come up Friday morning at 6, do I have enough time to get through the check-in/registration and make the 7:15 TT Drivers Meeting?

8. Ok - what did I forget to ask about? (Please use additional pages as necessary. )

[Jackie C]

OMG Kim, can't believe you're finally coming up! Yesssss. Cecelia has all those answers and more. Call her. See you there.
Blue skies,

[pdy]

Hi Kim:

1. That meeting is for CR only. You may attend, but definitely not necessary for you.

2. The dinner is included, unless you opted for the "recession special". It's as much a social event, and there are few awards.

3. Friday is included, and usually a good day to learn the track (lighter traffic).

4. Yes, there's a TT meeting at 1:50pm Sunday, to discuss timed laps. If you're leaving before the timed session, obviously no need to attend.

5. There's lots to see (vendors, TONS of cool cars racing nad in garages, a concours Saturday, some good friends, and then there's me (sorry).

6. Thursday check-in is DEFINITELY better, but you can do it Friday morning.

7. Probably, but it will be more frantic. Coming up Thursday allows you to scope things out.

8. There will be enough SDR and other PCA folks there to help, plus you'll have an instructor. Just ask anyone, or feel free to look me up. I'll be in a garage near the drivers meeting room.

[Robert]

In about a week all registered TT drivers (and CR drivers doing TT timed runs on Sunday) will receive an approximate 7 page letter with lots of detailed procedural information about the event. As always, and especially for this event given the logistics (since it's really multiple events in one), every participant should read the letter cover to cover. If anyone else (AX'ers and QDE'ers thinking about TT'ing, for example) is interested in it send me a PM and I will include you in the distribution.

[Robert]

TT drivers letter has been e-mailed to all registered participants. If you'd like to view it online, you may do so at:

http://www.clubregistration.net/club_admin/files/PCA%20Zone%208/to%20attendeesCFoS09.pdf.

[Kim Crosser]

An offline conversation brought up something of interest to us "newbies" at a big track event - brake fluids.

If you are still running the stock brake fluid in your car, particularly if you have been autocrossing it (we assume!) or doing Qualcomm DEs, you should consider replacing the stock fluid with a high-temperature fluid, like ATE (blue or gold, color doesn't matter).

Our brakes are going to get a workout at Fontana. The stock fluid can boil at a much lower temperature than the ATE fluids, and if your brake fluid boils, you will lose your brakes. I managed to boil my brakes at an Autocross many years ago, and since then have switched to ATE, with no problems. When I cooked them, it was a real shock at the end of a big straight when the pedal went right to the floor with no resistance. Luckily there was a nice run-off into the NE corner of the West lot, so I had room to pump the brakes and get it stopped before I ran out of parking lot.

The Porsche dealers will not put ATE in, as it is not a "factory approved" Porsche brake fluid. Any of the other spots around town will do a brake flush and refill - book in advance and you can get that done while getting your car pre-tech'ed.

[pdy]

Pentosin Super DOT-4 supposedly has an even higher boiling point (300°C vs 280°C).

[KeithV]

Deleted

[pdy]

Sorry, that Pentosin RACING Brake Fluid, not the Super DOT-4.

[Steve Grosekemper]

Racing fluid is great and I keep fresh Ate blue in everything I drive but fresh is the key, not what type.
All fluid should be changed every 2 years. In cars that are tracked I like to replace the fluid every 3-4 months.
Never go over 6 months. I have not had to bleed the brakes on a car I was driving at the track for a decade...

[Dan Chambers]

Racing fluid is great and I keep fresh Ate blue in everything I drive but fresh is the key, not what type.
All fluid should be changed every 2 years. In cars that are tracked I like to replace the fluid every 3-4 months.
Never go over 6 months. I have not had to bleed the brakes on a car I was driving at the track for a decade...

Agreed. And if you change tires for track vs street, bleeding when you switch tires is fast and easy. If you invest in a Power Bleeder, or similar mechanical bleeding system you can:

1) Install bleeder at reservoir
2) remove RR tire
3) bleed brakeline
4) install track tire

Move to RF (or LR) tire and repeat.
Move to LR (or RF) tire and repeat.
Move to LF tire and repeat.

There, you're done. For the extra 2 minutes at each tire location, plus and extra 5 minutes (tops) to install and remove the bleeder system, you have much better insurance for positive brakes at the event.

Even with bleeding my brakes, I can have all the tires switched (and brakes bled) in 30 to 45 minutes (depending on how much cleaning I do).

If you use a vaccuum-bleeder, skip the part about attaching a bleeder system in step one. Just be sure there's plenty of fluid in the reservoir.

Let's see: cost of a can of Ate Blue (or Gold) about $12.00 to $19.00 depending on supplier. Value of fresh fluid and peace-of-mind for brakes: priceless.

My thoughts ....

[LUCKY DAVE]

I love this little gem from Motion Pro, http://www.motionpro.com/motorcycle/partno/08-0143/ they make the most well thought out, well made, motorcycle specific tools anywhere.
It's just a check valve you stick in your caliper-to-coffee-can bleeder line, but it works like a charm, making one person pressure bleeding a snap. Leave the caliper bleeder valve open a bit, and pump rapidly - you're done. If you're like me, most of you mechanical work occurs at night, out in the garage, without a helper, and any tool that makes that easier is worth it's weight in.....O.E.M. Porsche parts.
Plus, (typical of Motion Pro tools) it's small, simple, durable, and inexpensive.