1997 gt track ready??

[Dutch]

Ok. So I have a 97 gt convertible. I always wanted to try taking one of my mustangs to do some laps. Now this year I think is going to be the year. So far on my 97 vert I have Dasilva sfc, fr500 18x9 front 255 nitto envos tire, and 18x10 295 nitto envos rears. I'm in the middle of installing 2004 cobra dual piston calipers with slotted and vented rotor with pbr pads. 373 gear already in. Anything else you guys recommend ? Other then a helmet.

[RedSN]

Good tires, good brakes. Check.
Just get yourself a helmet and good to go.

[OldSchool]

Probably need a roll bar. Most tracks and event organisers won't let a vert run without one.

[Stephen06GT]

What Don said.

[Laffs]

Roll bar for safety and eligibility aside from that I'd say you have the basics to go out learn what areas of the car need addressing next. Your SFCs are weld in right?

[OldSchool]

If it means anything, last couple of years I have been driving a bone stock cobra with sticky tires and fresh brake fluid, factory pads and rotor. It is a riot, I love it.

[TheMustangShow]

At TMP you are fine without a roll bar in a VERT, but you MUST wear a helmet, whereas in a Hardtop, helmets are optional.
Calaboogie also allow Verts as long it is a factory Convertible.
Watkins Glen also allow Verts.
Mosport rules for Verts are different for each event.

Be aware, these are Track Policies, but Private Rentals can have their own rules, so best to confirm with the Event Operator, as well as the Track.

[tulowd]

Your car will be fine for some light exploration, assuming they let you on without the bar; most places want the roof up too to prevent debris from flying in.
Get yourself one of those locking seatbelt clips so you dont fly around. Bring an air pig and tire gage and small compressor.
Change your brake fluid and have them bled properly !! ATE Dot 4 seems to be the best bet on a budget. If your brakes are new, make sure they are bedded in properly.

Brake pads and tires are usually the limit once you get pounding hard; easy to burn up a set of pads and tires in a day at TMP or Mosport DDT.

The PBR pads are junk; when I bought my vert, I could get them smoking on the street (with street tires) during only a single hard stop, and NOT from 150 mph either lol. If you have the choice, slotted rotors bite harder initially than plain ones and are less prone to cracking than the drilled versions.

Your driving style and how easy/hard you are on the car will determine a lot of things. Overdriving the car will cost big money. I used to burn out a complete set of pads, discs and tires in a single day at Shannonville, because I drove hard and didn't run race pads or sticky tires....oh, to be 25 again with no idea!!

[Dutch]

I'm just talking about the Dasilva track days.

[Dutch]

Roll bar for safety and eligibility aside from that I'd say you have the basics to go out learn what areas of the car need addressing next. Your SFCs are weld in right?

Yes. Weld in.

[ZR]

Fresh fluid / pump tires up / remove all extra stuff outta your car / basic safety check + helmet and have a good time.
Key is to drive within your limits, stock pads will serve you fine first time out.

[RedSN]

The stock OEM Cobra pads on the PBRs were fine on my car. I had no issues with them.

Second set of pads were EBR Reds. They HAVE to be bedded properly to wear through the red coating BEFORE track day. Trust me.
The Reds had good bite, they were okay at TMP, but they wore pretty quick. I might go back to them as a street pad.

Now on the Carbotech XP8's. Love these pads, great at the track, and good wearing. Too much for the street tho, I'm going to be switching them out.

First time out at the track with the car: I would go with what you have. Gets a good baseline for you AND the car. You don't want to be learning the ropes on a track monster car. Eventually, the car will tell you what needs upgrading.

[ZR]

^ Exactly that.

[Intmdtr]

Don't be a dick and over heat your car and dump coolant everywhere....everyone hates that.

[ZR]

^ Breakdown could happen to anyone.

[Dutch]

One step closer

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq164/dutch2081/20170328_182931_zpsxomdgeol.jpg (http://s444.photobucket.com/user/dutch2081/media/20170328_182931_zpsxomdgeol.jpg.html)
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq164/dutch2081/20170328_182432_zpsxvckwuod.jpg (http://s444.photobucket.com/user/dutch2081/media/20170328_182432_zpsxvckwuod.jpg.html)

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq164/dutch2081/20170328_182512_zpspsbisgp7.jpg (http://s444.photobucket.com/user/dutch2081/media/20170328_182512_zpspsbisgp7.jpg.html)

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq164/dutch2081/20170328_182512_zpspsbisgp7.jpg (http://s444.photobucket.com/user/dutch2081/media/20170328_182512_zpspsbisgp7.jpg.html)

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq164/dutch2081/20170328_182556_zpsx18p3brp.jpg (http://s444.photobucket.com/user/dutch2081/media/20170328_182556_zpsx18p3brp.jpg.html)

[ZR]

Look purdy.

[Scrape]

EBC brakes! Nice. I had those on my S197

[Dutch]

Thanks for the tips. The pads I have came with the cobra brakes. They are new pbr. Just going to run them.

[RedSN]

Only sad part now is you won't have the opportunity to try the stock brakes at TMP and see how much an improvement the Cobras are.

[Dutch]

Shoot. Maybe I will put them back on.