Yea, that was fun!
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mardis said:Steve, Pete, and all,
For me personally, your words and advice are taken to heart. I have absolutely no preconceptions going into my first HPDE day on being fast. I have reached the age where I want to learn. Learn the etiquette of a hot track, learn the dynamics of what the car is doing and to learn what those dynamics are telling me. To learn greater car control. To learn, period. This is something I have wanted to try for years now. Going in open minded, with the ego checked at the door will benefit myself tremendously and allow me to listen...and learn.
i have just finished reading "Winning" by Matt Stone. This great book chronicles Paul Newman's racing career, and Paul approached his racing the same way I hope to emulate. He went into racing as a newbie at the age of 47. Some say that is too old to start, but he proved everyone wrong. Why you say...because Paul went into racing with the desire to learn and to listen from others whose ability was greater than his. With much practice he became a world class driver. I can only hope that I have the patience and dedication to do the same. I have no grand illusion of becoming a world class driver, but to improve my skills and mindset to where at anytime I am comfortable in the Hot Rod will be a success in my eyes.
Thank you again. And I apologize in advance to Bad Boss, I do not mean to hi-jack your thread.
PeteInCT said:Even for a first timer he should not run with anything but a DOT-4 fluid. Even at moderate speeds the Boss, especially without brake cooling ducts, will boil the stock DOT-3 fluid very easily.
-Pete
PeteInCT said:I just deleted a post by someone who stated that you won't boil your fluids if you run with dot 3. I have enough experience and I've seen multiple instances a brake fade on bosses that are running dot 3. Ford recommends dot 4 for the track. There is a reason for this. It is possible that anyone driver will not drive fast enough to boil dot 3 fluid. However, on this website it makes no sense for advice to be given better soon optimal conditions when safety is involved.
further said:Fair enough, I just haven't seen first timers run their car hard, while they're still learning the lines and what an apex is. I ran my first two events on DOT 3. Erring on the side of caution is probably wise. Forgive me.
DGRacing said:Not your fault. Sometimes you will find "elitism" on this site and elitism elitalternate opinions are sometimes not tolerated...
racered302 said:You should read the supplement that came with your manual and and make those changes pertaining brakes as a minimum . They added that for a reason. It would be a scary thing hitting the brakes and their not there. Once less thing you have worry about. Have fun! It's worth it.
I just noticed you have a brembo GT. I guess your manual doesn't have a supplement. Our say DOT4, remove rear brake shields to help with cooling, brake cooling ducts for the front, but they only fits the C/S and Boss.
LostPony said:I would caution that just because you change your fluid to DOT4, it does not guarantee you won't have brake issues. I am having fade issues with Motul 600 and Carbotech 12f/8r pads on street tires. It is rare, but it does occur. If your pedal begins to feel "soft" or pedal travel increases, it may be worth backing off a lap or 2, or even pitting in and driving around the paddock area to cool your brakes.
If you do experience fade from fluid overheating, it will not cure itself, and will only happen sooner on successive runs, as each time it happens, the boiling point is lower. Some of the others here may have more to say on how often to change the fluid depending on how many HPDEs you do each year, but I would suggest to at least check the fluid level and color after each HPDE.