Nice to see you use the car as GM engineered the BW to be track capable.
The must/optional/wants change depending on your skill level. Since you will be in novice, my list applies to cars running at slower speeds on track.
1A. Some people will argue that high temp brake fluid is required. But with the slower top speeds and less aggressive braking events in the novice group, I generally think it is not necessary.
1B. That said, make sure you install all of the GM provided brake duct deflectors. That will help keep brake temps down and mitigate the need for high temp brake fluid.
1C. Change fluids more often. GM provides a guide for how often to change fluids of your track the car. See attached.
1D. Learn what PTM setting to use. Since you took the class at SM, you know what settings should be.
1E. Check tire presses often at the track. Keep hot tires pressures between 35-38PSI.
1F. Run with a good group that focuses on safety and instruction. Avoid groups with high car counts and ones that seem more concerned about your Instagram than they are with car inspections.
2A. A track alignment with more camber will help keep the outside edges of the tires from getting excess wear. However, more camber on a mostly street car will wear the inside edges faster. So it is a balance/trade-off. If the car is mostly track, then lots of camber. If street/track, then somewhere in between a track and street alignment would be a compromise.
2B. Bedding in the brakes might be a good idea. If the pads have lots of mileage or several hard stops in a row already then it might not be needed. Again, the novice group will have less aggressive braking events so it is not as important as when you start brake harder from higher speeds.
2C. Learn the track ahead of time. Sims or watch in car YouTube videos from drivers who know what they are doing. Try to watch similar cars as a momentum car like a Miata may drive a different line then you will.
3. Tires are the most important item on a car. Make sure to have good quality summer tires that will not fall apart. If you are running in the rain, make sure you have enough tread depth so you will not hydroplane at high speeds.
I find Laguna Seca to be a great track for beginners. I know some people will push back on that, but there are no connected corners so if you screw up one corner, there is usually time to get set up correctly for the next corner. Just learn where (and how much) to turn in for the corkscrew. Don’t lift or brake over turn 1. And if you go two wheels off, breathe and slow down to a crawl before getting the wheels back on track. If you try to come back on track at speed you will spin and hit a wall. And listen to your instructor. There will be a lot going on so focus on what they are asking you to do.
And, most of all, have fun! Talk to the other participants. They are all car guys/gals so it is easy to find people to talk to and make friends. Enjoy yourself and keep the shiny side up!
