When it comes to your first time racing, you want to make sure that you get the most out of your driving experience. Luckily, there are plenty of things you can do to ensure that you have as good a driving experience as possible while getting the feel of being behind the wheel in an actual race car.
1) Safety comes before everything else
Safety is the number one priority when driving in any event. It is important to take care of your equipment before anything else. This includes wearing the right gear and making sure your car is in good shape, with up-to-date information about its condition (i.e., oil changes). When you are strapped in and ready to go, it’s time to focus on driving etiquette.
2) Pack all your stuff ahead of time
Make sure you have everything you need to spend the day at the track: sunscreen, sunglasses, water bottle, snacks, ear plugs. Wear appropriate clothing and make sure your car is clean. Plan your meals ahead of time so you know what you are going to eat. Bring a change of clothes for after the race in case you get dirty or wet. Make sure your car has gas in it and check that the tires are properly inflated before leaving home. Pack an emergency kit with items like jumper cables and flares just in case your car breaks down. Get plenty of sleep because racing can be exhausting.
3) Assess the track
Before racing, drivers should make sure that they are aware of all the flags used at their racetrack. Knowing these signals can help drivers know what position they are in during a race and what to do if they need to take their car back into pit lane or if there’s an incident involving other cars. The first thing to assess when looking at the track is how tight or open the turns are. If you have never been to this track before, it might be wise to go ahead and ask someone who knows the track well what they think. The tighter the turns, the more likely you are to lose control of your car if you don’t know what you’re doing. If it’s your first time racing, then it might be wise to start out on a track that has wider turns so that you can learn how to handle your car better before moving into smaller tracks with tighter turns.
4) Watch out for other racers
Always be aware of your surroundings and never assume the other racers will play fair. Keep an eye out for racers who are weaving or driving in the wrong lane, because they could cause you to have a collision or lose control of your vehicle. If someone gets too close, don’t try to overtake them. Move over and let them go instead.
5) Know your limits
The number one rule of racing is to know your limits. This is true for two reasons. The first is that you should never drive past the edge of what you are capable of handling, and the second is that it’s not as much fun to crash if you’re not exceeding your limits. So when you’re racing, don’t be afraid to slow down or stop if the course ahead looks too treacherous, or if there’s an obstacle in your way. Remember, safety first.
6) Dress appropriately
Always wear a helmet with an open-face or full-face shield. It’s important to always protect your head as much as possible during any kind of driving experience. Wear long sleeves and pants, even in hot weather. It’s important to always be dressed appropriately for safety reasons and because protection from the sun is crucial when you’re out on the track all day.