Albert Picado (A.K.A. Type R Al, Big Al)

Maybe some things to bring to the track like sun block, a tarp, chairs, warm & cold weather clothing, tools & which ones, duct tape, lots of water and or gatorade.  Plus, you might want to do a check list similar to a tech inspection on things that might not be in the tech inspection.  It might include something as simple as taking out the floor mats, cleaning the interior including trunk, glove box, and under the seats, removal of spare tire, a good recommendation on what type of oil to use.  One more thing, lots of people want to know what type of modifications they should do to their car. For the newbies, I would recommend racing brake fluid (motul 600), a better quality brake pad, and harnesses only if they have a roll bar.  People always want to go to an R compound tire and I say to wait until you learn to drive on street tires.

Buy a quality air pressure gauge for the tires. Keep checking tire pressures. I found that I would get a wobble in the front under braking because of my tire pressures (one had more psi than the other). Plus, since most of us don't have radically adjustable suspensions, then tire pressure will be one of the key points to setting up our cars at track events.

The other thing is to buy a pyrometer. Check your tire temps after you get off of the track. Outer, center, & inner. I really didn't notice uneven wear on my street tires but once I changed to my stickies, Kumho V700 205-40-17, I noticed a huge change. I would not have been able to adjust my tire pressure accordingly without the pyrometer. Hence, better tire wear and better traction.

Last but not least, listen to your car. The sounds and rattles in your car will tell you a story. I was on the track once and I heard a rattling in the rear end. I immediately pitted and come to find out that the lug nuts had come loose on my passenger rear tire. I was giving someone a ride and he told me that he wouldn't have even noticed the sound and would have kept driving if he was in the driver seat. Moral to this is listen and torque them lugs. Remember, you will not lose any positions on the track because it is not a race. Better to pit and check the car than having to pick the pieces of your car off of the track.

I know that most of this is elementary to most of you but I find that every time I go to the track, I am doing these things first and throughout the day.

Vic (Viper Club Of Amercia message board)
 
Change power steering fluid to Red Line brand, it handles the heat better, and I think it has a higher flash point.

Change brake fluid to Dot 4, maybe Motul 600, or Castrol

If the car is getting away from you, most street drivers instinctively lift off the gas suddenly. Don't do this, as it will transfer weight forward, the rears will get light, and the car will snap around, and hook off track, possibly into a wall.

Balance the car with the throttle. If the back end starts to slide out, gently give it more gas to transfer the weight to the rear tires. This will help them "stick".

Accelerate near apex, and the car will drift out, or track out. 

Build up your speed gradually, as you learn the braking, turn-in, apex, and exit points. Use the whole track width. All your steering, throttle, shifting, and braking inputs should be smooth as possible. Don't jerk the wheel, slam the shift lever, or trounce on the gas or brake. You do have to almost stand on the brake sometimes, but you still should do it smoothly. 

After the tires start to squeal, there is not much traction left for maneuvering, so your inputs to the controls needs to be smooth. Have you ever driven on ice or snow? Then you understand how to be smooth and gentle at the limit. 

If you go into a spin, push the clutch and the brake to the floor. This will keep it from stalling, so you can move quickly when it stops spinning. 

If you go off track, try not to stomp on the brake, just gently guide it back onto the track. Don't jerk the wheel to steer it back to the track, just gently aim it back on. Or just let it stop off track! Don't freak out.

Check your oil often at the track.

Watch your temp gauge on the straights, and check your gauges, loosen your death-grip on the wheel long enough to wiggle your fingers a bit. If your car gets too hot, turn on my heater, to help dissipate the heat. 

Minimize the use the brake during the cool down lap, after the checkered flag. 

Don't use the parking brake, just put it in gear. Let the rotors cool slowly. Never hose off a hot rotor, it will warp.