34
Installation Laps and Final Checks
Final Checks
Prior to qualifying / race, you must work through the following final checklist to ensure the car is ready to go out
onto track.
Torque wheels
Check tyre pressures
Set dampers
Ensure sufficient fuel
Lock all bodywork clips
Remove extinguisher pin
Installation Lap
An installation lap should be taken before a session if any major work has been carried out on the vehicle. Such work
would include (but is not limited to) an engine refit or repair of accident damage. The car should do one lap at good
speed - but not race pace.
This helps to identify any issues without risking further damage to the car. After the car has finished the installation
lap, a thorough visual check of the car is required. It is strongly recommended that all oil, water and fuel lines are
checked for security, along with the wheel nuts.
Following this, a further run of four laps should be completed, after which a thorough spanner check must be carried
out to check the security of all components. Particular attention should be paid to hub nuts, CV joints, braking and
steering systems, suspension mounts and lock nuts, and also the air jack locking rings
Bedding In The Brakes
Brake discs for competition use need to be bedded-in to ensure heat stabilization and improve resistance to
cracking.
On the first lap, perform several snubs with progressively higher pedal pressure and braking force and from higher
speeds. You will feel the effectiveness of the brakes increase with each successive brake application. This should take
six to ten snubs per lap and is usually completed in one or two laps. If non-PFC friction materials were previously run
on the discs then this procedure could take as many as three to five laps. This is because the non- PFC friction
material transfer layer must first be cleaned from the disc and then a fresh transfer layer must be imparted to the
disc.
Running additional laps is the best way to accomplish the new transfer layer and, due to the higher surface
temperatures, will assure a complete removal of the old friction materials from the disc. Braking effectiveness
should be excellent at this point and the car can be driven normally. (Performance Friction)
General Track Maintenance
When the car has returned to the pits from an installation lap, it is necessary to check for any play in each corner.
Jacking the car up off the ground allows the wheels to be shook from side to side. There should be no knocking or
unwanted movement from each wheel. The tyres should be around 28-29 psi when hot.
To Next Page
Loading...
Need help?
General