Grassroots motorsport, explained
Get on track with your street car and know what to do.
Beginner-friendly guides to track days, autocross and drag strips: what to bring, what to prep, which brakes, tires and safety gear matter, and what it costs.
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Explore Track & Racing Guides
Pick a topic to find checklists, setup advice and beginner basics.
Track Day Basics
First-event checklists, costs, tech inspection and what to expect.
Explore topic →02Autocross
Classes, costs, tire pressures and how to start with a daily driver.
Explore topic →03Beginner Drag Racing
Test-and-tune nights, classes, tech inspection and staging.
Explore topic →04Safety Gear
Helmet ratings, gloves, fire extinguishers and what events require.
Explore topic →05Track Brake Setup
Pads, fluid, bleeding and fixing brake fade on track.
Explore topic →06Track Tire Guide
200tw tires, pressures, heat cycles and reading tire wear.
Explore topic →Featured reading
Start Here: Beginner Track Guides
The questions first-timers ask before their first event.
Do Drag Strips Require a Head and Neck Restraint in a Street Car?
A street car usually needs a head and neck restraint at 150 mph or 7.49 seconds in NHRA drag racing; track tech…
Do You Need to Do a Burnout on Street Tires?
On street tires, a burnout is usually optional. Use a short one only if the tread is dusty, damp, or cold, and…
Why Do Brake Rotors Warp After a Track Day?
Most post-track-day brake warp is usually rotor thickness variation, pad deposits, or hub runout, not a bent rotor. This guide shows how…
What Should You Look for When Walking an Autocross Course?
Look for the next decision point and the cost of being early, late, or wide at each corner. This guide covers line…
From the blog
Latest Track & Racing Articles
New guides on track days, autocross, drag racing and car prep.
Where Are the No-Passing Zones at a Track Day?
No-passing zones at a track day are set by event rules, run group, and corner worker…
How to Measure Tire Wear at Home with a Tread Depth Gauge
Measure tread depth at three points across each tire, compare left-to-right, and use wear bars to…
Do Racing Harnesses Expire, and How Do You Check the Date?
Yes—racing harnesses can expire, and the cutoff depends on the tag. FIA belts are usually 5…
Do I Need Track Day Insurance for HPDE Events?
Buy HPDE insurance when the car’s replacement cost plus deductible is more than you can self-insure.…
DOT 3 vs DOT 4 vs DOT 5.1: Which Brake Fluid for Track Days?
Choose brake fluid by OEM spec and wet boiling-point margin, not DOT number alone. This guide…
Are Street and Track Brake Pads Enough for Occasional Track Days?
Street and track brake pads can work for occasional HPDE if pad temperatures, brake fluid, and…
Recent Guides
- Do Drag Strips Require a Head and Neck Restraint in a Street Car?
- Do You Need to Do a Burnout on Street Tires?
- Why Do Brake Rotors Warp After a Track Day?
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