5 Things to Know About Track Days

Get to know your vehicle and yourself on a racetrack.

Efrain Olivares | 

Jun 3, 2024 | 4 min read

Manuel Carrillo III | Capital One

Should you find yourself the proud owner of a fun-to-drive car — be it the nimble Mazda Miata, the exceptional Porsche 911, or any number of performance machines in between — you might have the desire to explore its limits. Because you can't really do that on public roads, there's a solution for those who wish to unleash their inner Lewis Hamilton: Go to a track day.

Manuel Carrillo III

Track Days Push the Limits So You Can Learn More

A track day — also sometimes called high-performance driving education, or HPDE — is a scheduled event at a road course where thrill-seeking individuals drive their personal vehicles at speed. It is not competitive: While you share the track with others, you're not timed or racing one another. You enter the track after someone else, so you can typically take corners and mow down straights without needing to pass anybody. The goal is to enjoy driving and push your limits in a safe, controlled environment.

Track Days Include Classroom Lessons and Real-World Experience

Organizers will likely sort individuals into groups based on their experience and skill level. There are numerous instructors who will teach you techniques for driving on the track and who may even ride along with you to provide one-on-one guidance. You'll usually receive classroom instruction followed by multiple quick track sessions throughout the day.

There could be a big difference between the limits of the car and your limits as a driver, so you may want to take your time on your first few runs. It can be helpful to simply focus on learning and applying what the instructors teach you.

Track Days Are for Almost Any Car

While those who participate at track days often bring performance vehicles, you can use almost any kind of car — such as a commuter car with an automatic transmission — so long as it's in good working condition.

Typically, the hosting organization will perform a technical inspection of all vehicles. You should ensure that your tires aren't too low on tread or showing excessive wear. Uneven treadwear is a sign that the tires could be underinflated or that your car might need an alignment, both of which you'll want to take care of before going on track.

It's also important to check the brakes. With regular driving, the pads should have at least 25% of their material left, so you may want to ensure there is at least twice that amount before high-performance driving. If you are getting your car serviced, ask for a brake-fluid change so you know the system will be ready to deal with the extra heat generated by repeated hard slowdowns.

Check to see that your vehicle isn't leaking anywhere and that the vital fluids — engine oil, coolant for the radiator, and transmission fluid — are at the correct levels.

Track Days Require Some Planning Ahead

Every organization and track sets its own rules, but generally speaking, you will need to wear an approved helmet, long pants, a long-sleeve shirt, and closed-toe shoes to participate in a track day. The event will likely take a toll on your body, so it may help to be mindful of preserving your energy. Try to plan for a restful night the day before, drink plenty of fluids, and fuel your system with nourishing meals.

Track Days Can Be Easy to Find, but They're Not Cheap

Enthusiast organizations can host track days every weekend all across the United States. It might be a good idea to try one close to your home to see what it's about before venturing a long distance. Your local road-course calendar generally includes the upcoming events.

Motorsports can be costly. You'll likely need to shell out a few hundred dollars to attend a half-day event and somewhere around $1,500 for a full day. Certain tracks — the prestigious ones — often charge a premium, and in most cases, you'll need to pay for fuel, food, and any wear and tear on your vehicle.

Efrain Olivares

Efrain Olivares holds a Communications degree from Cal State Long Beach, and upon graduating worked as a journalist for a publishing house that produced numerous magazines and content for web properties. Raised with a passion for automobiles and motorsports, Efrain can usually be found tinkering with his small fleet of vintage cars.