KrazyKarim

Another full time college student with a depleting race budget here

I started back in high school driving a slowamatic celica just autocrossing and then aded track days to the mix and do both now. The s2k is a spectacular performer and a blast to drive at both.
The best advice I can give you is don't worry about being competitive or fast right away. Go out and have a good time and learn. You'll meet some great people and and learn skills that will be with you for life.
SV is a great group to run with. One of my favorites. Both JP and I drive out from Las Vegas to attend SV events, unfortunatly my budget doesn't let me do it more than once a month or every other month for the more expensive tracks
At the track days drive with caution. If your car isn't paid off yet wadding a car up at the track isn't exactly affordable for a full time college student Drive at 8/10ths not on the edge. I know there is at least 1-2 secs left in my car at every track day I go to but honestly it's not worth the risk of wadding up my daily car and one that isn't paid off yet

You'll have a great time and learn tons. Autocrossing and tracking are 2 wonderful hobbies to be a part of
They really change your life. When I first started driving I'd never have thought of myself driving around town with brakes that make my car sound like a bus like I've been doing since the end of January because 2 events are so close to each together

edit: on the pad and fluid recommendation I'm using ATE Super Bluefluid and Cobalt GT-Sports. Both found in the s2ki marketplace.

Karim

LateralPressure

try and attend an evolution school.

autocross.com/evolution

twohoos

I agree with pretty much everything said here, except for the contention that the stock brakes are "the weak link" in the S2000. OK it's a nit, but still it gets me every time someone asks for advice about tracking.

Look, pads and fluid don't count -- they're consumables, and you can't blame Honda for putting street pads and DOT3 fluid in the car. Heck, name ANY car (short of the exotics with carbon/ceramic discs) that has brake pads suitable for track duty straight off the showroom floor. Once pads and fluid are upgraded, the S2000's stock brake system is more than adequate for all but the most severe conditions (e.g. 10" slicks). Even then, add some ducts and you're good to go.

PedalFaster

[cough] Porsche

Agree with your general point, though.

s2k2fast4me

You might try contacting these folks... www.davismotorsports.org

-Andy

mikegarrison

Tires are consumables too, but they make a big difference on the track....

You aren't saying anything I wasn't saying, except you are being all defensive about it.

Jim Schweigert

Close to Sacramento is one of the great lesser known tracks-Thunderhill, just 6 miles east of Willows off I-5. Several track days which include instructors riding along as much as you wish. Check out www.hookedondriving.com for their schedule.

silverdevil

I LOVE Thunderhill. Also check out these orgs, they both have Thunderhill dates every year:
http://www.nasaproracing.com/schedules/norcal.html
http://www.trackmasters-racing.com/index.html

JackOlsen

Uh, like PedalFaster said, Porsches have always come with great, track-ready brakes. And since 1965, all the air-cooled 911s have also come with a race-ready dry sump oil system.

But on the topic: Thunderhill is a great track. You might want to look at Northern California Racing Club's track weekend up there the 26th and 27th of this month. They'll have instructors to teach you how to drive your car on a track (you'll be startled by how slow you are compared to more-experienced guys when you start), and you can work your way up to time trialing with them and (eventually) even wheel to wheel racing.