Taking your car to the track especially for the first time may fill you with excitement and anticipation but could also cause you anxiety and dread. You get a chance to test your car’s capabilities as well as your own driving skills. But you also worry about everything that can go wrong. After all, you’ve put in plenty of money and work to get your car to its present condition.
You need not panic though as long as you keep the following in mind.
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Check and Service the Car
Your car probably doesn’t venture too far from your home. Driving around the neighborhood is perhaps the furthest you’ve ever taken it thus far. Going to the track means subjecting it to much more stress than usual. This is why it’s important to give the car a full service check beforehand.
Pay special attention to any corrosion of structural components, a common problem among classic vehicles. Test the braking system to ensure the car comes to a halt within a reasonable distance when driving at higher speeds. Top up or replace engine oil and fluids. Inspect the tires and confirm you have sufficient tread for vehicle traction.
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Haul or Drive It
Your car is now ready for action. But how do you get it to the track? You can choose to either haul it or drive it. Your choice depends on how far the track is, the time you have, what you are willing to spend, road quality and road traffic.
If you look at fuel cost alone, driving your car there can seem much cheaper than shipping it. However, driving over long distances comes with hidden costs such as wear and tear, fender benders and the risk of auto theft.
Shippers such as https://executiveautoshippers.com/services/enclosed-exotic-transfer/ shield you from risks that can cost you much more than the shipping cost over the long-term.
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Check the Insurance
Unlike your average car, exotic cars are seldom on the road. Many exotic cars spend weeks or months in the garage with the occasional short drive once in a while. It’s therefore easy to forget to take up or renew the vehicle’s insurance.
An exotic car is a rare and valuable possession. The last thing you want is to see all that value go up in smoke following a car crash or auto theft. Make sure you have up-to-date and relevant insurance before the track day.
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Join a Car Club
If you are not already a member of a car club, consider joining one. Many car clubs organize track days several times each year. It’s non-competitive so there’s no pressure to perform. By joining up with people who share your passion, you can benefit from their experience and gather tips that will come in handy later.
A car club is also a safe space where people understand the value of an exotic car. They will therefore be your partners in making sure you don’t do anything that jeopardizes not just your own safety but also the condition of the car itself.
Taking your car to the track is supposed to be fun. By paying attention to the above factors, the track day is likely to be one you’ll positively remember for years to come.