Getting your car track-ready without going broke
Your first Lakeside day doesn't need a roll cage and a second mortgage. It needs fluid that won't boil, pads that won't fade, and a car that won't leak on the scrutineer. Here's the actual list.
The first track day question everyone asks is 'how much power do I need?' Wrong question. Track days eat brakes, tyres and fluids — a stock MX-5 with fresh pads will embarrass a tuned car that boiled its fluid in session two. Here's what actually matters.
1. Brake fluid, before everything
This is the one that ends days early. Road fluid boils under track heat and the pedal goes to the floor mid-corner — ask anyone who's done it. High-temp fluid through the whole system is $180 and it's the best insurance a track car buys. Do it yearly, minimum.
2. Pads that can take it
Street pads fade after a few hard laps — the pedal stays firm but the car doesn't slow, which is somehow worse. A track compound front and rear, bedded properly, is the second job. Our track brake package covers pads, fluid and lines for about $1,350.
3. Tyres with actual life in them
You don't need semis for a first day — you need tread, even wear and the right pressures (which drop as they heat; ask the regulars, they'll tell you your target). Check the date codes too — a five-year-old 'new' tyre is a hard, slippery lie.
4. Fresh oil and the leaks you already know about
Scrutineers check for leaks and loose bits. Fresh oil, check the coolant, torque the wheels, empty the cabin of everything that isn't bolted down — including the floor mats. If you've been ignoring a seep, the track will find it.
5. An alignment, not new coilovers
More camber up front keeps the outside tyre working in corners — cheap lap time. A track-spec alignment is $280 versus a few grand for coilovers you don't need yet. Do the coilovers after your second or third day, when you know what you actually want.
What about more power?
Genuinely last. A healthy stock car with sorted brakes does full sessions all day; a tuned car with tired brakes does three laps and sits in the pits. If you want a tune too, do the brakes first — the tune makes them work harder.
The day itself
Bring water, a torque wrench, tyre gauge, and low expectations for lap one. Lakeside and Queensland Raceway both run beginner-friendly days with instructors. Your car will come home fine if you let it cool down between sessions and you actually listen to the briefings.
Want it all done in one hit? The Track Prep package covers pads, fluid, lines, alignment and a nut-and-bolt check — $1,650, one visit, ready for scrutineering.
Thinking about it?
Booked a track day? Our $1,650 Track Prep package covers everything on this list — sorted in one visit.
Ask the shop+61 2 4961 8527
The short version
Fluid and pads first
Boiled fluid ends days early. Track fluid + pads = insurance.
Alignment over coilovers
$280 of camber beats $3k of hardware for your first day.
Power comes last
A healthy stock car does full sessions. Tune it after the brakes.
More from the workshop
Got a car that needs it?
Reading about it is step one. Ring the shop or send the form — we'll tell you what your car would actually gain and what it costs.