Preparing Your Car for Track Days: The Essentials of HPDE Prep

Originally published July 29, 2021. Last updated July 17, 2025.

Preparing your car for track days is important, since it’s harder to have a good learning experience when you’re not ready. While there are endless preparations you could make before an event, not all will be necessary or cost-effective. The following 10 HPDE car prep steps are the ones you’ll want to focus on.

1. Tech Inspection

A technical inspection of your vehicle is a must before you take it on a track. Have a qualified mechanic check your vehicle to make sure the essential systems and components are in proper working order, especially brakes, tires and suspension. Some HPDE events do their own checks before letting drivers on the track. If you’ve done your homework, you won’t have to worry about them finding something that could’ve been fixed before the event.

2. Brakes

Brakes are probably the most important system for a vehicle on a track. A problem with the brakes can be dangerous and cut your event participation short. Sufficient brake pads and rotors and a brake fluid flush and change to high-performance fluid are a must. Pads should have between 50% to 80% or more of their original thickness left, since it’s possible to use up a new set in just a day at the track. New, flushed performance fluid is a must, since old fluid can reduce performance and even boil under the heavy demands of HPDE track driving.

3. Tires

If brakes are the most important thing on the track, tires are a close second. Tires in good condition with sufficient tread depth are must-have for a day of fun and safe driving at the track. Less than a third of original tread depth can be dangerous, especially if it rains. The reason you need newer tires is due to the stress, friction and heat the brakes will experience under track driving conditions. Both your brakes and tires will be used harder than ever before, and you may wear them out before you know it. This kind of premature wear is normal. Remember, just one day of experience on the track can be worth hundreds of thousands of miles out on the road.

4. Engine Fluids

While you’ve got a mechanic doing your technical inspection, it’s a good time to check your engine fluids — oil, coolant and transmission fluid. An oil change is a good idea if your vehicle is due for one according to its maintenance schedule, or if you’ve participated in other events since your last fluid change. Yes, extra engine fluid changes are an added cost, but they’re nothing compared to an engine overhaul or replacement. Remember that fluids don’t last as long with track driving as they do on the road.

5. Suspension

Suspension is another important item to check, since the wear and tear a suspension takes at the track is significant. Check that there are no worn ball joints or tie-rod ends and that everything is as it should be. A stock suspension is fine and what most track novices will start with, but this setup may be slightly more likely to experience problems during an event. An inspection beforehand will help minimize the risk of a breakdown or failure during your track day.

6. Tire Pressure

Another item you can prepare ahead of a track day is your tires’ air pressure. A good rule of thumb is to plan to arrive at the track with about an extra 5 psi of air in your tires. A higher pressure is always needed to deal with the intensity of track driving, but finding out exactly how much higher can take some time and experimentation. Ask around to other drivers with similar vehicles for a baseline, then keep records of your starting cold tire pressure and hot pressure after a session. Note your vehicle’s handling under different pressures and add or bleed excess air at the track before your sessions as needed.

7. Gas

There are supplies you’ll need to pick up on the way to the track and gas is probably the most important. After all, you don’t want to have to pit in early because you’re running out of gas. The best practice is usually to fill up the tank before you go, if the track is nearby, and at a nearby off-site station if the track is some distance from you. Some tracks will have gas available for purchase on site, but it may cost more than it would at a regular station down the road.

8. Safety Equipment

Driving at many HPDE events requires safety equipment. Check with the event to find out what’s required. A helmet is pretty standard, but you may also need things for your track car such as a fire extinguisher.

9. Tools and Supplies

You don’t have to bring your whole garage, but a few tools are helpful:

Tire pressure gauge
Torque wrench with a socket for lug bolts and nuts
Hand tools
Spare engine oil
Window cleaner
Towels

Here’s a more complete HPDE packing list with everything you need to bring.

10. Storage

A paddock storage solution is another item you’ll want to prep before your event. Cars on the track must be empty, so you’ll need somewhere to store any supplies and gear you have brought with you. A storage bin or waterproof tarp you can keep at the paddock is very helpful. The general rule is that everything not permanently attached to the car, besides you and any in-car instructor which will be temporarily buckled in, must stay in the paddock. Some events are even picky about how in-car cameras or track telemetry devices are attached to the dash or windshield. If you’re unsure about something you need in the car, ask the event organizers before you arrive.

The Essentials of HPDE Prep

Your car does need a few things before it will be ready to drive on the track. Luckily, there are only a few that are really essential. These are the preparations that will make sure your car is safe to drive on a track and save you from potential difficulties. Preparing your car also sets you up to have a more fun and educational experience while staying safe.

As you get ready for your next track day, don’t forget to make sure your car will be covered on the track. Most auto insurance policies limit coverage for HPDE and track day events.

If your policy has exclusions for your car on the track, don’t worry. We offer HPDE Insurance to protect your car from damage when you’re participating in HPDE, track day or time trial events.