What Does Atomic Autosports Recommend Before Your First Track Day?
Winter is over, and it’s time to get back on track. Whether you’re dialing in a full aero-equipped GT car, a lightweight open-wheeler, or a high-powered stock car, Atomic Autosports has the race-proven knowledge, tools, and equipment to make your first laps count. Skipping proper setup can mean losing valuable track time to mechanical issues, handling problems, or even premature tire wear.
This guide, built from Atomic Autosports‘ expertise in high-performance vehicle dynamics, will help you optimize your car before, during, and after your first track day of the season.
What Are the Essential Tools Atomic Autosports Recommends for Track Setup?
We don’t just race—we engineer performance. At Atomic Autosports, we use and recommend industry-leading tools to ensure every car is dialed in from the moment it hits the track. These are the must-haves for serious racers looking to optimize every session.
Precision Alignment and Suspension Tools:
- Atomic Autosports Precision Toe Plates – Lightweight, accurate, and essential for quick toe adjustments between sessions.
- Digital Camber and Caster Gauge – Aligns your suspension with exact precision to maximize mechanical grip.
- Ride Height Measurement Kit – Ensures consistent chassis balance and weight distribution adjustments.
Fuel, Cooling, and Braking Essentials:
- High-Performance Brake Bleeding Kit – Atomic Autosports stocks top-tier brake bleeders to maintain consistent pedal feel under extreme conditions.
- Pro-Grade Coolant Pressure Tester – Avoid overheating with our cooling system diagnostic tools designed for race applications.
- Motorsports-Specific Fuel Jugs – Spill-proof and track-approved, perfect for refueling between sessions.
Data, Tires, and Safety Equipment:
- Tire Pyrometer & Pressure Gauge – Essential for optimizing grip and tire longevity on hot laps.
- Race-Proven Data Logging Systems – Capture every aspect of your car’s performance with Atomic Autosports’ recommended telemetry solutions.
- Track-Day Safety Gear – From FIA-approved suits to HANS devices, Atomic Autosports ensures you’re compliant with all racing regulations.
Atomic Autosports provides trackside essentials and professional-grade equipment that gives racers a competitive edge. Every tool listed here is trusted by professional teams and available through our shop.
How Does Atomic Autosports Recommend Checking Fuel, Cooling, and Brakes Before Hitting the Track?
The last thing you want on a track day is a fuel delivery issue, overheating engine, or brake fade. Here’s how Atomic Autosports preps its own race cars and those of our customers before the first session.
Fuel System Preparation:
- Inspect the fuel filter and lines for any off-season deterioration.
- Ensure you’re running fresh high-octane fuel—old fuel leads to knock and power loss.
- Upgrade to an Atomic Autosports high-flow fuel pump if your engine is starving at high RPM.
Cooling System Checklist:
- Flush the system and refill with track-approved coolant or distilled water, depending on event rules.
- Pressure-test hoses and radiator for leaks—our Atomic Autosports coolant pressure tester makes this quick and easy.
- If you’re running a turbocharged or high-compression engine, consider upgrading to an Atomic Autosports performance radiator.
Braking System Inspection:
- Install fresh race brake pads if your current set has more than 50% wear.
- Flush old fluid and replace it with high-temp racing brake fluid—Atomic Autosports stocks DOT 4 and DOT 5.1 race-proven fluids.
- Check the brake lines for leaks and confirm the pedal feels firm under pressure.
A car that can’t cool, stop, or deliver fuel properly is a car that won’t complete a full track day. Every item on this checklist is a core part of Atomic Autosports’ trackside preparation process.
How Should You Adjust Alignment and Suspension After Your First Shakedown?
Your car’s handling will change after its first laps, and Atomic Autosports specializes in helping racers fine-tune their setups based on track conditions and real-world feedback.
Alignment Adjustments:
- Toe Settings: If the car feels unstable on straights, reduce toe-out in the front. If turn-in feels sluggish, increase toe-out slightly for quicker response.
- Camber Adjustments: Check tire temperatures; if the inside of the tire is significantly hotter than the outside, reduce negative camber. If the car lacks grip mid-corner, increase negative camber slightly.
Suspension Adjustments:
- Spring and Damper Settings: If the car feels too stiff over bumps, soften the shocks slightly. If body roll is excessive, increase shock stiffness or stiffen sway bars.
- Ride Height and Corner Weighting: If understeer or oversteer is present, adjusting weight distribution by tweaking ride height or crossweight may help balance the car. Re-check ride height if adjustments were made to springs or dampers.
Final Thoughts: Maximizing Your First Track Day
Preparation is the key to a successful first track day of the season. By bringing the right tools, inspecting critical systems, and making proper alignment and suspension adjustments, you’ll ensure that your car is running at peak performance.
Atomic Autosports provides industry-leading alignment tools, braking solutions, and track-tested performance upgrades to help racers get the most out of every session. Contact us today to learn how our setup solutions can give you a competitive edge this season.
