Any advice for a hampton downs newbee?

I am taking my 93 camaro for a twilight track experience next month.
Any advice for a first timer!
I am told it is very hard on brakes, so for my car just use 2nd and 3rd (it's an auto) to make use of engine braking in and out of the turns.
Any other tips will be appreciated.

Could try some new brake pads, like Ultimates from Bendix, and new brake fliud. Pump your tyres up to 40psi. Get rid of any rubbish in the car and boot, includiing mats. Clean the windows.

Socram and some others are the ones to talk to as they've completed the most laps.The only advice I can give is have respect for turn 1, and be aware of the bump on the track when coming up the hill on the main straight.Enjoy and post back your experience if you would.

I read that nearly all the apexes are unsighted on entry - that certainly makes it a challenge. Watch out for the hairpin! Use a smooth steering technique and turn the wheel constantly, all the way into the apex and all the way out. The steering wheel should be constantly turning throughout the corner. You'll be surprised how late you can turn in using this method which then also gives you more room to brake.

As far as the car is concerned, make sure the brake pads have more than half their friction material left or fade will be a major problem (it may be anyway, but it'll be worse).Any body-roll the car has will be magnified 100x on the track, expect that. Check for any suspension bushes that may be damaged by an oil leak. If possible, replace all the suspension bushes regardless, using Nolathane replacements. You won't believe the difference, especially on the track.

the front straight is very fast my 2ltr capri is doing nearly 200kph at the end, the first corner is down hill to the right my advise is brake early. when exiting the corners ease (with in reason) your foot back on the gas jamming it down may lead to wheel spin, wheel spin can lead to a 360deg spin. have fun its a great track

Turn 1 jumps up very quick.

The hairpin before the front straight is a very wide and sweeping one, it basically is a double-apex corner. I've had great success going wide and abruptly turning late weight shifting to get the rear to swing around a little and the front to dig in, to line it up and clip the apex of the second half of the corner so you have a decent run up onto the main straight. I find this is the case with my heavy-ish AWD car which is very prone to understeering until you get the rear un-settled, but have found many RWD and FWD drivers are doing the same thing.

I would definitely do work on the brakes, they WILL get a workout even if you go easy on them. and you wont have anywhere near the fun if you are just dawdling around the track engine braking everywhere. Make sure you use some decent brake fluid, like DOT 5.1 or Castrol Super DOT 4 at a minimum (of all the DOT 4 rated fluids it has the highest boiling point), and some decent heavy duty pads, most importantly new pads too, as if they're already down to 1/2-1/3 they will wear down to the metal.

put a manual valve body in your auto, it'll make it behave more like a stick car & make it more fun to drive.

check the speed rating on your tires

Hang on, hang on - Are you just going for a fast drive, or are you gunna race it!

dont try and set alap record straight away, work yourself into it, most of all enjoy and come home with a staight car.

Thanks guys for all your advice.
I will post my experience afterwards, cheers.

Agree most of all with #13 & #14!

Yes I have done a fair few race and touring laps but haven't driven an auto at speed on a track, so have nothing to add there .

1) With any circuit, memorise the layout first! You'd be amazed how much that helps.

2) Go to Utube and search for in car videos at Hampton Downs - there are heaps.

3)The chances are you'll be sharing the track with others so don't be afraid to bludge your first ride as a passenger!You'll learn a lot from sitting alongside someone who is familiar with the track and I have never yet been refused a ride.Three or four laps should be enough.

You say you are a first timer.Is that a first time on a race track or first time at Hampton Downs!

First time on a race track, just remember that you are not aimingto be world champion and WATCH YOUR MIRRORS!Don't change your line and if there is someone coming up behind you, even on a private twilight track run,Indicate to the person behind that you have seen them and for me, I generally keep left and wave them past on the right. Believe me, there are far too many racers around where you have no idea what the heck they are going to do, and who squeeze you onto the grass!

Do four laps, pull into the pits, hop out and check your tyre temperatures. If any are hotter/cooler than the others, drop/raise the tyre temperatures. Tyres on the left of the car will probably get more stick than those on the right, so they might need a couple of pounds more.Tyres should be reasonably hot, but not overly hot.Twilight could mean a cool or a warm track, but it shouldn't be too hot.

Sensible for asking before you do it!Enjoy it.It's a great track but without the ultimate top speed of Pukekohe.As others have said, brakes and tyres take a real hammering and you have plenty of power (I don't!) so don't be brutal with the throttle.