From the Street to the Track - How to get Yourself on the Racetrack
StreetModPerformance has a unique mission - we're committed to giving every driver, with any budget, the ability to put their car on the racetrack.
So how are we doing that? And how do we know what YOU need?
I'm Giordan Dyokas, the owner of StreetModPerformance. I came into the motorsports scene in 2022 with the purchase of my project car, a 1996 Mustang GT (SN95) with a 4.6L V8.
The things I found most difficult with motorsports wasn't the lack of funds, but the lack of knowledge on how to get into the racing scene. It took me at least a week of researching just to find the right event in my area. It was EXTREMELY difficult. Nowadays with AI, you can get so much information from a simple prompt, but the AI has never been to a track day, or piloted a racecar.
To find your first event, go to sites like MotorsportReg.com, SCCA.com, etc. There's series like NASA, PDG, FARA, CHIN, that all offer High Performance Driver's Education (HPDE) and provide great track time. These events can run anywhere from $200-500. At minimum, put high temperature brake fluid in your car for these events.
However, I got my start in a local autocross series in Southwest Florida. It was beyond cheap, about $35 for the day. All I needed was a helmet, a car, all the lugnuts attached as well as the battery secured. Otherwise, you run what you bring.
I was a very slow driver at my first event, and that's the mentality you have to have when you go to the first track day. Having an ego is how you wreck your car. Take things slow, don't focus on being fast. Instead, focus on feeling the car and try to understand the inputs you make, and how they have an effect on the car. Learn how to manage your throttle/brakes, weight transfer, and body roll.
Reflect on your track day after it's over. How did the car do? How did YOU do? Videoing your runs help! Review data.
After that, determine what the car needs. Every car is different. If you have a C8 Corvette, maybe you can throw some stickier tires on and call it good. If you have an older car like a 4th generation Mustang, you might need to do more... like suspension, brakes, cooling, and tires.
Now for most people, Autocross and HPDE is the most the 95% will ever do. And that is ok! That's grassroots motorsports. But for those that have the itch for wheel to wheel racing, there are series like NASA TREC and Champcar (I've personally raced the Sebring 12 hour Champcar race, TON of fun!) that don't require licensing. Gridseat offers a platform to join a team looking for drivers!
With that being said, this is knowledge I believe that should be free and accessible for everyone looking to get into motorsports. And for our customers, we want to supply everything you need to be ready for the track. We've been in your shoes, so we know what you need!
StreetModPerformance will soon be carrying products that help YOU get on the track and chase some better lap times!
As for the future, we plan on extending our line of products for the SN95 and other Mustang platforms! Spoilers, Splitter Mounts, Inserts, and more are being developed to give you the build you've always wanted!
Interested in something custom? We'd like to hear from you. Contact us on our "Contact" page and we will reply back within 1-3 business days.
