Going to my first track event, Audi Thunderhill in two weeks and wanted to know if there's anything I need to take care of before I go.

I have a completely stock '04 S4. Oil was last changed at 10k, and I'm at 14k now. I figured I'd bring a couple extra quarts to the track and do the 15k service after the event. I will drive the S4 from the Bay Area to and from the event. I didn't rent a garage at the track.

Should I consider getting brake pads and/or have Streetwerke have a look at the fluids, etc before driving up there?

Anything else I should consider?

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Scratch splitting a room at the motel I guess..haha.

it's gonna be nasty up there....

If you're not mechanically inclined, definitely have someone look at your car. If your brake pads are below about 50%, consider having new ones installed. Make sure your tires are in good shape. Again, if they're not, consider new ones.

Bring some oil, but don't worry about the esoteric fluids like the G200 hydraulic or the G12 coolant. You probably won't need them, and if you do someone else will have them some and everyone is happy to share.

If you have a torque wrench, great, if not don't worry, there will be at least 100 of them at the track and you can always borrow. Same for the air compressor. I recommend that you purchase a good tire pressue gauge. I like the dial type with the long flexible hose. DO NOT rely on the pencil type as they are notoriously inaccurate.

You can rent a helmet, but if you think you're going to do this more than once, it's a good idea to purchase one. Now is a good time, as the Snell 2005 helmets just came on the market in October. An SA2005 is best, but an M2005 is OK too.

Clean out your car before you leave home! You don't want to get to the track and find your old bowling shoes, golf clubs, etc in the trunk, as you must take everything out of the car before you go on the track. Buy a blue plastic tarp at Home Depot, 8x10 or 10x10 is fine. It will give you a place to put the stuff you can't leave at home while you're on the track, and you can cover your gear when it rains.

It probably will rain, it has the last 4 years that I've been at Thunderhill in January. Bring a rain jacket, a hat and warm clothes, the wind can be very cold.

You WILL have a great time and be totally exhausted at the end of each day. You will also meet a great group of people. Ask questions, everyone is willing to help the novices, as we were all in your position not too long ago.

See you at the track!