Track Day Driving 101: Insider Tips for Safe High-Speed Fun with James Jenkins

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What does it take to hit the track without destroying your car or your wallet? In this episode, I sit down with James Jenkins, owner and chief mechanic of Velocity Performance, to break down exactly how beginners can get started in amateur motorsports safely and confidently. From what choice can make or break your first track day drive to understanding tire camber, suspension setup, and car cooling, James offers practical tips to help you balance speed, safety, and fun.

Listen in as James takes us on a journey through his own motorsport beginnings, teaching himself mechanics to maintain his cars affordably and growing into a trackside professional supporting drivers across the country. You’ll learn about the importance of hands-on experience before investing in expensive modifications and the value of programs like driving schools, rentals, and track days to get your feet wet safely. James also shares the key lessons he’s learned and why having fun should always come first.

What You'll Learn:

• How to safely start in track driving without a fully modified racecar.
• What mechanical basics matter most for first track days.
• How to mentally and financially prepare for track day risks.
• Why brake fluid choice and DOT ratings are critical for high-speed performance.
• How to evaluate tire condition and camber for optimal handling.
• What safety equipment will protect you.
• How to gauge if driving on the track is right for you before investing heavily.
• What track support and local facilities you should look for when starting out.
• How hands-on experience and rental programs reduce learning curves and cost.
• Why fun should always be your priority, even when pushing your limits.

Ideas Worth Sharing:

• “If you come to the racetrack and you're starting to get serious about the sport, and it becomes so serious that you show up and something doesn't go your way and you have a bad day out here, you've done it really wrong. If you find yourself not having fun, you're just doing it wrong. I think that having fun will keep you in the sport, keep you motivated to go again.” – James Jenkins
• “Keep your hands loose and keep your eyes up.” – James Jenkins
• “Anytime that you take a car onto a racetrack, you need to be mentally and financially prepared to throw the keys away.” – James Jenkins

Resources:

• Velocity Performance: [phone]
• Burt Brothers Motorpark
• Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo
• NHRA Drag Racing
• Sacramento Raceway Park 
• Castrol SRF Racing Brake Fluid
• MOTUL RBF High-Performance Racing Brake Fluid – 600 / 660 / 700
• Porsche Boxster and Cayman (987)
• Porsche Experience Center 
• Lexus Driving School
• Xtreme Xperience
• Sonoma Raceway