What do I do when when my favorite pastime is driving above legal-limit speeds on hot sticky tires, screeching on red hot brakes and other potentially dangerous automotive activities?

I take it to the track.

When I attend a “track day” at concrete racetracks in Salinas and small towns all around California, anything and everything is allowed. There are no regulations on my car. On these privately-owned tracks, I can run my straight through exhaust without catalytic converters and low treadwear racing tires, most of which aren’t allowed on the streets of California.

In order to attend one of these events, there are only minimal requirements for me, other than a well-maintained car, a helmet and entry fees. But if I want to win races and go fast, I need to make sure my car and I are safe, for which there are a few steps I need to take.

Before every event I make sure to change all fluids in my vehicle: engine oil, transmission fluid, differential oil, brake fluid, clutch fluid and coolant. After all of this is done, I make sure that I check all my engine’s belts. Now, it might seem like overkill, but I can never be too safe or too cautious. The reason I go through this stern procedure is because I have actually had my timing belt completely snap off at a track before and I lost expensive track time as a result.

Next step is to make sure my brakes and tires are in tip-top shape. I check if my tires are above the wear indicators and that my brake pads have at least a half-inch of material left and no large cracks.

The inside of the car must be ready and safe as well.

I make sure my seat is mounted properly, my seat belt still holds and straps me down and that my helmet still passes current safety inspections. Since my seat and seatbelt are both aftermarket, I make sure that they still meet current safety regulations as well.

After all of this is said and done, I am finally ready to hit the track.

I’m up at 6 a.m. so that I can have time to double check the car one more time before my first session, for safety precautions. I arrive at the track, pick my spot at the paddock, attend the drivers meeting and get my safety inspection sticker.

Before I know it, my first session is about to begin and I line up ready to drive. The grid worker gives me the thumbs up and I’m off.

There’s a few things I always try to keep in mind during my first 20 minute session. I always try and get a feel for the car, even if I didn’t change any of the parts since the last event, because I never know if something is loose, or failing until you really push the car.

Driving on a hot sticky track is a lot different than driving on a public road. I take it easy on the first few laps, and try to not be that person that spins out and embarrasses themselves on the first few.

Before I know it, I’m finally in my zone and start to really push my limits to try to beat my previous time.

Every lap I’m getting faster and faster, so far my top speed is 90 miles per hour.

In between sessions I start to play with different tire pressures, re-check my fluids and double check my entire car. It’s a completely surreal experience, and the minute I get home, I start watching my GoPro footage to see how I can improve.

At the end of the day, the high speeds, the sticky tires and hot brakes are the reasons I keep coming back. I love the adrenaline rush and pushing myself to beat my previous record with every lap.