It was not a pace lap per say but the 1st lap of every session it takes a while to sort out. I was not pushing it to the limit that lap but it does take a lot more effort to stay on the racing line than it does driving a newer BMW or just about any new car. No special safety equipment is required, just a good helmet, shoulder harness and roll the windows down. I have 225/60/15 KUMHO's on the 15x7 Magnum's and stock brakes so obviously I could improve in those areas tremendously. The instructors that rode with me and the course workers were amazed that I could keep up with 90% of the cars on the the track. I even passed some slow poke in a newer Porsche and I heard there was a Lambo behind me but I never saw it.