Driving on track - 3 things....

jason · Oct 26, 2005

I'm sure you will all agree there is no better way to learn how to drive your car on a track than by getting plenty of track miles under your belt.

But for those of you experienced track day/racing veterans among us......
if you had the chance to go back to going on track for the first time again what 3 things would you do this time to help you progress more quickly?

J

vic cohen · Oct 26, 2005

Start slowly , then build up

oldest Porsche 911 technique , Slow in Fast out

Try an airfield where theres nothing u can hit and practise car control till u know whats going to hapeen BEFORE it does

above all enjoy it .................................

SimonExtreme · Oct 26, 2005

1 Instruction - get as much as possible
2. Spend money on driver upgrades (instruction)
3. Improve the nut behind the wheel (instruction).

Do you spot a pattern?

JCB.. · Oct 26, 2005

ORIGINAL: SimonExtreme

1 Instruction - get as much as possible
2. Spend money on driver upgrades (instruction)
3. Improve the nut behind the wheel (instruction).

Do you spot a pattern?

[

]

jason · Oct 26, 2005

Pattern spotted Simon!

Who from, where and expect to pay what?

Presume its better to get instruction from someone who really understands the characteristics of the car you are driving?

vic cohen · Oct 26, 2005

on Track days, Calum Lockie .............Goldtrack
Mike Wilds .................RMA.........[.make sure he doesnt teach u how to fly a helicopter at the same time ]

Rob Wilson .........on anyones day or Don Palmer one to one somewhere like Bruntingthorpe or North Weald , take soemone else and share cost , i think a whole day is far too tiring , but then someone may tell u i am too old , true!

944Turbo · Oct 26, 2005

Well I think we have instruction covered so in addition,

Look further ahead.

Use all the road (cars shouldn't be coming the other way)

Remove excess weight from the car (spare wheel / tool kit etc.) and keep an eye on tyre pressures the tyres will probably get a lot hotter and the pressures will increase so letting some air out might be necessary (dont forget to reinflate them before driving home).

If you have a 924/944/968 get an extra set of wheels with track rubber (they will fit in the boot - use a tarp to protect the carpet).

Enjoy

Sorry thats more than 3

Tony

P.S. its not a race if the traffic is heavy do a slow lap or 2 and create some space - also do a slowing down lap into the pits to let the brakes cool.

hicksj · Oct 26, 2005

1. Learn about weight distribution and how driver inputs affect it (do some research on the internet). The tyre with the most weight on it will provide the most grip (to a limit). The aim is to distribute that weight as evenly as possible across as many tyres as possible thereby giving maximum amount of grip and stability. For me this was fundamental to understanding car control.

2. Learn the types of corners at exist and the best line through them

3. Make sure you have plenty of meat left on your pads before you arrive!

Sundeep · Oct 26, 2005

ORIGINAL: vic cohen

Start slowly , then build up

oldest Porsche 911 technique , Slow in Fast out

Try an airfield where theres nothing u can hit and practise car control till u know whats going to hapeen BEFORE it does

above all enjoy it .................................

agree with VC..

although

if you do try an airfield, make sure there are no aeroplanes scheduled to land or take off on that particular day, otherwise it could be a tad challenging [

]

jason · Oct 26, 2005

Thanks all, great feedback, I have done one or two track days and also a few 'corporate' days with single seaters etc but looking forward to getting the RS out on track and spending a long time learning the beastie.

Bruntingthorpe is only down the road and I know Helen Goff did a day there, I think with Don, I'll have a word...

Keep'em coming...[

]

hunter · Oct 26, 2005

Instruction!!!!!Dude you are the daddy of the older guys out there....we are not worthy. ps close your eyes for split second at the braking point gets you deeper (Vics favourite).......

vic cohen · Oct 27, 2005

shud ave known better..................never open ur mouth in front of a dentist!

Hey Pete Doni today?

Tankman · Oct 27, 2005

OK, This one is a little off the track, so to speak, but one I would recommend as;
a) Possibly the best fun you are likely to have in a car.
b) A very steep learning curve in car control
c) A solid base from which to develop track control

Check this link

http://www.audi.co.uk/experience/events/drivingexperience/ukexperience/programmes/finlandexp.jsp

I went in March this year and since then I have felt so much more confident driving my 930. I know there is a lot of difference between the Porsche and the Quattro which I use on a daily basis but the principles learnt in planning, speed, distance, braking, understeer, oversteer are the same in any car. Most importantly that "Seat of the pants" feeling you get when you know what the car is doing, how it is balanced and what it is likely to do next are instilled in such a short time.

Finally, the wonderful memory of driving round a long hairpin sideways, steering the car through the side window whilst laughing like a hyena will stay with me forever.

Yoda · Oct 28, 2005

I went to SPA this year and it was fantastic trip for several reasons. The fact that we had 2 days on track, open pit lane really allowed me to take my time and learn the circuit and the car. I could try things differently, take a break to think about what worked and what didn't and get friends or an instructor to help me. I learned more in those 2 days than I did in my previous 5 days and it was the most fun I have had on track.

So my three would be:
1. Do 2 days at SPA open pit - great circuit, plenty of time
2. Get good instruction
3. Have fun so you can't wait for the next opportunity

Really was an epic trip, should be on your must do list for 2006. 964 RS was the perfect car.

Regards

sailor · Oct 29, 2005

Agree with almost everything said
BUT
watch out for airfield circuits incorporating hard concrete sections - they will KILL your tyres.
JohnC
993turbo

Yoda · Oct 29, 2005

Airfield sites often have poorly finished tarmac which also ends in lots of stone chips. I found Snetterton the same, won't be going there again.

carreraboy · Oct 29, 2005

Plenty of beach....sonny!

tim court · Oct 29, 2005

You have posed a question without reference to what your current stus is - assuming you are a newby all I can add is that I was a complete newby this time last year.

After a few trackdays (faaaantastic) it was clear to me that I was totally unaware as to what the car was like at the limit and my own skills were negligable. After a lot of forum reading two names stood out as far as I could see - Don Palmer and Andy Walsh of Carlimits. I have done a day with each and boy! - my grin factor was extended to the point it looks like I have some sort of facial rictus......

Don is great but a tad expensive. Andy is great as well and I have booked another day with him.

Training, training, training..... Nuff said????

jason · Oct 29, 2005

ORIGINAL: tim court

You have posed a question without reference to what your current stus is -

I've done a few track days but my point was really what would people do different if they had their learning time again...it seems training/instruction is the way to go!

DanH on Pistonheads pointed me in the direction of these guys who he couldn't recommend highly enough...

http://www.cadence.co.uk/

They are only 4 miles from my house! Anyone else come across them before?

J[

]

tim court · Oct 30, 2005

No personal experience but was led to believe they base their learning more on "on road" skills than track bias, so whilst very laudable that was not what I personally wanted as being a Porsche owner, I own the road anyway.....