First Time Track Day & YouDrive
- Thread starter julianm
- Start date
edh
New member
I'd recommend anywhere you can get a bit of tuition - which is available at most trackdays. You'll get much quicker once you've had a few sessions with instructors. It'll also save you money on tyres & brakes as you will learn to be more sympathetic. I think there are people on here who have been to the Porsche experience - a bit different to a track day though.
Silverstone has plenty of run-off although it's a bit wide & open for a low powered car. Goldtrack run very good trackdays there & the driving standards are good.
Bedford is a good place to experiment - a bit featureless IMHO
Airfield days are also worth considering as there is usually plenty of run-off and little to hit.
Donington (when it re-opens) is a superb track, as are Cadwell & Oulton
We need to see pics of the car though
Silverstone has plenty of run-off although it's a bit wide & open for a low powered car. Goldtrack run very good trackdays there & the driving standards are good.
Bedford is a good place to experiment - a bit featureless IMHO
Airfield days are also worth considering as there is usually plenty of run-off and little to hit.
Donington (when it re-opens) is a superb track, as are Cadwell & Oulton
We need to see pics of the car though
poprock
New member
The YouDrive thing is outstanding, but it's not about racetrack driving"”it's all about being a better all-round driver. If you specifically want trackday skills, maybe look for beginners events or one-to-one tuition at your nearest racetracks rather than looking towards the Porsche Driving Experience Centre.
AndrewS
Member
For a first timer on the track, I would recommend going to a day with one of the more established organisers, or on a PCGB (Porsche Club GB) day where they have sessions (and a corresponding novice group).
Goldtrack are a good reputable organiser and have days at many good curcuits throughout the UK. Bedford Autodrome is a good circuit to start on as you can do little damage if you make a mistake.
Good resources for track days are as follows:
www.trackdays.co.uk
www.circuit-days.co.uk
www.goldtrack.co.uk
www.clubmsv.com/car-home.aspx
Also check out the track day calendar on the PCGB wesbite: http://www.porscheclubgb.com/EventsMotorsportsPorscheTrackDays.aspx
Tuition is a good idea if you want to maximise your enjoyment and get the most from your car (which needs tyres, brakes and suspension in good condition).
Regards,
Andrew
Goldtrack are a good reputable organiser and have days at many good curcuits throughout the UK. Bedford Autodrome is a good circuit to start on as you can do little damage if you make a mistake.
Good resources for track days are as follows:
www.trackdays.co.uk
www.circuit-days.co.uk
www.goldtrack.co.uk
www.clubmsv.com/car-home.aspx
Also check out the track day calendar on the PCGB wesbite: http://www.porscheclubgb.com/EventsMotorsportsPorscheTrackDays.aspx
Tuition is a good idea if you want to maximise your enjoyment and get the most from your car (which needs tyres, brakes and suspension in good condition).
Regards,
Andrew
I still consider myself a track novice but...
I second Bedford and Silverstone (although the latter can be pricey) as good beginner tracks. My first track day ever was Cadwell. How I survived I am no longer sure. Avoid. Also avoid Oulton, fantastic though it is.
Other than that:
1. Take a good attitude to the track. Relax, don't push too hard. You main goal should be to have a nice time and... drive home! On the money you save not writing your car off you can go again
2. Do take time to warm up your brakes every time you go out and DO end with an easy lap to let the brakes cool down again before coming in.
3. Pay for an open pit lane. A bit pricier means less tossers, and more relaxing access to the track.
4. Yes - take tuition. The first time you do this, it will probably completely transform the way you drive around the track.
5. Try to do it right, not do it fast.
6. Don't stay out for too long at a time. Come in, chill out, give your car a rest, and check your fluids and check your tyres - for general condition and pressure. In my 220T I try to keep the pressures at 32 psi all around (as opposed to 36 on the road) - this was advice from AndyS a while ago and it seems to keep the wear nice and even (and hence costs down).
7. If you have standard pads my guess is you'll experience brake fade. It's worth considering some fast road pads before you go.
Wow... you'll have so much fun!!
Chris
'87 220T
I second Bedford and Silverstone (although the latter can be pricey) as good beginner tracks. My first track day ever was Cadwell. How I survived I am no longer sure. Avoid. Also avoid Oulton, fantastic though it is.
Other than that:
1. Take a good attitude to the track. Relax, don't push too hard. You main goal should be to have a nice time and... drive home! On the money you save not writing your car off you can go again
2. Do take time to warm up your brakes every time you go out and DO end with an easy lap to let the brakes cool down again before coming in.
3. Pay for an open pit lane. A bit pricier means less tossers, and more relaxing access to the track.
4. Yes - take tuition. The first time you do this, it will probably completely transform the way you drive around the track.
5. Try to do it right, not do it fast.
6. Don't stay out for too long at a time. Come in, chill out, give your car a rest, and check your fluids and check your tyres - for general condition and pressure. In my 220T I try to keep the pressures at 32 psi all around (as opposed to 36 on the road) - this was advice from AndyS a while ago and it seems to keep the wear nice and even (and hence costs down).
7. If you have standard pads my guess is you'll experience brake fade. It's worth considering some fast road pads before you go.
Wow... you'll have so much fun!!
Chris
'87 220T
Neil Haughey
New member
Very easy to make mistakes which even experienced drivers forget.
On my first time on track I spun after about 4 corners, reason why? The front tyres warm up quickly because of the braking and because the car turns in well you get a false sense of loads of grip, the rear tyres take a lot longer to warm up.
Make sure the brakes have fresh fluid in them and have been freshly bled it would be a shame for the day to be cut short by the brakes going off in no time, scrub that check everything in the brakes/suspension/wheels/tyres area your first priority should always be safety.
Carry some top up oil if the engine is old, my S2 goes through a litre a day easily on track but barely looses a drop on road driving. Car will also drink petrol at an alarming rate, I calculated I get about 8 mpg on track.
On my first time on track I spun after about 4 corners, reason why? The front tyres warm up quickly because of the braking and because the car turns in well you get a false sense of loads of grip, the rear tyres take a lot longer to warm up.
Make sure the brakes have fresh fluid in them and have been freshly bled it would be a shame for the day to be cut short by the brakes going off in no time, scrub that check everything in the brakes/suspension/wheels/tyres area your first priority should always be safety.
Carry some top up oil if the engine is old, my S2 goes through a litre a day easily on track but barely looses a drop on road driving. Car will also drink petrol at an alarming rate, I calculated I get about 8 mpg on track.
pauljmcnulty
Active member
Have a word with Darren at RPM. They run track days, and their Bedford days will have the backup of mechanics in the pitlane as well as very helpful, experienced, 944 track car owners.
Thanks guys, I will just book a day in March at Bedford and see how it goes.
I'm not sure if I should do something to the car beforehand. Tower Porsche had a look at it and changed brake fluid and shocks, but apart from that they said "just go for it" when I asked about track days. Still, up till last week the car had been SORNed for over a year and it may not be in top condition. For example, the brakes are a little "jumpy" and squeaky - something to worry about or would they settle down after I drive it for a bit?
Lastly, a question about tires. The car came with 4 x Avon 195/65/15 but the back two needed changing so I ordered 195/50/15 Toyos. I imagine the lower profile at the back is not going to be a problem?
And yes, I promise to post photos - I'm fitting the new tires on Saturday and I'll take a few snaps.
PS: Thanks Chris, very valid 7 points that I'll tattoo on my hand!
I'm not sure if I should do something to the car beforehand. Tower Porsche had a look at it and changed brake fluid and shocks, but apart from that they said "just go for it" when I asked about track days. Still, up till last week the car had been SORNed for over a year and it may not be in top condition. For example, the brakes are a little "jumpy" and squeaky - something to worry about or would they settle down after I drive it for a bit?
Lastly, a question about tires. The car came with 4 x Avon 195/65/15 but the back two needed changing so I ordered 195/50/15 Toyos. I imagine the lower profile at the back is not going to be a problem?
And yes, I promise to post photos - I'm fitting the new tires on Saturday and I'll take a few snaps.
PS: Thanks Chris, very valid 7 points that I'll tattoo on my hand!
edh
New member
Lower profile tyres will reduce the gearing of the car, whihc is no bad thing for trackdays.
I'd have thought it made sense to run then F&R though.
I would be disappointed if I'd paid out good money for a trackday & the car broke early on. If it was me I'd give it a service - oil, filters, plugs and at the very least check over the brakes to make sure you have plenty of pad depth, and that the calipers are sliding easily. You will put a lot of heat into them & you don't want anything seizing.
I'd have thought it made sense to run then F&R though.
I would be disappointed if I'd paid out good money for a trackday & the car broke early on. If it was me I'd give it a service - oil, filters, plugs and at the very least check over the brakes to make sure you have plenty of pad depth, and that the calipers are sliding easily. You will put a lot of heat into them & you don't want anything seizing.
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