First track day advice

JM1962 · Jan 31, 2015

Good morning all. Just taxed the 944 in preparation for doing my first ever trackday at Oulton Park on Feb 14th. Having never been on a track before I'm a little apprehensive to say the least, would probably be better off in a 60bhp Fiesta or something. Any tips would be welcome particularly any advice on what brake pads I should fit. Cheers Captain Slow [

]

racea · Jan 31, 2015

Hi, did my first track day using my own car last November, at Oulton Park. From a driving perspective everyone was really friendly and there was plenty of gentlemanly conduct; just listen to the briefing and follow the rules on track and you will really enjoy it.

As for brakes, I used standard and cooked them, probably my mechanical sympathy being unsympathetic! I will however be adding some decent pads for the new season when the car wars up! I was advised that Pagid Blues are a decent pad.

Cheers.

Cater_Racer · Jan 31, 2015

Is it "open pit lane" or segregated?

OPL events can be a bit overwhelming due to the speed differentials between the lunatics on an ego trip and the careful first timer.

Oulton Park is also a bit daunting as the run-offs are non-existent.

I am an experienced racer and I stopped at lunchtime on a track-day at Oulton Park, because the guy's running it insisted that it was fine to mix the high speed and the slower cars at the same time. "They had run loads of track days and it wasn't a problem".

While I was explaining that it was a recipe for disaster and they were talking rubbish, the inevitable happened and someone totalled their Lotus Elan.

I'd recommend keeping tyres and brakes cool by doing a slow lap between quick ones.

andy watson · Jan 31, 2015

Hi Jim,

I have only done 3 track days so far, 1 in the M3 & 2 in the 44'
Racing blue fluid, braided hoses and recent(not new) pads were my "must haves"

Set out to enjoy the day, try not be overwhelmed by the experienced guys, most on track are considerate and a novice is easily identified and most do take care.

Plenty of breaks, short sessions on track, give the car and yoursef plenty of cooling down time

But most of all enjoy - its bug you wil be bitten! [

]

PS. for my own peace of mind I insure my car as well, it also takes away the worry - trust me.

JM1962 · Jan 31, 2015

ORIGINAL: andy watson

Hi Jim,

I have only done 3 track days so far, 1 in the M3 & 2 in the 44'
Racing blue fluid, braided hoses and recent(not new) pads were my "must haves"

Set out to enjoy the day, try not be overwhelmed by the experienced guys, most on track are considerate and a novice is easily identified and most do take care.

Plenty of breaks, short sessions on track, give the car and yoursef plenty of cooling down time

But most of all enjoy - its bug you wil be bitten! []

PS. for my own peace of mind I insure my car as well, it also takes away the worry - trust me.

Thanks for the tips. When I bought the car it had been tracked by the previous owner so it has the braided hoses already, not sure what pads are on it at the moment but I will check next week.

I have checked insurance and it seems it will cost around £90 for the day with Moris. Are they reputable?

944 man · Jan 31, 2015

Knickerbrook > Clay Hill > Druids - take great care. Druids particularly has caught out many a young jack.

Monkeythree · Jan 31, 2015

ORIGINAL: 944 man

Knickerbrook > Clay Hill > Druids - take great care. Druids particularly has caught out many a young jack.

The double apex caught me out first couple of laps until I found a line that didn't involve turning in in chapters. [

]

Eldavo · Jan 31, 2015

My first day in the 944 at Oulton Park it was damp, I knew to be careful round Druid's from a previous day there in an M3. I still ended up with a hefty dab of oppo coming out, don't put the power down until after the bump on exit!

Monkeythree · Jan 31, 2015

The drop down and turn in to Cascades is FAST. Brave pills needed there.

andy watson · Jan 31, 2015

Moris are a good well known insurer Jim, I found Competition Car Insurance very competitive and were very accommodating when I had to cancel on the day due to bad weather ( didn't charge the cancellation fee) used them all 3 times and will again.

Ps - I could never get hold of Moris on the phone, never returned my email enquiry.

Masher · Jan 31, 2015

Not specific to any track but;
1. Prepare the car well checking fluid levels and wheel nut tightness throughout the day
2. Listen to the briefing
3. Avoid the first 20 minutes. Some folks get a rush of blood early on.
4. Assume you will be slightly slower than many and keep an eye on your mirrors
5. Assume you will not be setting the fastest lap of the day and that it is more fun to drive home and have another day than to bin it after 5 laps
6. Take tuition if offered.
7. Self analyse and watch others to get the best lines. Talking to others about a particular corner often helps too (as does a passenger lap)
8. Most importantly, have fun [

]

Cheers
Mick

Monkeythree · Jan 31, 2015

Take some spares for lashups. Jubilee clips, tie wraps, gaffer tape etc. and some basic tools - hammer, stanley knife, socket set etc. Can save the day if you have something minor break or come loose. I once had a coolant hose burst but we were able to cut out the damaged section and reconnect it with the basic stuff we had with us.

Take plenty fuel.

Watch your tyre pressures. Tyres will get HOT on track (perhaps less of an issue in February) and the pressures go up with temperature. If your pressures are too high to start with then you will be driving on the equivalent of skateboard wheels.

Make sure your exhaust is within noise limits.

andy watson · Jan 31, 2015

ORIGINAL: Masher

Not specific to any track but;
1. Prepare the car well checking fluid levels and wheel nut tightness throughout the day
2. Listen to the briefing
3. Avoid the first 20 minutes. Some folks get a rush of blood early on.
4. Assume you will be slightly slower than many and keep an eye on your mirrors
5. Assume you will not be setting the fastest lap of the day and that it is more fun to drive home and have another day than to bin it after 5 laps
6. Take tuition if offered.
7. Self analyse and watch others to get the best lines. Talking to others about a particular corner often helps too (as does a passenger lap)
8. Most importantly, have fun []

Cheers
Mick

Also, if you pace yourself, after lunch it starts to get quieter as cars as cars fall away, last 2 hrs are usually very quiet on track [8D]

edh · Jan 31, 2015

Just back from Oulton today...it's a great track. Tricky for a first day, so be careful. Druids is definitely the one to watch, but there are many corners you can come off at, as several people demonstrated today. The exit from the chicane at the bottom of clay hill was v slippery today (a choice of understeer or oversteer, or both).

Which TDO are you booked with?

Pads - standard Porsche pads are just fine - I fitted some new textar pads to my Boxster on Wednesday, I reckon I used less than 2mm today. If you want some better pads that are still road (and bodywork) friendly - I'd look at mintex 1155.

Most importantly - get some instruction, and get it early. You need to understand the lines, which won't be intuitive at Oulton. It will make you much safer, faster, and will reduce the mechanical wear on the car. Most new track drivers go too fast into slow corners & too slow into fast corners [

]. Don't be too disheartened if you feel your car is a soggy understeery mess - part of that might be your driving, but it's a road car, so won't be able to corner as fast as a track prepped car with stiff suspension and sticky tyres. Having said that, the 944 has a lovely balance, and even softly sprung models like the 924S go well in stock form.

Keep checking tyre pressures and lower them as the tyres get hot - I'd be aiming for 30-32 psi all round.

For your first day, keep the sessions short - and don't try and drive too much as you will be knackered by the end of the day.

Keep checking oil (you will use some), water (hope you don't use any). Watch gauges for signs of overheating.

Turbos use a lot of fuel on track - bring plenty of money [

]. there is fuel on site, and a Shell garage 5 miles up the road. The main problem is that if you get the bug, it'll cost you a lot more than a few tanks of fuel...

Monkeythree · Jan 31, 2015

Here's me at Knockhill on Linglong Ditchfinders after forgetting to lower the tyre pressures. Had done about 5 or 6 consecutive fast laps and the tyres must have been fit to burst. Admittedly it was also 10 minutes from the end of the day so my corner entry speed was, let's say...... Ambitious!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CFB5emwXHXo

Frenchy · Jan 31, 2015

Is it the Porsche RS day you are going to ? sounds like it, i will probably be there as a spectator, if it is the case it will be all Pork mainly 911's and they will be considerate to you, the lads that will be there will take you out in their cars and talk you through it, ask Melvin Spears in his 964 cup car, he knows it like the back of his hand and is a nice bloke, i will introduce myself if i get down.

Masher · Jan 31, 2015

If it is the RS day, I believe Steve Brooks will be there in his white 964 which is track prepared. He is very approachable and knows the track well. There should be a number of 964s there and generally speaking they are a really nice crowd so make sure you introduce yourself.

Edit - I think the RS day is 20th March?

Cheers
Mick

John Sims · Feb 1, 2015

I find it is worth avoiding the session immediately after lunch, or go out later. It would seem people swap tales of dering do "...I was flat through..." over lunch and others then try to emulate it, or it might be they remembered that they were better than they really were.

I highly recommend Castrol Gold fluid, I've boiled everything else. It is viciously expensive but worth it.

Regrettably there is always one who considers he is Senna reborn, often equipped with a car of 3 times the power of everyone else. Just avoid them as they are far too wonderful to need to avoid you.

Watch other people but don't assume, just because they went around a corner at a certain speed you can do the same, even if the car has the same badge on the back.

Be aware that your car will change. Tyres heat up, brakes fade etc. If you "just got away" with something one lap don't assume you can risk the same attack next time around.

blease · Feb 1, 2015

Another vote for Mintex pads. Got them in my 944S2 track car and they have been perfect.
Oulton in February for first track day? Hmmm. Thats a bit like picking Mike Tyson for your first ever sparring session!
I have driven several circuits, including Spa. Oulton is the only one that gives me heeby-geebies. Very technical, very tricky and lots to hit if you bollox it.
As you are oop north, why not try Anglesey first? Still pretty technical but much more forgiving for a first timer"¦.and probably less wassocks around too.