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Taking my 997 2S to Bedford Autodrome Trackday...

knightrider

knightrider

New member
Hey guys

I've booked my car in for a trackday at bedford autodrome in a couple of weeks time. I've had the car for a few weeks and i've got this itch to take it somewhere and see what its really got without having to worry about the plod etc.

Can anyone offer me any helpful tips on how to approach the day as i'm a track day virgin, esp with regards to making sure I don't over stress the car and cause any engine damage and also any tips on how to handle the beast around the track!

Thanks in advance!
 
http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=192316

Some good advice in there for first timers![;)] If it's your first time ever I think you will find the car far more capable than you so, short of hitting something, you are unlikely to do it any harm. If there is instruction available, which would be the norm, it's worth more than it's weight in gold and enable you to get much more (and more quickly) from the day. Enjoy.
 
thanks for the advice - i've got 20 mins of tuition booked for when I get to the track so will use it wisely to figure out racing lines and other general track tips.

I've only booked in for an afternoon session (1.30 - 4pm) as I don't want a whole day of bashing my car lol.

How long do you think I should wait after coming in after a 20mins session before going back out again?

PS I was looking on youtube at these experience days where you can drive supercars - man those instructors are a bunch of wa*kers, this poor young lad was in a gallardo/911 but the instructor had him in 4th gear at 40mph at times and wouldnt let him rev over 4000rpm. (and they paid good money I expect)

I'd rather ride around there on my old BMX than take a lambo/porsche around a track like that!
 
ORIGINAL: knightrider
PS I was looking on youtube at these experience days where you can drive supercars - man those instructors are a bunch of wa*kers, this poor young lad was in a gallardo/911 but the instructor had him in 4th gear at 40mph at times and wouldnt let him rev over 4000rpm. (and they paid good money I expect)
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Yep - many of those driving "days" are a total ripoff. If you want real fun at a bargain price, go on Lotus' Scare Yourself Sensible 1/2 day course and factory tour - absolutely fantastic!

I'm at Bedford on Monday!
 
1/2 day is plenty. You'll really benefit from the 20 mins of instruction. ?The MSV instructors are very good and you'll get a good feel for the layout before going for it. 15 to 20 min sessions is all you need, for both youself and the car. Keep an eye on tyre pressures, Bedford has some fairly high speed corners and pressures will jump after a session. Grab a drink, chill out for 20 mins between trips out and enjoy pushing the car. Probably one of the safest places for a track day and a good choice for a 1st time out
 
ORIGINAL: blaine54

1/2 day is plenty. You'll really benefit from the 20 mins of instruction. ?The MSV instructors are very good and you'll get a good feel for the layout before going for it. 15 to 20 min sessions is all you need, for both youself and the car. Keep an eye on tyre pressures, Bedford has some fairly high speed corners and pressures will jump after a session. Grab a drink, chill out for 20 mins between trips out and enjoy pushing the car. Probably one of the safest places for a track day and a good choice for a 1st time out
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Hi thanks for the advice, in terms of tyre pressures what should I be running to begin with (currently run 36psi fronts and 40psi rears for normal road use), and if the pressures increase should I be taking air out of the tyres between sessions?

 
I tend to check my pressures just as I arrive & take them back down to the recomended cold pressures. This time of year you don't tend to generate that much heat so you may find you'll only need to take them down a few psi when you get there. Check them again after your 1st long session and adjust them down if you need to. You should be good for the rest of the day, but make sure you get air back in them for your trip home. Most important, just have fun...overtake on the left, keep an eye on your mirrors for faster cars, keep it smooth and remember its not a race and you'll have the best time with your clothes on you've had in a while [;)]
 
If you have as much fun as I did at Bedford today, you'll find yourself quickly hooked. Perfect weather, perfect track, a good 15 or so Porsches - spoilt only ever so slightly be some twonks in BMW M3s for whom the briefed-to-everyone overtaking rules obviously didn't apply.

Its a long circuit (3.8 miles today) with some very long straights so your C2S will get to stretch its legs. But some pretty challenging corners too - one or two I never did get right!

I found my tyre pressures jumped markedly, so glad I took a decent gauge with me - they have an airline too, so you don't need a compressor.
 
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