Track Day Advice

[Guest]

Hi all,

I have just booked for my first track day! Actually it is a novice track day school that Knochill runs up here in Scotland.

Has anyone got any advice or useful tips before I go? Is it a good idea to tape up headlights etc?

Thanks in advance!

Tim

 

[JCB..]

Tim

You can tape up your headlights if you want to look like a prat! - I've never been asked to.

Advice:

Listen to the briefing.
Check your tyres and pressures 32f-34r when warm gives a good balance.
Make sure you have a full tank when you get there as you will be using a lot of gas. A 2.7 does about 12mpg!
Don't try to keep up with people on your first lap out.
keep checking your mirrors for faster cars/drivers wanting to overtake you.

Beware of the Turbo/GT driver who shouldn't be allowed to drive a lawn mower (there is always one).

Don't try and race just relax and enjoy yourself.

I found it useful to ask an experienced driver if you can sit in with them. I haven't been too impressed with some of the 'experts' you can hire to sit in with you.

JCB..

 

[Mark_Bennett]

You can tape up your headlights if you want

No need - they are plastic not glass.

 

[John Sims]

You can tape up your headlights if you want to look like a prat!

Read the information sent prior to the event, some will ask that you do some whon't, either way take the tape with you just in case.

Adrenaline effects different people in differnt ways, so it is good to be pre-prepared for everything. It's funny how, on the morning, the smallest snag can seem to turn into a massive problem.

Get a box of things you might need; oil, tools, tyre pump, pressure guage, spare petrol, funnel, a mat to change on, spare shirt, towel, water to drink, a water receptacle should you need to top up the washer bottle, Mars bar, a helmet, sun glasses, long sleeve jacket, driving liecence and documentation etc, etc. I say get a box, because then you can take it out of the car and leave it in the pits when you are going round.

Things like oil, brake fluid, tank tape and the like are great for "just in case" situations. Why make a little problem a drama just because you haven't previously thought of a solution?

Make sure the car is in top condition, oil and all fluids well topped up. If tyres and pads are at the end of their life a track day will totally destroy them. Anything beyond 2/3rds to 3/4trs worn could be on the way to illegal for the drive home, if they last that long.

Once you get on the track, try to build a lap, don't go all out to beat the lap record first time out. Approach a corner and pick a braking point. If that felt a little too easy, or you then ended up accelerating to the appex, go a bit deeper next time (just a bit) untill you feel you you don't want to go any further. Do that all round the circuit untill you feel comfortable. The car may slide a bit but, assuming you have built up to a speed, it shouldn't be too much first time. When it does, don't panic. Did you like it? Did the car go where you wanted it to? If the answer was yes then there is no problem to doing it again.

Grip levels will change durring the day, as tyres warm up, rubber or oil is laid on the track, the track warms up/cools down etc. so feel your way round on every lap.

Ignor the speedo and concentrate on the rev counter and what gear you are in. This is all in the way of "building a lap", knowing if it is a 2nd or 3rd gear corner. Most circuits you are either accelerating or braking, ballanced throttles only come about on long sweeping corners. The trick is to get as much acceleration as you can exiting a corner within the limits of addhession.

Be warry of tales of "daring do" during the lunch time break. "I take Copse flat in fourth" could be just bravado. Don't do it unless you are happy with it.

You may well frighten yourself but, assuming you have built a lap not blundered into it, it should only be a little fright.

Don't go out if you are tired or feel that you should do just one more lap. It is better to leave having had a good time, and wanting more, than to damage the car at the end of the day.

 

[Andy Tims]

As ever, sound advice from John, but to add:-

Taping the lights is only an issue of they are glass.

I tend to let my tires get to 38f / 40r max, but it's important to equalise the pressures across each axle. If it's a cold day they probably won't reach those pressures. Take a foot pump as well as a pressure gauge; otherwise you'll be under-inflated on the way home.

Probably worth using Optimax / super on the day, even if you normally run on regular.

Check oil, water etc. well topped up. Check pads / discs not too worn & that the brake fluid is full.

Cool the car down on the last lap of each session. Don't use the handbrake when back in paddock & try to avoid leaving stationary for too long straight after coming in. The heat in the pads will sink into the discs locally, potentially causing judder when you next go out.

Be prepared for it to be habit forming. I may have a set of wheels / track day tyres for sale around March if you're interested.

Andy

 

[Guest]

Wow!

Thank you all for very valuable advice.

The format of the day I have booked begins with tuition, breifing then out on track following an instructor and then the last session is on your own. The braking points and turn-in ponts are marked with cones so this should also help for a first timer!

At least now I shall go prepared and you have all mentioned something that I had not thought of - the Mars bar sounds like a good plan when you get the adrenaline shakes!

Thanks again - the wheels and tyres might be just the thing if the bug bites so I will let you know.

Here's hoping the sun shines.

Tim