26 replies to this topic

[Tmitch]

\just wondered if there is or it is worth someone writing a beginners guide to trackdays? I would really like to do a track day but would feel a bit unsure about taking my car on a track where you hope none will take you out. I saw a vid on you tube where a gut span out into the kitty litter and was fine (car ok) only for someone going way too fast or with brake failure crashed straight into the car writing both off! I would also be a bit intimidated by bigger and more power full machinery. Some ideas for the guide could include:- Car prep. checks, upgrades tyres, tools and spares to take with you how the days run, what to expect How to get the best from the experience General rule, overtaking etc Just an idea

[fiveoclock]

This book is quite good http://www.haynes.co...45553&langId=-1 MSV do novice track days and evenings, drivers must have done no more than 3 track days, its a good way to start.

[darronwall]

i would say do a airfield first,elvington or the like that way you get a feel of your car without worrying about hitting owt they are an ideal stepping stone to getting to a proper track

[SteveA]

Car prep. checks, upgrades tyres, tools and spares to take with you
how the days run, what to expect
How to get the best from the experience
General rule, overtaking etc

Car prep - Just make sure your car is roadworthy and it might be best to get some decent brake fluid.

You don't really need to take any tools but these days I take a basic tool kit.

There are two types of track days in general; Open pit lane (you can go on track when ever you want) and Sessioned (usually 20 minutes an hour, every hour) Sessioned days can be a bit hectic with everyone trying to get the most out of their time so to start I would avoid these. On an OPL day you can always wait till it a bit quieter before going out.

As for accidents, I've been on 20+ track days and this week while I was at Cadwell I saw my first crash. It is unusual to see accidents and most days are usually very well run and bad behaviour is normally not tollerated.

To get the most from the day, book some tuition early on, these days always have qualified instructors to help you get better on track. I'd go for an airfield day for your first go as there is pretty much nothing to crash into if you get things wrong so they are very safe.

Rules are always explained at the briefing before you go on track but in gereral overtaking is on the left hand side, on the straights and by consent only.

Just get out there and have a go, you will love it

[JohnTurbo]

On the vx particularly make sure your brakes are in good condition. - Caliper seals, pads, disks, fluid. Worth taking a wheel wrench.... nuts like to come loose. You should also check tyre pressures when warm! It flys up and you get sod all grip. Try and get out first for sighting laps and follow the lines of the lead car. Select dry weather!

[jonnyboy]

Best advice for a VX owner is register with lotus on track and get on one of their novice days. Airfields are ok but usually very bad for getting your car chipped and they are likely to have drivers of differing ability (IE you will be holding people up) If you go on a novice day you know you are with drivers that are in the same boat and they do free tuition which is the number one thing to get on your first day. As long as you leave your ego at home and are willing to take some tuition you first 2/3 trackdays can be the best an most informative you'll ever have.

[smiley]

Like steve and johhny say; "Lotus on Track" and BookaTrack both drive with (safe) rules, which are ideal for beginners, and boring for hard core guys, making them stay away from these. I would suggest to start with these. http://www.lotus-on-track.com/lotshop http://bookatrack.co...y-Calendar.html

[bunsenburner]

I have found that a good idea is to talk to the track day organisers as they are very helpful and will tell you what sort of drivers and cars are likely to be there on the day you are considering. From that you will get a fair idea as to whether you might get out of your depth, after all nobody wants to feel they're hold up others.

[rob999]

And do the gearbox breather mod

[slindborg]

http://www.pngclub.c...ead.php?t=93407 Covers the 'basics' that you are likely to forget or worry about

[Apex Trackdays]

I would say as far as car preparation is concerned: Get it serviced before and particularly an oil change Check brake pads. Ideally if the brakes are marginal, as they often are on standard cars, go for a harder compound like DS2500 or mintex 1144 or 1155 As for the driving. We, as most trackday companies enforce strict overtaking rules. Fairly simple, on the left only (unless at Castle Combe!) , by consent only and only on the straights. May be you will be slower than some other people out there but just keep an eye on your mirrors. It can be a good idea to have passenger for an extra pair of eyes. Keep an eye on oil temperatures and charge temps, and don't be tempted to stay on track for too long. 20 minutes willlget it plenty warm enough. Beware some "cheap" trackadys where the organiser books lots of cars in and there will invariably be queues to get on the track and plenty of cars on at any one time. We do not do this. Although our days are relatively inexpensive, we will not book too many people on to the day. We have a day next week (21 April) at Mallory which should not be too busy. Open pit lane whereby you can go on and off the track anytime during the day. If you fancy it, and it is your first ever trackday, pay £130 which is the normal price, and if you don't enjoy it. I will give you half your money back at the end of the day. I am confident you will love it and be hooked like so many are. It is always good to really see what these cars can do, but in a controlled and as safe(as possible) environment. Mike

[GeorgeBC]

Good advertisement! Not really in the interest of the op tho.

[Apex Trackdays]

More advice to the Op than your post

[slindborg]

So I can come along and not like it then Awesome

[Apex Trackdays]

So I can come along and not like it then Awesome

Yes you can. If it is your first track day. Obviously an element of trust going on. A few firms offer cheaper "taster days" (to try to get people hooked) I am doing the same with www.gtr.co.uk the skyline owners club, where rather than give a refund if they don't like it, a reduction on the entrance fee. I would do the same here. If If it was your first trackday (genuinely) come for £100.

Which one are you booking on?

Mike

[System-G]

"Lotus on Track" and BookaTrack both drive with (safe) rules, which are ideal for beginners, and boring for hard core guys,

Where would you recommend I go for a "hard-core" trackday then?

[Bargi]

"Lotus on Track" and BookaTrack both drive with (safe) rules, which are ideal for beginners, and boring for hard core guys,

Where would you recommend I go for a "hard-core" trackday then?

go to an MLR day with all the beefy EVOs

also allow slicks at TDs as well

[smiley]

Where would you recommend I go for a "hard-core" trackday then?

I would say any other trackday with no overtaking rules tends to get pull more experienced people.
As i can't get insured for those, i'm stuck with LOT and bookatrack.

[techieboy]

Where would you recommend I go for a "hard-core" trackday then?

I would say any other trackday with no overtaking rules tends to get pull more experienced people.
As i can't get insured for those, i'm stuck with LOT and bookatrack.

Plenty of hardcore racers at LoT and BaT days at the proper circuits, in my experience. Just because the rules mean they have to show some manners towards other cars, doesn't mean they're any slower or less experienced. Granted it's not a free for all like some of the European TDO's seem to run but if you want that, there's always RMA days (or even Goldtrack going on VIX's experience).

[SteveA]

Where would you recommend I go for a "hard-core" trackday then?

TBH, trackdays are trackdays. I think smiley is refering more to Action days or Test days which are essentially race days with no official structure.