16 replies to this topic

[simonlpearce]

Hi Guys I have been given the opportunity to do a track day at Oulton Park however its going to be my first ever. Only problem i have is that it is an open pit lane, yet i am under the impression that it is best to either do a novice day or to do sessions instead? Is it worth going or will i just end up p1ssing everyone off by going slow?

[forgotmepassword]

My first track day was open pit and Oulton and I loved it. Go for it!

[SteveA]

IMO open pit is the best kind of trackday for a newbie. Spend as much or as little time as you want on the track. If your worried about upsetting people just wait till the first load have been on then have a go, the track will be quiet then. Make sure you have; 1) A helmet 2) An ABS cutoff switch 3) gear box breather pipe if you intend to stay on track for long stints at a time (5 laps plus) 4) Race brake fluid (£20) 5) Trackpads (£100) Without these you will find your brakes stop working after 10 mins but once cooled down they will be fine to use again. Cheers Steve

[simonlpearce]

Thanks for the advice guys, i assume track pads will be fine to use with normal discs? All the rest i have researched, there is one thing you missed though!? A digital camera for some piccies

[timmyp]

Good to hear you're starting to drive on track . IMO it's what the vx was built for and not enough people do it. You'll learn a lot more about car control that will help you in emergencies on the road too. Track pads tend to wear disks a little quicker but other than that they work fine with any old disks. With disks being so cheaper than pads for the vx the extra wear isn't much of an issue either. OPL days have advantages over sessioned ones, I started in sessioned days but in some ways wish I hadn't. The fact you only get a set 20min session per hour means that you feel pressured to spend that whole time on track. OPL there is a bigger speed differential between drivers but the track is generally quieter and you can take your time, pick when you do/don't fancy driving. Be mindful of others, drive within your limits, build your speed gradually and keep an eye on your mirrors and nobody will mind if you're a bit slower. The vx is a very capable track car with the right brakes, so you'll probably find that you won't be so slow that you're holding everyone up and getting people angry anyway. Worth getting some tuition if available - it makes a big big difference, especially on your first couple of days! Most of all have fun!

Edited by timmyp, 26 September 2008 - 08:23 AM.

[simonlpearce]

Thanks for the pointers, there is a tuition session at the start of the day for novices so hopefully this will show me the correct lines and when to brake/acc into and out of corners. I have also spoken to the event organiser and he told me there are a number of novices going to be there in all mannor of vehicles so hopefully i wont be alone Will keep you all posted on how it goes.

[SteveA]

Normal discs will start to suffer from the heat after about 15 laps in one go.

[jonnyboy]

Open pit lane is far better than sessions. Sessions tend to be a bit of a mad rush and your guaranteed to have 20 cars on track. If you pick your time with open pitlane you'll have the track to yourself.

[Stu-7]

Simon,

Providing you are confident behind the wheel, this is the perfect way to start your trackday life - you have NOTHING to worry about
Re Pads: per other comments on the thread, defo recommend fitting some pagid RS14's - even to std discs -anything else and you'll boil the fluid and the day will be over.
Also, preferably some R888's or A048's. Failing that and if on road tyres, just ensure your pressures are even when cold (NSR to OSR I mean).

On-track; some counsel, if I may be so bold:
- Mirrors: don't feel the need to jump out the way of EVERY car catching you up straight away. You all have the right to be there. In a fast bend: keep yourline - indicate to the right then blend out of the gas to let the faster car through.
If someone is faster than you, there's really no issue them waiting one bend to get past. More than that and they'll likely get a little impatient, which is
fair.
- Get and instructor session - circa lunchtime - so that you at least know which way the circuit goes - then spend the rest of the day trying to put-into-
practice what you've been taught.
- Check torque of wheel nuts, and tyre pressures regularly.
- Enjoy it!

Oulton is a great track but, very technical. On std suspension - Oulton amplifies all of the weaknesses of the VX setup AKA it understeers like a pig in the slow and mid speed corners. Strange like that. It must be the bumps! (or so i tell myself)

Here's some footage of my last day there in June. Car felt awful but, it was a top day.....

[Stu-7]

Simon,

Providing you are confident behind the wheel, this is the perfect way to start your trackday life - you have NOTHING to worry about
Re Pads: per other comments on the thread, defo recommend fitting some pagid RS14's - even to std discs -anything else and you'll boil the fluid and the day will be over.
Also, preferably some more trackday oriented rubber (eg: R888's or A048's). it's not a problem if you can't - and is arguably more fun on road tyres - either way just ensure your pressures are even when cold (NSR to OSR I mean).

On-track;

- Mirrors: don't feel the need to jump out the way of EVERY car catching you up straight away. You all have the right to be there. In a fast bend: keep your line - indicate to the right then blend out of the gas to let the faster car through.
If someone is faster than you, there's really no issue them waiting one bend to get past. More than that and they'll likely get a little impatient, which is fair.
- Get and instructor session - circa lunchtime - so that you at least know which way the circuit goes - then spend the rest of the day trying to put-into-practice what you've been taught.
- Check torque of wheel nuts, and tyre pressures regularly.
- Enjoy it!

Oulton is a great track but, very technical. On std suspension - Oulton amplifies all of the weaknesses of the VX setup AKA it understeers like a pig in the slow and mid speed corners. Strange like that. It must be the bumps! (or so i tell myself )

Here's some footage of my last day there in June. Car felt awful but, it was a top day.....

[Mr_M]

recommend fitting some pagid RS14's - even to std discs -anything else and you'll boil the fluid and the day will be over.

Mainly what everyone else has said - but just to emphasise the fuild bit. No point in spending £££'s on decent pads and using 18mth old standard fluid. Get the fluid changed (unless you know it's been done very recenlty) and at the same time seriously consider braided hoses & up-rated fluid (iirc you can't run the race stuff on std brake hoses for some reason although the precise reason escapes me).

[simonlpearce]

Thanks again for the info esp Stu, one of the things i dont want to do is get in the way of others as i know they are there to enjoy their day too. I plan on changing all of the fluids prior to the actual day so we shouldnt have any problems there. I will also definately be going for new pads all round and some sticky tires, have a friend of a friend who is sponsored by Toyo so hopefully be able to blag a good deal. The day isnt until late Nov so have plenty of time to prepare, only thing that worries me now is the weather. I really hope its dry!

[MAXR]

Oulton amplifies all of the weaknesses of the VX setup AKA it understeers like a pig in the slow and mid speed corners. Strange like that. It must be the bumps! (or so i tell myself )

Stu,

Are you sure you're that's not just down to the fact that you have a Tubby & not an NA?

[NickB787]

Oulton amplifies all of the weaknesses of the VX setup AKA it understeers like a pig in the slow and mid speed corners. Strange like that. It must be the bumps! (or so i tell myself )

Stu,

Are you sure you're that's not just down to the fact that you have a Tubby & not an NA?

[Mr_M]

Oulton amplifies all of the weaknesses of the VX setup AKA it understeers like a pig in the slow and mid speed corners. Strange like that. It must be the bumps! (or so i tell myself )

Stu,

Are you sure you're that's not just down to the fact that you have a Tubby & not an NA?

- Remind me though guys - what's the weight of an n/a up to by the time you've stuck that big heavy superchager in the back??

I will also definately be going for.... some sticky tires

Simon - I know I'm going somewhat against the trend here, but as it's your first trackday I'd suggest not getting sticky tyres. A lot of people go to sticky tyres far too soon - it's much better to learn how the car behaves on normal road tyres. Once you've got to the stage where you can feel that you're really pushing the limits of standard tyres (lap times being limited by sliding round most corners is generally a good clue!) then it's time to move on to stickies. And in case you're worried about knackering your road tyres on the track - don't be, the bridgestones are quite robust - as long as you look after the pressures properly.

[simonlpearce]

Oulton amplifies all of the weaknesses of the VX setup AKA it understeers like a pig in the slow and mid speed corners. Strange like that. It must be the bumps! (or so i tell myself )

Stu,

Are you sure you're that's not just down to the fact that you have a Tubby & not an NA?

- Remind me though guys - what's the weight of an n/a up to by the time you've stuck that big heavy superchager in the back??

I will also definately be going for.... some sticky tires

Simon - I know I'm going somewhat against the trend here, but as it's your first trackday I'd suggest not getting sticky tyres. A lot of people go to sticky tyres far too soon - it's much better to learn how the car behaves on normal road tyres. Once you've got to the stage where you can feel that you're really pushing the limits of standard tyres (lap times being limited by sliding round most corners is generally a good clue!) then it's time to move on to stickies. And in case you're worried about knackering your road tyres on the track - don't be, the bridgestones are quite robust - as long as you look after the pressures properly.

I guess that makes sense, will it be a problem that i only have about 3mm left on the fronts and say 5ish rears? I know there is no way i will push the car to its limits first time and very likely nor will i push the tyres, so if i can get away without shelling out the extra ££££'s i will do.

Will do a search on pressures, thanks.

[Stu-7]

Oulton amplifies all of the weaknesses of the VX setup AKA it understeers like a pig in the slow and mid speed corners. Strange like that. It must be the bumps! (or so i tell myself )

Stu,
Are you sure you're that's not just down to the fact that you have a Tubby & not an NA?

Actually it's just down to my lack of talent