Novice Trackday - Booked

Eriedor

Eriedor

Eriedor

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Joined
1 Feb 2006
Posts
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Reading
Just booked my first track day, Novice day at Bedford Autodrome this friday. They're offering a 20% discount at the mo so came in at £140 for a full day which sounds good value to my ears.

Looking for general track day advice, my experience extends to a car limits day with Andrew Walsh and a VXR power event day.

Also what should i bring, so far i'm thinking:

License
Tyre pump
Tyre pressure gauge
...

Finally i'm a bit confused about what to do with regards to tyre pressures, at the car limits day we were advised to increase pressures to ~40psi or max allowable pressure to protect the sidewalls, however I've read of people under inflating tyres at track days to account for the increasing pressure as they heat up.
 
How long were you in the car for at the car limits day?

Ive yet to do a car TD with bike tires yea on track you decrease the PSI as they get really hot in 20-30min sessions, feels strange for a few laps while the pressures are increasing.
 
peterattheboro said:
License
Tyre pump
Tyre pressure gauge
CAR :p
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Dam I'm lucky I checked what I need to bring here! That would have been embarrasing! :p

Fireskull said:
How long were you in the car for at the car limits day?

Ive yet to do a car TD with bike tires yea on track you decrease the PSI as they get really hot in 20-30min sessions, feels strange for a few laps while the pressures are increasing.
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It's hard to judge based on Car Limits as you aren't really doing consistent track, it's more lots of exercises so the tyres can cool off while you drive back to the start. I'm intending to do 20-30 min stints at bedford to keep brake and fluid temps down.
 
What car do you have?

I am looking at doing track days soon and the advice I have been given id to keep the tyres at about the pressure they are meant to be on the road. This will men under inflating a bit as they increase when hot. Go on a few laps, come in, check pressures, decrease to desired level, go back out.
 
Missed the last one as I was out the night before and might miss this one again too.

I am useless for someone 10mins away :D
 
Won't be out on track but tempted to pop along and take some pictures, will give me something to do!
 
Something to check (and tighten) your wheel nuts after each session.

I usually underinflate and let the tyre warm up to pressure, if you have a heat gun you can get an idea of if the pressure are good (the centre will be hotter if they overinflate due to heat). You can also check pressures as soon as you come off the track and use that to work on what the starting pressure should be. I'd aim for 36-38psi hot, if you go any lower you will have to take it easy before the tyres warm up and get pressure in them

My S2000 turns into a drift machine if if I dont reduce the rear tyre pressures before a session.
 
Orange Peel said:
Pro tip.

Don't use your handbrake when parked up. They tend to not release when you want to move again.
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Yeah i was made aware of this at Car Limits, potentially new set of discs all round - ouch!
spaz said:
Won't be out on track but tempted to pop along and take some pictures, will give me something to do!
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I'll likely be the noob facing the wrong way in a white Cayman S.

If you get any pics of me I'd be happy to send a few quid your way for your troubles
Simon said:
Something to check (and tighten) your wheel nuts after each session.

I usually underinflate and let the tyre warm up to pressure, if you have a heat gun you can get an idea of if the pressure are good (the centre will be hotter if they overinflate due to heat). You can also check pressures as soon as you come off the track and use that to work on what the starting pressure should be. I'd aim for 36-38psi hot, if you go any lower you will have to take it easy before the tyres warm up and get pressure in them

My S2000 turns into a drift machine if if I dont reduce the rear tyre pressures before a session.
Click to expand...

Good point on wheel nuts, I'll check them before I go and keep an eye on them. Default tyre pressures are 32-37, think I'll knock them down to 31-35 and go from there, checking every few laps until they stabilise.

It's my first track day in my own car so I doubt I'll be hanging out the back end of it lighting up the tyres.
 
I actually increased my pressures slightly compared to standard road use. went from 32 to 34. Which was the recommended amount for sustained high speeds according to the owners manual. Possibility of the pressures increasing too high were rather slim I imagine due to the crappy weather though.

Bedford is good fun I did my first day there in February. You might want to take a chock of some sort if you are parking with handbrake off, I did just to be on the safe side or just leave it in gear.

I took along a little bit of oil as well just in case.

Which track are you doing? I did the GT which I enjoyed and bedford has plenty of space should you have a small off, thankfully as I found brakes don't work overly well on wet grass :p
 
Eriedor said:
I'll likely be the noob facing the wrong way in a white Cayman S.
Click to expand...

If you do don't worry about it you will just be one of many on the day, a number even spun on the main straight :p

It knocked my confidence at first but once I realised the world didn't end it was chalked up as a learning experience and I knew what I shouldn't do next time :)
 
At least triple check your wheel bolts (At the beginning of the day, half way through and going home) - They have a habit of working themselves loose :eek:.

Empty your car of all junk/litter/etc.

Make sure your car is in good condition. Pads, discs, tyres, oil level, belt condition, everything. Remember being on track put quite a bit more stress on components compared to popping to Tesco and back ;).

Take it easy. Remember you aren't there to race anyone. Go at your own pace and gradually build up speed and you'll find yourself enjoying your time a lot more

Pay for instruction if you can. Well worth the money.

And most importantly, enjoy :).
 
Maybe take some wheel chocks for parking it without the handbrake on. Saves leaving it in gear and forgetting about it!

Take some lunch as food at the track is always expensive and not great.

Sunglasses too!
 
Will see if I'm out on Friday not thurs then might get myself booked in.

Could always strip the interior for the lulz.
 
Also remember you're going to want to drive home again on the same tyres, so don't abuse them to the point they're screwed. When I did a track day in the 200, I had to be so careful not to get too much heat in them, they were badly graining by the end of the day.

As others have said, check car's condition and check your attitude before you go on, It's not a race, there will inevitably be people there who think it is, but ignore them and go at your own pace.

Have fun :D
 
How did you get on yesterday? I popped up for an hour or so and grabbed a couple of pics which I'll put up shortly once I've sorted them.

Tried to say hello but you seemed to be out on track every time I had chance!
 
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