First track day - Advice please?

shauncr91

shauncr91

shauncr91

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Looking at doing my first track day in April at Blyton with a couple of friends, they are pretty experienced but I've never done one. I want to make the most of the day so don't want to potentially turn up with something that isn't prepared or whatever, I'm going to do a few bits to my car before the day including some Yellow Stuff pads all round and make sure the engine is running fresh oil on the day but apart from car prep is there any other suggestions people can make for me?

Ta :)
 
If it's an open pitlane event then limit yourself to 10-15 minutes stints, and have a couple of slower laps before coming in to help everything cool down. You can also save wear and tear on everything by not going flat out down the longer straights and then braking hard every lap.
 
If it's available, get tuition, it's normally quite reasonable for a 15/20 minute session compared to the overall cost of the day and made a world of difference to my enjoyment at both Cadwell and Donington.
 
I'd probably change the oil after the track day rather then before, just make sure it's topped up.

Also, record your laps so you can view it later and learn from them. Obviously it's mainly there so when you bin it we can all see it.
 
Don't go out thinking you know it all - if there is tuition available on the day then take it, you will learn a lot. Remember that there will be a lot of different spec cars and driver experience levels around you.

Usual taking it easy on first lap or two to get things up to temp and a steady cool down lap.

Remove all loose items from the cabin before you go inc inside the glovebox etc.
 
Drive at your own pace and don't try and keep up with supposedly slower cars. It may just have an excellent driver behind the wheel and you could well overcook things.
 
Agree on the tuition thing...will really help you learn the circuit and lines more quickly.

Remember when you come back in to park up on the level, with the car in gear, rather than putting the handbrake on (so as to reduce any prospect of brakes warping or leaving pad deposits on the disc that will cause judder).

Also, if you're doing this in a Fiesta ST, be prepared to boil your power steering fluid very quickly and maybe even have some bubble out past the filler cap :p. I'd recommend getting the PAS fluid changed after a track day and looking at a relocation kit or cooler if you plan on doing a lot of track work.

The PAS pump is attached to the block and the stock reservoir mounts above it and gets heated up very very quickly by the engine, if your fluid looks black rather than red then there is a chance its already been cooked :p. You can even cook the fluid over time with fast road driving within the recommended change intervals, so its probably worth changing anyway. When I changed mine the steering felt better afterwards too.
 
I've only done a few track days myself, but I'll add a few things I was told when I started (and a few things I wish I'd been told) :p

I always thought you'd have to be trying really, really hard to spin off or get a slide going, but this is frequently not the case. On cold tyres in poor conditions it can be very very easy to spin, to the extent that I almost spun on the sighting lap at goodwood! So make sure you start slowly and build up, especially as some officials take a very dim view of people spinning/drifting/hitting cones

I also thought that as I was an inexperienced driver in a relatively slow car, everyone would be going much quicker than me. This is very unlikely to be the case - you'll get some people much faster, some people much slower, and some people at about your pace. So, make sure you move over for the faster cars on the straights, but equally don't be terrified of everyone.

With regards to car maintenance, there really isn't anything special you need to do. Obviously check your tyre pressures, and make sure you've got decent brakes etc, but other than that you'll be fine. Make sure you use the cooling down lap at the end of each session to stay off the brakes and let them cool down, and avoid putting the handbrake on for a while until they cool down.

Safety-wise there's really nothing to worry about: you'll get a comprehensive safety briefing where they tell you all the rules, and they're always very quick to pull you up if they think you're driving in an unsafe manner.

Tuition is normally something people recommend: I was going to get it at goodwood but my (considerably more experienced) friend tried it first and the guy was an utter ****, so I didn't bother in the end. It's definitely something I'd like to do though, as I'm sure the majority of instructors are actually very good.

That's about all I can think of right now, have fun! :D
 
Hi there

Points to ensure:-
Brakes: ensure you have track pads and better fluid. Also never put hand brake on.
Fuel: Vpower or super 98 or better
Oil: ensure it is on maximum and re-check after every outing and don't allow to exceed 125c
Pressures: Reduce your pressure to 32-36psi region hot, do not exceed 40psi otherwise be like driving on grease. Remember to pump back up what you took out before you go home
Tuition: Shall be available for like less than £30, make sure you get some
Session time: Limit your time on track to 15-20 minutes a time maximum
Safety: Make sure your cas has towing eye attached, check your wheel bolts lots and have a good helmet and ensure your legs and arms are covered. Watch your mirrors, if something catches up to you, they are lapping faster, let them pass when safe to do so.

Don't think I've missed anything. :)
 
If going to blyton make sure you carry plenty of jerry cans full of 98ron. I made that mistake my first time as there is none available local. Unless your car runs on 95 it is not so much of a problem. Brake pads I would change and top up everything. Then change after track day. I always prepare for the worst so always take a tow bar, spare fluids and plenty of tools. Check your wheel nuts before you go out and make sure your bonnet is closed.

When coming back in do not leave car with handbrake on. It is also advisable to do a few cool down laps as well. I would also recommend investing in some track wheels/tyres if you are thinking about doing it more often.
 
Some great replies so far, thank you :)

The car I'm going to be driving is my Fiesta ST, it's an all-Ford day apparently aswell with (I think) open pit lane. Reason I've chose Blyton is because it seems to be a 'safe' track for a newbie like me, masses of run off and mostly flat so much better to learn the ropes than somewhere more challenging like Cadwell.

This might be a stupid question but if I'm taking plenty of tools like a trolley jack, socket set and spare fluids etc where can I keep it all? Hardly want it all smashing around in the boot :D

Also Will, I've considered my PAS before, going to see if I can grab a cheap relocation kit before the date, I think SiCo is still knocking them out at £100 each so might get one!
 
People laughed when I bought a £5 pop up tent from Tesco to take to track days. But it turned out great to store stuff in. If your in a group then its unlikely you will all be out on track at once. Most people just leave things in a pile, its not really an environment where people nick things.

Gibbos comment about long sleeves and trousers is a good one. Most places will miss it from the details and you will only find out about it on the day. You can get warm concentrating in the car so I would suggest a long sleeve T shirt instead of a jumper.

Oh and remember to have fun :D
 
I had a track day at Blyton back in April/May and it was brilliant. Lots of run of areas although watch the back straight as after a few laps your brakes will be fading badly.

All I did was check my fluid and tyres levels along with wheel nuts. I did have a service a few weeks before hand.

The owner is a little strict and will flag those that mess around or purposely try and drift. Some more advice would be to get some kind of pad of your centre console. I went out on track so many times and my leg was knackered from changing gears and kept knocking on every right turn. My knee was bruised badly!

I went through an entire tank of fuel, there is a Tesco sort of close by but it only sells 95ron fuel.
 
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Are they really that strict? I plan on doing a Javelin day there in Feb, but if I will get kicked out for drifting then I won't bother.
 
1 thing nobody has said, you will always be required to wear a helmet on the track, including sighting lap

you can normally rent them, but double check, if you have one already take it
also take driving licence (both parts) with you
 
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