Track day- Should I?

Goates

Goates

Goates

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Well I've wanted to do a track day ever since I got my licence.

I now have a car that I really want to take to the track and get a good understanding of.

I'm looking at going to Blyton Park either this month or next.

Would I be mad to attend one in my 3 month old Fiesta ST? Apart from entry, insurance and helmet hire what other costs are there? Brakes and tires will I go through a set in a day?
 
As a novice you can't really do much better than Blyton, it's very forgiving. In a new ST you wouldn't really have anything to worry about consumable wise but I'd suggest going for some uprated pads at the very least (Yellow Stuff or DS2500's).
 
Goates said:
Brakes and tires will I go through a set in a day?
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Get a decent set of pads and they'll be fine, use standard pads and they'll be shagged within a few laps. Tyres you should be fine unless you're either trying to set lap records or get really unlucky.

Just come in every 5 laps or so and let things cool down/check oil etc.
 
Yes you totally should.

Just whack a set of better brake pads in and be prepared to put quite a bit of wear on your tyres, different tyres react very differently to track driving. Some can melt and completely wear out within a few sessions where as some just overheat and feel a bit squidgy but will last quite well.
 
I wouldn't personally take a relatively valuable car like that anywhere near a track without comprehensive cover for the session. If you've got that though then go for it
 
I suggest both your tyres and pads will be fine. It's your first time out, you won't be quick and with regular thinking time in the pits and a sensible cool down it will be fine. Insurance will be pricy I suspect.
 
rodenal said:
I wouldn't personally take a relatively valuable car like that anywhere near a track without comprehensive cover for the session. If you've got that though then go for it
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Aye. It's a shame really as it adds a lot to the overall cost which is why I'd prefer using a cheap car.

Track day £199 or so
Helmet hire £10
Fuel £50
Oil £5?
General wear and tear (brakes/tyre) £30?

So around £300 then I'd imagine £100+ for insurance?

Shame it's so expensive.
 
Housey said:
I suggest both your tyres and pads will be fine.
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Maybe, maybe not. After a few laps you'll be consistently be braking later and harder, and I don't think most road-going pads will be manufactured for that kind of use, even a new ST?

I wouldn't want to pay to go then after 5 laps realise the pads are smoked.

If you can change the pads yourself I'd buy some "track" ones.
 
If you are looking for a track day this month then LVS Racing are doing one at Blyton park on the 27th and I believe a few slots are available. Mostly VAG cars will be there but last year was brilliant and I'm going on again this year. Tyres will be fine and so will brakes I was out all day burned through a tank of fuel and my tyre's were barely touched and i was pushing quite hard and not being particularly smooth!

A year later and I have done 13k miles on my tyres and I have a few MM left and my pads still had more than half left even though they have been on the car for some time before I owned it. I would suggest 10 laps at a time though as Oil temperatures will get high and the back straight is quite fast. Brake fade whilst trying to slow down from 120 isn't fun although you can simply carry on straight through worst case. Blyton is a very good track with plenty of run off.

One of the best things I have done to date and it put a huge grin on my face for days... The girlfriend was most annoyed though!
 
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AndrewNR said:
Maybe, maybe not. After a few laps you'll be consistently be braking later and harder, and I don't think most road-going pads will be manufactured for that kind of use, even a new ST?

I wouldn't want to pay to go then after 5 laps realise the pads are smoked.

If you can change the pads yourself I'd buy some "track" ones.
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As long as he gives them a rest fairly regularly he'll be fine. I've done plenty of track days in my MR2 and an E36 on stock brakes with no problems at all, and I was pushing pretty hard. Just don't stay out there for hours and remember not to put the handbrake on when you come in and you won't have any problems with the stock brakes.
 
AndrewNR said:
Aye. It's a shame really as it adds a lot to the overall cost which is why I'd prefer using a cheap car.

Track day £199 or so
Helmet hire £10
Fuel £50
Oil £5?
General wear and tear (brakes/tyre) £30?

So around £300 then I'd imagine £100+ for insurance?

Shame it's so expensive.
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I used 150 on fuel alone on the track last time I went. Not including travel fuel.
 
Brakes will be fine as long as you are sensible with them. Don't forget a cool down lap before coming in each time.
 
adam cool dude said:
I used 150 on fuel alone on the track last time I went. Not including travel fuel.
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Blimey. :eek:

I think I used about £40/£50 but to be fair it was slightly damp (so not going nuts in low gears) and the track closed for about 2 hours due to fog. :(

Fortunately I live about 5 minutes from Snetterton. :)
 
geekman said:
As long as he gives them a rest fairly regularly he'll be fine. I've done plenty of track days in my MR2 and an E36 on stock brakes with no problems at all, and I was pushing pretty hard. Just don't stay out there for hours and remember not to put the handbrake on when you come in and you won't have any problems with the stock brakes.
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Sorry for asking a possibly silly question, but why is this? Guessing it's to do with heat or something?
 
ShiWarrior said:
because your brakes will be red hot, so if you put your handbrake on, it sticks to the wheels
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Unless its a vectra (they had an issue with disc handbrakes a few years ago:D) Also the guys a few posts about im guessing you dont have a massive fuel tank so did you just go and fill up somewhere a couple of times?
 
geekman said:
As long as he gives them a rest fairly regularly he'll be fine. I've done plenty of track days in my MR2 and an E36 on stock brakes with no problems at all, and I was pushing pretty hard. Just don't stay out there for hours and remember not to put the handbrake on when you come in and you won't have any problems with the stock brakes.
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With all due respect, if you find stock e36 brakes to be fine then you aren't pushing hard.
 
Yes.

Don't over think it. Its your first time. Get insurance for your car and hire a helmet and go for it.

Then afterwards if you like it, that's the time to think about upgrades and mods.
 
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