Trackday newbie: preparation

[eltax91]

Hi all

Looks like, if we can both get the time off, my mate and I will be partaking in a track day at Cadwell park on Thursday.

This particular session is advertised as a 'novice' session.

Anyway, I've got the car (mx5 sc), and just took delivery of a helmet today, I've also had a day at the car limits airfield. So, any hints or tips for a newbie? Car preparation, or indeed anything I can do to get the most out of the day?

[skeeterm5]

I have done loads of track days on bikes and the real prep is you...

- drive within your limits, there is always somebody faster, let them go
- listen to any instructors that are about, they know what they are talking about
- I don't tend to do the last session of the day, lots of accidents as people are tired and want to do one last amazing lap time, it is not worth it

Finally, remember you are there to enjoy to it not try out for a formula one team!

S

[ezi]

Pay the extra to get a tuition session, it's worth every penny.
Don't worry about being a novice either, even if there are people experienced on the day they will most likely be courteous and offer advice if you get chatting, I was worried about this on my first track day and people really are friendly and respectful regardless of how much track experience you have.

[hufggfg]

Everything said above is absolutely correct, but just to cover some of the mechanical aspects as well:

- remove absolutely everything from the car that you can. Floor mats, change in cup holders, everything in glove box and boot. You don't want it flying around!
- drop you tyre pressures by a couple of PSI (you might find a recommendation by googling). Tbh, on your first track day you won't be pushing too hard, so maybe go halfway between road and track pressures.
- all the normal checks, oil level, brake pads etc. You just want to make sure you have total mechanical trust in your car.
- makes sure you have a full tank of fuel to start the day with, you'll be surprised how much quicker you use it on track. Also just have a quick check of where to get more (I'm not sure at Cadwell).

Think that's about it really, if I think of any more I'll add later.

[GreigM]

hufggfg said:

- drop you tyre pressures by a couple of PSI (you might find a recommendation by googling). Tbh, on your first track day you won't be pushing too hard, so maybe go halfway between road and track pressures.

No. It is not automatically correct to drop pressures on road tyres. Depending on the construction you could be better over-inflating them - its all to do with how well the sidewall stands up to track use. Unless you get a recommendation for that specific tyre then leave them at road pressures and after the first session return them to road pressures. Running them under recommended pressures could damage the tyre.

Apart from that make sure your brake fluid is good and fresh and your discs and pads are in good condition (at least 50% pad remaining).

[MyVTECGoesBwaaah]

For petrol, there are pumps at Cadwell but are no doubt stupidly expensive. Only open around lunch time-ish.

Horncastle is 8 mile/15 mins down the road (Left from entrance at Cadwell), station has V-Power posh stuff.

Louth is 5 mile/10 mins down the road (Right from entrance at Cadwell), only peasant fuel (No V-Power).

Forecast looks promising so far, have fun!

[eltax91]

Thanks for the tips chaps. My brake fluid and discs/ pads are less than 2000 miles old having recently overhauled it pre fitting the SC.

Great tip on fuel as mine is mapped for v power so I don't want to be running on 95 at all. Will there be somewhere for me to store a jerry can, if so I could take 20 litres with me?

Do I need to do anything to the car in terms of taping up glass or adding markings for the tow eye?

Great tip on the last session, it's expected we will do 7 x 20 min sessions, so I'm already worried I will be tiring by then.

[ezi]

Probably worth taping the headlights if they are glass but if they are plastic then don't bother.
Fit a towing eye/strap because if you go off and can't be tugged from behind () then they'll tow you with whatever they can wrap a rope around and don't expect them to shut the track for 10 minutes while you look for your tow eye.

Also remove anything from your car that's going to bang around, I don't know what facilities they have at Cadwell but most of the time there will be somewhere to leave your spare bits in the paddock area.

[hufggfg]

GreigM said:

No. It is not automatically correct to drop pressures on road tyres. Depending on the construction you could be better over-inflating them - its all to do with how well the sidewall stands up to track use. Unless you get a recommendation for that specific tyre then leave them at road pressures and after the first session return them to road pressures. Running them under recommended pressures could damage the tyre.

Don't mean to thread hi-jack here, but... Totally see your point that it's theoretically possible, though I've never run into a tyre where this is true (though I do only have limited experience). That said, dropping your tyre pressures is more about keeping the "hot pressure" the same, as you'll generate much more heat driving on track than you would do the road.

So, for a tyre to need the pressure increased for track use, it will then be running MUCH higher pressures on track than the road... Just for my understanding really, what about a tyre could mean that's the case? Something with THAT soft a sidewall is surely totally inappropriate for track use anyway?

[magooagain]

Check your wheel bolts before and during the track day. Take all fluid top ups with you and some ties and gaffer tape. Drink plenty of water. You may want to remove your crash helmet visor if its a full face.
Is your petrol filler cap secure? As a full tank will show it on the first bend.
There is normally a good place to store your spare wheel/tools etc. Just check out what others are doing.
Enjoy the day.

[bicycleshorts]

hufggfg said:

Don't mean to thread hi-jack here, but... Totally see your point that it's theoretically possible, though I've never run into a tyre where this is true (though I do only have limited experience). That said, dropping your tyre pressures is more about keeping the "hot pressure" the same, as you'll generate much more heat driving on track than you would do the road.

So, for a tyre to need the pressure increased for track use, it will then be running MUCH higher pressures on track than the road... Just for my understanding really, what about a tyre could mean that's the case? Something with THAT soft a sidewall is surely totally inappropriate for track use anyway?

My experience with various 195/50/15 is that they tend to get sucked under the wheel on track. I can't imagine under-inflating them would help any.

[GreigM]

hufggfg said:

Don't mean to thread hi-jack here, but... Totally see your point that it's theoretically possible, though I've never run into a tyre where this is true (though I do only have limited experience). That said, dropping your tyre pressures is more about keeping the "hot pressure" the same, as you'll generate much more heat driving on track than you would do the road.

So, for a tyre to need the pressure increased for track use, it will then be running MUCH higher pressures on track than the road... Just for my understanding really, what about a tyre could mean that's the case? Something with THAT soft a sidewall is surely totally inappropriate for track use anyway?

Road pressures are often set for a number of reasons - fuel economy, volume level, comfort etc and not necessarily performance. Many "performance" road tyres have chronically soft sidewalls which will fold like wet cardboard under the cornering forces of the much gripper track surface - they don't have to be cheap. So it depends on a large number of factors as to what the pressures should be set to. The safest thing to do without other information is to start with normal road pressures and return to these as you know the tyre is designed to perform at those pressures. The OP doesn't say what type of tyres he has, so advice to drop the pressure before venturing onto track could lead to many things including ruined outer edges of tyres, tyres being ripped off rims or indeed improved handling and performance.

[HaylingJag]

Just back from Cadwell last thursday, from experience on my normally aspirated Eunos you may want more than a 20 ltr top up!!! I done a tankfull in the morning sesh and another in the afternoon!!!! about 120 miles per tank on the full fat fuel! Fuel on site is available at 10am and 1pm. May be worth a trip to town if your getting lunch and refreshment out of the circuit as well.

As for pressures, im on T1r,'s and set these at 28psi all round, these increased to about 33 when hot and gripped well, previously i have set lower and even when hot they rolled over considerably, depends on your tyres and hoe committed you are, Cadwell is a very twisty circuit and well suited to the MX5 though maybe a bit daunting on yer first outing. Wish i had your charger bolted on mine, only thing lacking on mine when it comes to the straights.

Book an instructor for about 11am if you can. My first trip there last year was awesome for the first two hours, got a feel for the track and thought i had it nailed. Then i took the instruction and the guy was pushing me to brake later, dont lift, turn in later/earlier and it totally changer the rest of the day for me. They will tailor the turn in points to suit your car and ability, remember the apex cones are there for the general and not necessarily for the driving gods from these pages, the 'structor will tell you your lines.

As mentioned check your fluid levels after each stint, and set your counter for the day, anything less than 200 circuit miles is unacceptable

mostly have fun

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdxRCWgNSkc

bit of footage with an M3 powered 328,

[Tonsko]

All the above and… a flask of tea! Dead important.

[eltax91]

Hi all

Thanks for all the advice again

For reference in running uniroyal rain sport (3 I think, the latest incarnation).

I will stock up on plenty of food/ water/ tea for sure. Nice 6am start the get there for registration will see to that!!

[MyVTECGoesBwaaah]

eltax91 said:

Will there be somewhere for me to store a jerry can, if so I could take 20 litres with me?

As you may/may not be aware, there are no undercover garages at Cadwell (Only 1 small undercover area but more of a through road than a garage). This obviously means leaving stuff around could be precarious. Normally you either see things like wheels/tools/jerry cans etc... stored in other people's cars or just under sheeting near where they are parked.

[sgreenham]

I've only just seen this thread. I'll see you there on Thursday for my first track day too. Quite nervous but really looking forward to it. Some good tips mentioned above which is great. As for fuel I think I'll be nipping to the Shell garage in Horncastle if I need some more. As mentioned above it doesn't seem like there is anyway to leave stuff like a jerry can. It's a MSV novice day, does anybody know how much the tuition is likely to cost?

[bicycleshorts]

eltax91 said:

Hi all

Thanks for all the advice again

For reference in running uniroyal rain sport (3 I think, the latest incarnation).

I will stock up on plenty of food/ water/ tea for sure. Nice 6am start the get there for registration will see to that!!

Keep checking your tyres. I melted a set of rainsport 2s at spa and the tread folded over on itself. Meant I went from 6mm of tread to 3mm in 2 hours! It was a very hot day though so you should be fine as long as you're taking reasonable breaks in between.

[eltax91]

sgreenham said:

I've only just seen this thread. I'll see you there on Thursday for my first track day too. Quite nervous but really looking forward to it. Some good tips mentioned above which is great. As for fuel I think I'll be nipping to the Shell garage in Horncastle if I need some more. As mentioned above it doesn't seem like there is anyway to leave stuff like a jerry can. It's a MSV novice day, does anybody know how much the tuition is likely to cost?

Ah cool. What'll you be driving? Look out for the pair of idiots. Mine is a scruffy silver mx5 and my mate is in his SC mk2 Elise.

[sgreenham]

eltax91 said:

Ah cool. What'll you be driving? Look out for the pair of idiots. Mine is a scruffy silver mx5 and my mate is in his SC mk2 Elise.

I'll be in a white C63, probably the slowest C63 to ever be seen on track. I'll be driving well within my limits that's for sure. It'll be great fun though.