Discussion
As above..
Try to feel when the tyres start to get too hot - they'll squeal more and have less grip. If you keep pushing after this you can ruin them very quickly!
Same with brakes - feel when the pedal travels a bit further, this is the first sign of brake fade!
Warm up and cool down properly.
Depending on how hard you drive limit your time on track. My crappy road tyres overheat literally within a couple of minutes. Same for all fluids. Keep an eye on temps!
Try to feel when the tyres start to get too hot - they'll squeal more and have less grip. If you keep pushing after this you can ruin them very quickly!
Same with brakes - feel when the pedal travels a bit further, this is the first sign of brake fade!
Warm up and cool down properly.
Depending on how hard you drive limit your time on track. My crappy road tyres overheat literally within a couple of minutes. Same for all fluids. Keep an eye on temps!
This guide gives a rather good overview, if you can get past the 90s formatting 
http://www.stevecarter.com/track-day-beginners.htm
What car do you have? You might be surprised just how much brake and tyre you consume, so make sure both are less than half worn and keep checking them throughout the day.
For both you and the car, warming up gradually and cooling down properly is very important. It'll minimise your mistakes and reduce the strain on the car.
http://www.stevecarter.com/track-day-beginners.htm
What car do you have? You might be surprised just how much brake and tyre you consume, so make sure both are less than half worn and keep checking them throughout the day.
For both you and the car, warming up gradually and cooling down properly is very important. It'll minimise your mistakes and reduce the strain on the car.
BritishRacinGrin said:
*tyre pressures throughout the day
Check wheel nuts are torqued, check again after a couple of sessions. They can come loose. Last track day my fronts all needed a quarter turn after a few sessions. Ive seen a few wheels come off. On the way to one track day I was bedding in new brake pads. I got there and a front wheel was knocking as it had become loose!- brake check and fluid change
- remove loose items for weight and safety
Uprated pads and fluid (super blue etc) are worth doing. Typically tyres and brakes over heating will be what ruins your day.
The biggest thing I'd say really is to prepare yourself.
Take things easily and try to progressively build your speed, and ABSOLUTELY take some instruction, preferably a session relatively early on, so you can work on the things they tell you.
You'd be amazed how many guys think they can drive fast on the roads, then get on the track and think they're really going well, when to all those experienced people around them they look like out of control wallies!
Then on the other hand you some novices who are progressively building their skills and learning... that's always much more impressive!
Take things easily and try to progressively build your speed, and ABSOLUTELY take some instruction, preferably a session relatively early on, so you can work on the things they tell you.
You'd be amazed how many guys think they can drive fast on the roads, then get on the track and think they're really going well, when to all those experienced people around them they look like out of control wallies!
Then on the other hand you some novices who are progressively building their skills and learning... that's always much more impressive!
Get a racing brake fluid. DOT 5.1 is not racing fluid. Do not think the higher DOT number is better for track work. Look for details about the dry and wet boiling points of the fluid and buy the one you can afford with the highest numbers.
Personally I'm fond of this as value for money: http://www.driftworks.com/ate-super-blue-racing-br...
Personally I'm fond of this as value for money: http://www.driftworks.com/ate-super-blue-racing-br...
Once you get out on track, take your time and build your speed slowly. Also, don't be intimidated by quicker cars/drivers but do keep a good eye on your mirrors. If you can, take some instruction. I cannot stress just what a difference it makes, to be shown the correct way of doing things. It really is worth every penny.
Also take time to get used to driving whilst wearing a helmet. Drink plenty of fluids (you'll be surprised just how much you can sweat!) and most importantly, have fun!
Also take time to get used to driving whilst wearing a helmet. Drink plenty of fluids (you'll be surprised just how much you can sweat!) and most importantly, have fun!
Before you go on track get the car down to a local garage and check car over. Ensure you have no issues as these will be highlighted quickly on track. Anything worn must be replaced such as bushes etc.
Oil level should be on maximum and brake fluid i suggest renewing. If it's coming up for a service do it now.
You must have plenty of pad material left and plenty of meat on tyres or a spare set. You don't want to run out of tyre or brakes on circuit as you will need to be able to drive home afterwards.
Go on YouTube and check out some video's and circuit guides of the track you are doing as this will give you a good picture of the track and aid your learning.
Tuition on the day is worth while. Will make a big difference
A day on track is seriously tiring to both you and the car. Take it easy. It will be an early start and late finish so if you are going miles away I suggest a hotel the night before to reduce this load.
On track in a road car start slowly as mentioned above. Limit your time on track to a warm up lap a max of three hot laps and a cool down lap. This should ensure your brakes and tyres don't over cook. I met someone at silverstone who did not heed this warning and did 10 laps in his 335d. When he pulled into the pit garages the entire tread peeled off his tyres and he had 4 carcass's. He had to buy 4 incorrect sized tyres at the circuit just to get him home.
You must remember that you need to be able to get home afterwards. I suggest getting track day insurance which not only covers you if you have an accident, but will cover transport costs if you have a problem.
Don't over drive you want to be operating at 90% of your capacity. This should enable you be be quick and smooth. If you start to feel like you are going very quick you are probable over driving and a mistake/spin will be on the cards.
Your first track day will be a bit scary at first, but once you settle in you should have a great time.
Another good tip is to get a ride with someone who is seriously quick. This won't be the fastest car, but the fastest driver. Keep a look out and go and chat with them and ask if you can be a passenger. You will learn a lot from the lines they take, braking points and power application.
Good luck and have fun
Oil level should be on maximum and brake fluid i suggest renewing. If it's coming up for a service do it now.
You must have plenty of pad material left and plenty of meat on tyres or a spare set. You don't want to run out of tyre or brakes on circuit as you will need to be able to drive home afterwards.
Go on YouTube and check out some video's and circuit guides of the track you are doing as this will give you a good picture of the track and aid your learning.
Tuition on the day is worth while. Will make a big difference
A day on track is seriously tiring to both you and the car. Take it easy. It will be an early start and late finish so if you are going miles away I suggest a hotel the night before to reduce this load.
On track in a road car start slowly as mentioned above. Limit your time on track to a warm up lap a max of three hot laps and a cool down lap. This should ensure your brakes and tyres don't over cook. I met someone at silverstone who did not heed this warning and did 10 laps in his 335d. When he pulled into the pit garages the entire tread peeled off his tyres and he had 4 carcass's. He had to buy 4 incorrect sized tyres at the circuit just to get him home.
You must remember that you need to be able to get home afterwards. I suggest getting track day insurance which not only covers you if you have an accident, but will cover transport costs if you have a problem.
Don't over drive you want to be operating at 90% of your capacity. This should enable you be be quick and smooth. If you start to feel like you are going very quick you are probable over driving and a mistake/spin will be on the cards.
Your first track day will be a bit scary at first, but once you settle in you should have a great time.
Another good tip is to get a ride with someone who is seriously quick. This won't be the fastest car, but the fastest driver. Keep a look out and go and chat with them and ask if you can be a passenger. You will learn a lot from the lines they take, braking points and power application.
Good luck and have fun
lickatysplit said:
I am changing my pads and hopefully disks too on Sunday to cover the extra pressure they will absorb.
I`d try and get them bedded in before you go to Brands tomorrow. Better to get them heat cycled on the road and fully cooled, rather than trying to do it on a trackday where they never fully cool.Let us know how you get on
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