TRAX 2015, feeling nervous about my first track session!

TRAX 2015, feeling nervous about my first track session!

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Discussion

mandozer

Original Poster:

31 posts

114 months

Saturday 18th July 2015
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Hey guys, as the title says I'm starting to get nervous about tomorrow! I've got an early time slot and i was wondering if anyone has had any experience doing a session at TRAX?
Also should i worry about cooking the brakes? running drilled and grooved on a Civic Type R.
Also any other tips?


Any help would be great!

Thanks

Simon.

Some Gump

12,671 posts

185 months

Saturday 18th July 2015
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Unfamiliar with trax events, but track days are simple:

Treat it as a great country road with no oncoming traffic, no unexpected horse / cycle / tractor and have a great drive. You'll have a ball and be quick at the end of the day.
Treat it like OHMYfkINGGODI'MONARACETRACK and you'll have a bad day, and be slow at the end of it (if you even get that far).

Prep your car - fluid levels, tyre pressures are very key. 1psi can change the balance. Keep an eye on guages and let it cool if needed.

Also, if you see a numpty, just back off for 1/2 a lap over to the side - then get back up to speed. let someone else race the wannabes, there is no upside in being near someone trying to win a track day smile

Pdelamare

659 posts

127 months

Monday 20th July 2015
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How'd it go?

I was in the 2pm session with my E63. Only lasted for 12 minutes or so of the 20 min session as the brakes faded pretty badly. Still, for a two ton family estate it certainly went ok.

littlepaul

218 posts

128 months

Thursday 23rd July 2015
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Pdelamare said:
How'd it go?

I was in the 2pm session with my E63. Only lasted for 12 minutes or so of the 20 min session as the brakes faded pretty badly. Still, for a two ton family estate it certainly went ok.
Seconded to how did you get on?
Also it must of been you I saw out there as was watching the track action at that time. It looked like it was holding its own out there.Nice to see something different on track to.

Pdelamare

659 posts

127 months

Saturday 25th July 2015
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Yes it was me, thank you. It did more than hold its own, it pretty much passed every car in the session and quite surprised me with its capabilities. If it had carbon brakes it would be even more awesome as brakes are its weakness.

mandozer

Original Poster:

31 posts

114 months

Tuesday 28th July 2015
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Sorry about the late reply!

My first track day experience didn't turn out as i expected. Some of you may have heard of the Starlet crashing out? Yeah that was 2 laps into my heat! Gutted was not the word to describe how i was feeling..



Video (my ep3 making an appearance at the end haha): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1NfgELy-9s

After only doing 2 laps i ended up buying another session of a lady outside the drivers briefing area, little did i know i was in a expert session! However i had a epic time and ended up reaching about 130mph down the back straight!



Maybe i enjoyed it a little too much…







P.S: BC coilovers and Advan AD08r's made the car very predictable and easy to handle, very impressed..

Simon.

Pdelamare

659 posts

127 months

Wednesday 29th July 2015
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Nah well that sucks having your session cut short. Glad you were able to get back out though.

It that a rubber dust guard that's melted on the caliber?

HaylingJag

2,122 posts

147 months

Wednesday 29th July 2015
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Pdelamare said:
Nah well that sucks having your session cut short. Glad you were able to get back out though.

It that a rubber dust guard that's melted on the caliber?
id be more concerned with the state of the pads, lucky the OP didnt get a full outing on the first session cos those pads could have let go mid way through the next one with whatever concequencesyikes

tip for the next time, 3/4 pad life to start the day on with spared in the boot

Hol

8,361 posts

199 months

Friday 31st July 2015
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Unlike a proper track day, people do not always prepare their cars before Trax as they think its no worse than a hoon round their local roads.

I have had Trax sessions where you only get the one lap, because somebody crashes early.

Worst for me, was a 205GTI detonating his engine and covering my entire car in oil and debris as I was tucked in behind ready to overtake.



It is just unlucky.




Hol

8,361 posts

199 months

Friday 31st July 2015
quotequote all
Pdelamare said:
Nah well that sucks having your session cut short. Glad you were able to get back out though.

It that a rubber dust guard that's melted on the caliper?
It looks like the callipers have been painted with a lower temperature paint.



mandozer

Original Poster:

31 posts

114 months

Friday 14th August 2015
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Pdelamare said:
Nah well that sucks having your session cut short. Glad you were able to get back out though.

It that a rubber dust guard that's melted on the caliber?
Yeah it did a lot, however it was a good day in the end! i didn't have a rubber dust guard with those pads, the new ones have mind.

HaylingJag said:
id be more concerned with the state of the pads, lucky the OP didnt get a full outing on the first session cos those pads could have let go mid way through the next one with whatever concequencesyikes

tip for the next time, 3/4 pad life to start the day on with spared in the boot
Cheers mate, i wouldn't be making the same mistake again!

Hol said:
Unlike a proper track day, people do not always prepare their cars before Trax as they think its no worse than a hoon round their local roads.

I have had Trax sessions where you only get the one lap, because somebody crashes early.

Worst for me, was a 205GTI detonating his engine and covering my entire car in oil and debris as I was tucked in behind ready to overtake.



It is just unlucky.

Christ id be fuming if that happened to me! Any damage to yours?

MyVTECGoesBwaaah

820 posts

141 months

Friday 14th August 2015
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Car sits just right on those wheels (Evo 8 Enkeis?).

So when's the next trackday? smile

Hol

8,361 posts

199 months

Friday 14th August 2015
quotequote all
mandozer said:
Pdelamare said:
Nah well that sucks having your session cut short. Glad you were able to get back out though.

It that a rubber dust guard that's melted on the caliber?
Yeah it did a lot, however it was a good day in the end! i didn't have a rubber dust guard with those pads, the new ones have mind.

HaylingJag said:
id be more concerned with the state of the pads, lucky the OP didnt get a full outing on the first session cos those pads could have let go mid way through the next one with whatever concequencesyikes

tip for the next time, 3/4 pad life to start the day on with spared in the boot
Cheers mate, i wouldn't be making the same mistake again!

Hol said:
Unlike a proper track day, people do not always prepare their cars before Trax as they think its no worse than a hoon round their local roads.

I have had Trax sessions where you only get the one lap, because somebody crashes early.

Worst for me, was a 205GTI detonating his engine and covering my entire car in oil and debris as I was tucked in behind ready to overtake.



It is just unlucky.

Christ id be fuming if that happened to me! Any damage to yours?
A few paint chips, but I had to buy a st load of bug wiprs to get the oil off my windscreen,

st happens, basically. There is no refund when it does.