Discussion
Did my first track day in November and have my next in about 3 weeks. During the briefing and in the paperwork it was mentioned oversteer/powersliding was punishable by the death of your bloodline. Now the next car I'm getting is RWD and rather powerful.
What I'm wondering is, if I get on the throttle too early and the rear steps out, if I control it and carry on will I get black flagged? Am I expected to jump off the gas immediately? Or is it mainly to stop drivers yanking the handbrake at every corner and sliding around in a huge cloud of smoke.
Just wondering really. It crossed my mind.
Track day organisers want drivers to drive within their and the car's limits so that accidents don't happen, so if someone is driving the whole lap at 11/10ths like a rally stage they're going to get pulled up on it, but it's generally accepted that anyone can have the odd 'moment'.
For drift fans, track days are not really the right environment because track driving and drifting don't mix well!
For drift fans, track days are not really the right environment because track driving and drifting don't mix well!
depends on the trackday organiser in my experience... i've had trackdays where i've had the back out a few times (but not once did i spin) and i got three black flags. however our mate whos not as proficient at oversteer as i am, span his car 7 times, and didnt get black flagged once?!?
so my advice is, if you have had a warning already, and you can safely spin the car round, then at times its best to just let the car spin, rather than appearing to be a lairy oversteering yob.
so my advice is, if you have had a warning already, and you can safely spin the car round, then at times its best to just let the car spin, rather than appearing to be a lairy oversteering yob.
brillomaster said:
depends on the trackday organiser
This. All the trackdays I've done they've been pretty relaxed about sideways antics as long as you're in control and not endangering other cars, dragging dirt onto the circuit or generally exceeding your own ability. But not all TDO's are as lenient. I've spent laps opposite-locking my way through most corners and all the organiser said was 'nice driving', but on the other hand I've heard stories of people getting a good telling-off for much less.
Edited by GravelBen on Sunday 18th January 03:41
My old man was once told off for 'showboating' 
Old man duly stopped showboating and gave my brother and I a go. The same trackday official came over later that morning with a very red face basically telling us we could no longer take part as we had spun the car three times. It turned out there had been a mix up with a very simular black Caterham and our car had only spun once (my brother, naturally...) the official had to eat humble pie and leave us be.
Old man duly stopped showboating and gave my brother and I a go. The same trackday official came over later that morning with a very red face basically telling us we could no longer take part as we had spun the car three times. It turned out there had been a mix up with a very simular black Caterham and our car had only spun once (my brother, naturally...) the official had to eat humble pie and leave us be.
It can definitely vary on interpretation.
Personally I would (and have) been a bit annoyed at cars attempting to drift a corner when I'm behind them. I would have absolutely no problem if there was nobody behind - indeed I've been known to have the occasional oversteer.
Again personal opinion but no problem if I know the car/driver and have confidence in their abilities (and again I've done this if out with a buddy, especially if GoPro is running).
The marshals or circuit may take a different view though....
My advice would be to have a wee slide as long as nobody close (front or back). Neat and tidy in traffic.
Personally I would (and have) been a bit annoyed at cars attempting to drift a corner when I'm behind them. I would have absolutely no problem if there was nobody behind - indeed I've been known to have the occasional oversteer.
Again personal opinion but no problem if I know the car/driver and have confidence in their abilities (and again I've done this if out with a buddy, especially if GoPro is running).
The marshals or circuit may take a different view though....
My advice would be to have a wee slide as long as nobody close (front or back). Neat and tidy in traffic.
Most circuits (apart from Brands Hatch) will tolerate it especially when it's wet and there's no tyre noise.
The way I see it, everyone has paid their money to have some fun and provided they aren't wasting track time with spins then they are just as entitled to the corner as a complete novice or someone chasing a lap time,
The thought of spinning instead of correcting oversteer is hilarious!
The way I see it, everyone has paid their money to have some fun and provided they aren't wasting track time with spins then they are just as entitled to the corner as a complete novice or someone chasing a lap time,
The thought of spinning instead of correcting oversteer is hilarious!
Most circuits (apart from Brands Hatch) will tolerate it especially when it's wet and there's no tyre noise.
The way I see it, everyone has paid their money to have some fun and provided they aren't wasting track time with spins then they are just as entitled to the corner as a complete novice or someone chasing a lap time,
The thought of spinning instead of correcting oversteer is hilarious!
The way I see it, everyone has paid their money to have some fun and provided they aren't wasting track time with spins then they are just as entitled to the corner as a complete novice or someone chasing a lap time,
The thought of spinning instead of correcting oversteer is hilarious!
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