Are helmets and race suits compulsory on track days?

[GarethR]

I am considering taking the F Type on a track day. I was wondering what safety gear is needed to do these events? I am complete track day novice so any advice appreciated.

[Munter]

Helmet yes. Race suit no. Long sleeves yes. E.g. no bare skin in case of flying glass.

[GarethR]

Thanks for that. Do the organisers have helmets to borrow/hire?

[HaylingJag]

full face for a convertible,

D

[Trev450]

GarethR said:

Thanks for that. Do the organisers have helmets to borrow/hire?

Some do but best to check with them before hand.

[GarethR]

Great, thanks.

[QBee]

Couple of things:

1. Get track day insurance if you can
2. The TDO's website will mention if they do helmet hire
3. I see you are in Cheshire - Oulton Park is not a beginner's circuit, specially in the wet.
4. If you feel like traveling as far as Bedford, Bedford Autodrome is a good place for a first track day - nice fast circuit, 4.2 miles, not a lot to hit. We have 7 TVRs (and rising) booked on 15th June with Javelin Track Days - come and join us for some fun. They hire helmets for a tenner, we might well be able to lend you one. We like powerful V8s! But we like noise too, so the Six will be just as welcome..
5. Do book some instruction. £20 for 20 minutes with an ARDS instructor. Invaluable for a newbie. And he will love the F Type!
6. Be aware of the noise regs - you need to be under 101 decibels half a metre from the tailpipe at 3/4 max revs to get on track. So go for stealth mode for the noise test.

Edited by QBee on Friday 22 May 22:22

[stef1808]

even you do race/have a race suit. dont be that guy who wears it to a track day

[GarethR]

QBee said:

Couple of things:

1. Get track day insurance if you can
2. The TDO's website will mention if they do helmet hire
3. I see you are in Cheshire - Oulton Park is not a beginner's circuit, specially in the wet.
4. If you feel like traveling as far as Bedford, Bedford Autodrome is a good place for a first track day - nice fast circuit, 4.2 miles, not a lot to hit. We have 7 TVRs (and rising) booked on 15th June with Javelin Track Days - come and join us for some fun. They hire helmets for a tenner, we might well be able to lend you one. We like powerful V8s! But we like noise too, so the Six will be just as welcome..
5. Do book some instruction. £20 for 20 minutes with an ARDS instructor. Invaluable for a newbie. And he will love the F Type!
6. Be aware of the noise regs - you need to be under 101 decibels half a metre from the tailpipe at 3/4 max revs to get on track. So go for stealth mode for the noise test.

Edited by QBee on Friday 22 May 22:22

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated. If I wasn't at Le Mans I would take up your offer, next time perhaps.

[Richyvrlimited]

HaylingJag said:

full face for a convertible,

D

I've an open face helmet and have never had an issue in my convertible on track.

[QBee]

Richyvrlimited said:

HaylingJag said:

full face for a convertible,

D

I've an open face helmet and have never had an issue in my convertible on track.

Technically he's correct. If you ask, that's what they say.

However, I was at a TD on Thursday and Colin, MD of Javelin, stopped me at the end of the pit lane, roof down, open face helmet.......to tell me that my chin strap wasn't done up. Clearly the rule is ignored in practice.

[Porkie]

QBee said:

Richyvrlimited said:

HaylingJag said:

full face for a convertible,

D

I've an open face helmet and have never had an issue in my convertible on track.

Technically he's correct. If you ask, that's what they say.

However, I was at a TD on Thursday and Colin, MD of Javelin, stopped me at the end of the pit lane, roof down, open face helmet.......to tell me that my chin strap wasn't done up. Clearly the rule is ignored in practice.

I found most TDO have become much stricter on this. I still always try at first... but have been sent back a few times to pick up my full face on several track on several different occasions.

[QBee]

Porkie said:

QBee said:

Richyvrlimited said:

HaylingJag said:

full face for a convertible,

D

I've an open face helmet and have never had an issue in my convertible on track.

Technically he's correct. If you ask, that's what they say.

However, I was at a TD on Thursday and Colin, MD of Javelin, stopped me at the end of the pit lane, roof down, open face helmet.......to tell me that my chin strap wasn't done up. Clearly the rule is ignored in practice.

I found most TDO have become much stricter on this. I still always try at first... but have been sent back a few times to pick up my full face on several track on several different occasions.

I should add that I carry both styles to all track days - I haven't had to use the full face more than twice, but your comments are useful and i will keep taking both helmets with me.

[Porkie]

yes, I always take both as well.

[spadriver]

Something that I find quite strange stems from working with one of the larger race schools in the UK.Whilst we as instructors were given short sleeved polos to wear clients were told to use long sleeve.
Never any mention of the materials in the polo that would melt into the skin should the ever be a fire and possibly being in a dazed state preventing a speedy exit. I only ever use cotton polos for this reason.Rayon, nylon etc etc will melt in intense heat causing a far worse burn.
Yes fires are quite isolated events but so is rolling the car hence the helmet recommendation.

[Munter]

spadriver said:

Never any mention of the materials in the polo that would melt into the skin should the ever be a fire and possibly being in a dazed state preventing a speedy exit. I only ever use cotton polos for this reason.

I think this is a good point. I always try to wear stuff that says 100% cotton on it when going to a track day. I never want to watch my clothes melting into my skin.

[MikeO996]

Porkie said:

yes, I always take both as well.

MSV don't allow open faced in convertibles.

[HustleRussell]

stef1808 said:

even you do race/have a race suit. dont be that guy who wears it to a track day

Yep, if you have a special suit specifically designed for circuit driving be sure to leave it at home and wear inferior clothing just in case somebody who doesn't race laughs at you.

[TuxMan]

HustleRussell said:

stef1808 said:

even you do race/have a race suit. dont be that guy who wears it to a track day

Yep, if you have a special suit specifically designed for circuit driving be sure to leave it at home and wear inferior clothing just in case somebody who doesn't race finds it funny.

I always wear my race suit , its there to protect me in the case of a fire and my accident insurance insist I wear the appropriate clothing for the activity i'm doing .
If you choose to wear Jeans and a shirt that's fine by me although you had better hope you never have a fire !!

[framerateuk]

Richyvrlimited said:

I've an open face helmet and have never had an issue in my convertible on track.

One of the guys from Javelin warned me about having an open face helmet in my 7. They allowed it, but they'd rather see a full face.

I totally agree to be honest, I had a full face on order at the time, it just didn't arrive in time.