Not sure whether to track my car - advice needed !
Discussion
Hi all! I'm new to this forum and track days, but have enjoyed reading the posts for the past couple of weeks.
I have an Audi S8 and am not sure whether to take such a big saloon to the track - I don't want to break any track records or anything, just experience the performance of the car 'on limit'. However, I don't want to thrash it or wreck it (I'm not rich!).
Any advice regarding what I might expect in terms of brake pad/tyre wear, or anything else I should be aware of before I decide - would probably go to Bedford for my first track day as there's loads of run-off.
Also, has anyone sustained damage to their cars during track days? If so, did you hit cones, other cars, or something else?!
I have an Audi S8 and am not sure whether to take such a big saloon to the track - I don't want to break any track records or anything, just experience the performance of the car 'on limit'. However, I don't want to thrash it or wreck it (I'm not rich!).
Any advice regarding what I might expect in terms of brake pad/tyre wear, or anything else I should be aware of before I decide - would probably go to Bedford for my first track day as there's loads of run-off.
Also, has anyone sustained damage to their cars during track days? If so, did you hit cones, other cars, or something else?!
I've taken my M5 to a track day to find out where its limits are. The problem with taking big saloons is that they're not as easy to throw around as smaller cars and you may find cars you could easily outrun holding you up simply because they can slow for corners much later.
There are also cost issues, you need to be sure you can afford to mend anything that can't take the strain. My tyres had done 12k before I ventured onto the track and they were completely wrecked by the end of the day, you will also be putting very high loads into the suspension so if anything is ready to break this will be when it does. That being said it's a lot of fun to take to the tracks in any car with some sporting ability and you'll surprise yourself with just what it will do, just bear in mind that it could be expensive in the (fairly unlikely) event of any problems.
Make sure you go to a fairly flat track with run off (Donington wouldn't be the place to start), check the particular day has a beginners group and take full advantage of any instruction offered and you'll have a great time.
Other points worth bearing in mind are to ensure everything is spot on before you go (tyre pressures, fluids (it might be appropriate to leave the oil a little low, check with the garage), tyre tread and, ideally, tracking) You'll need a motorsport approved helmet-you can rent these but they tend to be smelly/dirty/generally unpleasant so buy your own and gloves are also advisable. Don't bother with a race suit or boots they're not necessary at this stage though cotton clothing and thin soled shoes are a good idea. Arrange trackday insurance-this may be available through the organisers or check the back of Evo or CCC. If EBC greenstuff pads are available for your car you'll be able to push harder before your pads cook. An extinguisher may be mandatory, if not it's a good idea anyway. You don't need to consider any other car modifications just to remember you're in a road car so a slow cool down lap will be advisable at the end of your run.
v. important (nearly forgot) don't pull your hand brake on between sessions or you'll wreck the rear pads, just leave the car on the flat and in gear.
I hope this helps
Yours, Jon Dokic
There are also cost issues, you need to be sure you can afford to mend anything that can't take the strain. My tyres had done 12k before I ventured onto the track and they were completely wrecked by the end of the day, you will also be putting very high loads into the suspension so if anything is ready to break this will be when it does. That being said it's a lot of fun to take to the tracks in any car with some sporting ability and you'll surprise yourself with just what it will do, just bear in mind that it could be expensive in the (fairly unlikely) event of any problems.
Make sure you go to a fairly flat track with run off (Donington wouldn't be the place to start), check the particular day has a beginners group and take full advantage of any instruction offered and you'll have a great time.
Other points worth bearing in mind are to ensure everything is spot on before you go (tyre pressures, fluids (it might be appropriate to leave the oil a little low, check with the garage), tyre tread and, ideally, tracking) You'll need a motorsport approved helmet-you can rent these but they tend to be smelly/dirty/generally unpleasant so buy your own and gloves are also advisable. Don't bother with a race suit or boots they're not necessary at this stage though cotton clothing and thin soled shoes are a good idea. Arrange trackday insurance-this may be available through the organisers or check the back of Evo or CCC. If EBC greenstuff pads are available for your car you'll be able to push harder before your pads cook. An extinguisher may be mandatory, if not it's a good idea anyway. You don't need to consider any other car modifications just to remember you're in a road car so a slow cool down lap will be advisable at the end of your run.
v. important (nearly forgot) don't pull your hand brake on between sessions or you'll wreck the rear pads, just leave the car on the flat and in gear.
I hope this helps
Yours, Jon Dokic
Suggest you start off slowly, concentrate on getting the lines right and then gradually build up speed. There will be some people there who know the track and are pretty fast from the start, and some who just hooly round faster and faster on the wrong lines until they fall off. Resist the temptation to copy either of them, drive at your pace not theirs.
However fast you are there are always people who are faster, make sure you keep an eye on the rear view mirror. If somebody behind is keeping up with you, help them pass as soon as you get to a decent straight. This gets them out of the way sooner so everyone has a good time and reduces the chance they will get fed up and try to barge past. This is especially important if you're in a powerful car, less powerful cars will not be able to out-drag you on the straight (the only places you are allowed to overtake at a track day) unless you help them, but may be lapping faster than you on average.
The main limiting factor on your car will be the brakes. If you ignore them you will certainly almost overheat them and at best have to retire early with warped discs or no pads, at worst hit something because you couldn't slow down.
It might seem obvious but the faster you go the more cooling your brakes have and the harder you can use them. To help the brakes out, ease off the power early as you approach each corner and brake gently rather than leaving it until the last minute and then standing on them. Also try to do all your braking at high speed, sounds crazy but what I mean is get the heavy braking done early and then ease off the brakes as the speed drops off. This will be particularly important at places like the hairpin at Thurleigh, where you will be going from 1XX down to walking pace. If you out-brake yourself here and keep the brakes working hard then as you get down to 30 mph or so they will disappear. This is particularly important for a big heavy powerful car, like yours. Don't be tempted to use lots of engine braking to help the brakes out, this is fine for a fwd car but destabilizes a rwd car, last thing you need on the way into a corner.
Cheers,
Peter Humphries (and a green V8S)
However fast you are there are always people who are faster, make sure you keep an eye on the rear view mirror. If somebody behind is keeping up with you, help them pass as soon as you get to a decent straight. This gets them out of the way sooner so everyone has a good time and reduces the chance they will get fed up and try to barge past. This is especially important if you're in a powerful car, less powerful cars will not be able to out-drag you on the straight (the only places you are allowed to overtake at a track day) unless you help them, but may be lapping faster than you on average.
The main limiting factor on your car will be the brakes. If you ignore them you will certainly almost overheat them and at best have to retire early with warped discs or no pads, at worst hit something because you couldn't slow down.
It might seem obvious but the faster you go the more cooling your brakes have and the harder you can use them. To help the brakes out, ease off the power early as you approach each corner and brake gently rather than leaving it until the last minute and then standing on them. Also try to do all your braking at high speed, sounds crazy but what I mean is get the heavy braking done early and then ease off the brakes as the speed drops off. This will be particularly important at places like the hairpin at Thurleigh, where you will be going from 1XX down to walking pace. If you out-brake yourself here and keep the brakes working hard then as you get down to 30 mph or so they will disappear. This is particularly important for a big heavy powerful car, like yours. Don't be tempted to use lots of engine braking to help the brakes out, this is fine for a fwd car but destabilizes a rwd car, last thing you need on the way into a corner.
Cheers,
Peter Humphries (and a green V8S)
The amount of tyre wear a brake wear is a lot down to your driving style. Some people can get through a set of tyres and brakes on a single track day and another person in the same type of, car pushing just as hard tyre would last 4-5 track days.
Some organisers just require you to have a crash helmet and do not require it to be to any standards. The others will require a minimium of BS6658-85 type A, but not MSA motor sport approved (I have never had it check at a trackday). At the end of the day its your head so use the best you can afford.
Having a big car you will probably be quicker in a straight line then the smaller cars but they may catch you up in the corners. If they do ease up and let then buy.
Some organisers just require you to have a crash helmet and do not require it to be to any standards. The others will require a minimium of BS6658-85 type A, but not MSA motor sport approved (I have never had it check at a trackday). At the end of the day its your head so use the best you can afford.
Having a big car you will probably be quicker in a straight line then the smaller cars but they may catch you up in the corners. If they do ease up and let then buy.
I suggest you try an airfield venue first.
The reason I suggest an airfield is that it is very wide, with lots of run-off so you are unlikely to hit anything if you do lose control. Also as there will be less than 20 attendees you will be able to be on the track almost by yourself without being stuck behind or in front of anyone! Plus, if it is wet, snowing you have a lot of fun controlling the car and you remove very little tread.
I'm taking my M5 to Elvington airfield near York this Saturday with BookaTrack. The cost is only £99.
www.bookatrack.com
The reason I suggest an airfield is that it is very wide, with lots of run-off so you are unlikely to hit anything if you do lose control. Also as there will be less than 20 attendees you will be able to be on the track almost by yourself without being stuck behind or in front of anyone! Plus, if it is wet, snowing you have a lot of fun controlling the car and you remove very little tread.
I'm taking my M5 to Elvington airfield near York this Saturday with BookaTrack. The cost is only £99.
www.bookatrack.com
Many thanks for all the extremely useful responses!
I think I've made up my mind now - definitely going to visit a track - probably Bedford Autodrome on 19 Jan (Palmersport).
Are there anyother airfield tracks around with longish straights on which you can build up some speed ?
Anyone else tried Bedford out?
I think I've made up my mind now - definitely going to visit a track - probably Bedford Autodrome on 19 Jan (Palmersport).
Are there anyother airfield tracks around with longish straights on which you can build up some speed ?
Anyone else tried Bedford out?
Ditto everything above.
Bedford looks an excellent facility from the vids I've seen.
Given that braking will almost definitely be your biggest worry, I'd recommend any event running Open Pit lane. that way, the MOMENT you suspect your stopping powers are weakening, just give you and your car a rest. If you go on a sessions day, there will ALWAYS be a temptation to try and nurse them through those last few minutes so you don't miss out on track time.
Your car clearly isn't the ideal choice for a track day vehicle, but for the odd excursion it should be fine, and will be cheaper than buying a trackday special.
Do you have any details of the Bedford day?
Bedford looks an excellent facility from the vids I've seen.
Given that braking will almost definitely be your biggest worry, I'd recommend any event running Open Pit lane. that way, the MOMENT you suspect your stopping powers are weakening, just give you and your car a rest. If you go on a sessions day, there will ALWAYS be a temptation to try and nurse them through those last few minutes so you don't miss out on track time.
Your car clearly isn't the ideal choice for a track day vehicle, but for the odd excursion it should be fine, and will be cheaper than buying a trackday special.
Do you have any details of the Bedford day?
Details of Palmersport Track day (Sat. 19 Jan):
"The event is taking place at Bedford Autodrome on the South West Circuit which is 2.85 miles long. It will be a full day track day with on track time from 09.30 until 16.15 (or darkness). We will be running an open pit lane format to maximise the driving time.
The cost for one driver and vehicle is £195.00 incl VAT. For additional guests we offer a Pit Lane pass which will allow them to passenger with the driver, share the driving and spectate from the Pit Lane. The cost for a Pit Lane pass is £75.00 incl VAT.
The maximum number of vehicles will be 50.
Contact no. 01403 733999
Liz Bushnell (liz.bushnell@palmersport.com)
"The event is taking place at Bedford Autodrome on the South West Circuit which is 2.85 miles long. It will be a full day track day with on track time from 09.30 until 16.15 (or darkness). We will be running an open pit lane format to maximise the driving time.
The cost for one driver and vehicle is £195.00 incl VAT. For additional guests we offer a Pit Lane pass which will allow them to passenger with the driver, share the driving and spectate from the Pit Lane. The cost for a Pit Lane pass is £75.00 incl VAT.
The maximum number of vehicles will be 50.
Contact no. 01403 733999
Liz Bushnell (liz.bushnell@palmersport.com)
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