First Track Day

[balders118]

As the title says I am considering my first track day. Seeing as I have not done this before I hope this kind of thread doesn't pop up in this forum al the time, if that's the case I apologise.

Firstly, It'll be Keevil on Oct 20th if I go ahead with it. Being an airfeild with big run off etc I assume this is a good idea for a beginner. Is this a kind of track I could enjoy in a standard ford puma? Obviously the puma is great fun on the road and it thrives on twisty country lanes but on a track I feel it might be too down on power to really enjoy myself as it is so much more open.

As far as insurane goes, do most people get it? If I decided it was something I needed it would probably tip the balance over to not worth doing in the puma, so I don't plan on getting any. Are there a lot of crashes on track days? Thw way I'm looking at it is I do fairly regular hoons with PHers on the roads where we drive spiritidly through the Dales/Moors etc, when on the track I'd employ the same level of restraint in how hard I push taking it easy and not driving at 10/10ths.

Any advice?

[balders118]

Herman Toothrot said:

I'd say majority don't have insurance for track. I've never had any cover in the various cars i've used over the years. Accidents, in 9 years of about 8 track days a year I've seen one, a Cosworth + armco at Castle Combe.

Puma will be fine, remember its not a race.

Good to know crashes aren't all that common.

Yeah, I'm not worried that I won't be able to keep up with other cars, I'm well aware it'll be one of the lowest hp cars out there, I was just concerend that on a track that is very wide the puma would just feel very slow and not a lot of fun.

[balders118]

Bitofbully said:

Don't worry about the straight bits - there will always be someone faster - concentrate on the bendy bits, I've caught and passed a Westfield through twisty bits in a car with half the power and twice the weight.

Get some instruction early in the day and you'll be passing or keeping up with some much more serious machinery.

Are you going with Motorsport Events? - their instructors, in my experience, are very good.

I've not booked anything yet. I saw it on the trackdays website after a google search,

How much would you expect to pay for instructors?

[balders118]

motco said:

magooagain said:

Take your time,get some tuition if its on offer and enjoy.
Most importantly is making sure your car is well prepaired for the track. Tyres,tyres and tyres make sure they are up to it ! If you have a towing eye ,put it in. Pop some good quality fast road and track pads in the brakes and bed them in well before your track day. Good luck and enjoy.

Very good advice.
, especially about brakes. I have a Westfield and never have brake trouble even after extended driving, but last December, because it was too damned cold for the Westfield, I took my BMW Z3. No problems with handling despite its oft-quoted shortcomings, but the brakes were overheating almost immediately. It weighs a good few hundred kg more than the Westfield and all that energy has to be got rid of somehow. My son's Z4M Coupé has progressed through OEM pads and fluid to Dot5 and Bluestuff in order to survive a trackday with a pedal that doesn't hit the carpet.

Have a good time, I am sure you will. I will second the endorsement of MSE but sadly for you they area SW England company.

Thanks for the advice. My brakes could do with a refresh anyway I think, must be coming up 40k miles since it's had new pads. Also the bushes (standard puma stuff) could do with freshening up, could be worth spending a few pennies before I go.

With regards to MSE, I plan on doing a trackday when I'm down visiting my family in Surrey so my brother can come along too, so SW england will be doable