Preparation for marham (newbie Q's)
Discussion
As it's only a week away now, I thought i had better seek a bit of advice from some more seasoned trackday experts 
I'm not too concerned about the driving as such, just plan to take it fairly easy until I feel comfortable & keep well out of the way of the faster cars
But ... what am I going to forget to do on the car ??
How much actual driving time should I expect to do (aasuming I do as much as allocated to my group)
How much fuel will I need (if 18-20 mpg is normal for fast road driving, what would be my track mpg ? )
Wheels / Tyres: was going to change back to my original 16's for the track day, they are more than legal & assumingI don't blow any out, should be ok for the drive home - or is that a bad idea?)
engine: Cambelt done 2000 miles ago, synthetic oil done at the same time, no overheating problems ever.
brakes: Fronts are awful but have new discs and pads arriving tues/weds. EBC redstuff seem ideal for my overall needs -- OK for (non stupid) track too ?
Do we need to display the"PH" number on the car anywhere ?
Any other little snippets of info that might help a newbie much appreciated.
I'm not too concerned about the driving as such, just plan to take it fairly easy until I feel comfortable & keep well out of the way of the faster cars
But ... what am I going to forget to do on the car ??
How much actual driving time should I expect to do (aasuming I do as much as allocated to my group)
How much fuel will I need (if 18-20 mpg is normal for fast road driving, what would be my track mpg ? )
Wheels / Tyres: was going to change back to my original 16's for the track day, they are more than legal & assumingI don't blow any out, should be ok for the drive home - or is that a bad idea?)
engine: Cambelt done 2000 miles ago, synthetic oil done at the same time, no overheating problems ever.
brakes: Fronts are awful but have new discs and pads arriving tues/weds. EBC redstuff seem ideal for my overall needs -- OK for (non stupid) track too ?
Do we need to display the"PH" number on the car anywhere ?
Any other little snippets of info that might help a newbie much appreciated.
unclegrouch said:
As it's only a week away now, I thought i had better seek a bit of advice from some more seasoned trackday experts
I'm not too concerned about the driving as such, just plan to take it fairly easy until I feel comfortable & keep well out of the way of the faster cars
But ... what am I going to forget to do on the car ??
Sounds like you have a good plan to break yourself in nicelyI'm not too concerned about the driving as such, just plan to take it fairly easy until I feel comfortable & keep well out of the way of the faster cars
But ... what am I going to forget to do on the car ??
unclegrouch said:
How much actual driving time should I expect to do (aasuming I do as much as allocated to my group)
Between 140 and 180 miles or about 2.5 hours dring time if you do all the sessions and a fair chunk of open pit laneunclegrouch said:
How much fuel will I need (if 18-20 mpg is normal for fast road driving, what would be my track mpg ? )
I Assume 7-9 mpg and mine will do 21-24 on a runI have a 65L tank and will be bringing 40L in jerry cans - I'll go home on fumes
unclegrouch said:
Wheels / Tyres: was going to change back to my original 16's for the track day, they are more than legal & assumingI don't blow any out, should be ok for the drive home - or is that a bad idea?)
I'd bring two spares......... can't remember what car you have but my RWD shed eats fronts at Marham!!!unclegrouch said:
engine: Cambelt done 2000 miles ago, synthetic oil done at the same time, no overheating problems ever.
I always change the oil before the event but sounds like yours will be OKunclegrouch said:
brakes: Fronts are awful but have new discs and pads arriving tues/weds. EBC redstuff seem ideal for my overall needs -- OK for (non stupid) track too ?
It's all I use for road and trackunclegrouch said:
Do we need to display the"PH" number on the car anywhere ?
You get a number allocated to stick in the window unclegrouch said:
Any other little snippets of info that might help a newbie much appreciated.
you have a good plan stick to itEdited by B'stard Child on Saturday 4th October 23:53
thanks for all that Ian, much appreciated.
Fuel: I'm not sure I will want to do 2.5 hours of total driving, but i may get hooked, so will make sure I have a full tank on arrival & some spare in cans. Will we be permitted to leave the track to refuel, or is it a closed gate for the day ?
Tyres: Mine is 4WD (GTO) so I guess the damage will be spread a bit more evenly. Can't change 2 to go home because I only have 4x16#s + 4x17's(17's are my road wheels).
Pretty sure I can't get all 4 in the boot, but I'm not that far from home & worst way I can call my Son out (mechanic) to bring the 17's to go home on (or trailer the car back if I bend it !!).
Fuel: I'm not sure I will want to do 2.5 hours of total driving, but i may get hooked, so will make sure I have a full tank on arrival & some spare in cans. Will we be permitted to leave the track to refuel, or is it a closed gate for the day ?
Tyres: Mine is 4WD (GTO) so I guess the damage will be spread a bit more evenly. Can't change 2 to go home because I only have 4x16#s + 4x17's(17's are my road wheels).
Pretty sure I can't get all 4 in the boot, but I'm not that far from home & worst way I can call my Son out (mechanic) to bring the 17's to go home on (or trailer the car back if I bend it !!).
screwloose said:
whats the surface like? Abrasive? Bumpy? Broken surface?
I'm coming with PSOOC and am in a very stiff Pug 205 and wandering if its worth putting on some softer springs before Saturday.
thanks for any help.
There are only a couple of mild bumps as the surfaces change material from runway to taxi lane. There was no broken surfaces that i can recall. Alot of the track is like an anti-skid material, fine gravel is flicked up but not that much TBH.I'm coming with PSOOC and am in a very stiff Pug 205 and wandering if its worth putting on some softer springs before Saturday.
thanks for any help.
Will we be permitted to leave the track to refuel, or is it a closed gate for the day ?
Yes you can leave and come back
Tyres: Mine is 4WD (GTO) so I guess the damage will be spread a bit more evenly. Can't change 2 to go home because I only have 4x16#s + 4x17's(17's are my road wheels).
Really depends on how you drive. Mine is 4WD and I shafted my fronts more than the rears. Although all 4 tyres where buggered by the end of it.
Yes you can leave and come back
Tyres: Mine is 4WD (GTO) so I guess the damage will be spread a bit more evenly. Can't change 2 to go home because I only have 4x16#s + 4x17's(17's are my road wheels).
Really depends on how you drive. Mine is 4WD and I shafted my fronts more than the rears. Although all 4 tyres where buggered by the end of it.
Edited by markCSC on Monday 6th October 09:49
Hey mate.
Just a quick note of the pads, make sure you bed them in 100% before going on track. You will need to drive a fair bit to do this with a number of heavy braking moments.
When I fitted my EBC Red Stuff they make a horrible squel beofre they are bedded in and they only stopped once I was on track.
As yours is big car like mine, (R33 GTS) expect to use ALOT of fuel, mine went down to about 4 mpg when I was on track. I used two full tanks on the day.
For the guys getting wear on the fronts sounds like you were entering the corners a bit too quick :P
My fronts were ok and im still on the same set as last track day, although I have new back tyres on now.
Just a quick note of the pads, make sure you bed them in 100% before going on track. You will need to drive a fair bit to do this with a number of heavy braking moments.
When I fitted my EBC Red Stuff they make a horrible squel beofre they are bedded in and they only stopped once I was on track.
As yours is big car like mine, (R33 GTS) expect to use ALOT of fuel, mine went down to about 4 mpg when I was on track. I used two full tanks on the day.
For the guys getting wear on the fronts sounds like you were entering the corners a bit too quick :P
My fronts were ok and im still on the same set as last track day, although I have new back tyres on now.
unclegrouch said:
As it's only a week away now, I thought i had better seek a bit of advice from some more seasoned trackday experts
But ... what am I going to forget to do on the car ??
How much actual driving time should I expect to do (aasuming I do as much as allocated to my group)
How much fuel will I need (if 18-20 mpg is normal for fast road driving, what would be my track mpg ? )
Wheels / Tyres: was going to change back to my original 16's for the track day, they are more than legal & assumingI don't blow any out, should be ok for the drive home - or is that a bad idea?)
engine: Cambelt done 2000 miles ago, synthetic oil done at the same time, no overheating problems ever.
brakes: Fronts are awful but have new discs and pads arriving tues/weds. EBC redstuff seem ideal for my overall needs -- OK for (non stupid) track too ?
Do we need to display the"PH" number on the car anywhere ?
Any other little snippets of info that might help a newbie much appreciated.
It sounds like you have the basics - only a couple of things to add.But ... what am I going to forget to do on the car ??
How much actual driving time should I expect to do (aasuming I do as much as allocated to my group)
How much fuel will I need (if 18-20 mpg is normal for fast road driving, what would be my track mpg ? )
Wheels / Tyres: was going to change back to my original 16's for the track day, they are more than legal & assumingI don't blow any out, should be ok for the drive home - or is that a bad idea?)
engine: Cambelt done 2000 miles ago, synthetic oil done at the same time, no overheating problems ever.
brakes: Fronts are awful but have new discs and pads arriving tues/weds. EBC redstuff seem ideal for my overall needs -- OK for (non stupid) track too ?
Do we need to display the"PH" number on the car anywhere ?
Any other little snippets of info that might help a newbie much appreciated.
I'd take at least one complete set of tyres, it's much better to have them and not use them, rather than to have to give up early. If it's dry all day, tyre wear can be considerable. I have before used 12 tyres in a day at Marham, - and I'm not a 'spectacular' driver. Certainly not a drifter.
On that front, I could take you out for a few laps at the start of the day, just to get your footing - I do teach this kind of stuff.
fuel use, yes, 7-8mpg is all you'd expect. At the last event, I put 400 litres through the Jag for the weekend.
regarding brakes, personally, I always fit new discs for every track day as well as the obligatory new pads. you'll be absolutely amazed by just how well you can get the brakes to work.
You definitely need to change all of the brake fluid. If it's older than, say, six months, you WILL boil it.
if you want to take up the offer, just look for the entourage around a blue Land-Rover Discovery. We can offer you some experience in Carlton/Senator and the flying Nova.
A few thoughts from he in an old green MGA coupe...
The surface is a mixture of concrete and tarmac - but, as an airfield surface, it is designed for high speed aircraft to stop on, in the wet, without skidding or aquaplaning - so it has a higher grip coefficient than standard - that's why tyres wear out there quicker than on a normal track day circuit... But it's got something for everyone, from a couple of long, long straights to the twisty stuff, the latter being a nice mix of low speed and high speed corners. As an operational airfield the surface is in good shape, but you can find yourself with front end stone chips - but only if you sit up people's backsides and don't use the generous length and width of the track to avoid them - even when everyone is out on the track, it can feel awfully lonely out there sometimes, wondering where everyone else has gone!
Make sure that your suspension joints, brake discs, pads, tyres, bearings etc are in top order, and expect relatively high tyre wear and high fuel consumption. If you are likely to run out of fuel and can't bring spare in cans, then fill up at the BP garage in Swaffham on the way in, and then plan on an excursion there at lunchtime - its about a 30 minute round trip, and there's no snags leaving and coming back in.
Change the engine oil beforehand and then afterwards; for the price of it I normally do the gearbox and diff as well. As far as brake fluid goes, drain, flush and fill with something sensible like proper AP racing brake fluid - then it won't boil and fade.
The rules of the event are few, simple, and generally self-policing - and the atmosphere is very friendly for the regulars and newcomers alike. See you there,
MG Mark
The surface is a mixture of concrete and tarmac - but, as an airfield surface, it is designed for high speed aircraft to stop on, in the wet, without skidding or aquaplaning - so it has a higher grip coefficient than standard - that's why tyres wear out there quicker than on a normal track day circuit... But it's got something for everyone, from a couple of long, long straights to the twisty stuff, the latter being a nice mix of low speed and high speed corners. As an operational airfield the surface is in good shape, but you can find yourself with front end stone chips - but only if you sit up people's backsides and don't use the generous length and width of the track to avoid them - even when everyone is out on the track, it can feel awfully lonely out there sometimes, wondering where everyone else has gone!
Make sure that your suspension joints, brake discs, pads, tyres, bearings etc are in top order, and expect relatively high tyre wear and high fuel consumption. If you are likely to run out of fuel and can't bring spare in cans, then fill up at the BP garage in Swaffham on the way in, and then plan on an excursion there at lunchtime - its about a 30 minute round trip, and there's no snags leaving and coming back in.
Change the engine oil beforehand and then afterwards; for the price of it I normally do the gearbox and diff as well. As far as brake fluid goes, drain, flush and fill with something sensible like proper AP racing brake fluid - then it won't boil and fade.
The rules of the event are few, simple, and generally self-policing - and the atmosphere is very friendly for the regulars and newcomers alike. See you there,
MG Mark
Well all i can say is i hope everyone there is as helpful & friendly as the posts above 
I have read ALL of the above & thanks to everyone for the tips & tricks, although spare tyres are out of the question (other than putting my 17's on to go home). As there's 2 of us in the car, I really don't think I can fit all 4 replacement wheels in, but will have a go on Saturday
Bedding in the pads: Only done around 10 miles since they were fitted last night, no squeels as yet & the braking is fantastic compared to the old ones.
A lot of fuel 4mpg: Crikey Paul, you must be a richer man than me !! I think i will be one of the slower cars out there, really only want to have a play & see how good or bad the car is without doing silly tricks on the road. it's a laugh for 2 old fat blokes really & I'm more likely to treat it as a laugh & let the faster cars do their stuff.
I have read ALL of the above & thanks to everyone for the tips & tricks, although spare tyres are out of the question (other than putting my 17's on to go home). As there's 2 of us in the car, I really don't think I can fit all 4 replacement wheels in, but will have a go on Saturday
Bedding in the pads: Only done around 10 miles since they were fitted last night, no squeels as yet & the braking is fantastic compared to the old ones.
A lot of fuel 4mpg: Crikey Paul, you must be a richer man than me !! I think i will be one of the slower cars out there, really only want to have a play & see how good or bad the car is without doing silly tricks on the road. it's a laugh for 2 old fat blokes really & I'm more likely to treat it as a laugh & let the faster cars do their stuff.
2woody said:
I'd take at least one complete set of tyres, it's much better to have them and not use them, rather than to have to give up early. If it's dry all day, tyre wear can be considerable. I have before used 12 tyres in a day at Marham, - and I'm not a 'spectacular' driver. Certainly not a drifter.
Will resign myself to just having a short spell this time & hope my old 16's hold out. If I get the bug (likely) then i will be searching for some more "spares" for next time Edited by unclegrouch on Thursday 9th October 21:01
2woody said:
On that front, I could take you out for a few laps at the start of the day, just to get your footing - I do teach this kind of stuff.
EXCELLENT !! if you have time just to run me round once or twice to get my head round the track, that would be great.2woody said:
fuel use, yes, 7-8mpg is all you'd expect. At the last event, I put 400 litres through the Jag for the weekend.
400 litres ! That's more than I put through my toy in 6 months on the road !2woody said:
regarding brakes, personally, I always fit new discs for every track day as well as the obligatory new pads. you'll be absolutely amazed by just how well you can get the brakes to work.
I'm already shocked by the stopping ability after just a few miles, but they were pretty dire before.2woody said:
You definitely need to change all of the brake fluid. If it's older than, say, six months, you WILL boil it.
I havn't had time to pump every drop out, but I pulled a LOT of fluid from the reservoir through to each front wheel, so hopefully I can blunder through this time.MG MARK said:
it can feel awfully lonely out there sometimes, wondering where everyone else has gone!
That's interesting, I was guessing with 100+ cars attending it would be like the M25 on a busy day Good news if there's enough track space for all MG MARK said:
Make sure that your suspension joints, brake discs, pads, tyres, bearings etc are in top order,
AFAIK it's all ok. My Son looks over it quite often for me & always seems pretty keen on lever bars on the joints.MG MARK said:
there's no snags leaving and coming back in.
More good news, might need it !MG MARK said:
Change the engine oil beforehand and then afterwards;
Again now time now (should have asked questions earlier), but it does have a good fully synthetic in it, so if I'm not too hard, hopefully she will survive the abuse.MG MARK said:
The rules of the event are few, simple, and generally self-policing and the atmosphere is very friendly for the regulars and newcomers alike. See you there,
Sounds as if it's a good day out, really looking forward to it now thanks again everyone
Edited to add .... for amusement value ....... My co-pilot on Sunday is not only a friend of mine, but a part business partner in a little venture, although he does also have his own business as a .... (road) DRIVING INSTRUCTOR
Edited by unclegrouch on Thursday 9th October 21:17
I haven't changed the brake fluid in the Cobra for some time so I'm guessing that'll be what fails on Saturday or Sunday. C'mon I've never got through a complete weekend at Marham yet! Racking my brains to think what could possibly break or go wrong....hmm.
But I'm pleased to say that I have a running car with a new sump & a nicely welded exhaust & hopefully by the end of today, an MOT too. Oh I hope so.
But I'm pleased to say that I have a running car with a new sump & a nicely welded exhaust & hopefully by the end of today, an MOT too. Oh I hope so.
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