My First Trackday

[Gooby]

Next month I am going to attend my first track day, I have a small problem... I know nothing!!

I will need a lid, what is good, any regs I need to comply to?

What is the "track ettiquete"?

How do I prep the car?

What do I need to know?

[beachbum]

Where you going and when. Never been on one myself and was thinking about getting one organised.
Would you be interested in going up with both cars.

[Mark B]

I have just bought an (OMP) AGV lid form Rally Design in Kent. It is legal for sprints and obviously track days. Not an expensive lid at £85 delivered but well worth while for a first stab. If you go on to race and proper sprinting it is probably worth investing more.

[bher]

Personally, I red this book.

Very good basis for novice

www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1899870598/qid=1109852502/sr=1-5/ref=sr_1_5/102-9517216-8335307?v=glance&s=books

Hope the links works

Ben

[Alex]

Check your fuel, oil and brake pads before each session.

Take it easy at first, high speeds feel slower on track.

Don't stay out for longer than 20 minutes and always do a couple of cooling down laps.

Don't apply the handbrake when you get back to the paddock; turn the engine off and leave in gear.

Only over-take on the left, on the straights and by consent (most trackdays). Back off to allow lower-powered, but faster cars to over-take.

Yellow flag means slow down and no overtaking.

Red flag means slow down and return to pits.

Black flag means return to pits and report to marshall.

Chequered flag means end of session.

Well worth getting instruction for a session.

Have fun!

[Gooby]

beachbum said:

Where you going and when. Never been on one myself and was thinking about getting one organised. Would you be interested in going up with both cars.

Going up in both cars would be great! It will be nice to think I am not the only novice there.

The day is arranged through westover sports cars (very nice people). Andrew has replied to a few threads that we have been on so 'mail him or call him at the show room.

Andrew, can beachbum come?

[andrewm]

Oh yes - no problem - just need to speak to Becky or Dominic at our Service Centre on 01202 679992 and pay your £165. (Hope this is not seen as advertising Ted)

The driver's briefing will give the lowdown on when and where to overtake and we will have instructors available to sit with you, do some demo laps together with familiarisation laps first thing in a saloon car with 3/4 of you.

The first thing to remember is that there are no prizes and the day is all about enjoying yourself. All the things Alex said are very valid and I would allways reccommend reading up on how it's done. It's probably worthwhile subscribing to Circuit Driver magazine as there is a whole host of info available specifically aimed at track day drivers.

There are no hard and fast rules for track day helmets, although, I would suggest logging on to Demon Tweeks or Grand Prix Racewear and have a look. They do a very nice Sparco open face lid from about £59.00 £ no VAT as it's considered a safety item. With all helmets though, generally the more you spend, the better they are.

Feel free to call in or phone if any of you guys want to chat more about it.

Cheers

Andrew