Novice trackday suggestions?
Discussion
I've had my elise for a year and have so far only been on Andrew Walsh's car limits day.
I'd love to start doing some track days but am very aware that I have no experience, and so I would probably a danger to both myself and others! (not to mention my elise...)
Can anyone suggest a sensible way to get into this and where to do it?
Thanks in advance...
I'd love to start doing some track days but am very aware that I have no experience, and so I would probably a danger to both myself and others! (not to mention my elise...)
Can anyone suggest a sensible way to get into this and where to do it?
Thanks in advance...
I haven't done a track day in my Elise but have done a few in my previous car (Sylva Striker) and did a lot of track driving in a previous job and would give one recommendation, Go For It!
I would suggest you go and join Lotus on Track as you will get a very professional group of guys and a lot of help with getting into this.
It always amazes me how many people think they are going to stack themselves and their car into the wall... just take it easy, don't let the red mist take over and build up slowly. The Elise is a very capapble car and shouldn't bite if you respect it.
Just go for it...
I would suggest you go and join Lotus on Track as you will get a very professional group of guys and a lot of help with getting into this.
It always amazes me how many people think they are going to stack themselves and their car into the wall... just take it easy, don't let the red mist take over and build up slowly. The Elise is a very capapble car and shouldn't bite if you respect it.
Just go for it...
Definitely join lotus on track, get a session or two with an instructor on your first, and do your first trackday or two at Bedford. It is a converted airfield, safest track in the UK. You would have to do something deliberate to bend your car or yourself. The track is long and has a bit of everything. Knowing where I am at after a few trackdays, it would be folly for me to go to Goodwood or Cadwell park where there is little runoff at this stage.
I've only had my S2 since Sept and so far I've done a Walshy day, an airfield day (North Weald) and on Saturday I had a great time at Bedford. Only came off twice! Both times I was completely fine. Its a really safe track and everyone had good manners. There's loads of run-off and grass and gravel traps to get through before hitting anything. I'd highly recommend it. I think LoT is there in Jan.
Track days aren't as scary as you may think.
If I were you, I'd choose an airfield (try to find out the 'clean' ones first to avoid stone chips and wearing out your tyres) day, run by a decent company with an open pit lane so you can go and and come in when you want to. This way you know you have lots of room to go wrong in, and have the support of a good team of organisers to help you out.
Like the guys say, I've heard only good things about Lotus on track, they seem cheap, and you know the others there love their car as much as you love yours, os aren't going to do anything (too) stupid.
Some things that I've found useful though:
Don't get too close to the car in front - they will kick the odd bit of crap up and it may end up as a crack in the windscreen.
Make sure you know which side to overtake, and which side to allow overtaking (they are opposite - sounds simple, but I've messed it up a few times
)
When you make the odd mistake, recover, drive back to the pits and cool off, think about it, then get back out there and don't do that again (or do it better).
This is by no means exhaustive but it's served me well.
Good luck, and get out there!
If I were you, I'd choose an airfield (try to find out the 'clean' ones first to avoid stone chips and wearing out your tyres) day, run by a decent company with an open pit lane so you can go and and come in when you want to. This way you know you have lots of room to go wrong in, and have the support of a good team of organisers to help you out.
Like the guys say, I've heard only good things about Lotus on track, they seem cheap, and you know the others there love their car as much as you love yours, os aren't going to do anything (too) stupid.
Some things that I've found useful though:
Don't get too close to the car in front - they will kick the odd bit of crap up and it may end up as a crack in the windscreen.
Make sure you know which side to overtake, and which side to allow overtaking (they are opposite - sounds simple, but I've messed it up a few times
) When you make the odd mistake, recover, drive back to the pits and cool off, think about it, then get back out there and don't do that again (or do it better).
This is by no means exhaustive but it's served me well.
Good luck, and get out there!
Be mindfull of...
Mirrors.
Tyre pressures.
Correct oil level.
Brakes.
Dont stay out too long if open pit.
Take a cool down lap .
Dont bother with handbrake when you come in.
Dont overtake on corners!
Apart from that have just have fun.
Others are right its not death on a stick. After all no one wants to kill their car.
Mirrors.
Tyre pressures.
Correct oil level.
Brakes.
Dont stay out too long if open pit.
Take a cool down lap .
Dont bother with handbrake when you come in.
Dont overtake on corners!
Apart from that have just have fun.
Others are right its not death on a stick. After all no one wants to kill their car.
What everyone else said so far :Why_is_there_no_thumb_up_?
Top Tip #1 hook up with someone who has done it before and can show you the ropes. Anyone here who does Lotus on Track days would probably be pleased help out, just ask !
Top Tip #2 start at an airfield with plenty of space/runoff e.g. Bedford
Top Tip #3 do it NOW, go on stop messing around www.lotus-on-track.com join and book Bedford in January ... now ... do it ... go on chop chop !
Top Tip #1 hook up with someone who has done it before and can show you the ropes. Anyone here who does Lotus on Track days would probably be pleased help out, just ask !
Top Tip #2 start at an airfield with plenty of space/runoff e.g. Bedford
Top Tip #3 do it NOW, go on stop messing around www.lotus-on-track.com join and book Bedford in January ... now ... do it ... go on chop chop !
hbaumhardt said:
Top Tip #3 do it NOW, go on stop messing around
Yes the man has got it in one. Makes you think about all those car adverts...
S2..blah blah blah
15k...blah blah blah
Full lotus history...blah blah blah
Immaculate condition...blah blah blah
Never been tracked
Why the
not??? What a waste.
You want to get out there and spank your lotus monkey my friend.
Yes it must be done!
Go to an LOT day to have a look, they will give you a pax ride and you will be hooked.
You are probably too far away in Herts but if you go to Goodwood this Saturday 17th,
I will give you a ride. Thats if you have the balls to go on track with a crap driver.
Phil.
Go to an LOT day to have a look, they will give you a pax ride and you will be hooked.
You are probably too far away in Herts but if you go to Goodwood this Saturday 17th,
I will give you a ride. Thats if you have the balls to go on track with a crap driver.
Phil.
poptosis said:
You want to get out there and spank your lotus monkey my friend.
Niiiiice turn of phrase, I can admit to "spanking my Lotus monkey" monthly (whether it needs it or not)
Just chatting to a very well informed professional driver over beers and cigars down the boozer this PM who told me quite clearly to "stop
ing about wasting money on upgrading my car (Nitron/A048 was the discussion) until I come within 2 seconds a lap of a professional" (i.e. him or any of his pals). Hmmm don't do much for my ego/vanity, but a good point and well made which could help my cashflow.
>> Edited by hbaumhardt on Wednesday 14th December 23:52
I would be really surprised if you were if you go much slower in the same car than the race driver. Frankly I don't care how fast I am going, as long as everything is not overtaking me (upsets my concentration) and more importantly, I am having fun. Do what will make you happy and make you continue to enjoy the car. 
>> Edited by shangani on Thursday 15th December 20:59
>> Edited by shangani on Thursday 15th December 21:55
>> Edited by shangani on Thursday 15th December 20:59
>> Edited by shangani on Thursday 15th December 21:55
If you've done a Walshy day you already have a lot more experience than most. I've done 5 track days (3 in the Lotus) without having been on a course yet (although that's due very soon).
Join L-O-T and the first track day you do includes a free instructor session (about 20 mins worth). Go somewhere like Bedford where there's a good set of corners and plenty of run-off and do a couple of sessions to learn the track then take an instructor out, they'll show you the best lines to take, when to brake etc. I'd definitely recommend at least part-learning the track, I've spectated at Brands for 10 years and done several track days plus the odd Playstation game yet still found time after an instructor session.
Go do it, it's what the Elise was built for!
Join L-O-T and the first track day you do includes a free instructor session (about 20 mins worth). Go somewhere like Bedford where there's a good set of corners and plenty of run-off and do a couple of sessions to learn the track then take an instructor out, they'll show you the best lines to take, when to brake etc. I'd definitely recommend at least part-learning the track, I've spectated at Brands for 10 years and done several track days plus the odd Playstation game yet still found time after an instructor session.
Go do it, it's what the Elise was built for!
hbaumhardt said:
Just chatting to a very well informed professional driver over beers and cigars down the boozer this PM who told me quite clearly to "stop
Probably good advice.
"The best performance modification for the Elise is to the driver" - Nick Adams (Lotus)
Phillygumbo - see you Saturday, what group are you in?
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