First timer - preparing for 1st track day

[Sandy59]

A few tips here : www.stevecarter.com/track-day-beginners.htm

Quite an interesting site overall.

[Alfa159Ti]

Morning guys,

Thanks for the further input - sorry for long absence.

Got some more parts arriving this week and once fitted car should be running again with fully overhauled brakes and suspension.

Will keep you posted on progress. Looking forward to testing the new gear on a blast over Woodhead and Snake Pass whilst there is still a bit of light left in the evenings...

[DMN]

If your worried about the brakes over-heating, then the fog-lights on the 156 make great cooling ducts. A little bit of tubing from Halfrauds or where-ever and you can direct some air straight to the discs.

[AdeR]

I've been thinking of doing this on my car, although it isn't a 156. Is there much benefit to running this sort of set up?

[AdeR]

I've been thinking of doing this on my car, although it isn't a 156. Is there much benefit to running this sort of set up?

[AdeR]

Sorry! Android fail.

Edited by RenaultK4J on Tuesday 3rd September 12:24

[PawnSacrifice]

I know some advice / links have been posted already, but this is worth a read:
Ralph Hosier, Your First Track Day – A Guide. > http://ralphhosier.wordpress.com/2013/05/29/your-f...

Some solid advice in general.

[Masher964]

Having taken up trackdays in the last couple of years my thoughts for a novice would be:
1. Get the car into a decent mechanical state so that it's your driving you're concentrating on, not the car

2. Before your first track day (2 weeks before preferably):
a) Change the brake fluid for something with high boiling point (like ATE super blue)
b) Ensure the brake pads have at least 50% life left (road pads should be fine to start with)
c) Ensure the discs have decent life left
d) Ensure all fluids are topped up and if the oil is old... change it
e) Ensure your tyres have 4+mm (my estimate) to ensure you can drive home legally

3. On the day (I'm assuming you'd hire a helmet):
a) Start like you're on flowing B roads (fast but not stupid)
b) Expect to be overtaken so be looking in your mirrors and considerately moving aside without feeling like you're constantly compromising your day
c) Gradually build up speed (this can be done by following someone who is just a little faster than you but don't let them draw you into something you are not ready for!)
d) Book at least one session of instruction
e) Regularly check wheel nuts and tyre pressures - they will need air letting out when they are hot to return them to the correct pressures - maybe consider running a couple of lb lower than on the road
f) Regularly check fluids

4. After you've finished, let the tyres cool and re-inflate before driving home.

Overall, enjoy the experience, don't expect to be a track God first time out and assume most 'sporty' road cars are better than you are on your first day out so save your money until you have a little more experience and know what you really want to spend it on (how many have spent a lot quickly on one car then decide what they really need is a different car!).