Track Day Beginner - some tips and advice please
Discussion
Mrs Muttleysnoop said:
Unfortunately not everyone sticks to the rules,especially when race cars are in the mix..My advice would be to keep an eye in the mirror (but not too long!), if you see a car barreling up behind you keep over to the right, let them go through and then resume the lap at your own pace. If the pressure from behind seems overwhelming return to the pit lane and go straight out again, chances are that you will join the track with a more sympathetic bunch! Not all track day organizers act to discourage bad behavior on track.
Except if there is a bend. Follow the fastest line through the bend, then pull over and don't do what lots of inexperienced do and just hug the right, then the apex at 20-30mph.jasonrobertson86 said:
Except if there is a bend. Follow the fastest line through the bend, then pull over and don't do what lots of inexperienced do and just hug the right, then the apex at 20-30mph.
The OP is doing Snetterton. In my experience it’s easy to let faster cars pass because of the long straights. And at this time of year there shouldn’t be the problem of club racers doing a shakedown before a race weekend. SpudLink said:
The OP is doing Snetterton. In my experience it’s easy to let faster cars pass because of the long straights. And at this time of year there shouldn’t be the problem of club racers doing a shakedown before a race weekend.
Ah ok, yeah, easy enough, the point still stands. Take the racing line.There will be plenty out doing cheap testing. Loads of friends are out very soon in feb to get practice for the race season.
When we started the session is was still cold and damp and the far end of the track was shrouded in fog. Track action was stopped 5 times in the first hour or so, as so many cars slid off on to the grass. No injuries and no damage done other than to the turf. Once the sun came though, the rest of the day was excellent.
j4r4lly said:
When we started the session is was still cold and damp and the far end of the track was shrouded in fog. Track action was stopped 5 times in the first hour or so, as so many cars slid off on to the grass. No injuries and no damage done other than to the turf. Once the sun came though, the rest of the day was excellent.
Dr. Palmer won't be pleased. As I was once told "you've only paid to use the tarmac".j4r4lly said:
When we started the session is was still cold and damp and the far end of the track was shrouded in fog. Track action was stopped 5 times in the first hour or so, as so many cars slid off on to the grass. No injuries and no damage done other than to the turf. Once the sun came though, the rest of the day was excellent.
How did the Focus hold up and did you have fun?braddo said:
j4r4lly said:
When we started the session is was still cold and damp and the far end of the track was shrouded in fog. Track action was stopped 5 times in the first hour or so, as so many cars slid off on to the grass. No injuries and no damage done other than to the turf. Once the sun came though, the rest of the day was excellent.
How did the Focus hold up and did you have fun?As to the on track driving, I had a 360 spin early on which really scared me. Track was cold and despite taking it easy it was like driving on marbles. Once it dried out and warmed up my confidence returned and I had a lot of fun.
j4r4lly said:
braddo said:
j4r4lly said:
When we started the session is was still cold and damp and the far end of the track was shrouded in fog. Track action was stopped 5 times in the first hour or so, as so many cars slid off on to the grass. No injuries and no damage done other than to the turf. Once the sun came though, the rest of the day was excellent.
How did the Focus hold up and did you have fun?As to the on track driving, I had a 360 spin early on which really scared me. Track was cold and despite taking it easy it was like driving on marbles. Once it dried out and warmed up my confidence returned and I had a lot of fun.
ribiero said:
j4r4lly said:
braddo said:
j4r4lly said:
When we started the session is was still cold and damp and the far end of the track was shrouded in fog. Track action was stopped 5 times in the first hour or so, as so many cars slid off on to the grass. No injuries and no damage done other than to the turf. Once the sun came though, the rest of the day was excellent.
How did the Focus hold up and did you have fun?As to the on track driving, I had a 360 spin early on which really scared me. Track was cold and despite taking it easy it was like driving on marbles. Once it dried out and warmed up my confidence returned and I had a lot of fun.
I may look for an evening session or maybe a half day as it’s less wear and tear on me and the car.
j4r4lly said:
ribiero said:
j4r4lly said:
braddo said:
j4r4lly said:
When we started the session is was still cold and damp and the far end of the track was shrouded in fog. Track action was stopped 5 times in the first hour or so, as so many cars slid off on to the grass. No injuries and no damage done other than to the turf. Once the sun came though, the rest of the day was excellent.
How did the Focus hold up and did you have fun?As to the on track driving, I had a 360 spin early on which really scared me. Track was cold and despite taking it easy it was like driving on marbles. Once it dried out and warmed up my confidence returned and I had a lot of fun.
I may look for an evening session or maybe a half day as it’s less wear and tear on me and the car.
The combination of limited time, limited numbers, and most people trying to get as much track time in as possible was not good.
agreed, did an evening session at donington a few years ago - never again. the evening alternated between being really busy on circuit, and red flags.
full open pit lanes are definitely the way to go. you could be super relaxed and only go out once an hour, and still have plenty of track time for your money.
full open pit lanes are definitely the way to go. you could be super relaxed and only go out once an hour, and still have plenty of track time for your money.
open pitlanes tend to quieten down towards end of the day as people either get red flagged, break their car or actively avoid the "one last go" curse.. so you can have some really nice running.
Sessioned day's do work in the right situations, especially for classics where you might not want to put multiple hours on a car. It's also a good way of keeping an unsilenced day's costs down imo.
Sessioned day's do work in the right situations, especially for classics where you might not want to put multiple hours on a car. It's also a good way of keeping an unsilenced day's costs down imo.
Good thread and advice. Doing my second track day on monday bedford autodrome evening session so interesting to read the negatives re evening days.
Also had pagid rsl29 fitted which are exceptional for road use too as have been properly bedded in. Hopefully can secure a garage and praying for a dry day
Also had pagid rsl29 fitted which are exceptional for road use too as have been properly bedded in. Hopefully can secure a garage and praying for a dry day
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