Bedford 1st September - My first track day

[joehirth]

Hi guys,

I've bitten the bullet and booked my first track day, at Bedofred SEN circuit OPL.

Does anyone have any good pointers or things to look out for? I'm going to be in my SEAT Ibiza so FWD, techniques and other pointers welcome

Cheers

Joe

[robinandcamera]

I've only done a few but I'd say the usual checks on the car first, fluids, plenty of pads left, wheels are on tight (yep I've seen a few come off from poor maintenance) etc. Make you first priority bringing the car back in one piece rather than going for the fastest lap time you can possibly get then you'll unlikely end up in any trouble.

Usual one of leaving it in gear with handbrake off in the pits to stop the rear brakes binding if they are super hot. You might find tyres get a bit high on pressure and need letting down a bit, or the opposite and the tyre walls fold due to not enough. Don't worry too much and keep fiddling with the pressures, just worth being aware of.

Watch a few videos on youtube would help of the circuit.

Technique, the pointers I've had from instruction relevant to me are to look further ahead than normal road driving, much further, right through the corners. Look at where you want to end up not at the apex. Brake all in one go.

Tuition is well worth the small cost, it will make you so much quicker. I'm booking my self a quick tuition session in for my next one.

Other than that its a big safe place to be

Oh and unless you like low quality burgers and chips for lunch bring your own food, it seems the canteen has a ban on anything fresh or green at Bedford lol

Hope that random collection helps.

[robinandcamera]

And if you are quite keen, the first half of this book is a great little read:
http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Speed-Secrets-Compl...

[robinandcamera]

I forgot to say, upgrade your brake fluid to something like ate super blue, nothing worse than brakes ruining your day.

Oh, regarding wheel nuts, I just had a close one yesterday. I has doing some bedding in just before arriving at the circuit to get fresh pad material on the discs. I get to the circuit and then notice pulling away and driving at low speed I have a knocking that has just started. I thought it was perhaps a wheel weight hitting my new massive calipers so jacked up one side and spun wheel, nothing. Go to take it off and the nuts on one front are lose as hell and the wheel must have been wobbling against the hub! I guess the heavy braking must have loosened them up a bit. Nuts were on the check list to try before going out any how, but it was a bit of an eye opener.

Speaking to others on the day two guys had lost a wheel in the past. Make sure you check them throughout the day also.

And my instructor yest. shaved six seconds a lap off my times, and also told me to look at the apex so I'm a bit confused now lol.

Edited by robinandcamera on Sunday 19th August 07:38

[joehirth]

Thanks guys, appreciate the heads up.

I've changed my fluid for RBF660 so that should be fine

Good pointer with concentrating on bringing the car home that makes a lot of sense.

[Rawhide]

I did first trackday at Bedford and tuition is a good call. I didn't realise how late many turn in points were and after learning that stuff I was much quicker and felt the car was punching above it's weight.

[J1JPE]

Set up is key, as others have said.

Take a tyre pressure gauge & footpump - lower pressures 2-3psi on the fronts - REMEMBER to put them back up after.

Be prepared for scuffed tyres, they'll wear to normal again after a few '000 miles

Listen to the briefing, do 10-15mins (3-4 laps) at a time & build up speed gradually - it isnt a PlayStation game - at least not until you get in the groove.

Tuition, following another similar spec FW drive car often helps.

If there's a particular part of the track you're not getting right, ask other drivers for their advice - it's a social event after all.

Thin soled shoes help, as does learning to left foot brake / heel n toe - but that can wait until you get some 'experience'

Finally & MOST IMPORTANT - let us know how you get on ;o}

[Frenchda]

Let the addiction begin!!! You need:

Ralgex - to rub into your aching jaw because you will be grinning like a loon

Clean pants - self explanatory

Bank loan form - because you will have to feed the addiction

Large bag of ear plugs - to give to everyone else because you won't be able to stop telling them how you nailed the third corner, tenth lap etc

Smart phone - too book the next track day from a track day

Turn up, be chilled, easy for the first few sessions and gradually build it up. GET SOME INSTRUCTION, preferably after the break when you know the track well.

[joehirth]

Looking really forward to this, car is booked in for the exhaust to have a silencer added as it's over the limit currently

I have a racing driver friend who I'm going to get in touch with for some pointers as he used to drive in the Clio cup series at the Ring.

Not sure how the car will perform on track, I know it's immensly quick in a straight line but round the corners might be an issue.... we shall see

[StoatInACoat]

You'll love it. Bedford was my second track day and it's a lot of fun. I have upgraded to semi slicks for track which make an unbelievable difference really.

Try to take regular breaks. Sounds simple enough but I find it takes me a while to get into the right frame of mind and not drive like a spaz and by that point I've been flinging the poor car about for about a good hour without giving it or myself a rest. Easy to lose track of how long you've spent ragging about and then wondering why your brakes feel a bit warm.

Wear a long sleeved T shirt and not a fleece or anything as it's bloody irritating having to pit after three laps because you're boiling hot.

Don't try and keep up with the Caterhams and don't try and wait to brake until they do Let the M3's and the Porsches past but don't be bullied.

[hms]

If you have an iphone, get harry's lap timer app. (Not to be used for lap timing) Will video your lap and overlay with track, speed, splits and corner names.
Enjoy Bedford, it's a great circuit.

Here's one I did earlier.
http://youtu.be/VfvzgrHvzUY

h

[joehirth]

That app looks really good. I'm getting on the videos now checking out all the lines

[Quietlybonkers]

Brain in gear BEFORE you leave home:

Your driving licence
Your helmet
Anything the organisers require

in the car the night before, or you won't even be doing one lap

Add your wallet (for the extra fuel you will need while doing 12 mpg), and your shades

Then put all the car stuff you need, ideally in a nice big tool box with room for
plenty of water to drink, snacks, lunch, tank tape etc etc

You will want this stuff left in the pits, not crashing around in the boot, or worse still, hitting you on the head when you have an off (and you will)

And, as others have said, take your time and don't be tempted to race. Go out for the sighting lap(s), but then come back in for 10 minutes. The track will be a lot clearer after everyone else has done 5 laps.
Look around for the obvious experts and ask nicely if you can go out with them please, as you are a beginner. Many will love to be asked for a ride - go out with them and listen and learn all about smooth driving, braking and gear changing in a straight line, then take the corner at the correct speed. I didn't even drive my own car until 10.30 last track day. I went out first in a Holden V8, and then a Vauxhall Nova, both with pro drivers.

And remember to warm up the tyres every time you go out. Sounds a bit racing driver-ish, but its true. I tracked my TVR last weekend and had to take a couple of laps each time to warm the tyres. They will stick a lot better if you do. The only thing I have changed on the car is to get some dry weather tyres for the track. Car now stops without locking up (no ABS on a TVR) and sticks to the track a lot better.

Above all else, have fun and relax, and never get the red mist on the track.

[Scooby P1]

joehirth said:

Thanks guys, appreciate the heads up.

I've changed my fluid for RBF660 so that should be fine

Good pointer with concentrating on bringing the car home that makes a lot of sense.

I cooked my brakes twice at Bedford 4 weeks ago and I now have the RBF600 fluid which is brilliant. However, not managed to fit it yet so might not make this Bedford session in time.

Great track though and very safe. Make sure you're not to loud though, they are very strict!

[Arun_D]

Good luck, I'm sure you'll be fine.

I'll be coming along in my Exige for one of the 'How Fast' sessions going on at the same time. Come say hi.

[redgti]

Will have to try the RBF Fluid,as i cooked my brakes there on Friday!

[joehirth]

Sounds good guys, I'd like to meet a few faces.

[maxgas]

joehirth said:

Sounds good guys, I'd like to meet a few faces.

I will be there in my boxster, been there quite a few times now but always on the gt circuit so should be interesting on the other layout, I take it it is a combination of south east and north.

One thing I would say is to check , check and recheck oil levels and keep a eye on temps if it is a turbo as they create a lot of heat and can also blow out oil on track.

Had my break fluid upgraded as well and so far they have been excellent.

Your welcome to hitch a ride , so come and say hello.

[rmaurer]

I've just signed up for this along with a mate, both in Scoobys (WR1 and P1). I've done the GT circuit many times but never the SEN so should be an interesting day.

[Dukee]

Bedford is a great track to learn on, its wide and there is a lot of run off. Def get some tuition, it will help a lot to get the most out of the day. Have fun