Snetterton Novice Day - May 19
Discussion
Anyone else going? I am a total track noob. Taking my s2000 for its first track spin.Got it set with Stoptech semi-race brakes and Motul Brake OIl. Anyone want to give me some advice? Any tips, tricks, noob things not to do etc appreciated... Any specific s2000 things to think about also appreciated
krunchkin said:
Anyone else going? I am a total track noob. Taking my s2000 for its first track spin.Got it set with Stoptech semi-race brakes and Motul Brake OIl. Anyone want to give me some advice? Any tips, tricks, noob things not to do etc appreciated... Any specific s2000 things to think about also appreciated
Rear brakes are a known weak point on the S2K's. Make sure you have plenty of pad material left, and maybe even carry a spare set of pads around in the boot just in case - often the inner pad will wear faster and you can't always see that from a quick glance.Do a *very* good cool down lap on your way back into the pits to dissipate as much heat as possible (complete lap of the track without touching the brake pedal)
Observation is key. Look a long way ahead and check for bad driving well before you're likely to get caught up in it. Use your mirrors a *lot* more than you would on the road, 2 or 3 times on each straight and before and after every corner.
Finally, most importantly, above all else, GET SOME TUITION! A decent instructor will spot anything you're doing wrong within a couple of laps and it could potentially save you a massive bill. They will generally get you going a lot quicker as well, although that's less important for your first track day than keeping it on the black stuff IMO.
HTH
Jonny
BaT
I'm going too. Total newbie myself, although I have done 15 mins in a MSV car at Brands last summer. Taking the 350Z.
Nervous about the weather and also about cooking my brakes so I'll def be doing a cooldown lap.
Come say hi, looks like I'll be on my jack jones as my co-pilot has bailed!
Nervous about the weather and also about cooking my brakes so I'll def be doing a cooldown lap.
Come say hi, looks like I'll be on my jack jones as my co-pilot has bailed!
Found these threads on PH
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=50...
Something from bikerbanter which I think the tips on tyres are probably sound for cars. I.E beginners start at road PSI then as you warm them up drop the PSI
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=70...
One from the net.
www.torquecars.com/articles/track-day-driving.php
Looks like the theme is to start on normal pressures and then drop them down as they warm up. I reckon seeing as we are only out for 15 mins per hour then we probably just need to keep an eye on them.
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=50...
Something from bikerbanter which I think the tips on tyres are probably sound for cars. I.E beginners start at road PSI then as you warm them up drop the PSI
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=70...
One from the net.
www.torquecars.com/articles/track-day-driving.php
Looks like the theme is to start on normal pressures and then drop them down as they warm up. I reckon seeing as we are only out for 15 mins per hour then we probably just need to keep an eye on them.
I had an absolute blast. It was a f
king briliiant day! What a buzz! The grip on my car is just astonishing. Brakes held up really well, no fade. Theyy were brand new Stoptech pads - reckon I must have smoked half the pads during the day. I thought the whole day was really well organised and thoroughly enjoyable and felt pretty safe out there. Managed to smoke a few Porsches after getting the corners into the straights right, and blasted past plenty of hot hatches (and that crappy Triumph that was holding everyone up). That blue M5 was a fking beast though wasn't it? And the yellow TVR didnt hang about either! I'm hooked now!
king briliiant day! What a buzz! The grip on my car is just astonishing. Brakes held up really well, no fade. Theyy were brand new Stoptech pads - reckon I must have smoked half the pads during the day. I thought the whole day was really well organised and thoroughly enjoyable and felt pretty safe out there. Managed to smoke a few Porsches after getting the corners into the straights right, and blasted past plenty of hot hatches (and that crappy Triumph that was holding everyone up). That blue M5 was a fking beast though wasn't it? And the yellow TVR didnt hang about either! I'm hooked now!Yeah I agree, it was very well organised and I think in general we had some decent people on track most being polite and easy going on track and in the paddock.
Do you mean the bright blue BMW? I thought that was an M3. He wasn't in my session but I agree I think he was the fastest thing there. The carrera's were being driven quite gingerly.
I followed the yellow Tuscan in my first session and he was SLOW through the corners but blistering on the straights. He gave way in the end but in a later session he had really improved so stayed ahead of my lowly 350Z.
Went home with 2 sessions to go though as my brakes were stock with some wear already so erred on the side of caution on that front. Definitely going again. I'm thinking I might try Bedford open pit lane later in the year.
Your S2000 looked good on track, good vehicle for it!
I surprised no-one else is on here from that day - bunch of PHers surely!
Do you mean the bright blue BMW? I thought that was an M3. He wasn't in my session but I agree I think he was the fastest thing there. The carrera's were being driven quite gingerly.
I followed the yellow Tuscan in my first session and he was SLOW through the corners but blistering on the straights. He gave way in the end but in a later session he had really improved so stayed ahead of my lowly 350Z.
Went home with 2 sessions to go though as my brakes were stock with some wear already so erred on the side of caution on that front. Definitely going again. I'm thinking I might try Bedford open pit lane later in the year.
Your S2000 looked good on track, good vehicle for it!
I surprised no-one else is on here from that day - bunch of PHers surely!
agree the Porsches were cautious - very early braking into the corners and very easy to get past as they were coming out of them so slowly - one of them still stuck it on the grass towards the end though. I can't wait for my next one. Wondering whether to go novice session again or go for a full on track day. Do you think they are much riskier? I liked the fact I felt pretty secure that my lovely car wasn't going to get T-boned by some nobend - meant I could really enjoy it and relax.
Id strongly recommend having a look at some Semi-Race pads and discs if you're going to do it again. My guy at TGM Racing who services my car recommended them - good enough to work great on the road at low temps but will still give good performance and not disintegrate when you're hammeriing them. Mine weren't really that much more expensive than stock OEM pads either.
I agree it was a very relaxed event. I get the feeling it wasn't full so I'd expect more pressure on fuller days. Also an open pit lane event will be a different experience joining traffic on warmer tyres than you etc.
I see MSV appear to have started "roadcar" open pitlane days which means nothing that resembles a race-car can enter. I imagine that is the next step up from the novice day.
Keep having a look at MX-5s on the net as a potential track-car investment.
I see MSV appear to have started "roadcar" open pitlane days which means nothing that resembles a race-car can enter. I imagine that is the next step up from the novice day.
Keep having a look at MX-5s on the net as a potential track-car investment.
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