Track Days: what do I need?
Discussion
Just had a track day experience (jaguar Racing Heart) and I am excited. I like the fact that you are very focused on driving and forget about anything else and it is real fun (and for example in the F-Type driving I did enjoy much more the more precise driving experience with the V6 than the pure power of the V8
Wanted something to relax from a busy life and I really think a track toy with some session from time to time might be a great thing
Was planning to buy a nice sport car (such an Aston) but showing off tour (maybe getting tickets for apeeding) or concours are not my thing (and also I have no time for that) also because when I have time for that I do want to do it with my family and not like "old youngsters".
Not worth the money
So my question is what do I need (planning to buy something like a Caterham) to ensure I have access to the various circuits (particularly in the South, South East as I am not far from Brands Hatch) as an amateur driver
I have seen threads regarding helemts etc but what is really mandatory to get access. What about specific clothing, insurance, equipments, etc?
How often are thoe track day and what is usually the price of those?
Any other info is also welcome
Wanted something to relax from a busy life and I really think a track toy with some session from time to time might be a great thing
Was planning to buy a nice sport car (such an Aston) but showing off tour (maybe getting tickets for apeeding) or concours are not my thing (and also I have no time for that) also because when I have time for that I do want to do it with my family and not like "old youngsters".
Not worth the money
So my question is what do I need (planning to buy something like a Caterham) to ensure I have access to the various circuits (particularly in the South, South East as I am not far from Brands Hatch) as an amateur driver
I have seen threads regarding helemts etc but what is really mandatory to get access. What about specific clothing, insurance, equipments, etc?
How often are thoe track day and what is usually the price of those?
Any other info is also welcome
You will need a helmet, no track day will allow you to run without one.
Sometimes you will be required to wear a long sleeved top, I think this depends on both the track and the car, but probably wise to take one along anyway.
Drivers License (I'm going to be sensible and assume you have one) - They always require you to present it when signing on.
Those are probably your essentials (as in leave it at home, you ain't going out)
Then you'll want to take various bits n bobs for various reasons.
Tyre Pressure Gauge - Track use will heat your tyres up, big time. You're going to want to keep an eye on the temps after each session and let air out where appropriate (remember to check when you get home as your tyres will have cooled)
Water - Track days can be hot, and they can be exhausting, you'll get dehydrated pretty quick if it's a long day, wise to take a drink with you.
It depends also on what you plan to do, if you are taking a support vehicle with a second set of wheels, you're going to want to bring the obvious tools for changing wheels (including a torque wrench, please don't forget this)
If I think of anything else I'll add it.
As to track day frequency, I think it depends on the circuit in question, I live up in Scotland so I rarely do anything other than Knockhill, they tend to run about 3-4 track days a month. Usually 2 of their own + 2 club organized ones.
It's a good idea to locate the clubs that organize days and join one.
Sometimes you will be required to wear a long sleeved top, I think this depends on both the track and the car, but probably wise to take one along anyway.
Drivers License (I'm going to be sensible and assume you have one) - They always require you to present it when signing on.
Those are probably your essentials (as in leave it at home, you ain't going out)
Then you'll want to take various bits n bobs for various reasons.
Tyre Pressure Gauge - Track use will heat your tyres up, big time. You're going to want to keep an eye on the temps after each session and let air out where appropriate (remember to check when you get home as your tyres will have cooled)
Water - Track days can be hot, and they can be exhausting, you'll get dehydrated pretty quick if it's a long day, wise to take a drink with you.
It depends also on what you plan to do, if you are taking a support vehicle with a second set of wheels, you're going to want to bring the obvious tools for changing wheels (including a torque wrench, please don't forget this)
If I think of anything else I'll add it.
As to track day frequency, I think it depends on the circuit in question, I live up in Scotland so I rarely do anything other than Knockhill, they tend to run about 3-4 track days a month. Usually 2 of their own + 2 club organized ones.
It's a good idea to locate the clubs that organize days and join one.
Edited by FurioAPB on Thursday 1st August 11:01
Typically £100-170 half day, £180-250 full day at most UK national circuits. Circuits which open rarely or regularly feature in international competitions can be significantly more.
P.S. The type of trackday can have a significant bearing on value for money. Most track days are 'sessioned'- participants are divided into groups and take it in turns to use the track. Typically a full day of sessions might comprise 6 or 7 20-minute sessions. However, on 'Open Pitlane' days, the circuit is open from first thing in the morning until lunch time and re-opens after lunch until the circuit closes later in the afternoon. This means that on a full day open pitlane you can join and leave the circuit as you wish and these days can represent better value for money.
It's worth noting that unless your car is at a near race-car level of track preparation, it is unlikely to manage long sessions well without the tyres or brakes overheating. The driver, too, will suffer fatigue so even on open pit days remember to regularly return to the pits to check the car and alloy the car and driver to cool/re-hydrate/take fuel on board!
P.S. The type of trackday can have a significant bearing on value for money. Most track days are 'sessioned'- participants are divided into groups and take it in turns to use the track. Typically a full day of sessions might comprise 6 or 7 20-minute sessions. However, on 'Open Pitlane' days, the circuit is open from first thing in the morning until lunch time and re-opens after lunch until the circuit closes later in the afternoon. This means that on a full day open pitlane you can join and leave the circuit as you wish and these days can represent better value for money.
It's worth noting that unless your car is at a near race-car level of track preparation, it is unlikely to manage long sessions well without the tyres or brakes overheating. The driver, too, will suffer fatigue so even on open pit days remember to regularly return to the pits to check the car and alloy the car and driver to cool/re-hydrate/take fuel on board!
Edited by HustleRussell on Thursday 1st August 11:27
You'll probably also want gloves and driving boots. Every track I've been to I've needed long sleeves. I'm local to you, my nearest tracks are Brands and Lydden. Lydden is great value, especially in the winter at £99 for the day. You can also just do sessions and pay by the session. Usueful for shakedowns.
Then decide if you want to trailer it or drive there. In my mind, a couple of years worth of tax/insurance/mot pays for the trailer. Then if you spank it at least you can get home and you can carry support items in the tow vehicle/spare wheels etc.
I used to track my modified pride and joy but came to the conclusion that it was too much money and too heavy to be throwing around the track and that a dedicated track day car is the way to go. Can't recommend this highly enough. I wanted rear wheel drive, relatively light, decent power, good brakes/suspension and bucket seats/harnesses.
Whatever car you get, if you're serious will want;
Cage £500-3000
Drivers Bucket seat £500-1500
Harness £150
Uprated front Brakes £150-2000
Uprated Suspension £500-3500
Oil Cooler
Adequate water cooling/uprated radiator
and so on, they are the basics for me and the car needs to be mechanically tip top for longevity.
After that lot, you'll be looking at track tyres.
I'm selling a fully track prepped rwd Nissan Skyline GTS-T car in the road legal track section, you can get an idea of the kit that it has on it (much more than the above) and there is loads of stuff on my blog, including a track vid of lydden and a report of the day.
Ironically, I'm selling it so I can put the money towards something I can enjoy with the family (a pair of 2 seater quad bikes), after coming to the conclusion that a track toy is a selfish indulgence in so far as the rest of the family don't really get to participate in except spectating, lol. That, and a lack of time really as it is a full day out, with various commitments I struggle to justify the time.
Good luck with whatever you do, Caterhams etc are also a lot of fun, I prefer a bit more grunt and the 400-500 models are still very expensive. The choice I made was for a model with easy parts availability courtesy of the drift scene, sites like driftworks sell every suspension component going for them and you can pick up a complete shell literally for free as quite a few are being dismantled and the immobile shell is often the bit people get lumbered with, in the event of the worst. I didn't want a total shed for safety and performance reasons, neither did I want to spend too much in case it gets binned. It's a bit of a compromise, I'm delighted with what I went for in the end, but everyone has their own ideas on what car they fancy.
I would have gone the trailer route for mine, as quite frankly, everything that makes it so good on track, make it unpleasant for road use, therefore pointless insuring, taxing etc for me!!
Nito
Then decide if you want to trailer it or drive there. In my mind, a couple of years worth of tax/insurance/mot pays for the trailer. Then if you spank it at least you can get home and you can carry support items in the tow vehicle/spare wheels etc.
I used to track my modified pride and joy but came to the conclusion that it was too much money and too heavy to be throwing around the track and that a dedicated track day car is the way to go. Can't recommend this highly enough. I wanted rear wheel drive, relatively light, decent power, good brakes/suspension and bucket seats/harnesses.
Whatever car you get, if you're serious will want;
Cage £500-3000
Drivers Bucket seat £500-1500
Harness £150
Uprated front Brakes £150-2000
Uprated Suspension £500-3500
Oil Cooler
Adequate water cooling/uprated radiator
and so on, they are the basics for me and the car needs to be mechanically tip top for longevity.
After that lot, you'll be looking at track tyres.
I'm selling a fully track prepped rwd Nissan Skyline GTS-T car in the road legal track section, you can get an idea of the kit that it has on it (much more than the above) and there is loads of stuff on my blog, including a track vid of lydden and a report of the day.
Ironically, I'm selling it so I can put the money towards something I can enjoy with the family (a pair of 2 seater quad bikes), after coming to the conclusion that a track toy is a selfish indulgence in so far as the rest of the family don't really get to participate in except spectating, lol. That, and a lack of time really as it is a full day out, with various commitments I struggle to justify the time.
Good luck with whatever you do, Caterhams etc are also a lot of fun, I prefer a bit more grunt and the 400-500 models are still very expensive. The choice I made was for a model with easy parts availability courtesy of the drift scene, sites like driftworks sell every suspension component going for them and you can pick up a complete shell literally for free as quite a few are being dismantled and the immobile shell is often the bit people get lumbered with, in the event of the worst. I didn't want a total shed for safety and performance reasons, neither did I want to spend too much in case it gets binned. It's a bit of a compromise, I'm delighted with what I went for in the end, but everyone has their own ideas on what car they fancy.
I would have gone the trailer route for mine, as quite frankly, everything that makes it so good on track, make it unpleasant for road use, therefore pointless insuring, taxing etc for me!!
Nito
We were going to enter the Nippon challenge, myself and my friends GT4 Celica which was prepared side by side with mine, to be honest the camaraderie of toiling away in the garage Friday nights till stupid o'clock was great fun.
Time and further expenditure and the potential for the car to get damaged through banging doors with other cars all going for the same gap were probably the biggest reasons for not going racing. Also, when you enter a series you then have the annual commitment of being at each round, my life doesn't lend itself to that particularly well but that was the intention at the outset. Both our cars are 400+bhp machines and ironically both require mapping to complete.
I think we've both ground to a bit of a halt at the moment. Spent too much money in too short a space of time, his worse than mine as his was totally virgin when we took it on. Again, the next step for us is trailers, between that and the costs of mapping and the shrinking window of using them with increasing family commitments for both of us has prompted me to change this for a toy that I will use more often.
Cheers
Nito
Time and further expenditure and the potential for the car to get damaged through banging doors with other cars all going for the same gap were probably the biggest reasons for not going racing. Also, when you enter a series you then have the annual commitment of being at each round, my life doesn't lend itself to that particularly well but that was the intention at the outset. Both our cars are 400+bhp machines and ironically both require mapping to complete.
I think we've both ground to a bit of a halt at the moment. Spent too much money in too short a space of time, his worse than mine as his was totally virgin when we took it on. Again, the next step for us is trailers, between that and the costs of mapping and the shrinking window of using them with increasing family commitments for both of us has prompted me to change this for a toy that I will use more often.
Cheers
Nito
Back to basics. You asked what you need to get started.
Helmet. Open face for a tin top, full face for open top. Buy one that comes up to BS or Snell standard. Your head is valuable.
Driving licence.
A car that suits you. It's not about being the fastest thing on track, it's about having fun. Find a car you like. I love taking mine for country drives when not on track. A Caterham is a great track tool, but too raw for fun weekends. So have a think about what you want to do with the car. And decide if you like convertibles or not.
Possibly a second set of wheels and tyres. You have to book ahead, so cannot control the weather. In the dry some semi slick tyres add to the fun. In the wet your road tyres will be better. Toyo R1R is a good universal tyre if you want to keep to one set.
Choose your track days carefully. Always pick open pit lane. Armco and tyre barriers are not forgiving, so a more open airfield circuit like Bedford Autodrome might actually be more fun to start with, as you can drive at 101% without fearing the consequences. As the Exige owner on my last Bedford day found out, spinning at over 100 mph for about 200 metres without hitting anything. Race circuits are fun, but more expensive and the barriers can be closer.
You can do evening events for as little as £69. A full day is actually too much IMHO. The first time you do an all day one you will notice that after the first hour people stand around a lot, only 30% of the cars are on track at once, and by 3pm a lot are heading for home. Last one I did, I covered 187 miles on track and had to stop three times on the way home to stop myself falling asleep. So start with half days or evenings.
Helmet. Open face for a tin top, full face for open top. Buy one that comes up to BS or Snell standard. Your head is valuable.
Driving licence.
A car that suits you. It's not about being the fastest thing on track, it's about having fun. Find a car you like. I love taking mine for country drives when not on track. A Caterham is a great track tool, but too raw for fun weekends. So have a think about what you want to do with the car. And decide if you like convertibles or not.
Possibly a second set of wheels and tyres. You have to book ahead, so cannot control the weather. In the dry some semi slick tyres add to the fun. In the wet your road tyres will be better. Toyo R1R is a good universal tyre if you want to keep to one set.
Choose your track days carefully. Always pick open pit lane. Armco and tyre barriers are not forgiving, so a more open airfield circuit like Bedford Autodrome might actually be more fun to start with, as you can drive at 101% without fearing the consequences. As the Exige owner on my last Bedford day found out, spinning at over 100 mph for about 200 metres without hitting anything. Race circuits are fun, but more expensive and the barriers can be closer.
You can do evening events for as little as £69. A full day is actually too much IMHO. The first time you do an all day one you will notice that after the first hour people stand around a lot, only 30% of the cars are on track at once, and by 3pm a lot are heading for home. Last one I did, I covered 187 miles on track and had to stop three times on the way home to stop myself falling asleep. So start with half days or evenings.
Sorry, one more thing. Noise.
All tracks have noise limits, never more than 105 dBA. That's pretty loud, but you will be gutted if you buy a dream toy and it is over that. The lowest noise limit I have seen is Croft, at 88 dBA. My decatted TVR is just under 105, so I run with track day silencers. Most circuits are between 99 and 105 dBA.
Brands is 105 daytime, 102 or 99 evenings, to give you an idea.
All tracks have noise limits, never more than 105 dBA. That's pretty loud, but you will be gutted if you buy a dream toy and it is over that. The lowest noise limit I have seen is Croft, at 88 dBA. My decatted TVR is just under 105, so I run with track day silencers. Most circuits are between 99 and 105 dBA.
Brands is 105 daytime, 102 or 99 evenings, to give you an idea.
Thanks for the very good summary
The idea of a Caterham was because
Pros
Relatively cheap to buy and retains value well (if I just stop loving it)
Easy to drive and also to control drift (progressive) etc without need if a lot of power
Even if you crash fixing should not be a problem and it should not be expensive
Fun
But obviously
Not really a confortable car (tend to suffer back pain so will need to check if I can cope with it)
Limited potential to use it for tour particularly if it rains
Whatelse can offer similar pros and less disdvantages?
The idea of a Caterham was because
Pros
Relatively cheap to buy and retains value well (if I just stop loving it)
Easy to drive and also to control drift (progressive) etc without need if a lot of power
Even if you crash fixing should not be a problem and it should not be expensive
Fun
But obviously
Not really a confortable car (tend to suffer back pain so will need to check if I can cope with it)
Limited potential to use it for tour particularly if it rains
Whatelse can offer similar pros and less disdvantages?
Edited by Riccardino on Sunday 4th August 13:11
Open top - MX5, MR2, MGF can all be bought for under two grand, have better weather protection and decent seats. Won't be as quick as a Caterfield, though the MR2 Turbo is pretty brisk. Honda S2000 s a good track car, Lotus Elises are great track cars, but we are on dodgy comfort ground too. You don't ever see BMW Z4s at TDs, but you do see the occasional Boxster S, which despite the inevitable abuse is a good car
And actually you don't have to be the fastest thing out there to have fun.
Tin tops - a friend of mine has just migrated from an MR2 Turbo to a Nissan Skyline, 1995 vintage, for under 3 grand. Says its awesome to drive. Last Skyline I passengered in entered every bend 30mph faster than I thought possible when drive on slicks. Imprezzas and Evos are quick on track, but not really a Sunday fun car.
And of course there are the bigger Porsches if you have te budget.......great driver's car, strong enough to withstand the abuse.
Oh, and I have a 5 litre TVR Chimaera....long way from fastest on track, but a great Sunday drive, always gets noticed, lovely friends via PH, just a great all round experience.
And actually you don't have to be the fastest thing out there to have fun.
Tin tops - a friend of mine has just migrated from an MR2 Turbo to a Nissan Skyline, 1995 vintage, for under 3 grand. Says its awesome to drive. Last Skyline I passengered in entered every bend 30mph faster than I thought possible when drive on slicks. Imprezzas and Evos are quick on track, but not really a Sunday fun car.
And of course there are the bigger Porsches if you have te budget.......great driver's car, strong enough to withstand the abuse.
Oh, and I have a 5 litre TVR Chimaera....long way from fastest on track, but a great Sunday drive, always gets noticed, lovely friends via PH, just a great all round experience.
Riccardino said:
Thanks for the very good summary
The idea of a Caterham was because
Pros
Relatively cheap to buy and retains value well (if I just stop loving it)
Easy to drive and also to control drift (progressive) etc without need if a lot of power
Even if you crash fixing should not be a problem and it should not be expensive
Fun
But obviously
Not really a confortable car (tend to suffer back pain so will need to check if I can cope with it)
Limited potential to use it for tour particularly if it rains
Whatelse can offer similar pros and less disdvantages?
I have been tracking my Caterham for about 5 years now. Its great on track but is also amazingly really comfortable. I dont have tillets, instead just the normal leather seats and the driving position is one of the most comfortable I have ever driven. I have never had any problems doing a day on track and then 3-4 hours driving home afterwards.The idea of a Caterham was because
Pros
Relatively cheap to buy and retains value well (if I just stop loving it)
Easy to drive and also to control drift (progressive) etc without need if a lot of power
Even if you crash fixing should not be a problem and it should not be expensive
Fun
But obviously
Not really a confortable car (tend to suffer back pain so will need to check if I can cope with it)
Limited potential to use it for tour particularly if it rains
Whatelse can offer similar pros and less disdvantages?
Edited by Riccardino on Sunday 4th August 13:11
I seriously considered a VortX MNR for a while, bike powered but they really do shift.
All these type cars are not so viable if you are big built or a fat bastad though. In all seriousness, I reckon if you're over 14st you'll probably struggle to be comfortable. I know Caterham do a widebody but they are hard to find and still very dear.
All these type cars are not so viable if you are big built or a fat bastad though. In all seriousness, I reckon if you're over 14st you'll probably struggle to be comfortable. I know Caterham do a widebody but they are hard to find and still very dear.
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