Just booked my first track day! :)
Discussion
Do check the car over prior to going.
Oil level
Brake fluid level
Coolant level
Do take a small supply of fluids along , coolant oil etc incase it 'burps' up some.
Cable ties / duct tape is always useful and a small toolkit incase of an emergancy.
Check how much tread you have left and brake pads, as these will wear FAR quicker on track.
Follow comments as above really is all else i can suggest.
Oil level
Brake fluid level
Coolant level
Do take a small supply of fluids along , coolant oil etc incase it 'burps' up some.
Cable ties / duct tape is always useful and a small toolkit incase of an emergancy.
Check how much tread you have left and brake pads, as these will wear FAR quicker on track.
Follow comments as above really is all else i can suggest.
Yes, you can re-fuel at the circuit. A bit more expensive but arrive with a full tank anyway.
Use your mirrors A LOT as has already been said and don't stay our for extended periods. It's quite a long track so 4 or 5 laps would be my advice.
Enjoy it and try and get some pax laps if you can. Always an eye opener, for me anyway.
I may also join you if the weather is looking good closer to the time.
Use your mirrors A LOT as has already been said and don't stay our for extended periods. It's quite a long track so 4 or 5 laps would be my advice.
Enjoy it and try and get some pax laps if you can. Always an eye opener, for me anyway.
I may also join you if the weather is looking good closer to the time.
Hi Guys
Cheers for all the advice.
I didn't consider taking breaks – but it makes sense thinking about it as I’m sure that it can be tiring on the track.
I check my oil level every other day, and my coolant level once per week. Will give the car a proper once over on the Sunday prior, though.
I tend to always carry fluids with me anyway – I have two Rotaries, so I've always got a gallon of oil on me at all times as when you’re continuously at the higher end of the rev range you really do burn through it quickly, I can see myself using the whole gallon over the course of the day!
I have coolant in the boot too – again, always do just in case!
Brake pads and rear tires are essentially brand new – spent close to 400 on pads and the rears were 270 each + VAT so I’m well catered for there.
Fronts have about 20% of their life left in them, which I imagine I’ll end up using on the track day itself – hopefully this won’t hamper to performance of the car too much.
Essentially, I’m mainly going to explore both the limits of my car and the limits of my ability to drive a car. I doubt I’ll be timing my laps – not at least for my first track day.
One last one, am I required to wear a helmet or long sleeved clothing at the Autodrome?
Cheers for all the advice.
I didn't consider taking breaks – but it makes sense thinking about it as I’m sure that it can be tiring on the track.
I check my oil level every other day, and my coolant level once per week. Will give the car a proper once over on the Sunday prior, though.
I tend to always carry fluids with me anyway – I have two Rotaries, so I've always got a gallon of oil on me at all times as when you’re continuously at the higher end of the rev range you really do burn through it quickly, I can see myself using the whole gallon over the course of the day!
I have coolant in the boot too – again, always do just in case!
Brake pads and rear tires are essentially brand new – spent close to 400 on pads and the rears were 270 each + VAT so I’m well catered for there.
Fronts have about 20% of their life left in them, which I imagine I’ll end up using on the track day itself – hopefully this won’t hamper to performance of the car too much.
Essentially, I’m mainly going to explore both the limits of my car and the limits of my ability to drive a car. I doubt I’ll be timing my laps – not at least for my first track day.
One last one, am I required to wear a helmet or long sleeved clothing at the Autodrome?
Don't: Take your dog, or kids. Or watch any car racing the night before. Or drink and drive, or do drugs. Do: Make sure your AA cover is up to date, your missus never finds out the true cost of the day. Smile and laugh and shout "this is f'in mental" in your crash helmet whilst pushing your accelerator through the floor.
Check you wheels nuts between runs. Turn it into a routine.
15 mins or so out.
Pull up, no hand brake, 1st gear.
Open bonnet.
Let car and yourself cool - take fluid on yourself!
Once car is cool.
Check wheel nuts.
Check oil level.
Check coolant.
Quick look underneath car for random leaks.
Visual check of tyres (incase they are wearing out very fast with bad alighment).
Close bonnet.
Make sure the car has fuel.
Skid lid on, tighten strap.
Seat Belt.
Away you go for the next run...
15 mins or so out.
Pull up, no hand brake, 1st gear.
Open bonnet.
Let car and yourself cool - take fluid on yourself!
Once car is cool.
Check wheel nuts.
Check oil level.
Check coolant.
Quick look underneath car for random leaks.
Visual check of tyres (incase they are wearing out very fast with bad alighment).
Close bonnet.
Make sure the car has fuel.
Skid lid on, tighten strap.
Seat Belt.
Away you go for the next run...
Fuel available at the track is cash only. Service station a few miles up the road: Out of the bedford complex, to the public rd, turn R. To roundabout, turn R again, 3? miles up the road, service station on right, much cheaper.
Bedford GT is rather large, it'll take a while to get the layout in your head. Lots of runoff. You need to brake less than you think, but brake hard always so you only need to adjust when. Try to be smooth, enjoy.
Might also be worth taking food / sandwiches. What's laid on can be variable.
Hmm. I'm also going to disagree with radical chap a little. Yes, use your mirrors, but do not drive looking behind you all the time. Concentrate on where you're going, and driving a smooth line. Check behind on the straights to allow cars past, particularly slower cars with fast drivers that are being dropped on the straights and held up in the corners. DO NOT try to move over and let people through mid corner. It's not that important they get past immediately, and is far more likely to cause you to do something unpredictable, daft, or just spin. You'll have your brain full just driving for the first few laps anyway.
Oh, and enjoy it
Bedford GT is rather large, it'll take a while to get the layout in your head. Lots of runoff. You need to brake less than you think, but brake hard always so you only need to adjust when. Try to be smooth, enjoy.
Might also be worth taking food / sandwiches. What's laid on can be variable.
Hmm. I'm also going to disagree with radical chap a little. Yes, use your mirrors, but do not drive looking behind you all the time. Concentrate on where you're going, and driving a smooth line. Check behind on the straights to allow cars past, particularly slower cars with fast drivers that are being dropped on the straights and held up in the corners. DO NOT try to move over and let people through mid corner. It's not that important they get past immediately, and is far more likely to cause you to do something unpredictable, daft, or just spin. You'll have your brain full just driving for the first few laps anyway.
Oh, and enjoy it
Edited by upsidedownmark on Friday 31st January 14:48
Definitely get some tuition - aim for late morning so you can do a few laps and get to know the track before-hand, then you'll be amazed at the extra speed and lines the instructors can show you. My first track day was at Bedford and it's an awesome track - I'll be back there on the 22nd Feb
Oh, also, spend a lot of time on youtube before you go. It's a long track to remember, doing your homework on the layout really pays dividends.
Oh, also, spend a lot of time on youtube before you go. It's a long track to remember, doing your homework on the layout really pays dividends.
You mentioned earlier that you think your front pads have 20% life left.
CHANGE THEM AND TAKE SPARES!!!!!!
You will not believe how much front pad you WILL go through in all but the lightest cars.
I would also say a full change of brake fluid to racing fluid, you will regret it othewise if you put your foot to the floor on boiled brake fluid.
ATE super blue is cheap & works very well.
CHANGE THEM AND TAKE SPARES!!!!!!
You will not believe how much front pad you WILL go through in all but the lightest cars.
I would also say a full change of brake fluid to racing fluid, you will regret it othewise if you put your foot to the floor on boiled brake fluid.
ATE super blue is cheap & works very well.
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