Discussion
I've been on a few track days and loved it. I have decided to turn my VXR into a dedicated track car and eventually enter it into Time Attack. Just wondered if there was anyone on here that go on many track days and would like to offer tips/experiences etc. I have no friends who are car enthusiasts so would be nice to track with someone lol.
I'm going on an OpenTrack day on the 21st of May if anyones going to that?
I'm going on an OpenTrack day on the 21st of May if anyones going to that?
There is a whole mass of information, is there anything in particular you would like to know?
My main bit of information for a complete novice would be to not skim on parts (tyres, brakes etc) and to drive within your limits. That being said, you're no novice and you have a decent car, so I'm sure you don't use crap.
Glad you are enjoying track days
My main bit of information for a complete novice would be to not skim on parts (tyres, brakes etc) and to drive within your limits. That being said, you're no novice and you have a decent car, so I'm sure you don't use crap.
Glad you are enjoying track days
Mainly driving tips (sorry should of been more specific) on a track. I have driven many cars (though only 23) including RX8s, Imprezas etc. All work will be done by myself, I have already stripped the engine down, strengthened it and is now pushing around 300BHP.
The car is hardly ever used as I stay at my work during the summer and during the winter it's a 10 minute drive to work, seems like a waste so I've bought a cheap runabout and decided to track the VXR.
So yeah I know I'll be getting some tuition at Open Track but just wondered if anyone had any driving tips for me to think about.
Also would you recommend getting track insurance, will only be on the track for 2 hours maximum. I have got track insurance when I've been before but they have been the whole day.
The car is hardly ever used as I stay at my work during the summer and during the winter it's a 10 minute drive to work, seems like a waste so I've bought a cheap runabout and decided to track the VXR
.So yeah I know I'll be getting some tuition at Open Track but just wondered if anyone had any driving tips for me to think about.
Also would you recommend getting track insurance, will only be on the track for 2 hours maximum. I have got track insurance when I've been before but they have been the whole day.
I've just made the step from track days to Time Attack and so far it's been brilliant !!!!!
You will need all the right kit so up to date helmet , race suit, gloves , shoes ect I also use a trailer and have spare wet tyres !!
Depending on what class you choose to enter you will need a flashing race light .
Lots of practise and lessons is the only advice I can give along with a reliable car !!!
Tux
You will need all the right kit so up to date helmet , race suit, gloves , shoes ect I also use a trailer and have spare wet tyres !!
Depending on what class you choose to enter you will need a flashing race light .
Lots of practise and lessons is the only advice I can give along with a reliable car !!!
Tux
Thanks for the advice. I will be looking at race equipment when I enter into time attack, I will spend next summer practicing most probably and enter the year after.
Due to my age I cannot tow a trailer with a mam of over 750kg. I have passed my class 2 HGV license so I will be using a car transporter, hiring one for next summer practicing then buy my own ready for time attack.
Can't wait till next Thursday.
Is this your first time attack season then?
Due to my age I cannot tow a trailer with a mam of over 750kg. I have passed my class 2 HGV license so I will be using a car transporter, hiring one for next summer practicing then buy my own ready for time attack.
Can't wait till next Thursday.
Is this your first time attack season then?
VXRTrack said:
Due to my age I cannot tow a trailer with a mam of over 750kg. I have passed my class 2 HGV license so I will be using a car transporter, hiring one for next summer practicing then buy my own ready for time attack.
I've got a post 1997 licence and initially thought the same that I was limited to a 750kg trailer however its not the case. You are limited to a 750kg trailer if your tow vehicle is plated at 3500kg, giving a train weight of 4250kg. You can also run up to 3500kg train weight with the proviso that the tow vehicle is heavier than the trailer, i.e. a 1750kg car with a 1749kg trailer in the extreme. The recommendations are the trailer should be 80-85% maximum of the tow vehicle weight to keep it all stable.See https://www.gov.uk/towing-with-car
www.gov.uk said:
If you passed your driving test after 1 January 1997 and have an ordinary category B (car) licence, you can: drive a vehicle up to 3.5 tonnes or 3,500kg MAM towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM; tow a trailer over 750kg MAM as long as the combined weight of the trailer and towing vehicle is no more than 3,500kg.
VXRTrack said:
So yeah I know I'll be getting some tuition at Open Track but just wondered if anyone had any driving tips for me to think about.
This kind of tuition is good but spending a day with the likes of Mike Cooper http://www.drivertuition.com/ will transform your driving. You will probably feel slow after but against the clock you will be so much faster at the end of the day all down to the smoothness he develops in his students.Steve H off here is another excellent chap to spend a day with, both would be well worth the investment, a day with either of these would probably make a bigger difference in your times that £000's spent on the car.
The two main area's to spend on are Brakes and Tuition.
Have fun.
gruffalo said:
This kind of tuition is good but spending a day with the likes of Mike Cooper http://www.drivertuition.com/ will transform your driving. You will probably feel slow after but against the clock you will be so much faster at the end of the day all down to the smoothness he develops in his students.
Steve H off here is another excellent chap to spend a day with, both would be well worth the investment, a day with either of these would probably make a bigger difference in your times that £000's spent on the car.
You're very kind as ever Steve H off here is another excellent chap to spend a day with, both would be well worth the investment, a day with either of these would probably make a bigger difference in your times that £000's spent on the car.
.OP, practice and guidance are everything. Get at least a 20 minute tuition session on most or all of the days that you do and then pick the bits of advice that work best for you.
If you really want to geek up on a bit of theory THIS may be a useful read to get a bit of understanding of what is happening when you are driving on track.
Speedy - I'll be in an Astra VXR nurburgring Edition. Not sure what time I'll be getting there as don't know when open track start. Is this your first time with them or not? Do you have facebook or something be easier to talk on seeing as we are going to meet each other soon lol. My names Richard Saunders
Steve H - Thank I will definately look at that link, I have found in my life that i find it easier to master something if I understand the login and basic behind it. Do you "officially" do track training or is it just every now and then?
Steve H - Thank I will definately look at that link, I have found in my life that i find it easier to master something if I understand the login and basic behind it. Do you "officially" do track training or is it just every now and then?
Steve H said:
gruffalo said:
This kind of tuition is good but spending a day with the likes of Mike Cooper http://www.drivertuition.com/ will transform your driving. You will probably feel slow after but against the clock you will be so much faster at the end of the day all down to the smoothness he develops in his students.
Steve H off here is another excellent chap to spend a day with, both would be well worth the investment, a day with either of these would probably make a bigger difference in your times that £000's spent on the car.
You're very kind as ever Steve H off here is another excellent chap to spend a day with, both would be well worth the investment, a day with either of these would probably make a bigger difference in your times that £000's spent on the car.
.OP, practice and guidance are everything. Get at least a 20 minute tuition session on most or all of the days that you do and then pick the bits of advice that work best for you.
If you really want to geek up on a bit of theory THIS may be a useful read to get a bit of understanding of what is happening when you are driving on track.
VXRTrack said:
Speedy - I'll be in an Astra VXR nurburgring Edition. Not sure what time I'll be getting there as don't know when open track start. Is this your first time with them or not? Do you have facebook or something be easier to talk on seeing as we are going to meet each other soon lol. My names Richard Saunders
Registration is between 3 and 5pm, track opens at 5:30pm I think. I have added you on FB. This is my first time using Opentrack but my second time on the Indy circuit.
Edited by Speedy300 on Saturday 16th May 06:49
VXRTrack said:
Steve H - Thank I will definately look at that link, I have found in my life that i find it easier to master something if I understand the login and basic behind it. Do you "officially" do track training or is it just every now and then?
Yep, you can't master driving from a book but a good understanding of the theory is very useful for most drivers.I don't instruct full time, too many hours and too many miles but I'm ARDS licenced and out there pretty regularly working for TDOs and the occasional private client.
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