First time out in a F22 228i
Discussion
So, I've just booked myself on a Track Day at Bedford Aerodrome on 22nd Sept and now filled with a mixture of apprehension & excitement!
I've had a good nosey through some posts here and the Sticky at the top of the page but I guess some clarifications rather than huge questions.
I'll be running a 2016 BMW 228i coupe - it's my station car, which I chose as much for having the potential for relatively cheap trackday thrills
Overall it's in superb nick. I have good tyres on it and fully serviced. It will definitely need new rear pads on it beforehand but reading this, I'm wondering if I need to take additional front pads with me and be prepared to change them during the day?
Otherwise was thinking of taking it for a brake fluid change (DOT 6) and a general once-over by a local mechanic just to check nothing's going to fall off.
I've booked a garage & tuition (presumably an hour for £25) and plan on taking some tools, a collapsible chair, aeropress and some food!
Anything else?
I've had a good nosey through some posts here and the Sticky at the top of the page but I guess some clarifications rather than huge questions.
I'll be running a 2016 BMW 228i coupe - it's my station car, which I chose as much for having the potential for relatively cheap trackday thrills
Overall it's in superb nick. I have good tyres on it and fully serviced. It will definitely need new rear pads on it beforehand but reading this, I'm wondering if I need to take additional front pads with me and be prepared to change them during the day?
Otherwise was thinking of taking it for a brake fluid change (DOT 6) and a general once-over by a local mechanic just to check nothing's going to fall off.
I've booked a garage & tuition (presumably an hour for £25) and plan on taking some tools, a collapsible chair, aeropress and some food!
Anything else?All sounds like good prep to me.
Take some basic tools and check your wheel nuts are tight, also worth having oil and coolant on hand just in case.
My advice to any newcomers is stick to short sessions, 15 minutes or so and then come in and park up for 30 mins or so. Don't put the handbrake on and open the bonnet.
Take it slowly and build up confidence and remember to watch your mirrors. Other than that, enjoy!
Take some basic tools and check your wheel nuts are tight, also worth having oil and coolant on hand just in case.
My advice to any newcomers is stick to short sessions, 15 minutes or so and then come in and park up for 30 mins or so. Don't put the handbrake on and open the bonnet.
Take it slowly and build up confidence and remember to watch your mirrors. Other than that, enjoy!
Don't go crazy spendy on brake fluid - ATE Typ200 is excellent and very modestly priced. I use it on my trackday Fiesta and never a hint of an issue, despite very very hot brakes at various times.
As above keep your sessions relatively short - when the tyres and brakes have had enough come in and cool off. You'll minimise the wear that way, and have a much nicer time of it.
Take a tyre pressure gauge and tyre pump - once the tyres are hot after a session set your pressures back down. At the end of the day let the tyres cool off then pump them back up to road pressure again. You'll see a big drop once you're on the road and the tyres are cold.
As above keep your sessions relatively short - when the tyres and brakes have had enough come in and cool off. You'll minimise the wear that way, and have a much nicer time of it.
Take a tyre pressure gauge and tyre pump - once the tyres are hot after a session set your pressures back down. At the end of the day let the tyres cool off then pump them back up to road pressure again. You'll see a big drop once you're on the road and the tyres are cold.
RandomCarChat said:
All sounds like good prep to me.
Take some basic tools and check your wheel nuts are tight, also worth having oil and coolant on hand just in case.
My advice to any newcomers is stick to short sessions, 15 minutes or so and then come in and park up for 30 mins or so. Don't put the handbrake on and open the bonnet.
Take it slowly and build up confidence and remember to watch your mirrors. Other than that, enjoy!
Good advice. Take some basic tools and check your wheel nuts are tight, also worth having oil and coolant on hand just in case.
My advice to any newcomers is stick to short sessions, 15 minutes or so and then come in and park up for 30 mins or so. Don't put the handbrake on and open the bonnet.
Take it slowly and build up confidence and remember to watch your mirrors. Other than that, enjoy!
I would add check inside mirror before turning in on the slower corners, two reasons, some idiots won't wait to pass (anyone doing this report to the TDO), some idiots will misjudge their braking and steam down the inside all locked up hoping you have seen them.
Might see if I can get a trackday in the R8 past the purchasing office and join you
Thanks for all those tips guys.
I've spent the morning looking at YouTube videos of how to change out brake pads so I think I'll be doing that myself and then getting the local mechanic to do the brake fluid change and checkover.
@geeks - I've been trying to rally a couple of mates but if you do find yourself there, let me know. Been following your R8 thread and would be nice to see it in action.
I've spent the morning looking at YouTube videos of how to change out brake pads so I think I'll be doing that myself and then getting the local mechanic to do the brake fluid change and checkover.
@geeks - I've been trying to rally a couple of mates but if you do find yourself there, let me know. Been following your R8 thread and would be nice to see it in action.
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