New Boy To Track Days
Discussion
Right you petrol heads, I have loads of probably daft questions but I'm looking for some advise... I will be participating in my 1st novice track day at Snetterton on the 26th March, I've bought the car, the crash helmet and dipers (just in case)... I'm looking at some of the threads and notice that big discussions are around oil changes, oil change durations and brakes/fluids, can somebody tell me what's the best oil to throw in the track car and o brake fluid etc... o ye the track car is a Vectra 2.5 V6, hope its adequate for a gentle drive around a circuit and no body laughs at me???
P.S. I'm Sure i will have more questions to follow before the 26th!!!
P.S. I'm Sure i will have more questions to follow before the 26th!!!
Track use wears the car faster than road use. A rule of thumb is that for each mile on track you will wear the car between 10 and 20 road miles. If you take the worst case of twenty miles then...
On a track day you might to 100 track miles - very achievable on an open pit lane day - if its a three mile lap that's only thirty four laps!
During that track day you will wear the car about 2000 miles worth. If the car needs annual servicing or every 12,000 miles or so - you would need a service every six track days if you did no other miles!
On top of this you may wear out discs, pads and tyres out at an ever faster rate. Depends on how abrasive your pads are. A regular set of tyres should do four track days or so...maybe less, maybe more depends how hard you are trying, the weight of the car and so on.
Hot tip: Change the the brake fluid now. Change it annually at least. The last thing you want is brakes that fade on you and it's a lot more likely with old, watery brake fluid.
BTW: The cheapest track day car isn't the cheapest car. It's the car that wears out its consumables the least. In general the lighter the car - the less the strain on discs, pads and tyres. There is a reason why outfits like Bookatrack rent out Caterhams - it's not just because they are fun to drive (and they are) but they are also cost effective to run when driven hard.
I have thought long and hard about getting one for that exact reason...
On a track day you might to 100 track miles - very achievable on an open pit lane day - if its a three mile lap that's only thirty four laps!
During that track day you will wear the car about 2000 miles worth. If the car needs annual servicing or every 12,000 miles or so - you would need a service every six track days if you did no other miles!
On top of this you may wear out discs, pads and tyres out at an ever faster rate. Depends on how abrasive your pads are. A regular set of tyres should do four track days or so...maybe less, maybe more depends how hard you are trying, the weight of the car and so on.
Hot tip: Change the the brake fluid now. Change it annually at least. The last thing you want is brakes that fade on you and it's a lot more likely with old, watery brake fluid.
BTW: The cheapest track day car isn't the cheapest car. It's the car that wears out its consumables the least. In general the lighter the car - the less the strain on discs, pads and tyres. There is a reason why outfits like Bookatrack rent out Caterhams - it's not just because they are fun to drive (and they are) but they are also cost effective to run when driven hard.
I have thought long and hard about getting one for that exact reason...
A few tips to minimise car damage:
1. Get some heat into tyres and brakes gently by doing a warm up lap. If you just go straight out and try and thrash it - you'll probably just fall off the track (cold tyres= no grip) and can easily warp discs.
2. Depending on weight of car and it's state of prep for track work, don't stay out on hot laps for any longer than 15-20mins max. Heat is the sworn enemy of all things mechanical (and rubber for that matter). You will wear out parts and tyres at a frightening rate if you do 30 min sessions.
3. Cool down lap - 1 possibly 2 laps in top gear, no braking if pos to get cool air round your hot bits. When parking up, stop, car in gear, switch off engine. Do not sit with your foot on the brake pedal or use the hand brake. You'll boil the brake fluid with horrible results!
Leave car for at least 30 mins before going out again.
Do all of the above and you really will lower your parts bills. Enough in a year to pay for several more track days easily!
1. Get some heat into tyres and brakes gently by doing a warm up lap. If you just go straight out and try and thrash it - you'll probably just fall off the track (cold tyres= no grip) and can easily warp discs.
2. Depending on weight of car and it's state of prep for track work, don't stay out on hot laps for any longer than 15-20mins max. Heat is the sworn enemy of all things mechanical (and rubber for that matter). You will wear out parts and tyres at a frightening rate if you do 30 min sessions.
3. Cool down lap - 1 possibly 2 laps in top gear, no braking if pos to get cool air round your hot bits. When parking up, stop, car in gear, switch off engine. Do not sit with your foot on the brake pedal or use the hand brake. You'll boil the brake fluid with horrible results!
Leave car for at least 30 mins before going out again.
Do all of the above and you really will lower your parts bills. Enough in a year to pay for several more track days easily!
In addition to the good pointers above, ensure your pads are new or nearly new. Once half worn they will transmit too much heat to the calipers pistons which will result in boiled fluid. I'd say stick to standard pads for your first day and upgrade to higher performance pads if you get the bug (more than likely!).
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