Track Day Questions - suppliers / wheels / tyres ect

[Roaders]

Hi All

I've done a few track days at knockhill over the past few years and have done a few days at the ring. This year I'm planning on doing a lot more and will probably be going to Spa, the ring for at least 3 weekends and possibly a few more.

Where is the best place to buy stuff for track days? I'm after some nice bags to put my wheels in to make them easier and cleaner to move about. I've searched online but have not been able to find anything.
Where should I go to buy a helmet? Everyone says you should try them on but you obviously can't do that on the internet. I live in Wimbledon so I would assume there will be somewhere near here that will sell this sort of stuff.

As I now have a car with a sensible boot I'll be planning on driving to track days with 4 track tyres in the boot and change them when I get there. Is it generally ok to leave a set of 4 expensive wheels and a trolley jack chained up somewhere in the pits? I obviously don't want all that rolling around in the boot of the car.

I want to get some track day wheels and tyres. The dealer who I bought my car from (E92 M3) is offering me a set of the standard 18" M3 wheels with tyres hardly used for £800. IMHO this is a bargain but I realise that these wheels are by no means the lightest I can get. I think they'll be lighter than the optional 19s that I went for. How easy would it be to get lightweight wheels for the car, I've been told that non standard wheels would not be set up to work as well with the suspension.

I'm planning on taking a set of spare pads along to the track days. How hard is it to change these in the pits? I don't ever really get my hands dirty working on the car getting the dealer to do all the work that it needs.

I think that's it for now, I hope someone can answer some of these questions. Maybe I'll bump into some of you at a track day

Edited by Roaders on Wednesday 1st April 20:45

[AndrewO]

A set of 18s would make sense, put a set of sticky tyres on so you don't ruin the road ones and they are more reasonable to replace. £800 is a good deal for 4 plus tyres. A set of light wheels will probably cost alot more ??

Put some performance pads in and check them after each track day. They are easy to change, just push the pistons back but watch the fluid level.

Some circuits are harder on brakes than others and once you get to know the car the braking distances will get shorter. Best bet is to replace them beforehand if they are getting low and bed them in. When you swop the wheels around check the pads.

Full face helmet from most motorbike dealers. The visors clip off easy enough. They will normally give good advise on fitting.

Lock all the wheels up in a pit lane garage. Alot of people don't bother but its worth doing. The only thing I've had pinched (Silverstone 30-3-09) was a can of coke zero, and I reckon I know who that was.

Edited by AndrewO on Wednesday 1st April 23:09

[madd0g]

these do some good wheel covers at good prices
http://www.thoroughbred-covers.co.uk/

[scotty_dog]

You could try speaking to Steve at Track Club.

They do the event support for Goldtrack days, and supply a large amount of track day based equipment, including wheel covers etc.

Web site: www.track-club.com

Think they are in the process of setting up an online shop, although not sure how far along it is.

Hope this helps

Scotty

[Roaders]

Thanks for the replies guys. I've not been able to find any wheel covers on any of those sites but I'm sure it's just a case of phoning them up and asking about them.

If I put performance pads on the car is that going to affect how it drives normally very much? Or should I swap them out when I'm going on the track. I don't want to change how the car drives for normal road driving if I can help it. Will they wear out quicker?

Thanks again.

[Ferb]

I change my wheels and pads at the track, pads only take an extra 10mins to change. I live in Guernsey with a max 35mph speed limit so I can't bed my pads in before the event but I leave them in till I get back.
With the helmet Demon Tweeks will let you post them back free of charge if you order the wrong size. Before I bought my lid I tried one on at the local kart track so I got the correct size first time

[drjhill]

I doubt you will get all 4 wheels in your boot. I have e36 m3 coupe with narrower wheels and I can only just get three in the boot, using the spare wheel well that you don't have, the other goes on the back seat.

I reckon you will need two on the back seat. If you have a pit garage I think you will generally be OK, if you are just in the paddock chain/lock them to something solid. Maybe just a cheap trolley jack as it won't be easy to chain everything down. Thieving pikeys are everywhere!

[Oilchange]

Hi, if you want to do this on a budget it is possible. I like to save money so I use 4 heavy duty bin liners for wheel covers and a sturdy tarpauline for a base layer. Easy.

I went to a local motorbike accessories shop for my helmet, what they don't know about fitting a helmet probably isn't worth knowing and you can pick up a cheap full face with all the right stickers for under £100. No comments about how much your head is worth please, its bks.

You can also pick up a bike chain and padlock to secure your wheels while you hoon around. Generally though the pits are safe areas that don't attract thieves as you're all of the same mindset.

Changing pads at the track, you will need some basic tools and jack, obviously. I would do a set change at home to determine how long it takes and what you need, then you are pre prepared.

Have fun at the ring you lucky g1t!