What was the best advice...
Discussion
...anyone gave you when you went to your first track day?
I've just booked Oulton on 1st Dec with Opentrack, hoping to book tuition as its my first track day since doing an MSV experience a few years ago.
I'll be trying to keep a red 306 out of the grass/gravel/barriers.
I decided against bringing the beemer cost it'll cost too much if i bin it!
Thanks in advance,
Ian
I've just booked Oulton on 1st Dec with Opentrack, hoping to book tuition as its my first track day since doing an MSV experience a few years ago.
I'll be trying to keep a red 306 out of the grass/gravel/barriers.
I decided against bringing the beemer cost it'll cost too much if i bin it!
Thanks in advance,
Ian
Edited by ian_touring on Wednesday 18th November 23:20
Make sure your car is basically sound, remove all loose stuff from inside, plenty of fuel, listen to the drivers briefing properly, obey the rules on track, follow someone who knows the proper lines if there are no "beginners laps", gradually build up speed to a pace you are comfortable with and keep an eye on your mirrors!
Oh, and enjoy yourself - even in a standard family type car you should have more fun than you thought possible !
Oh, and enjoy yourself - even in a standard family type car you should have more fun than you thought possible !
phatgixer - i don't want to end up on the naughty step. i'll be behaving myself.
Cheers rollcage i'll remember to clear out the rubbish/maps/old parking tickets - it will probably make the car loads lighter. Is it worth pulling the rear seats/parcel shelf/etc out or is this just pointless?
Got new brake fluid and pads this week, tyres are all ok. I'm really excited about this, can't stop watching youtube vids! my excuse is i'm trying to learn the track...
Cheers rollcage i'll remember to clear out the rubbish/maps/old parking tickets - it will probably make the car loads lighter. Is it worth pulling the rear seats/parcel shelf/etc out or is this just pointless?
Got new brake fluid and pads this week, tyres are all ok. I'm really excited about this, can't stop watching youtube vids! my excuse is i'm trying to learn the track...
Don't wheel shuffle. Keep your hands planted at 3 and 9, crossing them if necessary when turning.
Break hard and late rather than riding the brakes into the corner. Less time in contact with the disc - less time for fluid to boil.
Always acknowledge flags.
Something a racing driver once told me - Get some decent fireproof gloves. Something with grip to suit your steering wheel, and good enough fire resistance to get yourself out of the car in a fire situation.
Break hard and late rather than riding the brakes into the corner. Less time in contact with the disc - less time for fluid to boil.
Always acknowledge flags.
Something a racing driver once told me - Get some decent fireproof gloves. Something with grip to suit your steering wheel, and good enough fire resistance to get yourself out of the car in a fire situation.
Nah leave your interior alone until you really get in to it and need to make space for the rollcage 
As mentioned make sure your car is serviced and sound. Empty the car of ALL loose objects.
On the day make sure you have:
Helmet
License
Directions to track
Location of nearest petrol station
Pocket money for food and drink
Camera
If there is an opportunity to have an instructor on board take it. You will learn more in 10 laps with an instructor than you will doing 100 bad laps on your own.
ETA: Best advice I have heard? HAVE FUN and never ever say loudly anything along the lines of "Watch this"
As mentioned make sure your car is serviced and sound. Empty the car of ALL loose objects.
On the day make sure you have:
Helmet
License
Directions to track
Location of nearest petrol station
Pocket money for food and drink
Camera
If there is an opportunity to have an instructor on board take it. You will learn more in 10 laps with an instructor than you will doing 100 bad laps on your own.
ETA: Best advice I have heard? HAVE FUN and never ever say loudly anything along the lines of "Watch this"
Edited by deviant on Thursday 19th November 08:00
ian_touring said:
phatgixer - i don't want to end up on the naughty step. i'll be behaving myself.
Cheers rollcage i'll remember to clear out the rubbish/maps/old parking tickets - it will probably make the car loads lighter. Is it worth pulling the rear seats/parcel shelf/etc out or is this just pointless?
Got new brake fluid and pads this week, tyres are all ok. I'm really excited about this, can't stop watching youtube vids! my excuse is i'm trying to learn the track...
As mentioned above, clearing the car out is more to do with safety - you dont want that empty coke bottle ending up under the brake pedal!Cheers rollcage i'll remember to clear out the rubbish/maps/old parking tickets - it will probably make the car loads lighter. Is it worth pulling the rear seats/parcel shelf/etc out or is this just pointless?
Got new brake fluid and pads this week, tyres are all ok. I'm really excited about this, can't stop watching youtube vids! my excuse is i'm trying to learn the track...
Last time I did Oulton in December, you couldn't stand up in the paddock due to all the ice 
If that is the case, then as mentioned above, take care a Druids
My best advice for Oulton would be take care at Druids whatever the conditions. This time of year it can be slippery up there and it catches a lot of people out. I reckon 80% of the offs that red flag sessions at Oulton, are at Druids.
If that is the case, then as mentioned above, take care a Druids
My best advice for Oulton would be take care at Druids whatever the conditions. This time of year it can be slippery up there and it catches a lot of people out. I reckon 80% of the offs that red flag sessions at Oulton, are at Druids.
Edited by benny.c on Thursday 19th November 09:42
benny.c said:
Last time I did Oulton in December, you couldn't stand up in the paddock due to all the ice
If that is the case, then as mentioned above, take care a Druids
My best advice for Oulton would be take care at Druids whatever the conditions. This time of year it can be slippery up there and it catches a lot of people out. I reckon 80% of the offs that red flag sessions at Oulton, are at Druids.
Best advice here, was there last friday, it was lethal, oil on the 2nd apex last time too. If that is the case, then as mentioned above, take care a Druids
My best advice for Oulton would be take care at Druids whatever the conditions. This time of year it can be slippery up there and it catches a lot of people out. I reckon 80% of the offs that red flag sessions at Oulton, are at Druids.
Edited by benny.c on Thursday 19th November 09:42
Also old hall if its raining, there is usually a lot of standing water sitting in a dip.
Build up your pace slowly. This will also allow you to assess the track conditions prior to needing to deal with a 90mph full opposite lock correction going in to a corner!
However, be mindful that others may be more familiar with the circuit, so may initially be lapping at a much faster pace within the same session. Try, where you can, to acknowledge them with your intention to move (via indicators) asap.
Don't radically alter your cornering line to let someone past. Probably better to gently either lift on the straight or if they're clearly faster than you, just pull to the side as per the directions given on the breifing on the day.
Have fun!
However, be mindful that others may be more familiar with the circuit, so may initially be lapping at a much faster pace within the same session. Try, where you can, to acknowledge them with your intention to move (via indicators) asap.
Don't radically alter your cornering line to let someone past. Probably better to gently either lift on the straight or if they're clearly faster than you, just pull to the side as per the directions given on the breifing on the day.
Have fun!
Don't know the names of the corners at oulton but the shell oil banked one catches quite a dew folk out-the previous 3 corners are all hard on the brakes & you can quite easily boil your fluid leading up to that one.
Listen to all the storys about Druids as it really is slippery in damp/wet/cold conditions but if you take a wide line around the outside you'll be fine.
Best advice is to make sure car is prepped.tyres in good nick,new breaks & fluid.no leaks & coolant refreshed. After all that you should be fine-enjoy!
Listen to all the storys about Druids as it really is slippery in damp/wet/cold conditions but if you take a wide line around the outside you'll be fine.
Best advice is to make sure car is prepped.tyres in good nick,new breaks & fluid.no leaks & coolant refreshed. After all that you should be fine-enjoy!
As said so many times already... DRUIDS!!! 
Another one to watch out for it it's wet/cold is the first chicane after the hairpin - Brittens. The right hand section of it gets quite slick and it normally catches a couple of people. Again, as already said, keep an eye on your mirrors and give people plenty of room to pass you... I find that after letting a load pass me I'm usually left with a clear track for a good couple of laps until they catch me up again.
Another one to watch out for it it's wet/cold is the first chicane after the hairpin - Brittens. The right hand section of it gets quite slick and it normally catches a couple of people. Again, as already said, keep an eye on your mirrors and give people plenty of room to pass you... I find that after letting a load pass me I'm usually left with a clear track for a good couple of laps until they catch me up again.
Don't go out in the first half hour of the morning or straight after lunch. Let all the hot head testosterone addicts get their accidents done and dusted then enjoy more sensible company afterwards. There's always plenty of time to drive so don't feel pressured to get out immediately.
Oh and get some tuition. However good a road driver you are it will be invaluable.
Oh and get some tuition. However good a road driver you are it will be invaluable.
Thanks for the tips 
, i'll be watchful on Druids - i've looked, its the one with the two apexes (apices?), i'll be a lot more prepared now.
I'm hoping to get some passenger rides in other peoples cars, is this frowned upon/accepted/welcome? I think it might help to see other (experienced) drivers "in action" fnar. I've got a goose-neck camcorder sucker clamp holder thing to get some video for post drive/crash analysis too, anyone know will this be acceptable? i'll ask when i get there anyways i guess.
, i'll be watchful on Druids - i've looked, its the one with the two apexes (apices?), i'll be a lot more prepared now.I'm hoping to get some passenger rides in other peoples cars, is this frowned upon/accepted/welcome? I think it might help to see other (experienced) drivers "in action" fnar. I've got a goose-neck camcorder sucker clamp holder thing to get some video for post drive/crash analysis too, anyone know will this be acceptable? i'll ask when i get there anyways i guess.
Last time I was up at Oulton they did not allow the use of sucker mounts, although people have reported using them since.
You'll usually find many people willing to give passenger laps. Trackdays generally seem to attract a friendly bunch, many of whom like to show off their cars. It can be quite scary being a passenger on a trackday though
You'll usually find many people willing to give passenger laps. Trackdays generally seem to attract a friendly bunch, many of whom like to show off their cars. It can be quite scary being a passenger on a trackday though
I will see you there on the 1st.
One of the nice things about Opentrack (apart from the donuts) is that they include a session of tuition for free. See if you can get an early slot.
Best advice I have ever been given is to get some pax laps with someone who knows a circuit that is new to you before you go out.
One of the nice things about Opentrack (apart from the donuts) is that they include a session of tuition for free. See if you can get an early slot.
Best advice I have ever been given is to get some pax laps with someone who knows a circuit that is new to you before you go out.
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