First proper track day at Spa

[spb2008]

Hi,
I'm going to Spa with my Exige for my first proper track day in May and wondered if anyones got any good advice
I've been around other tracks such as silverstone, Milbrook and Nurburgring, but not for a full day and probably not so much traffic.
Thanks,
Steve

[Vixpy1]

Don't worry about traffic at Spa, there should be less than the other places

Its epic, you will have a great time

[gtdc]

Book some tuition.

Simples.

Melindi

[Slow Poke]

With RMA? You'll love it; it's amazing! Get some instruction and you'll be flying around in your Exige.

[shim]

Tuition in the first hour as said above.

Enjoy the space and don't lift on
Blanchimont 2

[pikeyboy]

Get some tuition as melindi has said, its such an epic circuit and can be learnt quite quickly. My favourite section is down hill from les coombes.

Despite what everyone will tell you dont be tempted to try and take eau rouge flat it is'nt always the quickest or safest thing to do unless you're very confident and running off line at the top can end in a big off.

[LuckyP]

Hey mate, what a great track to proply pop your cherry!!

I'd:

- Post on the Exige forum for any top tips to prpare your car for a full day at Spa
- Watch lots of vids, some with race drivers, some with good track day drivers (sub 3 min laps) and some poor drivers to try and see if you can spot what they are doing wrong (there is a lot of late apexing needed so you don't mees yourelf up on the second section of 's' bends.
- I bought one of those track guides. Whislt i might not have memorised where I should have been on the track, it certainly gave me a good understanding of the track and which section follows which.
- Don't be tempted to go too fast too soon
- As others have suggested get some instruction. In fact I'd recommend getting someone in the car as soon as you can. Trouble is they'll show you what you car can do down Eau Rouge, which will have you chasing your tail all day!! But it is always nice to see what ideal is and go reach for it!!

Good luck and enjoy!!

PS - Tyres. What's your plan? Drive there and back? If so have you investigated a second set of tyres or will you be disciplined enough to stop when you get to the legal limit for the journy home???

[gtdc]

LuckyP said:

- As others have suggested get some instruction. In fact I'd recommend getting someone in the car as soon as you can. Trouble is they'll show you what you car can do down Eau Rouge, which will have you chasing your tail all day!! But it is always nice to see what ideal is and go reach for it!!

I meant tuition with the instructor sitting next to him, not driving it. I'm not a great fan of instructors demonstrating.

[pikeyboy]

gtdc said:

I meant tuition with the instructor sitting next to him, not driving it. I'm not a great fan of instructors demonstrating.

Yes often leads to pupil trying to emulate the instructor which then ends in tears and a large armco repair bill. What is the current charge at spa melindi, 200 euro per length or something?

[Jonathan Legard]

boy said:

Yes often leads to pupil trying to emulate the instructor which then ends in tears and a large armco repair bill. What is the current charge at spa melindi, 200 euro per length or something?

I was at a track day at Spa a few years back (2005 mabe) when a guy crashed a Ferrari. Track closed for five hours while they dispatched a guy in a track to Brussels to pick up some armco, bring it back and bolt it on. Granted, it was a Sunday, but you'd have thought a race circuit would have had some spare guard rail laying about somewhere.

[jonnyleroux]

Jonathan Legard said:

I was at a track day at Spa a few years back (2005 mabe) when a guy crashed a Ferrari. Track closed for five hours while they dispatched a guy in a track to Brussels to pick up some armco, bring it back and bolt it on. Granted, it was a Sunday, but you'd have thought a race circuit would have had some spare guard rail laying about somewhere.

They do, a *lot*. Sometimes you can never underestimate the power of stupidity though. I've heard stories of 15+ big smashes at Spa in 1-day (not a BaT day thankfully!).

Jonny
BaT

[gtdc]

boy said:

gtdc said:

I meant tuition with the instructor sitting next to him, not driving it. I'm not a great fan of instructors demonstrating.

Yes often leads to pupil trying to emulate the instructor which then ends in tears and a large armco repair bill. What is the current charge at spa melindi, 200 euro per length or something?

The marvellous expression "monkey see, monkey do" springs to mind. It was a serious wodge per length. Not sure for this year.

[gtdc]

jonnyleroux said:

They do, a *lot*. Sometimes you can never underestimate the power of stupidity though. I've heard stories of 15+ big smashes at Spa in 1-day (not a BaT day thankfully!).

Jonny
BaT

I've been on a day where that happened. There were so many cars on the day they were queueing down the ramp from the F1 paddock almost out of the lower paddock gate. the mullet quota was high.

[pikeyboy]

gtdc said:

I've been on a day where that happened. There were so many cars on the day they were queueing down the ramp from the F1 paddock almost out of the lower paddock gate. the mullet quota was high.

Melindi you have such a way with words, "mullet quota" lol

[RacerMDR]

if in doubt - flat out

[M Powered]

shim said:

Tuition in the first hour as said above.

Enjoy the space and don't lift on
Blanchimont 2

Or at Pouhon in combination with looking ta the gravel trap

[keep it lit]

Spa is such a special place! I am off there again on April 4th and i can't wait.

Here is a video of my first trackday at Spa last October in my then recently acquired GT3.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaJraw6AIts

I'm sure you will have a great time!

Ade

[gtdc]

boy said:

Melindi you have such a way with words, "mullet quota" lol

I didn't score a 10 though. i'm still looking for the perfect score. He needs:-

mullet
bald patch
70s porn tache
Saxon t shirt
clogs
white socks
German mechanic's apron

When I have found and photographed that man I shall rule the world. Got 'em all except the apron on a bird at the Ring 24 last year but she was a bird so it didn't count.

[pikeyboy]

gtdc said:

I didn't score a 10 though. i'm still looking for the perfect score. He needs:-

mullet
bald patch
70s porn tache
Saxon t shirt
clogs
white socks
German mechanic's apron

When I have found and photographed that man I shall rule the world. Got 'em all except the apron on a bird at the Ring 24 last year but she was a bird so it didn't count.

You found a bird with a bald patch, tache and a mullet, she sounds like a supermodel no wonder you were taking pictures of her

[SAGRIFF]

spb2008 said:

Hi,
I'm going to Spa with my Exige for my first proper track day in May and wondered if anyones got any good advice
I've been around other tracks such as silverstone, Milbrook and Nurburgring, but not for a full day and probably not so much traffic.
Thanks,
Steve

My fav track, book some tuition early on, I would recommend Mike Wilds if he is available.

You will love it.