Starting off with track days - what do i need?
Discussion
I've decided that roads are no fun anymore (or there's no point having fun on the roads anymore) so i want to try track days. i've done a few laps around a track in an elise before but that's it. I don't want to use my current car or my wife's (mine's an estate and my wife's is a 1.6) so i'm lookig at buying a car apecifically for track use but will want to drive it on the road too.
what do i need? do i have to make any modifications to the car? and do i need a helmet/suit etc or is it a jeans and trainers experience? I'm looking at doing it a few times a year but nothing too serous, just a bit of fun.
I was thinking about getting a cheapish elise. is this a good idea? and which models are best for bashing round a track? or should i go for something cheaper to start off? or is expensive and more reliable the way to go? budget isn't too much of an issue though i don't want to spend excessive amounts on something i'm not going to use every day.
thanks, any advice appreciated.
what do i need? do i have to make any modifications to the car? and do i need a helmet/suit etc or is it a jeans and trainers experience? I'm looking at doing it a few times a year but nothing too serous, just a bit of fun.
I was thinking about getting a cheapish elise. is this a good idea? and which models are best for bashing round a track? or should i go for something cheaper to start off? or is expensive and more reliable the way to go? budget isn't too much of an issue though i don't want to spend excessive amounts on something i'm not going to use every day.
thanks, any advice appreciated.
In terms of kit: the minimum that you need is a helmet and a set of boots. Gloves are also good with suede/alcantara steering wheels. A race suit is not necessary for track days, although do provide protection should the worst happen - I have a nomex suit which I use at trackdays (and for when I want to prance around the high street pretending to be The Stig).
An elise is a great choice for a track/road car, although for specific advice on best models/spec/mods, register on the Seloc forum, or the lotus section in pistonheads and ask them directly, you'll get a wealth of experience from those sources.
Good luck!
An elise is a great choice for a track/road car, although for specific advice on best models/spec/mods, register on the Seloc forum, or the lotus section in pistonheads and ask them directly, you'll get a wealth of experience from those sources.
Good luck!
Ooooh where to start...
Helmets can be hired but if you are going to be serious about track days then it's best to get your own. A UK bike helmet is sufficient and relatively inexpensive (start around £50) BUT it's recommended to buy the best specific motorsport helmet you can afford, after all it's your noggin it's protecting.
Everything else is optional and it depends on you how far you want to go. A decent pair of comfortable, thin soled trainers is recommended for pedal feel but personally I don't bother with specific racewear for track days (I save that for competition). The only usual rule for UK trackdays apart from the helmet is that your arms and legs must be covered.
Pretty much any car is allowed on track at trackdays, the general rule is if it will pass an MOT or motorsport scrutineering it's allowed on the track. That doesn't mean any car with an MOT would be OK though. There is no point taking a dog of car on the track, if it's leaking fluids, not in good mechanical condition then obviously it's a big no-no. You'll waste your own time and money and other peoples if it has to be dragged off the track.
Noise is also a big consideration with limits varying from track to track and often strictly enforced. Road cars with original factory spec exhausts should be no problem but you have to be careful with modified cars.
Before taking a car on track make sure the brakes are in tip-top condition, they take the biggest beating off all. I'm afraid "fast road" use is nothing compared to a twisty track. At the very least make sure the brake fluid is a decent spec and fresh and the pads/discs are up to the job (check what other people use on track for your car). Money invested in brakes is rarely wasted.
As for the rest of the mechanicals just make sure it's all in good condition and fluids are fresh and up to their appropriate Max marks (especially engine oil, a service before hand wouldn't go amiss). Make sure you have decent life left in your tyres too. Overinflating road going tyres is recommended to help with sidewall flex but that depends on the tyre make/size and car combo so check with other people who track your particular car.
An Elise makes a great all round track car. It's light and therefore less wear on parts, economical and great handling out of the box. If you have big feet and quite tall then it's not so good!
Above all go out and enjoy, once the bug bites it's addictive.
Helmets can be hired but if you are going to be serious about track days then it's best to get your own. A UK bike helmet is sufficient and relatively inexpensive (start around £50) BUT it's recommended to buy the best specific motorsport helmet you can afford, after all it's your noggin it's protecting.
Everything else is optional and it depends on you how far you want to go. A decent pair of comfortable, thin soled trainers is recommended for pedal feel but personally I don't bother with specific racewear for track days (I save that for competition). The only usual rule for UK trackdays apart from the helmet is that your arms and legs must be covered.
Pretty much any car is allowed on track at trackdays, the general rule is if it will pass an MOT or motorsport scrutineering it's allowed on the track. That doesn't mean any car with an MOT would be OK though. There is no point taking a dog of car on the track, if it's leaking fluids, not in good mechanical condition then obviously it's a big no-no. You'll waste your own time and money and other peoples if it has to be dragged off the track.
Noise is also a big consideration with limits varying from track to track and often strictly enforced. Road cars with original factory spec exhausts should be no problem but you have to be careful with modified cars.
Before taking a car on track make sure the brakes are in tip-top condition, they take the biggest beating off all. I'm afraid "fast road" use is nothing compared to a twisty track. At the very least make sure the brake fluid is a decent spec and fresh and the pads/discs are up to the job (check what other people use on track for your car). Money invested in brakes is rarely wasted.
As for the rest of the mechanicals just make sure it's all in good condition and fluids are fresh and up to their appropriate Max marks (especially engine oil, a service before hand wouldn't go amiss). Make sure you have decent life left in your tyres too. Overinflating road going tyres is recommended to help with sidewall flex but that depends on the tyre make/size and car combo so check with other people who track your particular car.
An Elise makes a great all round track car. It's light and therefore less wear on parts, economical and great handling out of the box. If you have big feet and quite tall then it's not so good!
Above all go out and enjoy, once the bug bites it's addictive.
It is very addictive.
With regards to whatever car you buy, I would strongly advise investing in higher temperature brake pads and brake fluid as standard brakes will quickly fade after a couple of laps... not only is this obviously dangerous, but it will ruin your day out as you can't brake as late into each corner.
The rest of the mods are optional, but brakes are mandatory..
The rest of the mods are optional, but brakes are mandatory..
I did my first couple of trackdays this year.
All I did was turn up at the first having bled new brake fluid through my brake lines (unknown age) and checked I had plenty of meat in the discs and pads. Usual fluids check and since I had recently had new wishbones fitted I check all trhe suspension bolts were torqued up.
I took some oil and water with me and a socket set. Turned out I needed the socket set as my gear linkage came loose making changes sloppy.
So you dont need anything except a car in servicable condition and yourself.
I bought a helmet for my second track day as it was almost as cheap as renting one - this one http://www.ghostbikes.com/pp/HELMETS/Motorcycle%2D... bargain seeing as its old stock and retailed at £70+ elsewhere. Thats ACU gold certified for motorbike trackdays - I don't believe in spending more than necessary as they are all tested to the same standards.
All I did was turn up at the first having bled new brake fluid through my brake lines (unknown age) and checked I had plenty of meat in the discs and pads. Usual fluids check and since I had recently had new wishbones fitted I check all trhe suspension bolts were torqued up.
I took some oil and water with me and a socket set. Turned out I needed the socket set as my gear linkage came loose making changes sloppy.
So you dont need anything except a car in servicable condition and yourself.
I bought a helmet for my second track day as it was almost as cheap as renting one - this one http://www.ghostbikes.com/pp/HELMETS/Motorcycle%2D... bargain seeing as its old stock and retailed at £70+ elsewhere. Thats ACU gold certified for motorbike trackdays - I don't believe in spending more than necessary as they are all tested to the same standards.
m12_nathan said:
Top tip for you:
If you must wear a race suit on a track day, have your name embroidered on to it. It will save all those embarassing "Who's the w@nker in the race suit?" remarks as everyone will already know who the w@nker is.
Not a good attitude. To quote the RMA briefing; "if you have a race suit, wear it".If you must wear a race suit on a track day, have your name embroidered on to it. It will save all those embarassing "Who's the w@nker in the race suit?" remarks as everyone will already know who the w@nker is.
Being burned to death makes you look considerably more of a knob. But then, you won't care, on account of being dead.
after a few experiences i would recomend taking it easy in the first track days you attend. these events are often busy and some people take it as a race instead of a bit of fun. if ur vehicle is not in good condition ur bound to break it. brakes and tyres are taking a beating so make sure they are up to standard. a helmet is essential and other items (suit, gloves, boots) just depend of yourself and ur budget. good luck
I agree entirely. Rubbish attitude.
I wear long an old flying suit which could be mistaken for mechs overalls but its nomex, plus gloves and a full face helmet. correct footwear helps, slim shoes, if you can't afford a cheap pair of racing boots, will do.
I wear fireproof stuff for my job too and we take it very seriously. The difference between wearing the stuff and not in a crash could mean, at the very least, some serious melted skin.
A cheap pair of nomex/leather gloves will allow you to exit a car on fire without the worry of touching something that is ablaze.
Being burned to death makes you look considerably more of a knob. But then, you won't care, on account of being dead.
I wear long an old flying suit which could be mistaken for mechs overalls but its nomex, plus gloves and a full face helmet. correct footwear helps, slim shoes, if you can't afford a cheap pair of racing boots, will do.
I wear fireproof stuff for my job too and we take it very seriously. The difference between wearing the stuff and not in a crash could mean, at the very least, some serious melted skin.
A cheap pair of nomex/leather gloves will allow you to exit a car on fire without the worry of touching something that is ablaze.
Zumbruk said:
m12_nathan said:
Top tip for you:
If you must wear a race suit on a track day, have your name embroidered on to it. It will save all those embarassing "Who's the w@nker in the race suit?" remarks as everyone will already know who the w@nker is.
Not a good attitude. To quote the RMA briefing; "if you have a race suit, wear it".If you must wear a race suit on a track day, have your name embroidered on to it. It will save all those embarassing "Who's the w@nker in the race suit?" remarks as everyone will already know who the w@nker is.
Being burned to death makes you look considerably more of a knob. But then, you won't care, on account of being dead.
Zumbruk said:
S1MMA]In terms of kit: the minimum that you need is a helmet and a set of boots. [quote said:
Except you don't need the boots. 
Edited by S1MMA on Friday 5th December 11:40
scrob said:
GC8 said:
Theres not much point wearing nomex overalls unless youre wearing a nomex balaclava...
All the same, I'd rather burn my face than my whole body and my face If you have a race suit then wear it. Just dont go swanning around the pits thinking you are the stig and race suit = better driver .. thats why people will think you're a cock
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