How much toll does a track day take on your car?
Discussion
I've a 2007 MX-5 which I will happily hoon around in yet when it comes to taking it on track I'm a little bit on the cautious side.
How much will it take out of a car?
Brakes, tyres and oil are the major items which spring to mind but is there anything else which would likely require replacing sooner?
Should I just MTFU and take advantage of the fact that Cadwell and Blyton are less than 15miles away?
How much will it take out of a car?
Brakes, tyres and oil are the major items which spring to mind but is there anything else which would likely require replacing sooner?
Should I just MTFU and take advantage of the fact that Cadwell and Blyton are less than 15miles away?
All that, plus petrol, and also the general mechanicals depending on how fierce you are with it.
Just do it, anyway. If you've never been on a trackday and love driving, you won't want to stop. But go easy towards the end of the day as you'll be tired from driving and more likely to make an expensive mistake. And make sure you're insured. Sure, if you bounce off Armco and damage a bumper, you can afford that, but what if you take an F458 with you?
Just do it, anyway. If you've never been on a trackday and love driving, you won't want to stop. But go easy towards the end of the day as you'll be tired from driving and more likely to make an expensive mistake. And make sure you're insured. Sure, if you bounce off Armco and damage a bumper, you can afford that, but what if you take an F458 with you?
GSP said:
I know someone that tracks a company 330d... At 15k it was a good way through its second set of tyres, need new discs and when serviced recently the technician said the steering rack was in the condition of 100k miles car and has since been replaced too.
I'm not sure why a steering rack would show excessive wear?My 25 miles, over the Wolds drive to work can only be harder on components than a nice smooth circuit?
If you are keeping the brakes and tyres as standard then as others have said they will limit your ability to stay out on track. I would suggest an out lap and then 2-4 laps (depending on lap length) and come in - then repeat. Don't be desperate to get your moneys worth and stay out longer/as long as possible, short spells will help you concentrate, the frequent stops allow you to rest and revaluate your technique and most importantly for the cars vital bits to cool.
Heat build up is your cars enemy in terms of how much toll it will take on it.
Heat build up is your cars enemy in terms of how much toll it will take on it.
The day I first went was a beginners day, I was in my pride and Joy Mkiv Supra at the time, there was a 911 turbo, a Noble and a few caterham types but also a group of suzuki swifts/novas from what looked like a recovery companies Christmas do/day out!!
I just positioned myself appropriately! if you catch up to folk sometimes its better to back right off until you find some space to go for it more safely......this will also help your brakes and tyres to cool.
I just positioned myself appropriately! if you catch up to folk sometimes its better to back right off until you find some space to go for it more safely......this will also help your brakes and tyres to cool.
I drive a circuit as I would a one-way b road.
Keep it smooth, use WOT when avaiable, don't drive beyond what I can see.
I'm not too heavy on brakes - 'lap times' don't interest me much so I'll start braking earlier than the car is capable of and hence have never suffered from hot brakes. I do like to provoke some slip angles on exit though, so tyres tend to get hot and become the limiting factor when they start to feel 'greasy'. Which is fine, just means it's time for a cool down lap and then a wander round the pits to say hello and chat to people with interesting cars whilst letting me and the car cool down.
If I'm honest, a track day takes more toll on me than the car - even my Mk1 MX5 could stay out on track longer than me. I'm sure the Caterham mutters 'MTFU' under it's breath when it realises I want to go back to the pits again...
Keep it smooth, use WOT when avaiable, don't drive beyond what I can see.
I'm not too heavy on brakes - 'lap times' don't interest me much so I'll start braking earlier than the car is capable of and hence have never suffered from hot brakes. I do like to provoke some slip angles on exit though, so tyres tend to get hot and become the limiting factor when they start to feel 'greasy'. Which is fine, just means it's time for a cool down lap and then a wander round the pits to say hello and chat to people with interesting cars whilst letting me and the car cool down.
If I'm honest, a track day takes more toll on me than the car - even my Mk1 MX5 could stay out on track longer than me. I'm sure the Caterham mutters 'MTFU' under it's breath when it realises I want to go back to the pits again...
SuperHangOn said:
Another option is to buy something like an old E30, strip it out and use purely for track days.
Would love to but when you start to factor in tax/mot/insurance that becomes a rather more expensive proposition.It's a shame you can't buy a package of four laps for £20 or so, save having to book a full day but which would give you the experience of what it is like.
raf_gti said:
Would love to but when you start to factor in tax/mot/insurance that becomes a rather more expensive proposition.
It's a shame you can't buy a package of four laps for £20 or so, save having to book a full day but which would give you the experience of what it is like.
I'm sure Brands did offer that over the summer, you could buy 20 min sessions. Plus there are often evening and half day events as well.It's a shame you can't buy a package of four laps for £20 or so, save having to book a full day but which would give you the experience of what it is like.
raf_gti said:
It's a shame you can't buy a package of four laps for £20 or so, save having to book a full day but which would give you the experience of what it is like.
MSV do,http://www.clubmsv.com/car-home/novice-drivers-are...
If you're doing regular track days, I'd step up the checking/servicing regime and use quality oils. Be prepared also to replace tyres/brakes more regularly and I'd also adhere religiously to regular brake fluid changes.
In my experience the only thing that might give it away is tell-tale gravel rash and rubber marks.
So yeah MTFU, keep on top of the maintenance and make sure your tyre pressures are adjusted for track use and then again before you drive home.
In my experience the only thing that might give it away is tell-tale gravel rash and rubber marks.
So yeah MTFU, keep on top of the maintenance and make sure your tyre pressures are adjusted for track use and then again before you drive home.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff