New to track days.. any advice?

[krunchkin]

I've booked my first ever track day in my S2000 at Brands Hatch next week. I'm sure the vastly knowledgable and endlessly cheerful and helpful Pistonheads collective can give a noob some useful advice?

[10 Pence Short]

Before you go-

1) Change the brake fluid for some high temperature stuff, or your brakes will very probably fade quickly.

2) Check your brake pads are not getting thin.

2) I know it's an S2000, so no real space for crap to be floating around, but make sure you don't have anything in the boot or cabin that's going to fly around when you're on track.

[snorkel sucker]

Tuition is a must - such a good way to get more out of you car, yourself an the day.

Other than that, check all your fluids before hand, make sure you have plenty of tread on your tyres for the day and to drive home and keep an eye on tyre pressures.

Other than that just enjoy it - don't think you have to be the quickest, just enjoythe day and be courteous to the other drivers (listen carefully to the drivers briefing and know your flags!)

[krunchkin]

excellent tips so far - very useful. More of this sort of stuff plz

[krunchkin]

what is a suitable make of high-temp brake fluid?

[GAjon]

Check the car throughout the day, don't put your handbrake on after you come in from your track session.

[4key]

Brake fade is a bh around brands, if you are currently using cheap crap pads change them. Add to the other things mentioned your fuel supply, take a few big cans if youve got a mate with you or somewhere to keep them and figure out what cars you want to keep clear of before you go out, some open pit days at brands attract some right dangerous idiots.

[Contigo]

Make sure the tow eye cover is removed in the event of a tow away. It saves time and is much safer to be prepped

Treat it as a track day for you to enjoy and learn the limits of your car and not race everyone. If someone overtakes you don't let pride get in the way and race them, they will in most events have more experience than you and be a quicker driver. That's life.

And the main thing is enjoy it!

[krunchkin]

presumably Marshalls are on the lookout for dangerous bellends? Do they tend to be quite strict in cracking down on st behaviour>?

[4key]

krunchkin said:

presumably Marshalls are on the lookout for dangerous bellends? Do they tend to be quite strict in cracking down on st behaviour>?

Yes, dont get me wrong it is well organised and the marshalls are on the ball but there are always a couple who are pushing way too hard and are on the edge as if they are going for the lap record, its not what you want when you are out just having fun in your pride and joy. Just roll out behind them so if they stuff it they are infront of you and not trying to get past you

[Contigo]

4key said:

Yes, dont get me wrong it is well organised and the marshalls are on the ball but there are always a couple who are pushing way too hard and are on the edge as if they are going for the lap record, its not what you want when you are out just having fun in your pride and joy. Just roll out behind them so if they stuff it they are infront of you and not trying to get past you

yep I always do that, I'd rather have an idiot in front of me than behind me on both track and road.

[PDenyer]

krunchkin said:

what is a suitable make of high-temp brake fluid?

I run Motul 600 in the 911