SPA Circuit day- Advice required
Discussion
..didn't want to hijack the ring/spa thread, but have a question on a related matter.
My mates have convinced me to sign up for a SPA circuit day with a company called cicuit-days, for a cost of £249. The event is on Friday 1st April. Seems like good value.
I have never driven a car on a circuit, so have a few questions that I hope you guys can help to answer. My main concern is that I have not even checked my car since Oct, it's been tucked away, and Iwont get to drive it till end March due to work commitments. In fact, the way it is looking, i may not get into the car until March 31st at the earliest.
What obvious checks should i do before even comtemplating a drive to Belgium, let alone a circuit day. Should I have a cool off lap after every lap, should i take top up oil with me, and if so, what type etc etc. As you can see, i have no idea what the hell i am doing, or going to be doing!!
My car is standard, no pro alloy intercooler etc, so i do not know how much i can push a standard car.
Any advice would be much appreciated. I do not intend to drive at crazy speed, just want to enjoy the car safely, and not break the bank.
A
My mates have convinced me to sign up for a SPA circuit day with a company called cicuit-days, for a cost of £249. The event is on Friday 1st April. Seems like good value.
I have never driven a car on a circuit, so have a few questions that I hope you guys can help to answer. My main concern is that I have not even checked my car since Oct, it's been tucked away, and Iwont get to drive it till end March due to work commitments. In fact, the way it is looking, i may not get into the car until March 31st at the earliest.
What obvious checks should i do before even comtemplating a drive to Belgium, let alone a circuit day. Should I have a cool off lap after every lap, should i take top up oil with me, and if so, what type etc etc. As you can see, i have no idea what the hell i am doing, or going to be doing!!
My car is standard, no pro alloy intercooler etc, so i do not know how much i can push a standard car.
Any advice would be much appreciated. I do not intend to drive at crazy speed, just want to enjoy the car safely, and not break the bank.
A
Never done a track day in my Noble but have done a few in my Ultima ,i,m guessing the advice would be the same !! also check tyre pressures and general condition as these tend to get a bit of stick !!!
check and service car if it needs it , check brake pads ,oil water levels ect to make sure they are fit for along trip , i normaly carry 1 litre of oil and the same of mixed water , i also carry a new tub of brake fluid .
in a 20 min sesion i would do 2 warmup laps 6 to 8 flying laps then 2 cooling down laps ,when back in pits never leave handbrake on and open up clips to vent engine bay and front end . when cool check over for leaks ect then head for track again . hope this helps . Simon
p.s always drive well within your limits ....stay away from everyone and keep a good lookout in your mirror for faster cars !!
check and service car if it needs it , check brake pads ,oil water levels ect to make sure they are fit for along trip , i normaly carry 1 litre of oil and the same of mixed water , i also carry a new tub of brake fluid .
in a 20 min sesion i would do 2 warmup laps 6 to 8 flying laps then 2 cooling down laps ,when back in pits never leave handbrake on and open up clips to vent engine bay and front end . when cool check over for leaks ect then head for track again . hope this helps . Simon
p.s always drive well within your limits ....stay away from everyone and keep a good lookout in your mirror for faster cars !!
TuxMan said:
Never done a track day in my Noble but have done a few in my Ultima ,i,m guessing the advice would be the same !! also check tyre pressures and general condition as these tend to get a bit of stick !!!
check and service car if it needs it , check brake pads ,oil water levels ect to make sure they are fit for along trip , i normaly carry 1 litre of oil and the same of mixed water , i also carry a new tub of brake fluid .
in a 20 min sesion i would do 2 warmup laps 6 to 8 flying laps then 2 cooling down laps ,when back in pits never leave handbrake on and open up clips to vent engine bay and front end . when cool check over for leaks ect then head for track again . hope this helps . Simon
p.s always drive well within your limits ....stay away from everyone and keep a good lookout in your mirror for faster cars !!
check and service car if it needs it , check brake pads ,oil water levels ect to make sure they are fit for along trip , i normaly carry 1 litre of oil and the same of mixed water , i also carry a new tub of brake fluid .
in a 20 min sesion i would do 2 warmup laps 6 to 8 flying laps then 2 cooling down laps ,when back in pits never leave handbrake on and open up clips to vent engine bay and front end . when cool check over for leaks ect then head for track again . hope this helps . Simon
p.s always drive well within your limits ....stay away from everyone and keep a good lookout in your mirror for faster cars !!
Ok why not use the handbrake ??
My advice is to get the brake fluid changed for decent stuff before you go as most of the stealers use normal (as in boiling point)fluid and this destroyed my first track day as even with new fluid I had a brake pedal on the floor in most high speed braking zones,which is very scarey !
daddysumo said:
Ok why not use the handbrake ??
http://www.driving-days.co.uk/track-day-preparatio...Or even warped discs
Edited by david.mt on Tuesday 23 February 19:36
david.mt said:
daddysumo said:
Ok why not use the handbrake ??
[url]www.driving-days.co.uk/track-day-preparation.php[/url]
Or even warped discs
Edited by david.mt on Tuesday 23 February 19:36
Yep but.... your brake pads are not used for the parking brake so it makes no difference to the brake pads if you use your hand brake or not
daddysumo said:
david.mt said:
daddysumo said:
Ok why not use the handbrake ??
http://www.driving-days.co.uk/track-day-preparatio...Or even warped discs
Edited by david.mt on Tuesday 23 February 19:36
david.mt said:
daddysumo said:
david.mt said:
daddysumo said:
Ok why not use the handbrake ??
[url]www.driving-days.co.uk/track-day-preparation.php[/url]
Or even warped discs
Edited by david.mt on Tuesday 23 February 19:36
Yep but.... your brake pads are not used for the parking brake so it makes no difference to the brake pads if you use your hand brake or not
Well they generally are and hence the recommendation - what does the Noble use a drum mechanism inside the rotor? Still could be an issue if too hot and binds?
Yes it does and mine has never binded as it really should not be that hot if you have a cool down lap,and as we know the heat travels to the disc (thin) away from the internal drum (thick),but its up to the individual as with all things but in the Nobles case its ok to use IMO.
afzala said:
...brake fluid...any suggestions for a suitable one to use?
Ive used Motul RBF,Castrol SRF and AP racing amongst others,these all seemed to perform equally as well. Have hears the RBF660 is meant to be performing well.
I am looking into having Titanium backing plates manufactured, will let u know if I can get it sorted.
Edited by daddysumo on Tuesday 23 February 20:32
Hi Amran, amazing that I've still yet to see your car even though we only live 2 miles apart!
I can't really add anything to what others have said but I'd definately give it a couple of days of road driving well before you go just in case any nasty squeeks/rattles develop. That gives you a while to have anything seen to if need be.
Best of all have fun and don't push yourself to keep up with others. I went to the ring last year in my RS4 and had a superb time, even if I was passed by everyone including some loon in a Clio 172!!
Rob
I can't really add anything to what others have said but I'd definately give it a couple of days of road driving well before you go just in case any nasty squeeks/rattles develop. That gives you a while to have anything seen to if need be.
Best of all have fun and don't push yourself to keep up with others. I went to the ring last year in my RS4 and had a superb time, even if I was passed by everyone including some loon in a Clio 172!!
Rob
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