Track day prep
Discussion
I've booked my first track day for a couple of weeks time, so fingers crossed the weather will stay dry!
I'm looking to get it serviced/given a once over at a TVR specialist in the next couple of weeks anyway, so hopefully that will pick up on any potential dodgy areas.
Other than the usual service stuff, is there anything in particular you tend to do before a track day?
Also, any common issues that might arise from being driver hard(er than usual!)?
Thanks!
I'm looking to get it serviced/given a once over at a TVR specialist in the next couple of weeks anyway, so hopefully that will pick up on any potential dodgy areas.
Other than the usual service stuff, is there anything in particular you tend to do before a track day?
Also, any common issues that might arise from being driver hard(er than usual!)?
Thanks!
miniman said:
Get a noise test done before you book the track day!
Good point. The official limit is 105db, but it doesn't seem as if they are too strict.
My exhaust is back to standard now, and other then the pre-cats out I don't think there's anything else done that would affect the noise. Hopefully I should be alright.
Other than the obvious noise issue: (if it's an MSV day you can go to any MSV day before hand and get noise tested, static at least).
Things to take:
Oil.
Water.
Rag/paper towels.
Tyre pressure gauge ( you'll have to drop the PSI slightly as your tyres will be much hotter than on the road, thus overinflated).
Long sleeve top (most organisers will insist on this for an open top car).
Some food and drink.
Cash.
Comfy shoes.
Find out beforehand where the nearest petrol station is, and if they do super. There may be one on site, but expect to pay ~20% extra.
Some basic tools, zip ties, jubilee clips, tape etc.
A box to put all this stuff in and leave it in the pits, you don't want this stuff sliding about in the boot damaging the bodywork.
New pants...
The main thing is to remember the extra stress you're going to put your car under. By far the most stressed component compared to the road is the brakes, closely followed by the driver. I'd suggest descent pads as others have suggested. All TVR's are light but you don't want brake fade, it'll ruin your day if you're not confident of the brakes.
Take regular breaks, let the car cool and chill out yourself. I prefer open pit lane days for this reason, you can do as much or as little as you like.
As others have said, get some tuition. Even a single session will teach you a lot about lines etc.
Above all, enjoy. A track day in your own car is amazing fun!
Things to take:
Oil.
Water.
Rag/paper towels.
Tyre pressure gauge ( you'll have to drop the PSI slightly as your tyres will be much hotter than on the road, thus overinflated).
Long sleeve top (most organisers will insist on this for an open top car).
Some food and drink.
Cash.
Comfy shoes.
Find out beforehand where the nearest petrol station is, and if they do super. There may be one on site, but expect to pay ~20% extra.
Some basic tools, zip ties, jubilee clips, tape etc.
A box to put all this stuff in and leave it in the pits, you don't want this stuff sliding about in the boot damaging the bodywork.
New pants...
The main thing is to remember the extra stress you're going to put your car under. By far the most stressed component compared to the road is the brakes, closely followed by the driver. I'd suggest descent pads as others have suggested. All TVR's are light but you don't want brake fade, it'll ruin your day if you're not confident of the brakes.
Take regular breaks, let the car cool and chill out yourself. I prefer open pit lane days for this reason, you can do as much or as little as you like.
As others have said, get some tuition. Even a single session will teach you a lot about lines etc.
Above all, enjoy. A track day in your own car is amazing fun!
Nice list Exige.....just forgot:
CRASH HELMET
DRIVING LICENCE
You will be going nowhere without both of those. Also check if MSV require a full face crash helmet if the roof is down.
Take plenty of water for the driver.....I got through about 4 litres last weekend.
And I cannot agree more about the instructor sessions - I thought I knew how to drive a circuit, but did there was an awesome 5.7 litre Holden on mine, driven by a pro test driver, so I blagged a ride at the start of the session and learnt so much from him.
Cannot now remember if Exige mentioned TANK TAPE (duck tape/duct tape). Very useful for two things:
1. Tape across the leading edges of the bonnet and below if you don't want to spend an hour after the trackday touching in loads of little stone chips and
2. Handy to stop the bonnet popping up at high speed (mine did at 135), or flapping on the left hand side at any speed over 95. To avoid worrying about it, just tape the entire length of the bonnet, both sides, before you start with three strips of tape each side.
Also, remove your front number plate for additional cooling, and tape over your rear one, as the polishing brigade can be funny about buying a car that has been tracked, and photos of your brilliant vehicle will of course appear on internet sites.
Do take breaks, as said above, but resist the temptation to stand around chatting endlessly during the driving time - if you do, the session will be red flagged, or the heavens will open, just as you leave the pits after your 20 minute chat. Also, blag or give as many passenger rides as you can, you learn so much from other people's driving, and anyway, its fun, and not surprisingly people like going in a TVR! It's a surprisingly nice place to be, even at 140 with the roof down.
To get the targa hoop properly down, undo the side velcro both inside and out, push the flaps through to the inside, and then carefully fold the hoop and rear window right down until the ally struts are almost touching the parcel shelf. Make sure the window is warm before you start and karate chop (gently!) and kinks out with your hand as the roof goes down. I have to say I enjoyed my track day far more with the roof down, you hear as well as see other cars coming so much better and you stay a lot cooler.
One final tip - if the circuit is left handed (anti-clockwise) and has any long, progressive acceleration bends on it, be prepared to have to re-fuel when you car gets down to 1/3 tank. Mine started coughing at Marham last weekend turning onto the main straight (aka runway), which is a 135 degree bend and you accelerate through it. All the fuel was my side of the car, but the fuel hoses are on the passenger side!! 50 litres of super fixed the problem but lost me half an hour of track time.
Have fun, and keep below about 6000 rpm if you can.
CRASH HELMET
DRIVING LICENCE
You will be going nowhere without both of those. Also check if MSV require a full face crash helmet if the roof is down.
Take plenty of water for the driver.....I got through about 4 litres last weekend.
And I cannot agree more about the instructor sessions - I thought I knew how to drive a circuit, but did there was an awesome 5.7 litre Holden on mine, driven by a pro test driver, so I blagged a ride at the start of the session and learnt so much from him.
Cannot now remember if Exige mentioned TANK TAPE (duck tape/duct tape). Very useful for two things:
1. Tape across the leading edges of the bonnet and below if you don't want to spend an hour after the trackday touching in loads of little stone chips and
2. Handy to stop the bonnet popping up at high speed (mine did at 135), or flapping on the left hand side at any speed over 95. To avoid worrying about it, just tape the entire length of the bonnet, both sides, before you start with three strips of tape each side.
Also, remove your front number plate for additional cooling, and tape over your rear one, as the polishing brigade can be funny about buying a car that has been tracked, and photos of your brilliant vehicle will of course appear on internet sites.
Do take breaks, as said above, but resist the temptation to stand around chatting endlessly during the driving time - if you do, the session will be red flagged, or the heavens will open, just as you leave the pits after your 20 minute chat. Also, blag or give as many passenger rides as you can, you learn so much from other people's driving, and anyway, its fun, and not surprisingly people like going in a TVR! It's a surprisingly nice place to be, even at 140 with the roof down.
To get the targa hoop properly down, undo the side velcro both inside and out, push the flaps through to the inside, and then carefully fold the hoop and rear window right down until the ally struts are almost touching the parcel shelf. Make sure the window is warm before you start and karate chop (gently!) and kinks out with your hand as the roof goes down. I have to say I enjoyed my track day far more with the roof down, you hear as well as see other cars coming so much better and you stay a lot cooler.
One final tip - if the circuit is left handed (anti-clockwise) and has any long, progressive acceleration bends on it, be prepared to have to re-fuel when you car gets down to 1/3 tank. Mine started coughing at Marham last weekend turning onto the main straight (aka runway), which is a 135 degree bend and you accelerate through it. All the fuel was my side of the car, but the fuel hoses are on the passenger side!! 50 litres of super fixed the problem but lost me half an hour of track time.
Have fun, and keep below about 6000 rpm if you can.
Edited by Quietlybonkers on Tuesday 21st August 06:48
By the way, my standard car with standard exhaust was measured at 90dB at Cadwell, and my brakes didn't fade at all in 300 miles of very hot track day running last weekend - but every lap did have a 1.4 mile runway section to help cool everything. Do watch your gauges - that's what straights are for.
Let the addiction begin!!! You need:
Ralgex - to rub into your aching jaw because you will be grinning like a loon
Clean pants - self explanatory
Bank loan form - because you will have to feed the addiction
Large bag of ear plugs - to give to everyone else because you won't be able to stop telling them how you nailed the third corner, tenth lap etc
Smart phone - too book the next track day from a track day
Turn up, be chilled, easy for the first few sessions and gradually build it up. GET SOME INSTRUCTION, preferably after the break when you know the track well.
Ralgex - to rub into your aching jaw because you will be grinning like a loon
Clean pants - self explanatory
Bank loan form - because you will have to feed the addiction
Large bag of ear plugs - to give to everyone else because you won't be able to stop telling them how you nailed the third corner, tenth lap etc
Smart phone - too book the next track day from a track day
Turn up, be chilled, easy for the first few sessions and gradually build it up. GET SOME INSTRUCTION, preferably after the break when you know the track well.
Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff