Track Day Tips
Discussion
Morning all,
I have a track day at brands next week and was just after some tips/q's answered. I've done one at Brands before but this was in the old chim and many years ago now. The current chim is substantially quicker (5.3)
what are the ideal tyre pressures?
I'll be taking my gauge to adjust them, but there must be an ideal (ish) for the standard 15/16 inch setup. I have Toyo proxes that are a year old
My Mechanic friend is going to change the oil and give the car a once over this week as I don't have any time myself.
Are there any extra things that I need to take? so far my list is:
Extra oil and coolant
Spare fuses
Torgue wrench and wheel sockets
Some basic tools and cable ties (just in case)
myself
some drinks / food / snacks
Appropriate clothing
Are there any good videos I can watch to help improve my driving and does anyone have any TVR related tips?
I plan to take my time and build up speed and hope to improve through the day
I have a track day at brands next week and was just after some tips/q's answered. I've done one at Brands before but this was in the old chim and many years ago now. The current chim is substantially quicker (5.3)
what are the ideal tyre pressures?
I'll be taking my gauge to adjust them, but there must be an ideal (ish) for the standard 15/16 inch setup. I have Toyo proxes that are a year old
My Mechanic friend is going to change the oil and give the car a once over this week as I don't have any time myself.
Are there any extra things that I need to take? so far my list is:
Extra oil and coolant
Spare fuses
Torgue wrench and wheel sockets
Some basic tools and cable ties (just in case)
myself
some drinks / food / snacks
Appropriate clothing
Are there any good videos I can watch to help improve my driving and does anyone have any TVR related tips?
I plan to take my time and build up speed and hope to improve through the day
Hi, I regularly track a 500.
First off, the Toyo Proxes are unpredictable near the limit, so take care! I changed to Yokohama AD04 which are in another league altogether. As for pressure, I set to 26psi cold all the way round which becomes 30psi when hot.
Also standard springs are way too soft, as are the dampers, giving the tendency to nose dive into corners making turning in difficult and promoting oversteer.
Some additional negative camber also helps.
So enjoy you day and if you find these problems, it's just the way the road cars are set up.
Dougal.
First off, the Toyo Proxes are unpredictable near the limit, so take care! I changed to Yokohama AD04 which are in another league altogether. As for pressure, I set to 26psi cold all the way round which becomes 30psi when hot.
Also standard springs are way too soft, as are the dampers, giving the tendency to nose dive into corners making turning in difficult and promoting oversteer.
Some additional negative camber also helps.
So enjoy you day and if you find these problems, it's just the way the road cars are set up.
Dougal.
Yes your brakes will get hot very quickly.
I’d structure my day a little. Learn the track and car slowly. Once your feeling comfortable keep your track time down to about 15 mins or the car will just get too hot and you’ll need to cool it for ages especially the brakes and fluid.
How old are your brake pads and how much meat is on them. If it’s 6mm or less take a spare set. You can destroy pads in no time on track.
It’s very important to cool the car in between runs. I always opened the bonnet when I came into the pits,, every time, let’s the heat out and you can visually check everything.
Then just have fun and Dougal is spot on, if your a boy on track the car will be to soft but still a lot of fun. The rear brakes can lock up so get the car balanced before braking,
Enjoy and put a few pics up if you can.
I’d structure my day a little. Learn the track and car slowly. Once your feeling comfortable keep your track time down to about 15 mins or the car will just get too hot and you’ll need to cool it for ages especially the brakes and fluid.
How old are your brake pads and how much meat is on them. If it’s 6mm or less take a spare set. You can destroy pads in no time on track.
It’s very important to cool the car in between runs. I always opened the bonnet when I came into the pits,, every time, let’s the heat out and you can visually check everything.
Then just have fun and Dougal is spot on, if your a boy on track the car will be to soft but still a lot of fun. The rear brakes can lock up so get the car balanced before braking,
Enjoy and put a few pics up if you can.
In no particular order.
Bolt on cans
Jack, (worth taking just for checking)
Check wheel nuts after a few outings as they always seem to loosen.
Cable ties
Usual mix of small tools
Something to lie on to adjust dampers
Water bottle, ( for topping up)
Windscreen cleaner and a roll of paper towel
LICENSE
Full face helmet
Ensure plug leads are pulled back from exhaust.
Ensure dipstick isn't loose.
It'll be cold do run on standard or thereabouts tyre pressures
Use at least half a lap on the indie circuit to, "cool down"
Roll to a gentle halt when stopping after an outing and park in gear, Dont apply handbrake.
Fuel is on site, a few pence more but who cares!, mine normally does 5-6mpg on track.
Take everything out the car and boot before venturing on track.
Warm jacket for standing around
Cafe is good.....
Bolt on cans
Jack, (worth taking just for checking)
Check wheel nuts after a few outings as they always seem to loosen.
Cable ties
Usual mix of small tools
Something to lie on to adjust dampers
Water bottle, ( for topping up)
Windscreen cleaner and a roll of paper towel
LICENSE
Full face helmet
Ensure plug leads are pulled back from exhaust.
Ensure dipstick isn't loose.
It'll be cold do run on standard or thereabouts tyre pressures
Use at least half a lap on the indie circuit to, "cool down"
Roll to a gentle halt when stopping after an outing and park in gear, Dont apply handbrake.
Fuel is on site, a few pence more but who cares!, mine normally does 5-6mpg on track.
Take everything out the car and boot before venturing on track.
Warm jacket for standing around
Cafe is good.....
All good advice.
With the tyres, I would keep an eye on the front nearside tyre pressure. Supect it will run at least 2 or 3 degrees higher than the rest. Worthwhile checking the pressures when you finish your session and reset all tyres back to 30 PSI. Leave your car in-gear when staionary and cooling down, do not apply the handbrake.
I would be tempted to change fluid to something like Castrol SRF and pads to something like DS2500s or Mintex 1144 or 66, especially if youre thinking that this willl be the first track day of more than a few.
With the tyres, I would keep an eye on the front nearside tyre pressure. Supect it will run at least 2 or 3 degrees higher than the rest. Worthwhile checking the pressures when you finish your session and reset all tyres back to 30 PSI. Leave your car in-gear when staionary and cooling down, do not apply the handbrake.
I would be tempted to change fluid to something like Castrol SRF and pads to something like DS2500s or Mintex 1144 or 66, especially if youre thinking that this willl be the first track day of more than a few.
This is very helpful for me as well, I have a track day tomorrow at Knockhill, so thanks!
Looking like it will be wet though, so will be taking it easy. No fuel on site, so will be taking a small Jerry can, just in case.
I have changed my rear disks/pads and flushed the fluid through with new Dot 5.1. Front pads have a lot of meat on so should be fine, but have a spare set just in case.
Not done Knockhill before so should be interesting, hopefully there will be somewhere to stick half the garage I have packed!
Looking like it will be wet though, so will be taking it easy. No fuel on site, so will be taking a small Jerry can, just in case.
I have changed my rear disks/pads and flushed the fluid through with new Dot 5.1. Front pads have a lot of meat on so should be fine, but have a spare set just in case.
Not done Knockhill before so should be interesting, hopefully there will be somewhere to stick half the garage I have packed!
Just by the by, I did a sleet/snow track day at Castle Combe in December once.
I was surprisingly quick around the track, didn't take a screwdriver with me and lasted the day on one tank.
Yes, I left TVR at home and took my Octavia vRS. What a great day that was! Full traction control and ABS chattering away all day.
I was surprisingly quick around the track, didn't take a screwdriver with me and lasted the day on one tank.
Yes, I left TVR at home and took my Octavia vRS. What a great day that was! Full traction control and ABS chattering away all day.
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