Track day in my Chim

[ropey]

Hello again (2 posts in 1 day!)

This one is slightly more pleasant...

For Christmas, my gf got me a track day voucher for me and my Chim! Which I am dead chuffed about, as it is something that I've been thinking about doing for a while. Would like to test out the full potential, etc, etc.

The voucher is for "Track Days" and I've had a brief look on their site, but thought I'd post up something and see what you guys think.

This would be my first track day in any car, and I'd rather not crunch my pride and joy, so an airfield track has been recommended to me. The gf was going to book Rockingham for me, as it was supposed to be good for beginners. Is this true?

I have a 4.5 Chim. Any recommendations will be gratefully received.

Also, what about tyres? My fronts are on their way out (although they passed the MOT last month without even a warning). Is it best to do the track day before I change them, or after?

And lastly, stone chips? Is their a way to protect the front of the car, especially as I might have just had my front end re-done (See other post!). A cheap, temporary way, that is?

Many thanks to you all in advance.

Happy Christmas!

Ropey.

[joospeed]

yu'll quickly destroy new tyres on track, teh tread blocks squirm and generate alot of heat. however very worn tyres may not last the day and be legal home either .. rock and hard place. best buy some tyres anyway, take them along to a track day that has tyre fiting on site, destroy the ones on there and get teh new ones fitted before returning home?

airfiled days are safe but tend to be concrete and abrasive on paint and tyres.

rockingham is supposed to be good (banking .. mm .. lovely) .. but never been there myself.

Bedford is very good . loads of run off but can be pricey - but it was designed by Jonathan palmer so is quite brilliant to drive the 3.6 odd miles long circuit ... pleaty of tail out action to be had there ( I still smile remembering my one and only visit there .. must go again soon, although small engined TVRs may feel a bit underpowered there)

[V8 Archie]

ropey said:

I have a 4.5 Chim.

joospeed said:

although small engined TVRs may feel a bit underpowered there)

What do you consider to be large?

[tvrbob]

joospeed said:

....airfiled days are safe....

Well not in my book. Airfield tracks tend to have rutted grass edges. Loose your car in a spin and up in the grass you are likely to flip it. I only use real tracks these days. Without the luxury of a roll over bar I prefer tracks with properly prepared escape areas and they tend to be far better on my tyres as well.

[GreenV8S]

If you're prepared to be sensible and drive within your own limits, the venue is not particularly important IMO. Most places have *somewhere* where going off will be nasty and of course you take special care not to do anything silly at those corners, and they have other corners where the scenery is more forgiving where you can be slightly braver. The difference between the venues is just a matter of degree rather than some being safe and some dangerous. Drive sensibly, stay within your own limits, pay attention to the environment and keep an extra safety margin where going off would hurt, and you will be fine. The big difference to look out for IMO is the quality of driving from people around you. Properly organised track days with well enforced safety rules are fine, but not all track days are organised this well. Stick with the well known track day organisers, these guys will usually also have instructors available, take advanage of them they are the best investment you can make.

[joospeed]

that's what I meant to say

lol

happy new year Peter.

[joospeed]

V8 Archie said:

ropey said: I have a 4.5 Chim. joospeed said: although small engined TVRs may feel a bit underpowered there) What do you consider to be large?

If you've got something like a 2 litre tasmin with 110 bhp, it's going to feel slow at a track, you'll really need 200 plus genuine bhp to feel like you're going somewhere... imo.

PS I've got a slidey dy at elvington booked through track action, limited to 30 drivers only and loads of run off at this very wide venue, should be fun

will post some pics if Rude Girl gets some ones that make me look better than I really am ..