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Leadfoot

Original Poster:

1,901 posts

280 months

Thursday 26th April 2001
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Hi all - I'm doing my 1st track day next Weds at Brands (Easytrack). Any advice gratefully recieved.

adrianr

822 posts

283 months

Thursday 26th April 2001
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You should hunt around for a FAQ page on one of the track day sites - there are lots on what you should check on your car, but my favourite tip is to try & learn the circuit before you go. Study a map, read the autosport guide if you can get on, drive it a few times on TOCA etc or whatever until you can picture a lap mentally - excellent preparation IMHO. Cheers, AdrianR

Dr chuff

296 posts

283 months

Thursday 26th April 2001
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As Adrian said, follow the instructions for checking your car (I also slightly overfill the oil), TOCA is good for sighting the corners, although nothing can (so far) give you an idea of gradients, cambers, bumps and tarmac changes, except from the track itself. Listen to advice in the briefing, get an instructor as early as you can, and take some time getting used to the circuit and the car. If you reach track-type speeds, the car will feel very different from any time before on the public road, which is of course, a big attraction of track days. Most people have no idea of what their TVR can do until they drive it on a track. Speed up slowly during the day, try and keep it all smooth and measured, and watch out after lunch - it's when most people seem to come off! Remember to 'wind down' mentally before you drive home, and don't run out of petrol. Your car will be using it much faster than ever before! Easytrack are good organisers, so finally, enjoy your day! Dr C

TVR Mark

45 posts

282 months

Thursday 26th April 2001
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Start slow (relatively) and build up speed as you learn the circuit. Keep an eye on your mirrors for faster car. Lift off when cars overtake you remember they may have less power then you and slower in a straight line.

manek

2,972 posts

283 months

Friday 27th April 2001
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Agree. Don't try to go fast until at least your third or fourth session. By then everything will have warmed up, you'll know the track, you'll be more confident and the track will have more rubber on it. Brake early and easy too -- that way you'll have a chance of doing your full set of laps per session rather than overheating your brakes -- which are the key determining factor in how long you can stay out there.

leadfoot

Original Poster:

1,901 posts

280 months

Saturday 28th April 2001
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Tks, any particular tips for Brands.

graham

16,368 posts

283 months

Monday 30th April 2001
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as they all say take your time building your speed up, and brake fairly early ( but dont feel the need to keep braking later and later) once you are happy with the circuit find yourself a rythm and try to stick to it, same braking, turning and exit points, aim to get a smooth consistancy rarther than just trying to go faster and faster which can easily lead to an off in the later sessions. Also when faster cars come up behind you remember you dont have to leap out of the way, but simply let them past when it is safe. if you are first to the corner they should not overtake and you should keep to your line ( obviously watch out for any nutters) if anyone does overtake in a corner they should be reported to the organisers. if you keep leaping out of the way you are constantly off line and in the dirty part of the track, this keep the lap times down and hence leads to being overtaken more and more (catch 22). So in brief, try to build up a rythm and stick to it, watch for faster cars but only move over where it is safe, DONT simply try and go faster and faster G

AndrewD

7,527 posts

283 months

Tuesday 1st May 2001
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Brands is quite a technical circuit so good idea for you to get the line right early on and you are then in a better position to build up your speed through the day as confidence rises. Take out an instructor in the first session. Don't overcook it round Paddock as going sideways down the hill towards the gravel is not advisable! Be careful coming back onto the pit straight in the wet as there are some interesting bumps. Have fun!

Leadfoot

Original Poster:

1,901 posts

280 months

Thursday 3rd May 2001
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Wot a larf I had! Even tho' the morning was all but rained off (1 session in the streaming wet, with completely misted up windows, buttocks clenched). Can't wait for the next one.

adrianr

822 posts

283 months

Thursday 3rd May 2001
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Always better to learn in the wet - teaches you finesse & balance as it shows up bad technique much more than in the dry. Cheers, AdrianR