First Track Day - MR2 Roadster - What Do I Need to Know?
Discussion
Hi
So I'm considering my first track day. I have a completely standard 2005 MR2 Roadster in fine fettle. Do I need to do anything to prepare the car?
I understand I need a helmet so I'll be purchasing one rather than renting, any recommendations?
How long are my tyres likely to last? If I turn on up with 5mm on my Falken 412s will I be legally driving home?
I'm concerned I wont fit in my car with a helmet on, is it permissable to have the roof down?
In terms of driving, are cheeky slides a big no-no or are they tolerated if you don't take the piss? Not talking heroics here but the car does like to wiggle its hips in the tighter stuff.
Anything else I need to know? My local circuit is Bedford and I'm keen to get something booked pronto.
Thanks all.
Tom.
So I'm considering my first track day. I have a completely standard 2005 MR2 Roadster in fine fettle. Do I need to do anything to prepare the car?
I understand I need a helmet so I'll be purchasing one rather than renting, any recommendations?
How long are my tyres likely to last? If I turn on up with 5mm on my Falken 412s will I be legally driving home?
I'm concerned I wont fit in my car with a helmet on, is it permissable to have the roof down?
In terms of driving, are cheeky slides a big no-no or are they tolerated if you don't take the piss? Not talking heroics here but the car does like to wiggle its hips in the tighter stuff.
Anything else I need to know? My local circuit is Bedford and I'm keen to get something booked pronto.
Thanks all.
Tom.
Most track day's will let you have the roof down as long as you have a full face helmet.
I would take a liter of oil with you, i usually dip mine after the lunch break just to make sure it's ok.
Drifting is a no no, but if you come out of a corner with a bit of over steer you can usually get away with it.
My advice is to build yourself up on track, don't go out and attempt a lap record in the first 5 laps, you will crash.
Be smooth and try to learn the track, watch your mirrors and enjoy yourself!
I would take a liter of oil with you, i usually dip mine after the lunch break just to make sure it's ok.
Drifting is a no no, but if you come out of a corner with a bit of over steer you can usually get away with it.
My advice is to build yourself up on track, don't go out and attempt a lap record in the first 5 laps, you will crash.
Be smooth and try to learn the track, watch your mirrors and enjoy yourself!
I'd suggest it might be worth changing the brake fluid for a racing spec one to help reduce brake fade & it also lasts longer than normal brake fluid. After a few track days you might then need to consider changing the brake pads for something a little more durable for track use along with a new set of tyres!
Bedford is probably the safest place for your first track day - lots of run off areas and very little to hit if you do run out of grip or talent. There is also a rather friendly and courteous attitude there. People are courteous and helpful.
You will be fine with the top down, so long as you have a full face helmet (open face lids not allowed for soft tops). Long sleeves also required.
Brake fluid replacement, as suggested above, is a really good idea. MR2s are light on their brakes, so you may well be fine on road spec pads, so long as they are not chocolate cheapies.
The Falkens I had were quite soft, with soft sidewalls, so if yours are similar and you go scrubbing and sliding all day, you will knock the shoulders off. Keep an eye on your tyre pressures, if you push on, they will rise quite quickly on soft tyres, so check them after a few laps. You may want to drop the pressures a few psi to compensate or it will be quite squirmy. There is an airline in the pit lane garage, if you don't take your own gauge and pump.
Toyotas use a bit of oil when screamed - my 2zz uses about 1/2 litre each track day and they can suffer oil starvation when cornered hard if the oil level is low, so the tip above to check and top up your oil is a good one. I also overfill my Corolla by about 300ml - the 2zz is (perhaps) more prone to starvation that your motor. I always use a higher viscosity oil too - 5w40 synthetic as a minimum - and this has kept my tired old engine sweet.
After a couple of long track days the synchromesh was getting very tired on the Corolla. I changed the gearbox oil to try to help it and I was astonished that the syncs recovered after a few laps on the next day out. If your transmission oil has been in there a long time, change it.
Get some tuition, early in the day. The instructors at Bedford charge about £20 per session on Javelin days and it's the fastest way to go faster. Bedford GT is a long track (about 4 miles) and it takes a while to learn.
You will be fine with the top down, so long as you have a full face helmet (open face lids not allowed for soft tops). Long sleeves also required.
Brake fluid replacement, as suggested above, is a really good idea. MR2s are light on their brakes, so you may well be fine on road spec pads, so long as they are not chocolate cheapies.
The Falkens I had were quite soft, with soft sidewalls, so if yours are similar and you go scrubbing and sliding all day, you will knock the shoulders off. Keep an eye on your tyre pressures, if you push on, they will rise quite quickly on soft tyres, so check them after a few laps. You may want to drop the pressures a few psi to compensate or it will be quite squirmy. There is an airline in the pit lane garage, if you don't take your own gauge and pump.
Toyotas use a bit of oil when screamed - my 2zz uses about 1/2 litre each track day and they can suffer oil starvation when cornered hard if the oil level is low, so the tip above to check and top up your oil is a good one. I also overfill my Corolla by about 300ml - the 2zz is (perhaps) more prone to starvation that your motor. I always use a higher viscosity oil too - 5w40 synthetic as a minimum - and this has kept my tired old engine sweet.
After a couple of long track days the synchromesh was getting very tired on the Corolla. I changed the gearbox oil to try to help it and I was astonished that the syncs recovered after a few laps on the next day out. If your transmission oil has been in there a long time, change it.
Get some tuition, early in the day. The instructors at Bedford charge about £20 per session on Javelin days and it's the fastest way to go faster. Bedford GT is a long track (about 4 miles) and it takes a while to learn.
Edited by Toed64 on Sunday 25th February 10:49
Edited by Toed64 on Sunday 25th February 17:38
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