Discussion
Hi all, I've done a couple of track days now and generally have followed the standard advice to come in after 15 / 20 minutes, following a cool down lap, to let everything (and me) cool down. With a drink etc in between sessions I reckon I probably average 30 - 40 minutes parked up before going back out.
I've just booked a 2 hour track 'day' at Donington and will want to maximise track time. Will probably aim to limit the track sessions to 20 mins or so to avoid overheating everything, but how long would people suggest that I let everything cool down for in between? Car is a Peugeot 308 GTi, which has a turbo that kicks out a lot of heat.
Will I get away with staying out for longer but having a couple of cool down laps every 20 minutes or so?
I've just booked a 2 hour track 'day' at Donington and will want to maximise track time. Will probably aim to limit the track sessions to 20 mins or so to avoid overheating everything, but how long would people suggest that I let everything cool down for in between? Car is a Peugeot 308 GTi, which has a turbo that kicks out a lot of heat.
Will I get away with staying out for longer but having a couple of cool down laps every 20 minutes or so?
It all depends on you and the car, 20 out 20 in would be a good starting point. If I was to maximise my track time I would extend my out time not reduce the cool down time.
I remember the time at Guadix circuit, came it a mate wanted a ride so went out after 5 min first bend break pedal went to the floor got round it some how but not without a change of underwear. Got back to the pits let it cool down for half hour and it was fine for the rest of the day.
I remember the time at Guadix circuit, came it a mate wanted a ride so went out after 5 min first bend break pedal went to the floor got round it some how but not without a change of underwear. Got back to the pits let it cool down for half hour and it was fine for the rest of the day.
A good cool down lap will reduce the amount of time that the car needs to stand for, aim to keep a decent speed up to allow plenty of air through the radiator and brakes but make it high gears to keep revs down and lift well before the corners to minimise braking. Stay on line unless you are being passed at the time and keep your concentration up, there's nothing better than firing it off on the cool-down lap 
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To cool it effectively on Donny National I'd look at starting from the top of Craners, on the GP you could probably get away with starting at the exit of Coppice.
If you've only got two hours and cool it well enough I'd look at about 20on/10off to maximise track time.
.To cool it effectively on Donny National I'd look at starting from the top of Craners, on the GP you could probably get away with starting at the exit of Coppice.
If you've only got two hours and cool it well enough I'd look at about 20on/10off to maximise track time.
Great thanks all, helpful advice.
Just now need to sort insurance, as per another thread, seems a rip off to be the same price as a full track day and generally would mean there is no point in booking a short session. The 2 hour session is because it is part of the upcoming french car show and they are offering 2 hour open pit lane sessions. Perhaps I should book 2 sessions....
Just now need to sort insurance, as per another thread, seems a rip off to be the same price as a full track day and generally would mean there is no point in booking a short session. The 2 hour session is because it is part of the upcoming french car show and they are offering 2 hour open pit lane sessions. Perhaps I should book 2 sessions....
If I have a load of passengers who I want to take out, I`ve often done a session, had a cool drink whilst changing passenger then gone straight back out.
Next session whilst changing passenger I`d fill up with fuel and have a drink then go back on track immediately. Not something I would want to do all day, but I`ve certainly done it for an hour or 2 and then let everything cool properly afterwards.
If you are on track and you find your mind start wandering and thinking about something else, take that as a message that you need to come in and take a break.
Obviously this depends on the car. I made a point to go overboard on my cooling for the engine, gearbox and brakes enabling me to do long back to back sessions. If you are marginal on any of them I would certainly increase the rest periods between sessions.
Next session whilst changing passenger I`d fill up with fuel and have a drink then go back on track immediately. Not something I would want to do all day, but I`ve certainly done it for an hour or 2 and then let everything cool properly afterwards.
If you are on track and you find your mind start wandering and thinking about something else, take that as a message that you need to come in and take a break.
Obviously this depends on the car. I made a point to go overboard on my cooling for the engine, gearbox and brakes enabling me to do long back to back sessions. If you are marginal on any of them I would certainly increase the rest periods between sessions.
I think you are coming to the same conclusion that I have - evening track days, supposedly 2.5 hours, look attractive at around £69......but all your other costs apart from fuel are the same as a full day, which makes them less attractive. Add in that everyone else is trying to maximise their track time and you have a recipe for red flags and traffic jams.
The other costs include getting there and back, track day insurance.....so i have stopped booking evenings.
The other costs include getting there and back, track day insurance.....so i have stopped booking evenings.
QBee said:
I think you are coming to the same conclusion that I have - evening track days, supposedly 2.5 hours, look attractive at around £69......but all your other costs apart from fuel are the same as a full day, which makes them less attractive. Add in that everyone else is trying to maximise their track time and you have a recipe for red flags and traffic jams.
The other costs include getting there and back, track day insurance.....so i have stopped booking evenings.
Exactly this! It's also like the first 20 mins of a normal day for the entire session.The other costs include getting there and back, track day insurance.....so i have stopped booking evenings.
Plus if you have an issue with the car you've very little time to fix it. I lost 4 hours of a Cadwell day when the exhaust broke on my MX5 and I had to whizz to the nearest town to find the bits to bodge something up. Still got the whole afternoon on track and probably did nearly as many laps as I would have done in the whole day anyway.
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