Complete newbie questions
Discussion
Well, I went along and popped my track day cherry in the Caterham at Bedford on Monday. An experience that will genuinely stay with me for life. Amazing weather, great track, superb selection of cars, really decent bunch of people, good instructor, a well run event and what seemed like a good standard of driving. And bloody hell what a car the R400 is when you can properly let it off the lead!
Hooked. When's the next one?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTCFQEGKyDc
Hooked. When's the next one?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTCFQEGKyDc
Edited by Hard-Drive on Wednesday 12th April 10:07
QBee said:
You never know, you might even get instruction from Steve H on one of your track days, if you catch him when he's not racing, that is.
Next out on Monday at Donington in the All Porsche CALM Series, more info on the 750mc website and live timing here - https://www.theresultslive.co.uk/750-motor-club/20... - if anyone wants to see me struggle my way round 
Bobberoo said:
Well then, as I'm limited on available holiday, and the fact that i don't want to drive 3hrs+ to get to a track day, it looks like Abingdon is favourite, anybody have any experience of the track?
If you're in Hampshire I would look at Brands. Just be patient as the track will be busy but there are loads of dates including evenings where you would just take an afternoon off work. After Brands, look at Castle Combe but be careful to not pick the cheapest days. You can pretty much guarantee that if you go on a more expensive day you will do more miles on track (fewer crashes/stoppages) and be in a safer driving environment = better value for money.
Thanks for the info Bradford!!
QBee said:
.....and Thruxton (Andover) so long as your car is not at the noisy end of the spectrum.
Most other crace circuits are in the Midlands, it would seem.
It's a 1.8TDCi Focus estate that looks and sounds completely standard, mods are Bilstien shocks, Eibach springs, Mintex discs and pads, K&N filter and a remap to 140bhp/352Nm, it's on Goodyear EfficientGrip tyres, I just want to see what it and I are capable of, it surprises people how much speed it can carry through corners.Most other crace circuits are in the Midlands, it would seem.
Abingdon run by MSE is a good day. Of course it’s an airfield so you don’t get the ‘I went on track x” feeling but in terms of getting out there for the first time it will be fine. MSE run a fairly tight ship on their track days in my experience which is great as a newbie.
I’ve done Abingdon loads of times as its my closest, reasonably priced and well run.
Their is no cover at all out on the airfield so depending on the weather, come prepared for that !
I’ve done Abingdon loads of times as its my closest, reasonably priced and well run.
Their is no cover at all out on the airfield so depending on the weather, come prepared for that !
Bobberoo said:
Just a quick update, EBC braided brake hoses and the Motul RBF660 fluid have been added to/poured into/flushed through the car, and I have received my emails both confirming Friday and the driver test, briefing and waiver, getting excited and nervous now!!!
Good luck!Take something to check wheel nut tightness and do it after every session. If you can a torque wrench is best, get one on Amazon for £20-odd and it'll do for wheel torques.
Make sure you drink enough between sessions, it's thirsty work. Don't be tempted to try and drive too fast, stay within your comfort, and remember that smoother is faster!
And most importantly, enjoy it. Don't let others passing make you think you're too slow, just drive it.
p.s. RBF660 is overkill for most people, save your money and use ATE Typ200 next time
Bobberoo said:
Just a quick update, EBC braided brake hoses and the Motul RBF660 fluid have been added to/poured into/flushed through the car, and I have received my emails both confirming Friday and the driver test, briefing and waiver, getting excited and nervous now!!!
Fantastic. Come back and share how you get on!Krikkit said:
Bobberoo said:
Just a quick update, EBC braided brake hoses and the Motul RBF660 fluid have been added to/poured into/flushed through the car, and I have received my emails both confirming Friday and the driver test, briefing and waiver, getting excited and nervous now!!!
Good luck!Take something to check wheel nut tightness and do it after every session. If you can a torque wrench is best, get one on Amazon for £20-odd and it'll do for wheel torques.
Make sure you drink enough between sessions, it's thirsty work. Don't be tempted to try and drive too fast, stay within your comfort, and remember that smoother is faster!
And most importantly, enjoy it. Don't let others passing make you think you're too slow, just drive it.
p.s. RBF660 is overkill for most people, save your money and use ATE Typ200 next time
Lots of liquids check, Mrs Bobbers is sorting out refreshments!!
Know my limits check!!!
Thanks Krikkit!!
Steve Campbell said:
Also booked on Abingdon for Friday. Come over and say hi....2 Orange Caterham's and a blue one together. I'm in the one with orange roll bar. Looking like the weather is going to be kind. You will have a great time !
Excellent, I shall pop over and say hi, or if you spot a blue Focus estate with my username on the rear side window say hi!!Cambs_Stuart said:
Fantastic. Come back and share how you get on!
I certainly shall!!Thanks for the kind words chaps, much appreciated!!
Steve Campbell said:
Bobberoo said:
Exactly the advice I needed, thanks Steve H.
I've never been on track, I have a Diesel Focus estate, lightly modified, and I'd like to find out what it, and myself, are capable of in a controlled environment.
Good attitude and some good advice in this thread. For an absolute newbie I'd just go to have fun and find some stuff out....and your fastest lap shouldn't be until mid-late afternoon at the earliest (assuming weather constant !) so ease into it. Do short sessions (10-15 mins max) and go kick tyres, get a brew and talk to others on the day.....and definitely get some instruction. oh yeah....and never do "just one more run" at the end of the day if purely to "go faster" ! I've never been on track, I have a Diesel Focus estate, lightly modified, and I'd like to find out what it, and myself, are capable of in a controlled environment.
The only problem is you will likely be hooked for life :-)
Edited by Steve Campbell on Thursday 6th April 14:05
Thanks again all for the encouragement and word's of wisdom.
I compiled a list of stuff that I think I'll need, and it's all in a box in the boot, it's probably way over the top but thoughts on this lot please?
Helmet
Tow eye
Torque wrench
19mm socket
Socket extension
Tyre pump
First aid kit
Small tool kit
Fire extinguisher
Water
Coolant
Oil
Brake fluid
A towel
Spare tee shirt
Lots of drinks
Food
Seat
Umbrella (it's like a parasol)
Sun tan cream
Anything else?
I compiled a list of stuff that I think I'll need, and it's all in a box in the boot, it's probably way over the top but thoughts on this lot please?
Helmet
Tow eye
Torque wrench
19mm socket
Socket extension
Tyre pump
First aid kit
Small tool kit
Fire extinguisher
Water
Coolant
Oil
Brake fluid
A towel
Spare tee shirt
Lots of drinks
Food
Seat
Umbrella (it's like a parasol)
Sun tan cream
Anything else?
Play Forza Motorsport (not horizon)/Gran Turismo or use a simulator if you can; 15 years or so of that helped me a lot. Weekend go karting (rental kart here in Japan) - don’t know how accessible this is in the U.K. - also helped a lot. Then go out to the circuit and just feel it. Also, using a sh*t car is better for practice.
Well I must say I had a great time, although I don't think I'll do another one this year, I may well go back and do Abingdon next year!!!
The people were great, lots of great advice from obviously much more seasoned drivers than myself, the tuition was excellent and Antony (the tutor) came and checked later in the day to see how I was getting on!!
I didn't embarrass myself and neither did Rio my Focus, the levels of grip and the amount of speed I found I could carry were amazing for what is basically a family estate car!!!
It was nice to meet and chat to Steve Campbell with his lovely Caterham, and Byker28i dropped in and managed to grab some excellent pics too!!!
]
Thanks for the words of encouragement chaps, much appreciated!!!
The people were great, lots of great advice from obviously much more seasoned drivers than myself, the tuition was excellent and Antony (the tutor) came and checked later in the day to see how I was getting on!!
I didn't embarrass myself and neither did Rio my Focus, the levels of grip and the amount of speed I found I could carry were amazing for what is basically a family estate car!!!
It was nice to meet and chat to Steve Campbell with his lovely Caterham, and Byker28i dropped in and managed to grab some excellent pics too!!!
]
Thanks for the words of encouragement chaps, much appreciated!!!
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