Brands Hatch in an R8

[Kent Border Kenny]

I’ve booked a track day in early December at Brands, doing the Indy circuit in a first-generation R8 Plus.

Does anyone have any tips or advice? I’m not timing myself, I just want some fun and to get to know the car a but better.

Is it worth getting track tyres, is there any preparation needed for the car, and anything worth knowing to make the day a bit more fun?

I’m tempted to take my little Abarth 595 in the morning, and the R8 in the afternoon, but am not sure if you’re allowed to drive two different cars.

[trickywoo]

I’m sure you’ll have a good time and cars are different to bikes but I did my first track day there on a bike and it was horrific.

I was in the novice group, naturally, but there were people flying round. Lots and lots of crashes too. There was somehow a three bike crash on the little straight behind the pits. It was mad.

[HustleRussell]

I did my first trackday there and many since and have only seen one instance of car to car contact.

Don’t follow other cars too closely particularly through Paddock Hill and watch out for gravel on the track, it’s easy to pick up stone chips.

[Kent Border Kenny]

trickywoo said:

I’m sure you’ll have a good time and cars are different to bikes but I did my first track day there on a bike and it was horrific.

I was in the novice group, naturally, but there were people flying round. Lots and lots of crashes too. There was somehow a three bike crash on the little straight behind the pits. It was mad.

I did a tuition day there on bikes in 1994, taught by Ron Haslam. FZ600s I think.

That was the last time I’ve been on that circuit.

[Weekendrebuild]

Fresh oil and filter , general check for leaks ! Then if it was me fresh brake fluid. After that just try not to crash or throw a rod regarding tyres , hammer your current set an buy a new set for road use . That’s what I do usually

[Kent Border Kenny]

I’m curious as to what sort of other cars to expect on a December open pit lane session. It’ll also be interesting to see how the very well driven “normal” sporty cars will be lapping relative to me in a very fast road car who’s not going to be going flat out.

I’m also interested as to whether I’ll come away viewing my car in a different light. I’m looking at a few alternatives with four seats (Taycan, FF, RS6, AMG GT S Saloon) and have no idea what I’m giving up by going to what are all less “sporting” cars.

[braddo]

I think you’ll be surprised by how much more braking distance your car needs versus lighter and track prepped stuff. Your brakes might also start fading fairly quickly so maybe keep to short 15 minute stints and see how it goes. Make sure you do 1 or 2 full cool down laps to help your brakes.

Too tip - do not use the handbrake when you park up or the pads can stick to hot discs and/or damage the discs.

Have a tyre gauge and pump and keep an eye on pressures after each stint. You will end up letting a fair bit of air out of your tyres and will need to pump them back up at the end.

The car will be fine, i doubt you have to any prep as such.

Enjoy!

[HustleRussell]

Paddock Hill Bend is a ballsy corner, you’ll find quicker drivers in lighter cars climbing all over the back of you through there as you’ll want to keep it neat and tidy to keep your margin to the gravel trap.

Be careful not to get caught out under braking for Druids. People seem to persistently stick to the textbook asymmetric line through there which means they are lingering in the escape zone if you out-brake yourself.

[jimhcat]

Watch Driver 61 video on Youtube so you get an idea of the lines to take.
Get some tuition on the day if it's available
Use your mirrors and let faster cornering cars past on the straights

[Kent Border Kenny]

braddo said:

I think you’ll be surprised by how much more braking distance your car needs versus lighter and track prepped stuff. Your brakes might also start fading fairly quickly so maybe keep to short 15 minute stints and see how it goes. Make sure you do 1 or 2 full cool down laps to help your brakes.

Too tip - do not use the handbrake when you park up or the pads can stick to hot discs and/or damage the discs.

Have a tyre gauge and pump and keep an eye on pressures after each stint. You will end up letting a fair bit of air out of your tyres and will need to pump them back up at the end.

The car will be fine, i doubt you have to any prep as such.

Enjoy!

It’s a Plus, so has the ceramic rotors, but yes, still a relatively heavy road car.

To be honest, given that they are something like £10,000 per set I’ll likely be doing a fair amount of lifting and coasting rather than trying to be the last of the late breakers.

[braddo]

Kent Border Kenny said:

It’s a Plus, so has the ceramic rotors, but yes, still a relatively heavy road car.

To be honest, given that they are something like £10,000 per set I’ll likely be doing a fair amount of lifting and coasting rather than trying to be the last of the late breakers.

Hopefully you'll only be braking and not breaking.

A circuit that suits your car a lot more than Brands is Goodwood - there was a R8 at the last day I did there - only 1 big braking point and the chance to stretch the car's legs a lot more. Lotus-on-Track has a day at Goodwood at the end of this month in case you're interested.

https://www.lotus-on-track.com/lotshop/goodwood-sa...

They are a fantastic track day outfit and driving standards are always the best of any track day I've been to. All 2-seater sports cars welcome.

[PGNSagaris]

I’d get racing brake fluid in ASAP, always do a full cool down lap and never leave your handbrake on when you come in after a stint.

R8’s are heavy old boats and will eat brakes.

Get some tuition too and enjoy yourself.

[braddo]

HustleRussell said:

...
Be careful not to get caught out under braking for Druids. People seem to persistently stick to the textbook asymmetric line through there which means they are lingering in the escape zone if you out-brake yourself.

I'm interested to know your thoughts on the best line through there and how much you think it might vary depending on car (e.g. Caterham vs R8 vs 911).

[Kent Border Kenny]

Thanks for the tip on Goodwood, I’ll give it a try.

[HustleRussell]

braddo said:

HustleRussell said:

...
Be careful not to get caught out under braking for Druids. People seem to persistently stick to the textbook asymmetric line through there which means they are lingering in the escape zone if you out-brake yourself.

I'm interested to know your thoughts on the best line through there and how much you think it might vary depending on car (e.g. Caterham vs R8 vs 911).

I only have amateur experience in sports cars and a little in single seaters but watch the pros in any series and they’re all using the same line. Tight symmetrical line, spending the same amount of circuit from the turn in point to the apex as they do from the apex to the track out point.

I think that in a race, drivers are inevitably using the tight line to protect their position. Lots of rubber there then.

Also the inside line feels like it is favourably banked compared to the outside line where you always get a bit of understeer.

Finally you’ve a long, uphill run on the entry and a short, easily defended downhill run to Graham Hill Bend so there’s no benefit in going slow in to try to get an especially quick exit.

Another corner like this is Rivage 1 at Spa. There is debate in the paddock about whether you just drive at the apex or approach from the middle of the circuit- and there doesn’t seem to be a consensus...

Even in Formula 1 you see variation in the lines used.

Edited by HustleRussell on Sunday 17th November 01:31

[nickfrog]

Difficult to answer the questions unless we know how much track experience you have in cars. It also depends on the weather on the day.

I would agree with change the fluid to something like RBF600. Also make sure you have plenty of materials on the pads. Too thin a set of pads won't dissipate heat well which will exponentially accelerate wear. Cold weather on your side though.

As for tyres, the car is quite balanced despite its weight so if you have around 5mm or so all round you should be OK. Monitor pressure and drive around the heat limitations by doing short stints, like 5 laps including cooling.

There will always be someone quicker than you, usually in a stbox. I confirm you won't time yourself as it is not allowed on a TD.

But the best advice by far is to get tuition earlier on. 15mn will be enough. Have fun either way.

[gruffalo]

PGNSagaris said:

I’d get racing brake fluid in ASAP, always do a full cool down lap and never leave your handbrake on when you come in after a stint.

R8’s are heavy old boats and will eat brakes.

Get some tuition too and enjoy yourself.

This all day long, high temp brake fluid is a must and tuition is invaluable.

[Jamescrs]

The last track day I did there was a guy there with a Ferrari 430, it wasn't his intended car for the day because his track car died on the sighting lap, anyway he was a decent guy and we got talking to him, his 430 was very much a road car as much as a Ferrari can be and he was telling us he was only doing three hard laps at a time before he was getting brake fade and having to come off to let the car recover so just be aware unless your R8 is specially setup it could have a hard time on track

[Kent Border Kenny]

I wonder if I have to pay extra if I switch to a different car for the afternoon. I’ll drop them a line and ask.

[PGNSagaris]

Usually not. Let them know in the office and just noise test and move the sticker to the new car