First track day approaching
Discussion
Hi guys,
We are taking our new (old!) track car for the first time on 9th July to Bedford. In the end we bought a Porsche 968 Club Sport.
Having never done this before, what should we be taking with us (aside from the obvious helmet) ?
Any other tips for our first day greatly appreciated.
We are taking our new (old!) track car for the first time on 9th July to Bedford. In the end we bought a Porsche 968 Club Sport.
Having never done this before, what should we be taking with us (aside from the obvious helmet) ?
Any other tips for our first day greatly appreciated.
mohitos said:
Hi guys,
We are taking our new (old!) track car for the first time on 9th July to Bedford. In the end we bought a Porsche 968 Club Sport.
Having never done this before, what should we be taking with us (aside from the obvious helmet) ?
Any other tips for our first day greatly appreciated.
are you trailering? if not an AA/RAC card!We are taking our new (old!) track car for the first time on 9th July to Bedford. In the end we bought a Porsche 968 Club Sport.
Having never done this before, what should we be taking with us (aside from the obvious helmet) ?
Any other tips for our first day greatly appreciated.
Not much you can take if not trailering, as often nowhere to leave it - I'd suggest tyre pressure gauge and pump, and a bottle of top-up oil.
Fuel cans
A trolley jack
Oil
Coolant
Funnel
Water (for you and the car)
Long sleeved tops
Some rags
Tape (fix a multitude of sins)
Basic tools
Tyre pump
Camera?
Axle stands
Cash (if you want photos fromt he official photographer they rarely take cards in my experience)
TBH I take that and more but then again I tend to take far too much. Saves being caught out and if I dont use it, someone else might need help. Last time out one guy borrowed my electric pump and another my jack and axle stands. Dont wear shorts. One guy did once on a day I was at and wasnt allowed on track. Doh!
If you are driving there dont worry about storing it all. Someone will have trailered their car with an estate/4x4/MPV and will usually be happy to store your stuff for you. I trailer mine and have done so plenty of times for other people. Most people are friendly and helpful in all respects.
A trolley jack
Oil
Coolant
Funnel
Water (for you and the car)
Long sleeved tops
Some rags
Tape (fix a multitude of sins)
Basic tools
Tyre pump
Camera?
Axle stands
Cash (if you want photos fromt he official photographer they rarely take cards in my experience)
TBH I take that and more but then again I tend to take far too much. Saves being caught out and if I dont use it, someone else might need help. Last time out one guy borrowed my electric pump and another my jack and axle stands. Dont wear shorts. One guy did once on a day I was at and wasnt allowed on track. Doh!
If you are driving there dont worry about storing it all. Someone will have trailered their car with an estate/4x4/MPV and will usually be happy to store your stuff for you. I trailer mine and have done so plenty of times for other people. Most people are friendly and helpful in all respects.
Edited by _Leg_ on Wednesday 29th June 23:15
Edited by _Leg_ on Wednesday 29th June 23:15
That's a crazy amount of kit to take to a track day.... I wouldn't even get it all in my car - and doubt you'd get it all in a 968.
It's too late now, but if you've never done a track day before, doing your first one in an expensive, powerful, RWD car probably isn't the best idea in the world. I'd have started off with something disposable, just in case.
However, you can't do much about this - so make sure you book an instructor for your first session.
It's too late now, but if you've never done a track day before, doing your first one in an expensive, powerful, RWD car probably isn't the best idea in the world. I'd have started off with something disposable, just in case.
However, you can't do much about this - so make sure you book an instructor for your first session.
VeeFour said:
That's a crazy amount of kit to take to a track day.... I wouldn't even get it all in my car - and doubt you'd get it all in a 968.
However, you can't do much about this - so make sure you book an instructor for your first session.
I pinch the wife's Tiguan to tow with and it seems a shame to leave any space in the boot. ;-) However, you can't do much about this - so make sure you book an instructor for your first session.
Just a list of possibles. Obviously pointless taking loads of tools if you cant use them although any visits into the kitty litter and you'll be glad of a trolley jack, 2 axle stands and at least some basic tools just to get the damned stuff out of the car!
Good point on the instructor, worth every penny.
VeeFour said:
That's a crazy amount of kit to take to a track day.... I wouldn't even get it all in my car - and doubt you'd get it all in a 968.
It's too late now, but if you've never done a track day before, doing your first one in an expensive, powerful, RWD car probably isn't the best idea in the world. I'd have started off with something disposable, just in case.
I take more than that in an MX5, shouldn't be a problem fitting it in a 968! A lot of it I haven't needed (still take just in case), but more than once I've fixed small problems that would otherwise have ended my track-time for the day. Better to be overprepared than underprepared IMO.It's too late now, but if you've never done a track day before, doing your first one in an expensive, powerful, RWD car probably isn't the best idea in the world. I'd have started off with something disposable, just in case.
The best car to take is a reliable one that you're comfortable with the handling of, which end it drives at makes no difference at all to the risk of breaking it.
Edited by GravelBen on Thursday 30th June 01:19
Hi guys,
Thanks for your comments, there are some useful tips for us there.
We don't have a trailer and the car is road legal. Practically we didn't have space to store a trailer and the logistics of getting to track days would have become much more complex.
Agree with your comments. It probably is a 'bit' too much car given our experience levels, yet is very well put together and hopefully will be reliable. Was also very attracted by their reputation for predictable handing.
We're not total novices. But close! We've both done quite a dew handling days at the Porsche Experience Centre in Silverstone, and I recently I did a 1 day advanced road and track 1 on 1 day with Colin Hoed at CAT Driver training which was superb. We just haven't been let loose on track days yet and we're apprehensive, which I guess it normal.
We have booked an instructor for the whole of our first day.
And yes, we have comprehensive breakdown cover!!!!!
I'll take as many of the suggested bits with as we can, or have a clue how to use. Presumably though, tracks have water supply and we can leave to refuel?
Thanks for your comments, there are some useful tips for us there.
We don't have a trailer and the car is road legal. Practically we didn't have space to store a trailer and the logistics of getting to track days would have become much more complex.
Agree with your comments. It probably is a 'bit' too much car given our experience levels, yet is very well put together and hopefully will be reliable. Was also very attracted by their reputation for predictable handing.
We're not total novices. But close! We've both done quite a dew handling days at the Porsche Experience Centre in Silverstone, and I recently I did a 1 day advanced road and track 1 on 1 day with Colin Hoed at CAT Driver training which was superb. We just haven't been let loose on track days yet and we're apprehensive, which I guess it normal.
We have booked an instructor for the whole of our first day.
And yes, we have comprehensive breakdown cover!!!!!
I'll take as many of the suggested bits with as we can, or have a clue how to use. Presumably though, tracks have water supply and we can leave to refuel?
Just go out and enjoy it. Keep your eyes and ears open for other cars around you, give people plenty of space, don't expect to drive straight out and start flying like an F1 god, just build up pace slowly throughout the day as your confidence builds, and you learn the circuit and the car..
Bedford a nice and spacious, so loads of run-off in most places, and nice variety of bends.
All tracks I've been to have water and either fuel on site or petrol station nearby which they'll tell you where. Taking tools, jack, oil etc is always good, and I've never been stuck for somewhere to put it, just ask nicely to leave it in the corner of a pit garage.
Bedford a nice and spacious, so loads of run-off in most places, and nice variety of bends.
All tracks I've been to have water and either fuel on site or petrol station nearby which they'll tell you where. Taking tools, jack, oil etc is always good, and I've never been stuck for somewhere to put it, just ask nicely to leave it in the corner of a pit garage.
Hi Mohitas,
I'll be there as well. Taking my brother and it's his first track day also so he'll be doing most of the driving. I'm in an orange BMW E30. It'll be the slowest thing in a straight line but it's quite entertaining round the corners. Racing at Oulton Park this weekend so I just need to make sure I don't bend it! If you get a chance come over and say hello.
In terms of stuff to take think it's all been said before. I'll have most of that with me so if you need to borrow anything I'm sure you'll find something there.
I'll be there as well. Taking my brother and it's his first track day also so he'll be doing most of the driving. I'm in an orange BMW E30. It'll be the slowest thing in a straight line but it's quite entertaining round the corners. Racing at Oulton Park this weekend so I just need to make sure I don't bend it! If you get a chance come over and say hello.
In terms of stuff to take think it's all been said before. I'll have most of that with me so if you need to borrow anything I'm sure you'll find something there.
I didn't see spare brake pads on the list. Probably worth considering along with some fluid, also make sure that your spare wheel is in good order and usable. you can probably do without a trolley jack and axle stands if you want to cut down on stuff. The Porsche jacks are pretty good and a wheel wedged under the sill will provide a bit more security if you want to grub about under the car.
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