First Track Day

[100HP all u need]

Im looking at going on a novice track day at Snetterton in my Panda 100HP. I have been down there and watched plenty of track days in the past and now just really want to give it a go.

I was just looking for some advice as I haven't got the fastest car in the world and want some opinions on whether it would be alright.

Also general advice would be great in regards to things to look out for? and in regards to tyres and brakes how much will these be worn down by being used on the track?

[wackojacko]

Yes it will be fine, infact I'd imagine it will be a good laugh... Just make sure :

- Tyres are in good condition and have plenty of tread depth left (check throughout the day)
- Oil level is spot on (check through out the day)
- Brake pads have plenty of life left in them (check throughout the day)
- Discs make sure they are not cracked etc before hand

With regards to brake and tyre wear, it really depends how hard you are on the car, at worst I we went through half of our brake pads at Rockingham leaving it on just the metal backing plate. I'd suggest you keep an eye on them throughout the day.

Drop your tyre pressures by a couple of PSI as they will get a little warmer than road driving so this allows for growth without over inflation when hot.

Keep your eyes on your mirrors, as you've said you're not going to be the fastest car there by any means so keep a good look out for people closing in fast or people that are being a trackday hero and driving like a cock although this problem shouldn't be applicable on a Novice day.

Also keep an eye on your fuel gauge throughout the day aswell as you'll obviously use alot more fuel than regular road driving circumstances.

Usually this is well covered in briefings etc and I'd imagine these points would be further emphasized in a Novice day briefing

Hope this help you.

[GTiFrank]

Good idea. I did a novice track day in a not much more powerful car than yours at Oulton Park with MSV a while back and its great.

All above is great advice but I would add to make sure you do a warm up and cool down lap, were you take it easy on the in and out laps, this is important as 20mins flat out is likely to boil your brake fluid assuming its DOT 4. In general everyone on track was in slower cars than you usually find at a track day so not so intimidating (there was a ford galaxy in the one i went to).

[Ricey155]

i agree check everything you can and if you have spares take them, my brake hose busted yesterday drove back well limped home 46 miles

enjoy don't try and break the lap record early on, brakes are more important than speed decent trackpads will be an advantage EBC yellows work well on my abarth 500

enjoy post back how you get on

[100HP all u need]

Cheers for the advice its a real help! Hopefully it will all go smoothly when I decide to go, I will let you know how I get on!

[MrGman]

All excellent points above, most importantly though enjoy yourself

[V8mate]

Snetterton is a great circuit for novices: nice and long (3 miles) which means that traffic is usually well spread; hardly anything to collide with and grass or tarmac run-offs rather than gravel.

I absolutely recommend booking a session of tuition; usually about £20 for 20 mins, book it as early in the day as possible and the instructor will ensure you learn enough to really maximise the rest of your day.

[100HP all u need]

So an update, Ive had some really bad luck and got a nail in the sidewall of my d/s rear tyre. Unfortunately as the Panda tyres are such an odd size they are not easy to get hold of so I cant get another one put on. I even tried repairing it with tyre glue but that didnt work as the hole was so big.

Im absolutely gutted that I cant attend, Im going to talk to the guys at msv tomorrow and see if I can get any of my money back and re book for later in the year.

[GTiFrank]

100HP all u need said:

So an update, Ive had some really bad luck and got a nail in the sidewall of my d/s rear tyre. Unfortunately as the Panda tyres are such an odd size they are not easy to get hold of so I cant get another one put on. I even tried repairing it with tyre glue but that didnt work as the hole was so big.

Im absolutely gutted that I cant attend, Im going to talk to the guys at msv tomorrow and see if I can get any of my money back and re book for later in the year.

What is the Tyre size that is so hard to get hold of?

[100HP all u need]

195 45 15 and I run Yokohamas on mine, you can get hold of them fairly easily its just they have to be ordered as it isn't something that is kept on the shelf.

I have spoken to the guys at msv since and they were understanding and gave me 10% off my next booking.

[_Leg_]

I blew an engine at mallory last year and was booked at Donnington soon after with circuit days.

They credited the whole amount of the track day at Donnington to me (held it in credit) and I've just used it to book at Oulton in June. Didn't lose a penny. How's that for superb service!

[100HP all u need]

_Leg_ said:

I blew an engine at mallory last year and was booked at Donnington soon after with circuit days.

They credited the whole amount of the track day at Donnington to me (held it in credit) and I've just used it to book at Oulton in June. Didn't lose a penny. How's that for superb service!

Well sounds better than msv!

[nikolarun]

Plenty of tyres on here ...
http://www.camskill.co.uk/m53b0s92p0/Car_Tyres_-_M...

100HP all u need said:

So an update, Ive had some really bad luck and got a nail in the sidewall of my d/s rear tyre. Unfortunately as the Panda tyres are such an odd size they are not easy to get hold of so I cant get another one put on. I even tried repairing it with tyre glue but that didnt work as the hole was so big.

Im absolutely gutted that I cant attend, Im going to talk to the guys at msv tomorrow and see if I can get any of my money back and re book for later in the year.

[100HP all u need]

Thanks for the link, someone has recommended that one to me in the past. Thankfully I work at a dealership so getting hold of them isn't a problem but it was just the situation I was in at the time which was unfortunate.