Whetting my appetite

[lindrup119]

Hi all, was just hoping for some beginners advice really. Me and a friend are keen to buy a track car to share eventually but for the moment we are just thinking about having a go at a trackday each in our separate cars, just to get a feel for the general experience, before we commit to purchasing something rusty .

As the car I'll be using is my daily driver:



I was wondering what minor modifications would be a good idea, so that I don't wreck it by pushing it too hard.

So far I have come up with:

Brake pads
Brake Fluid

and perhaps a set of cheapy 15" wheels off eBay with some second-hand tyres that are better than the ditchfinders I have on it at the moment.



Is there anything else that is a must(safety gear comme helmet aside)?

Cheers
Ollie

[HaylingJag]

Rent a hire car for a day and do it in that!

Most road cars now are more capable than normal driving shows, I once took my daughter for a spin in her late model Corsa 1.4. She thought it was a bit iffy in the corners and was a bit scared, I soon showed her there was plenty more to play with.
Above all drive within your own capabilities and don't try to swell your balls to anything bigger than they are now. You will overtake cars and you will be overtaken, accept that and enjoy the day for what it is.
Most important thing is to have fun, learn something and come home safe.

D

[lindrup119]

Alas you have to be 25 to hire a car :/

I'm not aiming to be the fastest out there or anything and fully expect to be the slowest in fact!

Just wanting to know what I can do to lessen the impact on my boggo car if any at all?

[thiscocks]

If your doing a full day just allow for new pads / discs, (wouldnt worry about fluid but a change won't do any harm) oil change and possibly new front tyres. like u say a dedicated set of wheels and tyres would be ideal. Just bear in mind if there are components which are a bit worn (wheel bearings ect) then a track day will normaly bring them to your attention! Actually not a bad thing if you ask me.

I'm sure youl be fine in such a new car though. My 20yr one still copes ok!

P.s. I'd use crap tyres (if you already have them) for the track and better ones for the road.

Edited by thiscocks on Saturday 2nd March 20:25

[deltashad]

You could strip everything out you don't need to keep the weight down. Leave the back seats at home, even the spare wheel if you feel brave.

[andyiley]

I think your original idea wasn't far from the truth.

New pads, make sure the discs are good & give the calipers a bit of a going over so they all work freely.

Fit some GOOD QUALITY pads for the moment as you don't want to get too far into it in your daily driver, and take a spare front set.

Bleed the brakes & completely replace the fluid.

Give the car a good coat of looking at & do a fluid service.

Remove anything easy to replace to keep weight down.

Above all start in short (3 to 5 lap) bursts & build up your speed & time on track, whilst checking all fluids/pads/tyres each time you come in.

Above all, HAVE FUN!!!!