Track day, should I or shouldn't I?

[Chilliman]

Looking for the views of experienced track day peeps here (or anyone who wants to join in).

I've just been looking on the MSV website regarding the track day at Snetss on the 8th Feb, which it refers to as 'A General Car Track Day'. It then goes on to say this..

[b]General Car Track Days are ideally suited to the more experienced track day driver. Attendees range from track day enthusiasts looking for their latest thrill, to racing drivers in need of a few practice laps.

If you have never taken part in a track day before then we recommend you consider a Novice Only or Road Car Only Track Day as an alternative[/b]

On my first track day back in November I only managed a few laps (and a bit of tuition) in the morning due to my brakes being fooked. I'm keen to get back on track as soon as possible, but I'm thinking that there may be some seriously quick stuff on track on the 8th, like properly quick race cars getting a few test laps in etc...

So, this would be my first outing in a fully functioning beastie, and I'm likely to be going a good bit quicker than my first attempt because I'll have brakes that won't shatter my wrists or make my eyeballs vibrate

I can't help thinking that a novice day or road car only day might be a more sensible kick off to the new track day year, give me a chance to get familiar with braking from high speeds into corners without having the racing boys bearing down on me...

There's a novice day at Snetts on the 15th (on the 200 circuit), which would also give me more time to source and fit a track day seat....

Or am I being a nonce???

Chilli

[Goaty Bill]

Personally, never having done a 'track' day, but having driven a couple of stock car races (many years ago), I would be quite worried about becoming the cause of an 'incident' involving one of the faster (particularly race) cars.

I suppose it's all a bit of 'you pays your dime, you takes your chances' for everyone of course.
And experienced drivers must be very good at avoiding novices pottering about in their streeters.

Although I seemed to recall from memory, and then found;

Chilliman said:

roseytvr said:

On a recent track day I noticed Chilli was in need of some tuition........

So being a good sort I offered to source some! Anyone got any recommendations on where we, sorry he, can learn to drive his car on the track?

WHAT??????? That's outrageous I have never been so insulted in all my life

I am so shocked I can't even come up with a witty comeback.

Unbelievable.

I'll be back when I'm less upset.

Located here: linky
So really I can't see any problems with you mixing it up with some big boys

[Alun450]

No Chilli your employing good logic, makes little difference, beginners could mean coming across people with very erratic driving skills, your car is fast in a straight line you'll still be allover lots of hatches and that's when you've got to be a mind reader!
Chilliman I'd try to get an experienced racer/ driver to sit in with you for the whole day, take your time, stay well calm, listen and just get really comfortable with the track layout and where you should be on it. Again a good guy in the car will help you place the car for others to get by without it causing you or the other car issues, there's lots of little detail you need to get down in your mind, only when all these aspects are sorted should you really start throwing the car around.
Mostly you have to put your competitive instincts well away somewhere until you drive with a Phazed like calmness. Thinking clearly and under zero pressure is what you need to achieve because you'll feel big pressure when you've out braked yourself?!!!?!!
I've read all the books on driving and Jackie Stewart's is as good as any, read it Chilli you'll be better before you've even had a go.
Its a mind set etc and he had it worked out long before Shumi and Vettel????? Smooth baby smooth that's what it's all about,
I forgot something ,,,,
fking big balls but that comes much later.
Call me a wuss but I decide where I can crash without to much harm and push the car just there until I get a feel for the grip etc. Snett is what I call barrier city so use the slow corners to establish the feel.
Its simple you must go slow enough for long enough to get on top of it, if you have an off early on it can hold you back for months, its vital to be happy and safe not pushing yourself for some silly reason.
I'm an excellent teacher and would love to sit in with you. I'm old and not bothered anymore but helping others to get upto speed is really rewarding. I have busted shoulders, knees, fk knows what, crashing..... I have experience that has to be avoided like the plague.
Peter is correct if you go with the right attitude you'll come home safe every wk, that has to be your goal until you've developed your brain for the job in hand. I watched Qbee looking fking dangerous but because he likes it so much he seemed to improve really quickly, sorry Anthony I'm only having a laugh.

[m4tti]

You do know on the novice days that your allowed to take race cars out. I had this on a novice day I went on. Spoiled it really.


"The novice stipulation is in reference to the driver, not the machine. Novice drivers are welcome to come in their road car; however some have already acquired track cars at this point. Others borrow a friends racing car, just to dip their toe in the water. In every case - they all are novice drivers. "

[slippery]

I wouldn't worry too much Chilli. Get yourself out for some laps with one of the experienced guys as a passenger first if you're at all worried. As long as you're spending nearly as much time looking in your mirrors as you are looking forwards you shouldn't have any issues. When a quicker driver/car comes up behind, indicate and move over as early as you can without impeding their progress and let them get on their way. This also includes if something catches you up through the bends, where you shouldn't then be tempted to monster them on the straight for the next ten seconds, then hold them up again through the twisties. Let them pass and put some space between you and them and then put your foot down again.

[griffdude]

slippery said:

I wouldn't worry too much Chilli. Get yourself out for some laps with one of the experienced guys as a passenger first if you're at all worried. As long as you're spending nearly as much time looking in your mirrors as you are looking forwards you shouldn't have any issues. When a quicker driver/car comes up behind, indicate and move over as early as you can without impeding their progress and let them get on their way. This also includes if something catches you up through the bends, where you shouldn't then be tempted to monster them on the straight for the next ten seconds, then hold them up again through the twisties. Let them pass and put some space between you and them and then put your foot down again.

Good Advice.

Chilli, if you don't get your seat fitted, these CG Locks are pretty good at keeping you located (I've been using one for years on trackdays).

http://www.gs-direct.co.uk/catalog/product.php?CI_...

Don't know what kind of seat you're after but these are pretty good entry level products;

http://gprdirect.com/product/sparco-rev-race-seat/

[Bassfiend229hp]

QBee et-al keep trying to get me to go on track days but it just doesn't appeal to me now that I'm an old b*st*rd ... I used to enjoy in my younger days though. Maybe it's just the thought that if I break it then it's my only car? I don't know - maybe if I get my arse out to one for the social aspects then the bug might bite again?

[Chilliman]

Thanks guys, all good advice Thanks for the linky's Griffdude

Alun, I owe you a passenger ride after my interesting experience in your's at Marham earlier this year

Guess I am just being a nonce

[Chilliman]

Bassfiend229hp said:

QBee et-al keep trying to get me to go on track days but it just doesn't appeal to me now that I'm an old b*st*rd ...

What???? I must be twenty years older than you Phil, and Peter and QB are probably old enough to be your dad.

Grow a pair and join in ya homo

[Alun450]

Chilli I was trying to be funny re tuition, didn't come across very well!
It really is the way to go by having the boys in the car with you.
Bassfiend on all counts your right, I went to Bedford with my Chim and as it had just been re built I was very very cautious, never felt like that before but the good thing is our cars are designed for the track so they behave pretty good really. Its just down to having controlled fun and when other tivs are there its quite a joy. The Wedges are so rare and special to me that when I shared the Tarmac with said car/s it really had an impression on me, cooooooool coooooool bloody cool.
Its not about how fast you are its about how much fun you have and with the regular Tvr track boys around your surrounded by greatness and a really good will to help you enjoy it too.
Good luck and its the comradely that makes the day so special. Go for it.

[fatboychim]

Chilli,
I shouldn't worry about the general trackday format, just go and enjoy the track time you've paid for. You will be faster than some and slower than some, just keep trying to improve your skills and use the quicker cars assist you with this.
I've been on road car only days where I was amongst the faster cars and on days where race cars have have been using the trackday for early practice before a race weekend and I was all but the slowest, my driving was no different on either day, I just enjoyed myself and that's the point.
You can't be in the way of faster cars if everyone follows the rules, even the racing guys are aware it's a trackday and not free practice and remember you all paid the same money. Have fun!

[Alun450]

Chilliman. What did I do wrong that day? Interesting errrr it must have been that moment at 95 ish when the back end was being naughty. The car was set very finely balanced and I forgot to stiffen the rear on the left when you got in the car mate, I don't even believe that myself, he he he.

This matters not on a trackday but I was always told If your not sliding you ain't going fast enough!

I have a love of sliding from the bikes way back, its so exciting I thought you'd enjoy it, I never meant to upset you or make you wonder if I'm sane, its just how I USED to drive. Not very well obviously, and I've hung up the heavy racing boots. If you see me out there again ill be the steady Eddie of the bunch.

Yep it would be nice to get a ride in your car at some point mate, its a top draw motor buddy.
I reckon you'd just love it mate. Trackdays are not racing and that's the thing to remember.
If my business wasn't so fked up I'd be like Peter, just having a great time and very little chance of messing it up and doing it as often as possible.
The Tvr is like the junkies needle, on track its like you've filled it with coke and your in the stratosphere!
Its a drug after all this driving fast thing.

[Chilliman]

Alun450 said:

Chilliman. What did I do wrong that day? Interesting errrr it must have been that moment at 95 ish when the back end was being naughty. The car was set very finely balanced and I forgot to stiffen the rear on the left when you got in the car mate, I don't even believe that myself, he he he.

This matters not on a trackday but I was always told If your not sliding you ain't going fast enough!

I have a love of sliding from the bikes way back, its so exciting I thought you'd enjoy it, I never meant to upset you or make you wonder if I'm sane, its just how I USED to drive. Not very well obviously, and I've hung up the heavy racing boots. If you see me out there again ill be the steady Eddie of the bunch.

Yep it would be nice to get a ride in your car at some point mate, its a top draw motor buddy.
I reckon you'd just love it mate. Trackdays are not racing and that's the thing to remember.
If my business wasn't so fked up I'd be like Peter, just having a great time and very little chance of messing it up and doing it as often as possible.
The Tvr is like the junkies needle, on track its like you've filled it with coke and your in the stratosphere!
Its a drug after all this driving fast thing.

Alun, you did absolutely nothing wrong whatsoever mate It was an awesome experience, and helped me when I did my first track day back in November... I'm just a bit of a girl if I'm in the passenger seat....

Actually, to say I'm a bit of a girl is unfair, QBee took my daughter round Snetts, and Peter took my mate's missus round, and both girls were still grinning later that day when we were watching the rugby in the pub I'd simply not been that quick in a car before without having a brake pedal under my right foot

[leerdam23]

IMHO, I wouldn't worry about who else is on the track and in what. If they're quicker than you, you will see them in your mirror so just let them past on the straight. Don't jump out of the way, just indicate and move to the inside of the track and relax the throttle.

I'm not too keen on being followed on track days by someone right up my jaxy as you never know what they are going to do next. Much more to be learned when you have the corner to yourself.

If you are still concerned ask MSV when you book it. Also book an instructor. I'd suggest letting the first session on track go and not bother going out. Most of everyone elses exuberance will have rubbed off in the gravel trap. Then take the next session to familiarise yourself with the track and your car, how it feels today (use the cones, break in a straight line etc, remember the piece of string connecting the throttle to the steering wheel), then make as much use of an instructor as they will let you.

I don't usually spend much more than 10 or 15 mins on track as its much more effort than you realise when you are driving and mistakes come when you tired. Don't forget to have a warm up and a cooling down lap.

A good seat is very useful. You will spend far less energy if you are well held, rather than clinging on to the wheel and door handle! You will also feel far more of what the car is up to. Most race seats won't fit in a TVR but I have an elise seat that has some support welded to the chassis and works well, others will fit, some need modification to make them clear the B pillar.

Above all else, book the track day and pray for a dry one.

Simon

[Alun450]

Thing is Chilli that Marham was wide open which is why I would take the car to its edge, rare chance mainly.

Yeah your like me I can't stand going fast in someone else's car.

I was worried you'd say my car was slow, doah.

Another thing to consider was that I'd done a day on the track already so was really getting the car working properly by then and I felt at home on that track which just adds to the confidence.

Racing was like the love of my life for many years and that day was me seeing if I could still do it at the top end. Chilli I drove like that all day,,,,,,, it just becomes normal.

The best bit for me was driving as hard as I could and only having one spin all wk end.
Man I must have done about 10 races worth of driving so the consistency really pleased me.

One of the biggest reasons for car control is left ft braking, you can keep the car balanced on the throttle much better, do yourself the biggest favour and start practicing using the left ft, just on A roads and such just place the left ft on the brake pedal and apply it very lightly as you go along in straight lines, your brain will start to get used to it and before long you will get the confidence in using it. Often we use third gear for even tight turns so you can employ this technique almost everywhere, smoother transition means less car attitude = far more grip and you can adjust your speed instantly by a dab of the left instead of lifting the throttle which will def cause a spin! Waffle waffle waffle.

[leerdam23]

I'd be practicing heel and toe too.

Edited by leerdam23 on Thursday 26th December 13:49

[Alun450]

Leerdam that's true, yes that and left ft braking, get that lot worked out and you'll be flying.
In fact I found getting the heal and toe right was just as critical in the Tvr and for me just as hard as left ft braking, you need double jointed feet. My pedals needed adjusting a tad me thinks.

[leerdam23]

Hi Alun. Yep smooth is quick, quicker entry speed, earlier on the throttle and less work for the car....I just need to go away and practice it now. !!

[Chilliman]

OK, I'm convinced, my fears were ungrounded.... I just didn't want to slow up any 917K's whilst I was checking out my new brakes

[seeby]

HEYYYYYYYYY Alun450.Good to see you back