First trackday in a seven

[gareth h]

Well, airfield day actually, at Hullavington. To set the scene I haven’t been on circuit in a car for over 15 years, although have done a few days on bikes.

It was with trepidation that I started the first session, lots of people looked pukka, I needn’t have worried the ability of the 7 was a revelation.

Early on I was braking far too soon and having to get back on the throttle before the corner, lots too learn and unfortunately had to can it at lunchtime due to an oil leak from the diff (which turned out to be the breather).

I really wasn’t prepared for how accomplished the 7 was on circuit. Happy days!

[downsman]

And the other great thing about Sevens on track is how easy they are on brakes and tyres

[Darumvej]

Left hand tracks will throw oil out of the breather on Ford diffs, either extend the breather tube or fit a catch tank.

[framerateuk]

The engine braking was what surprised me when I took mine on a track for the first time. Like you I didn't know how late I could leave it and had to end up accelerating again to get to the corner!

[pikeyboy]

H

framerateuk said:

The engine braking was what surprised me when I took mine on a track for the first time

Engine braking.....

[downsman]

boy said:

Engine braking.....

What do you do then?
Disengage the clutch or keep accelerating while braking?

Edited by downsman on Monday 9th March 22:12

[gareth h]

Darumvej said:

Left hand tracks will throw oil out of the breather on Ford diffs, either extend the breather tube or fit a catch tank.

I was going to fit a catch tank, will I get away with just a longer tube?

[gareth h]

Darumvej said:

Left hand tracks will throw oil out of the breather on Ford diffs, either extend the breather tube or fit a catch tank.

I was going to fit a catch tank, will I get away with just a longer tube?

[pikeyboy]

downsman said:

boy said:

Engine braking.....

What do you do then?
Disengage the clutch or keep accelerating while braking?

Edited by downsman on Monday 9th March 22:12

Engine braking which I have always understood to be changing down the box using the difference in speed between engine and the road wheels to slow you down is not only harsh on the drivetrain but can lead to locking the rear wheels and could result in a spin. This why you should heel and toe, if you can't heel and toe then just braking using the brakes and changing down the box will suffice once you've slowed to a speed appropriate for the lower gear.

[Gingerbread Man]

gareth h said:

I was going to fit a catch tank, will I get away with just a longer tube?

What I did on mine after reading the tip somewhere or other, was to put a longer tube on, but to loop it once or twice then zip tie lightly to hold the loop.

[gareth h]

Thanks I'll give that a go

[subirg]

The leaky diff is actually a very cunning anti corrosion management system... Works wonderfully well.

[ghibbett]

framerateuk said:

The engine braking was what surprised me when I took mine on a track for the first time.

It's not just engine braking, it's also that massive air brake called the windscreen!

[framerateuk]

boy said:

Engine braking which I have always understood to be changing down the box using the difference in speed between engine and the road wheels to slow you down is not only harsh on the drivetrain but can lead to locking the rear wheels and could result in a spin. This why you should heel and toe, if you can't heel and toe then just braking using the brakes and changing down the box will suffice once you've slowed to a speed appropriate for the lower gear.

I think you've misunderstood. I can't imagine anyone would do what you've just described?

I always heel and toe, but as soon as you lift off the throttle, the engine starts to slow the car, as does the aero - that's what I mean by engine braking.

[framerateuk]

ghibbett said:

It's not just engine braking, it's also that massive air brake called the windscreen!

I'm still hoping to get an Aeroscreen fitted for trackdays soon. I'll be keen to see how much harder I need to get on the brakes!

[CraigyB]

Getting fluid out of the diff = trying hard enough

Never lost enough though to need to top up the diff

[pikeyboy]

framerateuk said:

I think you've misunderstood. I can't imagine anyone would do what you've just described?

I always heel and toe, but as soon as you lift off the throttle, the engine starts to slow the car, as does the aero - that's what I mean by engine braking.

If the engine starts to slow the car you haven't blipped the throttle enough or have been to slow shifting either way you shouldn't really hear any engine braking effect.

I wouldn't know about aero slowing me as I don't have a screen.

[tomwoodis]

Erm...... I think he's explained the situation quite well and I think he's made it clear he's doing it properly.

Once you've blipped the throttle, changed into the lower gear and re-engaged the clutch he's absolutely right, engine braking will then take effect if you take your foot away from the throttle. There is nothing wrong with this approach.

Carry on.....

[anniesdad]

Some confusion over engine braking and Rev-matching here. Obviously if the driver doesn't blip throttle when changing down either with or without braking then that could shock the car into losing control. I spun an E36 M3 once after selecting the wrong lower gear into the old hairpin at donington. When changing down through the box though or coming off throttle there will inevitably be some engine braking, which is perfectly normal and acceptable. Non?

[framerateuk]

boy said:

If the engine starts to slow the car you haven't blipped the throttle enough or have been to slow shifting either way you shouldn't really hear any engine braking effect.

I wouldn't know about aero slowing me as I don't have a screen.

Who said anything about changing gear?

Approach a corner in 3rd gear at 7000rpm - the moment you lift off the throttle, the car will brake quite dramatically before you even think about applying the brake. Much of the time, the effect is so strong that you don't even need to brake, it's enough to transfer the weight to the front and let you turn in.