Track Day Season Preparation Checklist.
Track Day Season Preparation Checklist.
Author
Discussion

TDT

Original Poster:

6,093 posts

141 months

Tuesday 12th February 2019
quotequote all
So for many of us (not named LaSource, who pounds around all year, lol) we are about a month away from the start of the track day season.

What items, task and prep should we be doing or thinking about…

Tyres
Brake System check + maintenance
Air Filters
Geo Check

What else??


Porsche911R

21,146 posts

287 months

Tuesday 12th February 2019
quotequote all
a few hours on the sim to hone skills ;-)

but really I have done track days for years and never checked anything bar wheel nuts and psi.

I turn up, do 2 laps drop pressures, do about 4 more laps drop pressures, jobs a job for the rest of the day.

I would expect any car owned by an enthusiast !! to already be in tip top shape with the correct tyres, fluid, pads, and geo sorted.

All one needs is a helmet, some thin sole driving shoes and £1.5k in the bank per TD.

My took kit is a pump, wheel nut wrench, pyro for tyres(why ask noobs what PSI they run when you can set your own correctly)
Also any data from the Pyro can be used to tweak your geo for next time. No one seem to do this, I find it odd !!

To carry on, screen wash external with 2 x microfibres (I like a full clear screen esp in summer when one might travel 100 miles to get to the track day) , a roll of kitchen roll, 2 pairs mechanic gloves, some sweets and bottle of pop and a big coat as it's always ****ing cold.

A mate who will check your tyres for you.



Edited by Porsche911R on Tuesday 12th February 17:32

JayK12

2,369 posts

224 months

Tuesday 12th February 2019
quotequote all
An empty passenger seat!

MDL111

8,441 posts

199 months

Tuesday 12th February 2019
quotequote all
find helmet
find car keys
new tyres
get it checked over at dealer post winter hibernation

this year - new windscreen unfortunately - been putting that one off long enough

ah - relevant for me - buy Austrian Vignette for the highway


Steve Rance

5,453 posts

253 months

Tuesday 12th February 2019
quotequote all
I always change my engine and gearbox oil and do a spanner check. Check pad thickness and remind myself of how much tread depth I have left. Oh and check when my brake fluid was last changed

dougle_turbo

52 posts

115 months

Wednesday 13th February 2019
quotequote all
The biggest thing I see new track day attendees not realise the importance of is good brake fluid. It will totally ruin your day if the fluid is shot and you can only do one lap, before having to cool down.

After that everything that 911R said. The only things I would add to his list is a Halford pro set of spanners and sockets (they come in a handy box), and spare set of brake pads. It means you can get home if they decide to disintegrate.

hunter 66

4,190 posts

242 months

Wednesday 13th February 2019
quotequote all
Hold back to a maximum of 4 beers the night before .
Drive to the track , go easy , it is only a track day .
Watch tyre pressures
Enjoy

Slippydiff

15,949 posts

245 months

Wednesday 13th February 2019
quotequote all
hunter 66 said:
Hold back to a maximum of 4 beers the night before .
Drive to the track , go easy , it is only a track day .
Watch tyre pressures
Be prompt stopping for lunch so as to avoid queues and lack of seating/tables at over-priced, greasy spoon-like track cafe facilities.
Enjoy
EFA Peter.

simonsti

279 posts

166 months

Wednesday 13th February 2019
quotequote all
£1.5k per trackday...Is that a joke?

Porsche911R

21,146 posts

287 months

Wednesday 13th February 2019
quotequote all
simonsti said:
£1.5k per trackday...Is that a joke?
min cost on the big UK GP tracks as long as you keep the miles down, more if you do over 100 on the day.

less if you do Cadwell and do 80 miles of course.

Add another grand for euro hoons.

Edited by Porsche911R on Wednesday 13th February 09:54

boxsey

3,579 posts

232 months

Wednesday 13th February 2019
quotequote all
simonsti said:
£1.5k per trackday...Is that a joke?
It's not a joke but is only relevant if you start adding up the cost of consumables that get used. wink

Steve Rance

5,453 posts

253 months

Wednesday 13th February 2019
quotequote all
simonsti said:
£1.5k per trackday...Is that a joke?
Pretty much there or there abouts

hunter 66

4,190 posts

242 months

Wednesday 13th February 2019
quotequote all
haha yes Steve when racing that is the hourly rate .....if you are lucky

CrashBang

225 posts

177 months

Wednesday 13th February 2019
quotequote all
Steve Rance said:
simonsti said:
£1.5k per trackday...Is that a joke?
Pretty much there or there abouts
I dont see this either, some may, but I track regularly and costs are not anywhere near this.

TDT

Original Poster:

6,093 posts

141 months

Wednesday 13th February 2019
quotequote all
Track Day booking cost typically £450 - some are less, some are more.
Fuel for the day..£150/200

Then there are consumables...
circa..£1200 per set of tyres - might need 2 or 3 sets per season? call it 2 - so £2400.

If you add all that up, and spread across 5 TDs you're at £1100pd

Thats before you talk about Brakes maintenance, and other regular service charging, Overnight stays if the track is far away or in Europe, Insurance, Instructors.

You can do it for less of course - you may get more days out of your tyres and brakes... so as the old adage goes.. your mileage may vary.

Edited by TDT on Wednesday 13th February 15:24

boxsey

3,579 posts

232 months

Wednesday 13th February 2019
quotequote all
TDT said:
Track Day booking cost typically £450 - some are less, some are more.
Fuel for the day..£150/200

Then there are consumables...
circa..£1200 per set of tyres - might need 2 or 3 sets per season? call it 2 - so £2400.

If you add all that up, and spread across 5 TDs you're at £1100pd

Thats before you talk about Brakes maintenance, and other regular service charging, Overnight stays if the track is far away or in Europe, Insurance, Instructors.

You can do it for less of course - you may get more days out of your tyres and brakes... so as the old adage goes.. your mileage may vary.

Edited by TDT on Wednesday 13th February 15:24
+1 It's an expensive hobby but cheaper than racing and great value when it comes to the smiles per £ calculation smile

TDT

Original Poster:

6,093 posts

141 months

Wednesday 13th February 2019
quotequote all
boxsey said:
TDT said:
Track Day booking cost typically £450 - some are less, some are more.
Fuel for the day..£150/200

Then there are consumables...
circa..£1200 per set of tyres - might need 2 or 3 sets per season? call it 2 - so £2400.

If you add all that up, and spread across 5 TDs you're at £1100pd

Thats before you talk about Brakes maintenance, and other regular service charging, Overnight stays if the track is far away or in Europe, Insurance, Instructors.

You can do it for less of course - you may get more days out of your tyres and brakes... so as the old adage goes.. your mileage may vary.

Edited by TDT on Wednesday 13th February 15:24
+1 It's an expensive hobby but cheaper than racing and great value when it comes to the smiles per £ calculation smile
Absolutely.

Cunno

511 posts

179 months

Wednesday 13th February 2019
quotequote all


Breakdown I did a year ago illustrates cost once you start considering wear .

Yellow491

3,358 posts

141 months

Wednesday 13th February 2019
quotequote all
hunter 66 said:
Hold back to a maximum of 4 beers the night before .
Drive to the track , go easy , it is only a track day .
Watch tyre pressures
Enjoy
U got the right idea mate,but you must be getting older. Holding back;),you aint been educated enough by JCsmile
Rvp911 has a bit of education when he joined us at the fishpool,he thought we would be on orange and lemonade and tucked up in bed 10pm,i think it was 2 am last year!

No substitute for raceing,the biggest drug of all.

hunter 66

4,190 posts

242 months

Wednesday 13th February 2019
quotequote all
Yes Yellow and costly drug ,
See you at Oulton ...Beers n Steak