Making the most of a track day
Discussion
Hi guys,
I'm doing my first track day over Easter (Bedford with LOT) and looking forward to meeting some of you there.
I want to make sure that I get the most out of the day. I have booked a morning and afternoon training session already and am now thinking about the car which is a standard S2 111S.
I am doing the track day primarily to learn more about the car's handling and improve my own abilities, the secondary reason is fun. So im not worried about setting blindng lap times but I do want to make sure I get the most out of the day.
Im going to get a geo check and tweak done (which was on the agenda anyway) but is there anything else that I could/should have done at the same time at a justifiable cost? Basically, I don't want to do the day, find that something can't cope or is clouding the track experience then going home having it upgraded and coming back to do one where it all works!
I have thought that these could be done while the car is in the air for the geo.
1) Brake pads (4-5mm left all round) - rumor has it they will die quckly on a track, is it worth having mintex pads fitted?
2) Brake hoses and fluid - car is 1.5 years old and has the original fluid, is it worth having braided hoses fitted with an uprated brake fluid?
Im wondering whether these mods would make the trackday a significantly better experience (possibly enhance my learning by not having to contend so much with dying brakes) but also be worthwile mods for road use anyway. The car will only be used for one or two track days a year.
Any advice appeciated!
Cheers,
Christian
I'm doing my first track day over Easter (Bedford with LOT) and looking forward to meeting some of you there.
I want to make sure that I get the most out of the day. I have booked a morning and afternoon training session already and am now thinking about the car which is a standard S2 111S.
I am doing the track day primarily to learn more about the car's handling and improve my own abilities, the secondary reason is fun. So im not worried about setting blindng lap times but I do want to make sure I get the most out of the day.
Im going to get a geo check and tweak done (which was on the agenda anyway) but is there anything else that I could/should have done at the same time at a justifiable cost? Basically, I don't want to do the day, find that something can't cope or is clouding the track experience then going home having it upgraded and coming back to do one where it all works!
I have thought that these could be done while the car is in the air for the geo.
1) Brake pads (4-5mm left all round) - rumor has it they will die quckly on a track, is it worth having mintex pads fitted?
2) Brake hoses and fluid - car is 1.5 years old and has the original fluid, is it worth having braided hoses fitted with an uprated brake fluid?
Im wondering whether these mods would make the trackday a significantly better experience (possibly enhance my learning by not having to contend so much with dying brakes) but also be worthwile mods for road use anyway. The car will only be used for one or two track days a year.
Any advice appeciated!
Cheers,
Christian
No worries, just enjoy the day. The Elise is made for track days, it will cope better than you. It's a good thing to get training, well done. I have done one or two track days but I have booked training on this one. The only thing you may need is a clean pair of pants if you get a pax ride one of the faster guys. 
Phil.
Phil.
Christian - I would recommend getting the brake fluid changed at least. The boiling point gets lower as the fluid absorbs moisture, so one can experience earlier brake fade. Unless you are planning to become a regular trackday goer, the standard lines will be fine.
Do the minimum now and see how you enjoy it.
Cheers - see you at Bedford. I will be there with Hans Baumhardt, who will be able to give you some good pointers. He is really quick on a pretty standard setup 111s S2.
Do the minimum now and see how you enjoy it.
Cheers - see you at Bedford. I will be there with Hans Baumhardt, who will be able to give you some good pointers. He is really quick on a pretty standard setup 111s S2.
Id go for Pagids, hoses are worthwhile too...other than that give the car a good check over...top the oil up slightly over max in the K series
Other than that get some training and enjoy
...Bedford is really safe and the LoT days are well organised with considerate drivers...
see you there
Other than that get some training and enjoy
...Bedford is really safe and the LoT days are well organised with considerate drivers... see you there
Cheers for the advice guys 
,
I have decided that I will have the fluid chaged for sure. As for the pads and hoses, I'm still not sure but I think as has been suggested the most sensible thing would be to do the minimum of a fluid change and then do the day, after which I will be far better educated as to the ability of the factory kit and my desires. I guess I can't even be sure I will be able to drive fast enough to cause the brakes a problem!
When the pads die, I will probably upgrade pads and hoses. I would seriously consider doing this myself as it looks like that would probably save a pretty substantial amount on fitting too.
Looks like quite a few of you will be there, can't wait for the day to come round now
, I have decided that I will have the fluid chaged for sure. As for the pads and hoses, I'm still not sure but I think as has been suggested the most sensible thing would be to do the minimum of a fluid change and then do the day, after which I will be far better educated as to the ability of the factory kit and my desires. I guess I can't even be sure I will be able to drive fast enough to cause the brakes a problem!
When the pads die, I will probably upgrade pads and hoses. I would seriously consider doing this myself as it looks like that would probably save a pretty substantial amount on fitting too.
Looks like quite a few of you will be there, can't wait for the day to come round now
I'll be there doing some pax rides for the day to learn the circuit etc. Look forward to meeting you. As above, while it's in the garage have everything checked over by them for a pre-trackday inspection to see if anything's likely to fail. An oil change mightn't be a bad idea if it's not had one in a while.
As for pads - Pagids are the best, but I've recently had Mintex 1144's fitted to my car (as I will be mainly doing fast road driving with a few trackdays) and they are exceptionally good in comparison to OEM and Green Stuff's. A very worthwhile upgrade.
As for pads - Pagids are the best, but I've recently had Mintex 1144's fitted to my car (as I will be mainly doing fast road driving with a few trackdays) and they are exceptionally good in comparison to OEM and Green Stuff's. A very worthwhile upgrade.
One other thing...it's worth shelling out 35 notes for the UK Circuit Guide if you don't already have this. I read up on Bedford a few days before doing my first day there and re-read 3-4 times. I was impressed how much of the circuit was familiar to me when I first went out on track.
Also, there are a few vids of Bedford on Google Video - again good for research as it saves you a session or two in working out where the circuit goes.
Do a session or two before instruction, then take the second instruction session mid-afternoon so you can see how you've improved and put the lessons learnt in the second instruction session to good use.
But most of all, remember to have fun!
Also, there are a few vids of Bedford on Google Video - again good for research as it saves you a session or two in working out where the circuit goes.
Do a session or two before instruction, then take the second instruction session mid-afternoon so you can see how you've improved and put the lessons learnt in the second instruction session to good use.
But most of all, remember to have fun!
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