First track day coming up- any tips?
Discussion
Well against most of my better judgement am taking my PnJ to Goodwood in a couple of weeks. On the grid mine is of the least value but it's all relative... We've got an SLR, 911 (997) turbo, a Continental GT (?? could be interesting) a couple of Ferraris, race prepared M3 and a few more bits of serious kit going.. either way no-one is really going to be doing anything too silly but wanted to hear any tips you may have, especially where fluid levels are concerned. Tempted to call in at Fernhurst on the way down for a quick once over and maybe firm the shocks up. Any pointers?
Tom, having just got back from the Nurburgring (3 days on track 
) and having had the opportunity to sit in on a suspension presentation by KW, their advice is to have the suspension as soft as you can and only have it as hard as you need. Having also had chance to look around the RSR Racing garage (who hire a lot of the Ring cars) they disconnect (completely 
) the anti-roll bars to keep the cars soft and complient. If it is raining, you want a very soft (forgiving) set-up as the tyres play a major part in the grip at this point. If it is dry, the suspension comes more into play and you can try different settings, but not too hard - too hard does not equal fast.
Most of the 3 days, the track was very wet and greasy/oily. I could not drive very quick and probably drove slower than I would on UK A roads. I managed to get Wolfgang (one of the KW reps) to drive my car for 1 lap to check my suspension set-up (new Gaz Gold Pros) and he couldn't keep it in a straight line (around corners mostly but once on a straight!) - not because of the suspension, but because of the lack of grip from the tyres (almost new Toyo T1-Rs). I know my tyres are not at fault as he also drove a friends BWM Z3M and he had exactly the same issue (different tyre brand etc).
Once the track dried out, it became a far different surface, much more grip and more dependant on the suspension. My friends Z3M gave feedback (squealing tyres) yet my Tuscan didn't (but would happily step out if pushed too hard). I don't know why this was as I'd expect tyres to sqeal when pushed hard - maybe I just couldn't hear them over the noise of my engine.
If you weant to see some photos (sadly mine isn't in any of them) from the 2 events, look here:
Nurburgring Event
GRRC Event
Oh yes, fluids etc. Make sure your oil is topped up, don't get too low on fuel or you might get fuel starvation on some corners (I did when I had 15 litres left in the tank). If you have chance, bleed your brakes before hand to get new fluid into the lines and to remove and water/air etc. track days can be hard on brake pads so check before and after and if possible take a spare (old?) set with you as you might need them for the journey home. Make sure you have the kit to change them if you do this though! Tyres will heat up so maybe drop the pressures by 3-5 PSI but don't forget to pump them back up at the emd of the day.
All in all, have fun, drive within YOUR limits, not the cars, take pikkies and have a DAMN good time!
) and having had the opportunity to sit in on a suspension presentation by KW, their advice is to have the suspension as soft as you can and only have it as hard as you need. Having also had chance to look around the RSR Racing garage (who hire a lot of the Ring cars) they disconnect (completely ) the anti-roll bars to keep the cars soft and complient. If it is raining, you want a very soft (forgiving) set-up as the tyres play a major part in the grip at this point. If it is dry, the suspension comes more into play and you can try different settings, but not too hard - too hard does not equal fast.Most of the 3 days, the track was very wet and greasy/oily. I could not drive very quick and probably drove slower than I would on UK A roads. I managed to get Wolfgang (one of the KW reps) to drive my car for 1 lap to check my suspension set-up (new Gaz Gold Pros) and he couldn't keep it in a straight line (around corners mostly but once on a straight!) - not because of the suspension, but because of the lack of grip from the tyres (almost new Toyo T1-Rs). I know my tyres are not at fault as he also drove a friends BWM Z3M and he had exactly the same issue (different tyre brand etc).
Once the track dried out, it became a far different surface, much more grip and more dependant on the suspension. My friends Z3M gave feedback (squealing tyres) yet my Tuscan didn't (but would happily step out if pushed too hard). I don't know why this was as I'd expect tyres to sqeal when pushed hard - maybe I just couldn't hear them over the noise of my engine.
If you weant to see some photos (sadly mine isn't in any of them) from the 2 events, look here:
Nurburgring Event
GRRC Event
Oh yes, fluids etc. Make sure your oil is topped up, don't get too low on fuel or you might get fuel starvation on some corners (I did when I had 15 litres left in the tank). If you have chance, bleed your brakes before hand to get new fluid into the lines and to remove and water/air etc. track days can be hard on brake pads so check before and after and if possible take a spare (old?) set with you as you might need them for the journey home. Make sure you have the kit to change them if you do this though! Tyres will heat up so maybe drop the pressures by 3-5 PSI but don't forget to pump them back up at the emd of the day.
All in all, have fun, drive within YOUR limits, not the cars, take pikkies and have a DAMN good time!
I'd second that advice about suspension. My tuscan become a real handful when I harden it up. One thing to watch is the way the back end lightens up under heavy breaking. In my 2000 4.0, it can lock the back wheels when braking and changing down (if you can heel and toe then do so but I don't find it easy in the Tuscan). So, even a twitch in the steering wheel when braking hard can chuck you into a spin!!
Oh, and don't get over-excited about catching a GT3 911 while trying to evade your mate in a Noble.......'nuf said.
Oh, and don't get over-excited about catching a GT3 911 while trying to evade your mate in a Noble.......'nuf said.
Assume that during the day your car will run out of tyre tread, oil, water, petrol, brake pads, and your tyre pressures will get too high and too low. Get used to checking all these things after every session and be aware of how fast they are each being used up so that you don't run out of anything. It is easy to overheat the engine or brakes so monitor the engine temperature and watch out for the brakes starting to feel spongey - back off for a few minutes to let things cool down and recover.
Driving at your limit is very tiring, if you feel your concentration starting to fade come back in for a rest.
The most dangerous times to be on track are the first session after lunch, and the last session of the day. These are the times that you're most likely to make mistakes, so are the people around you.
Take plenty of energy snacks to keep your blood sugar levels up but don't have a heavy lunch.
If the track is wet the risks go up substantially so think carefully before going out.
Driving at your limit is very tiring, if you feel your concentration starting to fade come back in for a rest.
The most dangerous times to be on track are the first session after lunch, and the last session of the day. These are the times that you're most likely to make mistakes, so are the people around you.
Take plenty of energy snacks to keep your blood sugar levels up but don't have a heavy lunch.
If the track is wet the risks go up substantially so think carefully before going out.
A lot of good advice already.
My Mk1 went through a complete set of brake pads and needed a fluid change. I used a tank full of fuel and 2 litres of oil.
It was an open paddock at Snetterton with only a half full grid. It was a great day, but very tiring.
I did about 5 laps maximum and then came in and checked everything. I repeated this throughout the day with a break for lunch.
The thing to learn is that it is not about horsepower, corner speed is everything. Try and avoid over using the brakes and carry as much speed through the corners as possible. You will need balls of titanium. My Tuscan was very stable and contollable and sort of "four wheel drifted" round the corners, howling the tyres all the time. Apparently having the Hydratrak diff really helps and I thought the Bridgestone Potenzas I had on were really good. It was very predictable all day long.
I could only manage about 135mph down the longest straight in fourth. I didn't use top and third was the gear I used most often. Changing down was a real issue and you must not hurry it. I had to match my downshifts to my speed approaching the corners, otherwise the box would baulk.
I had track insurance through Hagerty.
I really hope you enjoy your day.
My Mk1 went through a complete set of brake pads and needed a fluid change. I used a tank full of fuel and 2 litres of oil.
It was an open paddock at Snetterton with only a half full grid. It was a great day, but very tiring.
I did about 5 laps maximum and then came in and checked everything. I repeated this throughout the day with a break for lunch.
The thing to learn is that it is not about horsepower, corner speed is everything. Try and avoid over using the brakes and carry as much speed through the corners as possible. You will need balls of titanium. My Tuscan was very stable and contollable and sort of "four wheel drifted" round the corners, howling the tyres all the time. Apparently having the Hydratrak diff really helps and I thought the Bridgestone Potenzas I had on were really good. It was very predictable all day long.
I could only manage about 135mph down the longest straight in fourth. I didn't use top and third was the gear I used most often. Changing down was a real issue and you must not hurry it. I had to match my downshifts to my speed approaching the corners, otherwise the box would baulk.
I had track insurance through Hagerty.
I really hope you enjoy your day.
Sorry not to have posted back on this after much appreciated good advice. Here's my feedback:
Arrived at Goodwood for 8.30am and the excellent bacon sandwiches and safety briefing. It is a great set up and really made everything black and white.
Then we went to get our noise levels tested...
Aston DB9 and V8 Vantage
997 GT3
997 Turbo
McClaren SLR
Ferrari F430
Bentley Continental GT
Caterham Superlight
BMW M3 CSL
996S
993
996 Convertible
Mitsubishi Evo
All passed the 105 DB restriction level.
TVR Tuscan2S De-catted couldn't even get within the scale at 4000revs...testing was at 5000..
didn't bode well as the pops on the overrun are just like tank fire at the moment. So went for a spin to warm it up and prayed that there would be no more fireworks for a re-test and the very understanding stewards let me on with the all important 105 sticker.
Format was 5 cars out at any time, come in after 5/6 laps to cool down and let others out which worked really well. We had 2 instructors on standby for the day so as it was wet I took one out for my first ginger laps. Track conditions at 9am were damp but drying and everyone was going pretty carefully.
GT3 span on first corner of first lap which I must say made me giggle (Car and driver fine). I did my first 5 laps gradually working on improving line and keeping speed through the corners and was grinning ear to ear after my first set. Came in for a cup of tea and released the instructor who then went out in the M3 CSl and span it! Now there's encouragement for you.
Apart from the Caterham mine was the only car without all the traction toys and though i say it myself it totally held it's own. The only really impressive car (In realsitic terms) as the track got wetter was teh 997 Turbo. 4 wheel drive and plenty of oomph gave it the real edge. Any way blah blah blah drive drive drive and back in for lunch. During lunch (enforced 1 hour 12-1pm stop) it started to really rain so it was with extra caution I headed back out, going very carefully for the first few laps then got a bit confident.. Eased on the power a bit early coming out of Lavant corner into the straight and elicited a very balletic (Or rather Sh+t yourself!)moment and managed a 720degree spin.. thankfully staying on the tarmac but suddenly those tyre walls looked pretty uncomfortable. Straight in to the pits for a once over and all was fine. Quick cig and a cup of tea sorted me out and then a brilliant rest of the afternoon.
In short if I could reccomend anybody to do one thing with their motor, it's take it onto the track, (even do it in the wet so you're concentrating more and burning less tyre / brakes) and take it steady and you, like me will be hooked. Bring on the next bout!
PS, car now up with Dom at TVR power having a once over and the cats replaced!
Arrived at Goodwood for 8.30am and the excellent bacon sandwiches and safety briefing. It is a great set up and really made everything black and white.
Then we went to get our noise levels tested...
Aston DB9 and V8 Vantage
997 GT3
997 Turbo
McClaren SLR
Ferrari F430
Bentley Continental GT
Caterham Superlight
BMW M3 CSL
996S
993
996 Convertible
Mitsubishi Evo
All passed the 105 DB restriction level.
TVR Tuscan2S De-catted couldn't even get within the scale at 4000revs...testing was at 5000..
didn't bode well as the pops on the overrun are just like tank fire at the moment. So went for a spin to warm it up and prayed that there would be no more fireworks for a re-test and the very understanding stewards let me on with the all important 105 sticker.
Format was 5 cars out at any time, come in after 5/6 laps to cool down and let others out which worked really well. We had 2 instructors on standby for the day so as it was wet I took one out for my first ginger laps. Track conditions at 9am were damp but drying and everyone was going pretty carefully.
GT3 span on first corner of first lap which I must say made me giggle (Car and driver fine). I did my first 5 laps gradually working on improving line and keeping speed through the corners and was grinning ear to ear after my first set. Came in for a cup of tea and released the instructor who then went out in the M3 CSl and span it! Now there's encouragement for you.
Apart from the Caterham mine was the only car without all the traction toys and though i say it myself it totally held it's own. The only really impressive car (In realsitic terms) as the track got wetter was teh 997 Turbo. 4 wheel drive and plenty of oomph gave it the real edge. Any way blah blah blah drive drive drive and back in for lunch. During lunch (enforced 1 hour 12-1pm stop) it started to really rain so it was with extra caution I headed back out, going very carefully for the first few laps then got a bit confident.. Eased on the power a bit early coming out of Lavant corner into the straight and elicited a very balletic (Or rather Sh+t yourself!)moment and managed a 720degree spin.. thankfully staying on the tarmac but suddenly those tyre walls looked pretty uncomfortable. Straight in to the pits for a once over and all was fine. Quick cig and a cup of tea sorted me out and then a brilliant rest of the afternoon.
In short if I could reccomend anybody to do one thing with their motor, it's take it onto the track, (even do it in the wet so you're concentrating more and burning less tyre / brakes) and take it steady and you, like me will be hooked. Bring on the next bout!
PS, car now up with Dom at TVR power having a once over and the cats replaced!
Great report! Sounds like you had a great time and had some nice company by the looks of it too! I haven't been back out on the track since my first track day at Brands this year but I'm tempted to go again in the New Year, I can see how people get addicted and find themselves involved in racing!
Cheers
Andy
Cheers
Andy
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