Total newbie

[krallicious]

Right chaps,

I'm going on my first track day on the 25h at Snetterton. It's a novice day which is conducted in sessions. I will be getting tuition and, best of all, will be driving my brother's car. Is there anything I should look out for eg. which side should I pull over to so faster cars can overtake etc.

All pointers welcome as I would really like to get as many track days as I can under my belt this summer.

I've done the 'ring but I'm sure track days are a little different?

Cheers,

Pete

[matt uk]

I've only done a couple myself.

Good idea to start on a novice day and even better idea to get some tuition.

My only advise would be listen to the briefing, start off at a slow pace and work your way up and maintain an awareness of what is going on not only ahead of you but also behind you.

You'll have a great day out!

ETA: don't forget to take a camera

Edited by matt uk on Thursday 16th April 21:57

[rocklandboy]

I've done a few track days at Snetterton, you'll have great fun!!!! Like the last reply pay good attention at the drivers briefing but you will find through the day there will be the odd hero in the making, they normally stand out in the crowd at the drivers briefing... If you have any questions don't be afraid to ask at anytime of the day; the people who run these events are normally quiet good.

In answer to your question pull over to the right when its safe or comfortable for you to do so for the faster cars to pass, you're all there for the same reason so don't feel intimidated that you are holding anybody up round corners etc... Make sure you take a small basic tool kit too, tyre pressure gauge and pump are a good idea, you will find during the day that you will be letting a fair bit of air out of the tyres as they get very hot as you push it through the day (you'll need the pump at the end of the day to put all the air back ) Make sure the car is fueled to the brim too and don't get to carried away if your driving the track car home, you will need enough petrol to get you at least to Attleborough to fill it up

Just go out and enjoy yourself!!!

Edited by rocklandboy on Friday 17th April 07:46

[pikeyboy]

Good advice above but it's also a good idea to try and relax, many novice's get very tense and grip the wheel tightly. Try to relax your shoulders and hands so you can feel whats hapening to the car. Down the revett straight use the time to check your gauges eg oil water temp etc. Have fun, dont feel pressured by faster cars, move over lift a little let them by on the starights and enjoy it.

[krallicious]

Excellent advice so far. I will check, recheck and check the fluid levels, tyre pressures etc religiously throughout the day. I have been told Snetterton is a relatively easy circuit to learn due to it not being too technical. Is this correct? Are the braking points hard to get right after the two long straights? I'm not looking to be on the point of lock up for every corner, I'm just wondering if the points are hard to judge.

If anything terrible does happen to the car I only live 30 minutes down the road so the walk will not be too far!!

[poshgit]

i would just add a couple of things. i was told, ".....you will never learn a track driving it fast...." that was at goodwood where i could have done with a couple of spare pairs of pants, never mind a toolkit. it was very good advice - the days are always longer than you think and if you go slowly in the early part of the day you will find the speed builds up as the day goes on without you trying too hard.

secondly, if you can, ask the instrutor to drive a couple of laps in your car mid way through the day. you would be amazed how smooth they are, how they don't kill the tyres in the corners or the engine on the straights and you can see what your car is capable of doing. also puts a bit of a smile on their face as it makes a change from them sitting in the passeneger seat all day!!

have a great day.

i guess the last bit of advice is "don't do it".....you will get hooked and get the bug and have to go somewhere different every month - loverly, expensive habit

[krallicious]

It would be good to see my brother's car at the limit so to speak. I think I will ask the instructor to drive a lap or two. Unfortunatly if I do get hooked I will be a little constrained on the trackday front as I'm just visiting my parents for the weekend. Switzerland does not allow trackdays but then again I am only 5 hours from the 'ring and A half hour from the Alps. I guess it's swings and roundabouts.

[DeadMeat_UK]

It's a marathon not a sprint.

Start at a speed you are comfortable at. Just because someone is coming past you in a car you think shouldn't be faster than yours relax about it.

It's a real hoot, just get out there and play with what the car can do and learn the messages it sends you .

No1 rule, listen to the briefing.

[pikeyboy]

DeadMeat_UK said:

It's a marathon not a sprint.

Start at a speed you are comfortable at.

No1 rule, listen to the briefing.

Exactly, and dont push to hard to soon. When learning a new track i try drive steadilly and to string about 3 corners together learning the line and then build speed to practice just those for a few laps, then the next three and so on until i'm upto speed all the way round. Once i've learnt the line and i'm confident i start to push and wind in the braking points, on your first trackday dont play with btaking points just enjoy yourself, you'll have alot to take in. Typical novice errors are to drive around the middle of the circuit as opposed to using entry apex exit points, and to be to slow in fast corners and to fast in slow corners...Ohh enjoy the bomb hole and sweeping coram......I know the circuit pretty well and won my class there last year in the torential rain, some people dont like snett much but personally I think its a fun place

[DeadMeat_UK]

STOP

I've just re-read your first post.

I didn't realise you were driving your brothers car.

Forget all our advice, drive it like you stole it from the first second

[krallicious]

DeadMeat_UK said:

STOP

I've just re-read your first post.

I didn't realise you were driving your brothers car.

Forget all our advice, drive it like you stole it from the first second

Well he drove mine around Europe last year including the 'ringso it's time for a little bit of payback.

Thanks for the advice. I have no intention of flying around initially. Just going to be happy stringing a couple of good laps together and hitting the apexes at the correct points. I'm really looking forward to it. I forgot to mention the parents are also taking my Dad's car too and I might get to drive that aswell Although if I drove that like I stole it I do not think I'll be allowed back in th house again.

[iluvmercs]

DeadMeat_UK said:

Forget all our advice, drive it like you stole it from the first second

I'm not sure I like the sound of this advice

If you drive it like he stole it, I won't let you back in the house!

I considered starting this kind of thread, but seeing as you already have, I'll ask my question here, too

I'm curious to know about clothing regulations for track days. It may sound a bit odd, but I was wondering if there is a dress code (I was thinking along the lines of covering up arms and legs).

Many thanks for the advice, guys. There are a couple of points raised that I hadn't even considered!

I'm looking forward to to getting the Audi out on track

Darren

Edited by iluvmercs on Saturday 18th April 04:30

[t11ner]

Arms and legs covered is a standard requirement although some places don't enforce the arms bit unless you are in an open top car.

One extra comment that I don't think has been made so far; I'm not convinced about the whole idea of novice days. Seems to me that the first time you go out on track you are better off being surrounded by people who know what they are doing and where they are going!

Do a normal open pit trackday and put a novice sticker on the back of your car and the more experienced guys will give you a bit of extra room and you will be able to see the lines etc that they are taking rather than the random offerings of a bunch of fellow novices. At a normal trackday you can also blag a ride round with one or two of the other drivers to see how they do things on circuit.

Open pit is also a much more relaxed and enjoyable day as you can choose your own length of sessions rather than working to their timetable.

Steve H
TA-OL

[Shake&Bake]

Another point to note about listening to the briefing. They will usually show you the best entry and exit points to the twisty bits, remember these, they are going to be more than likely experts on that particular track. Don't do as I did when I started and follow the car in front presuming they knows the lines remember they are novices too. If the instructors are busy at the beginning of the day I find it very useful to ask someone that you know has been out on Snetterton if you can passenger with them for the 1st few laps (even on novice days there could be a few out testing). Track days are for petrol heads and generally most people attending will be very helpful and encouraging so don't be afraid to ask questions about tyre pressure, brake fade etc with people with similar cars. Few quick pointers in no particular order.

• Check all fluid levels (brake fluid, oil etc) previous day along with thread dept brake pad thickness (and throughout track day)
• If you don't have one, spend some time trying on the rental helmets, a good fit is important.
• Make sure you have the aircon / cooling fan on to a nice low temp before setting off. The last thing you want to be doing is playing with that on track. Along with radio off and phone.
• Previous day remove any non required items from car (Im not talking about the spare tyre and back seats more along the lines of junk)Its a good idea to bring a small hold all bag with you so that you can put your camera bottles of water etc into while on track your mates / family can mind them easier then in the pits.
• As previously said make sure your petrol tank is brimming!
• Im not sure about Snetterton but I think you have to pay for the tuition, if you have paid make yourself known and speak up. No point in having 20-30 odd years experience there if you don't take advantage of it
• After a heavy session on track it's a good idea to use the last lap as cool down lap afterwards before coming into the pits. When you park up, leave your car in gear but don't put on your handbrake, possibility of pads melting to disks, warping and extreme cases boiling the brake fluid.
• There will more than likely be a track photographer there, find out who it is and get there contact details so you can get some nice piccies as a momento.
• If you have a light long sleeve cotton top I would recommend this over a jumper as you will get quite warm while out on track.
• You have a rear view mirror don't forget to check it. You may think your going quite quick but there might be a few out on track with slightly more experience so give way (only on straights after you have indicated)
• Most of all ENJOY it, you will have a fantastic day, you'll annoy all your mates in the pub that night because they just don't "get it".

Theres probably a heap of other pointers that others can fill you in on, just enjoy.

P.S. I might be going on Friday for open pit. If I am your more than welcome to come down and come out for a few laps with me.

[DeadMeat_UK]

Oh, Shake n Bakes post reminds me of another couple of bits

If your tires are anywhere near their last 3rd of life, they might well be illegal for you to drive home on afterwards. Track days are great for killing of the last bit of your tires so be aware. Track day companies I've been at have pre-order and fitting on-site so you can drive home on new ones.

Make sure you know how to put your towing eye in and you have any tools necessary to open bits of bumper up without removing paint or fingernails. The last trackday I went on insisted on having towing eye fitted on track.

Be dressed for warmth in the car you get surprisingly sweaty (but remember long sleeves and trousers)
Have a fleece and windproof stuff handy when you get out as big windy airfiends get cold. A bottle of water is also good to have to keep hydrated.

Have a footpump and tire gauge with you - check round on the interweb on recommended track day pressures for your car (generally a bit lower than for normal road as the tires get warmer). Pressures make a lot of difference on track (beware you will probably get lots of conflicting advice at the track if there are a few owners of the same model of car as you !).

Edited by DeadMeat_UK on Saturday 18th April 16:01

[krallicious]

Once again, thanks for the invaluable information guys. I will be having a good re-read of the points over the next few days jus to make sure it's all been taken in. Are tyre pressure monitors easy to get hold of in Halfords et al?

[poshgit]

don't know how old your car is but "don't" brim the tank as previously advised above. it can slop out of the air hole/filler/breather/fule cap if you are cornering it hard.
1/2 to 3/4 full is fine - no need real to carry 60 litres of extra weigth around with you.
(just imagine buying 60 one litre cartons of juice and putting them in the car - a hell of a lot of unneccessary weight !)
all circuits have fuel on or nearby and soemtimes it is good to get out of the circuit for 10 mins to get into reality as it is a bit of an adreneline fueled day/atmosphere for a first timer.

[mrB10]

Snetterton has it's own petrol pumps but its expensive, easier to pop down the A11 to fill up and get back if need be.

I love this circuit, although not too technical it is great fun, and once you get it right the bombhole is superb and very fast. Just watch your mirrors and keep an eye on who's around you, oh and keep an eye out for those pesky Caterhams!

Best thing is to drive within your's and the cars limits as best you can and enjoy the day. You'll love it.

[iluvmercs]

Along with my brother, I'd also like to thank everyone for their input and advice. No doubt one us will report back after the day

Thanks again,

Darren

[rocklandboy]

The weather is looking good for a 1st track day experience, i remember my 1st and it was persisting down with rain, made it good fun though As its only 10mins down the road i might come over and have a spectate...

No chip shop at the end of this one Darren!!!