Beginner's track day!
Discussion
Hi all.
I'm thinking of going on a track day early next year. I recently bought an ST220 Mondeo and love it, but I would like to have a day playing to see what it can really do. Thing is, I've never done this sort of thing before.
I'm based in Southampton but am currently considering either Oulton Park or Silverstone.
What do I need to look out for and what preparation would be best before the event? I'm asking now, as my car's due to go in for a service December/January and it'd make sense to get any preparatory work done whilst it's already in the garage. Plus if I need to source any parts cheaply, I've got some time to go hunting.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'll stress that I've no experience whatsoever at track driving, that funds aren't limitless, and due to my own ineptitude, I can only do basic work on my car myself! There's so much information out there it's all a bit bewildering at the moment!
I'm thinking of going on a track day early next year. I recently bought an ST220 Mondeo and love it, but I would like to have a day playing to see what it can really do. Thing is, I've never done this sort of thing before.
I'm based in Southampton but am currently considering either Oulton Park or Silverstone.
What do I need to look out for and what preparation would be best before the event? I'm asking now, as my car's due to go in for a service December/January and it'd make sense to get any preparatory work done whilst it's already in the garage. Plus if I need to source any parts cheaply, I've got some time to go hunting.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'll stress that I've no experience whatsoever at track driving, that funds aren't limitless, and due to my own ineptitude, I can only do basic work on my car myself! There's so much information out there it's all a bit bewildering at the moment!
For prep it really depends on how far you want to go but the minimum is a good all round safety check, make sure all your levels are OK, fresh brake fluid would be nice, plenty of wear left on your pads and discs and enough tread on your tyres.
If you want to think about upgrades then brakes (uprated pads can make a big difference on track) are a good place to start, decent tyres are well worth the money and probably some slightly firmer suspension (don't go too stiff if you use it on the road regularly as well).
For circuit choice I'd stay fairly close to home for the first event as you will be pretty tired at the end of the day and the drive back from Oulton to Southampton might be more dangerous than your time on track!
Silverstone and Bedford are both good choices but Brands would (I think) be closer so I'd go for that. It's a simple enough circuit that you will easily learn the layout but it's plenty technical enough that you will not run out of challenges during the day.
Make sure you get instruction fairly early on as this will help you understand how to handle the car and lines etc - the better organisers will include this FOC
.
Personally I wouldn't go for a novice day, the idea of a circuit full of first-timers always concerns me a bit! Get a decent open pitlane event so you can go on and off track as you wish and enjoy the day.
Have fun
Steve H
Trackaction-Online
If you want to think about upgrades then brakes (uprated pads can make a big difference on track) are a good place to start, decent tyres are well worth the money and probably some slightly firmer suspension (don't go too stiff if you use it on the road regularly as well).
For circuit choice I'd stay fairly close to home for the first event as you will be pretty tired at the end of the day and the drive back from Oulton to Southampton might be more dangerous than your time on track!
Silverstone and Bedford are both good choices but Brands would (I think) be closer so I'd go for that. It's a simple enough circuit that you will easily learn the layout but it's plenty technical enough that you will not run out of challenges during the day.
Make sure you get instruction fairly early on as this will help you understand how to handle the car and lines etc - the better organisers will include this FOC
.Personally I wouldn't go for a novice day, the idea of a circuit full of first-timers always concerns me a bit! Get a decent open pitlane event so you can go on and off track as you wish and enjoy the day.
Have fun
Steve H
Trackaction-Online
That's great advice! Many thanks.
Brake fluid I'll do, as it won't be too expensive on top of a normal service. Any recommendations on brake pads? I suppose some sort of fast road ones will do for the occasional track day. Also, the discs will need replacing soon... would people suggest getting a decent set of discs, or would standard OEM fit with uprated pads be all right?
Bedford sounds good.. I'll be looking into it!
Brake fluid I'll do, as it won't be too expensive on top of a normal service. Any recommendations on brake pads? I suppose some sort of fast road ones will do for the occasional track day. Also, the discs will need replacing soon... would people suggest getting a decent set of discs, or would standard OEM fit with uprated pads be all right?
Bedford sounds good.. I'll be looking into it!
Edited by mrfunex on Sunday 29th November 14:54
LMP said:
If you fancy getting straight into it, Bedford are running a novice day this coming Wednesday with half day prices starting at £69.
Where is this available?Don't worry, found it. http://www.clubmsv.com/car-home/event-details.aspx...
Edited by TheDutch on Sunday 29th November 16:56
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