Just wondered your opinion -extra pair of hands
Discussion
As posted wondered if it was worth while offering an extra pair of hands for track day drivers!
Thanks for all the input on this post - original post now removed to avoid posts that warrant more replys!
Thanks guys - hope the weather makes it a bit more pleasurable on the track for you all soon.
Thanks for all the input on this post - original post now removed to avoid posts that warrant more replys!
Thanks guys - hope the weather makes it a bit more pleasurable on the track for you all soon.
Edited by The Real Stig on Friday 26th February 12:14
There is certainly call for such a service, but only if you are needed as in I can't imagine folks will pay yr daily rate otherwise, unless you are subsidised by a group.
For example in the season I transport pairs of track cars around for some wealthy trackdayers, (I run a car transport co- www.lizardlogistics.com ) they also have the technician that works on the cars & an instructor for the day, so not a cheap day when you add that all up but for them worth it.
Pretty much at every event our guys are asked to help out on someones car for some issue or other, sometimes if its v quick they can help or lend tools, but they are paid to be working on the clients car all day, so don't really have time for much, but even then have certainly saved a few folks days.
For my own trackdays im ok for odds & sods but have needed help of some pals at times mainly when I need a pair of hands.
For example in the season I transport pairs of track cars around for some wealthy trackdayers, (I run a car transport co- www.lizardlogistics.com ) they also have the technician that works on the cars & an instructor for the day, so not a cheap day when you add that all up but for them worth it.
Pretty much at every event our guys are asked to help out on someones car for some issue or other, sometimes if its v quick they can help or lend tools, but they are paid to be working on the clients car all day, so don't really have time for much, but even then have certainly saved a few folks days.
For my own trackdays im ok for odds & sods but have needed help of some pals at times mainly when I need a pair of hands.
Interesting one this, as I have thought about having someone along to fix the car when I break it. I have no idea how a car runs and how to fix things when they go wrong. I recently had the AA out to Bedford Autodrome when the car was misfiring (e36 M3). They fixed it without any issue. It was a simple fix of water in the No1 coil pack where it connects to the spark plug. It is that sort of thing that having a mechanic with you would be perfect but at what cost per day.
I personally think adding the cost of a mechanic would be too high compared to the risk of a car failure and losing the rest of the track day. The cost/benefit does not stack up for me even with bugger all knowledge of the oily bits.
I think to make it viable then the cost of your time would have to be split between a number of people but this then causes issues for your logistics I would imagine. Maybe look at club organised track days where it is full of a similar make of car.
I personally think adding the cost of a mechanic would be too high compared to the risk of a car failure and losing the rest of the track day. The cost/benefit does not stack up for me even with bugger all knowledge of the oily bits.
I think to make it viable then the cost of your time would have to be split between a number of people but this then causes issues for your logistics I would imagine. Maybe look at club organised track days where it is full of a similar make of car.
I like your idea and would love to be in a similar position - the problem being, you are probably talking about me when you refer to the idiots making basic silly mistakes and having no clue from the outset! 
But, the biggest problem for you is always going to be the cost, even to have you travel to a certain track is likely to be outside of someones track day budget - unless you only plan to work at 1 or 2 local circuits in which case you are limiting your audience again.
If I were you, I think I would be trying to associate myself with a particular race series or a particular car club/make that you have a desire to work on. That way you could use the club to advertise your availability to those who need a helping hand, know roughly what type of spares you are going to need specific to the make/series - and be tooled up accordingly.
I would love to have someone like you come along and keep me on track with my car, but Im probably like a lot of people out there who stretch themselves even to have the machinery to do it in in the first place.
I wish you luck and would be interested to hear how you got on approaching clubs / series with your service!
But, the biggest problem for you is always going to be the cost, even to have you travel to a certain track is likely to be outside of someones track day budget - unless you only plan to work at 1 or 2 local circuits in which case you are limiting your audience again.
If I were you, I think I would be trying to associate myself with a particular race series or a particular car club/make that you have a desire to work on. That way you could use the club to advertise your availability to those who need a helping hand, know roughly what type of spares you are going to need specific to the make/series - and be tooled up accordingly.
I would love to have someone like you come along and keep me on track with my car, but Im probably like a lot of people out there who stretch themselves even to have the machinery to do it in in the first place.
I wish you luck and would be interested to hear how you got on approaching clubs / series with your service!
Sorry fella I should have re-read your threads properly first as I replied, then I'd have seen that you are already in at the competition / team level.
Where do you work out of mainly?
Where did you get your knowledge from?
Why dont you put out an official advert with your idea and see what response you get - nothing ventured nothing gained and all that!
I would personally value having someone of your knowledge and skills to simply set me up and try to stop me blowing my engine or whatever with some sensible and basic checks/maintenance. Plus for me being a novice at this game it would be nice to have an experienced guy on hand to point me in the right direction.
Could you try and focus your attention on some of the guys who put a team together to go endurance races of sorts - at least its all over a weekend, and shouldnt impact your 'bread and butter' earnings - Plus having a group of people racing it would spread the individuals costs of having a tech on hand.
If I had your knowledge I think I'd be buying and prepping (and maybe hiring out) track day cars. The market is probably much different where I am however.
Where do you work out of mainly?
Where did you get your knowledge from?
Why dont you put out an official advert with your idea and see what response you get - nothing ventured nothing gained and all that!
I would personally value having someone of your knowledge and skills to simply set me up and try to stop me blowing my engine or whatever with some sensible and basic checks/maintenance. Plus for me being a novice at this game it would be nice to have an experienced guy on hand to point me in the right direction.
Could you try and focus your attention on some of the guys who put a team together to go endurance races of sorts - at least its all over a weekend, and shouldnt impact your 'bread and butter' earnings - Plus having a group of people racing it would spread the individuals costs of having a tech on hand.
If I had your knowledge I think I'd be buying and prepping (and maybe hiring out) track day cars. The market is probably much different where I am however.
The Real Stig said:
Did not know there specific clubs for track days single make cars (makes sense)
Hi Stig. I know that Porsche Club run their own days - a wide variety of Porsches would be present no doubt - and Lotus Seven club also run their own although not many. I'm pretty sure the BMW owner's club run some too. I think I might have a quick look into westfield / caterham maybe atoms etc..type groups that type of car, would have to look into it more.
Purely because I know those type of cars are less hassle to work on and have a little bit in common with what I'm doing at the minute.
Not sure I go down this route any way - I can see the potential problems.
Just out of interest - any one who has or is looking at getting a more track orientated car, WHAT WOULD YOU BE PREPARED TO PAY for a slave for one day?
(presuming you are the type of person to want to turn up and drive hassle free)and to have some one experienced to do the monkey work!
(That's not providing track side services or big repairs)
Thanks for your patients - nearly done!
Edited by The Real Stig on Friday 26th February 08:07
Edited by The Real Stig on Friday 26th February 12:17
The Real Stig said:
I think I might have a quick look into westfield / caterham maybe atoms etc..type groups that type of car, would have to look into it more.
Purely because I know those type of cars are less hassle to work on and have a little bit in common with what I'm doing at the minute.
Not sure I go down this route any way - I can see the potential problems.
Just out of interest - any one who has or is looking at getting a more track orientated car, WHAT WOULD YOU BE PREPARED TO PAY for a slave for one day?
(presuming you are the type of person to want to turn up and drive hassle free)and to have some one experienced to do the monkey work!
(That's not providing track side services or big repairs)
Thanks for your patients - nearly done!
Dude, you thought about building up some Caterhams etc to track (ie not road legal) spec and flog them out? Purely because I know those type of cars are less hassle to work on and have a little bit in common with what I'm doing at the minute.
Not sure I go down this route any way - I can see the potential problems.
Just out of interest - any one who has or is looking at getting a more track orientated car, WHAT WOULD YOU BE PREPARED TO PAY for a slave for one day?
(presuming you are the type of person to want to turn up and drive hassle free)and to have some one experienced to do the monkey work!
(That's not providing track side services or big repairs)
Thanks for your patients - nearly done!
Edited by The Real Stig on Friday 26th February 08:07
Edited by The Real Stig on Friday 26th February 12:17
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