Brands Hatch 27th July novice track day. Anyone going?

[bass2rez]

Hi Everyone,

Is anyone else booked on the novice track day at Brands Hatch Indy on Tuesday afternoon 27th July?

This is my first track day and I am very excited and also slightly nervous! I have wanted to drive around Brands for a long time. It's my favourite circuit for spectating. I'll be in a black E36 M3 Evo.

I'm not too sure what to expect of a novice track day. Its a 4 hour open pitlane session, according to the website. I'm not really sure what that means, and I'm also unsure if you are allowed to overtake, or whether there are any other restrictions on what you can and can't do.

Has anyone got any tips of things I might not have thought of?

I will bring:

- my driving licence
- my motorbike crash helmet (I hope a full face won't be a problem)
- a tiny spy camera to film the laps thats been mentioned on this forum (http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=18&t=836529)
- a tyre pressure gauge and a 12V tyre pump
- engine oil top-up (1 litre)
- a full tank of petrol

I have standard brakes on my M3, so I expect I will need to brake relatively gently to avoid warping the discs, and generally destroying them. I cant afford to buy a new set.

Is there anything else I should bring, or any other preparations I should do?

Cheers,
Steve

[OMNIO]

A track day is something i desperately want to do! Ever since i had to stop Karting ive had the thirst.

i think you need to take some duct tape to do that X on the headlights to stop the glass shattering all over the track? I know some tracks have that rule.

Before you go out you'll have a breifing which will outline the rules etc about overtaking. Sometimes its on straights only or only on the left or right... varys with the track

Cant really comment on the specifics having never done a car track day just quoting stuff i;ve read on track websites.

[Lauren87]

Much better going for the open pitlane track days compared to the sessioned ones, just means you can go out on track whenever you like (your not restricted to certain times every hour) and come in whenever you like, whereas if you attend a sessioned track day you'll be put into a group and assigned a specific time out on track (eg 1 group goes 10-10.20 another group goes 10.20-10.40 and the last group goes 10.40-11 etc etc).

You will be able to overtake, you mentioned you were doing a novice day, I would imagine they would restrict overtaking to the left hand side only. The drivers briefing in the morning is pretty thorough, they'll tell you all you need to know

Can't think of anything else you'd need tbh. Have fun!