Track Day Beginner - some tips and advice please

[j4r4lly]

I’m looking at doing some track days with MSV at both Snetterton and Brands. I live roughly between the 2 though I’m probably a little closer to Brands. I’ve driven both once before but many years ago.

I’m not looking to break any lap records, just initially have some fun and see if I enjoy it as much as I did before. From there I’d then think about some sort of coaching to get the best out of the days.

I’ll be using a Focus ST170 which is totally standard so should be fine for making a bit of progress without scaring myself or being too much of a handful.

What are the pros and cons of each track and what would you advise in the way of prep for both me and the car?

Thanks.

J4

[j4r4lly]

Thanks all for your replies.

I’ve had a good read through the beginners thread now too, so I now need to find a suitable date and make the booking.

Last time I did a track day around 10 years ago I just turned up in an MG-TF 160, did the day and then drove home. Other than keeping an eye on the fluids and Tyre wear I didn’t do any other checks to wheel nut torques etc and everything was fine. Perhaps I was lucky or just not pushing the car that hard.

Easy I feel to be over cautious about incidents that can occur on track or get carried away with prep which could spoil having a fun day which it my objective.

Obviously I’ll check the basics on the car which is well maintained anyway but I’m not going to obsess about brake pad spec etc.

[j4r4lly]

Panamax said:

IMO you will rapidly find out road cars are pretty hopeless on track. The car's too heavy, the suspension's too soft, the brakes can get cooked in minutes and tyres take a pounding.

It's a real eye-opener if you rent even the most basic Formula Ford or Formula Renault single seater. I just clicked on Thruxton and right now they'll let you out in a proper track car for just £180.
https://thruxtonracing.co.uk/experiences/racing-ca...

Possibly one for the future. For now I think I’d probably brake the car or more likely me!

[j4r4lly]

SpudLink said:

j4r4lly said:

Thanks all for your replies.

I’ve had a good read through the beginners thread now too, so I now need to find a suitable date and make the booking.

Last time I did a track day around 10 years ago I just turned up in an MG-TF 160, did the day and then drove home. Other than keeping an eye on the fluids and Tyre wear I didn’t do any other checks to wheel nut torques etc and everything was fine. Perhaps I was lucky or just not pushing the car that hard.

Easy I feel to be over cautious about incidents that can occur on track or get carried away with prep which could spoil having a fun day which it my objective.

Obviously I’ll check the basics on the car which is well maintained anyway but I’m not going to obsess about brake pad spec etc.

I might be at Snett on 26th March with other Zenos owners. If you decide that's a good venue/date feel free to come and have a chat.

Thanks Spud. Not decided on a date yet but will definitely look out for you if I’m there on that date.

[j4r4lly]

cava said:

Wondering if your brakes are going to work at the end of the next straight isn't fun, so I'd replace the brake fluid with fresh stuff, preferably the kind that can withstand higher temps, e.g. Motul RBF 600/660, and change at least the front brake pads for some more slightly more suited to the track. I've used PFC Z-rated without issues.

It’s happened to me on the A13 many years ago when a brake slave cylinder failed and that was scary enough.

The Focus has very recently had a set of genuine Ford front and rear discs, pads and 2 new front calipers. It’s a relatively light and low powered car with large discs all round so it’s probably fine for a session with a beginner at Snetterton.

[j4r4lly]

checkmate91 said:

I've owned a Focus ST170 in the past and currently track my mk2 RS. I'd imagine the ST170 will be great fun, they were pretty well fettled out of the box. Only consideration from me for first time on track in such an old car is rear suspension bushes, the control blade front bushes on my Focus are shot and makes the car unpredictable esp at e.g. Riches, Palmer, Coram. Mk1 Focus suspension is very similar design so something to bear in mind. In my experience the front end tends to look after itself, the back end needs looking after.

It’s a 2002 ST170 but has only just ticked over 42,000 miles. Last year I replaced the rear springs, lower arms and all the anti roll bar bushes and then had the geometry checked. Mine has the Recaro seats and while it’s not exactly quick, it can be punted along a “B” road at quite a pace without trying too hard. I’m hoping it will be fun on track too and not too hampered by the overly long gearing in 2nd and 3rd.

Thanks for your encouragement 😃

[j4r4lly]

C70R said:

RSbandit said:

Bedford is one of the best circuits for beginners tbh, lots of space and in full GT layout quite long so never feels busy.

Couldn't agree more. It's flat, the surface is good, all of the corners are well-sighted and there's plenty of runoff if it goes wrong.

I did my first ever trackday on the GT layout, and couldn't recommend it enough.

Bedford has come up quite a few times so I’ll have to look at dates there too. Good to know so thanks.

[j4r4lly]

I seem to have started a bit of a debate here regarding brakes etc.

So I have booked Snetterton for 23rd Feb and hope to have a lot of fun learning the car and track and generally being able to drive briskly without having to worry about pedestrians, speed cameras, potholes, HGV’s and all the other things we have to consider in day to day driving.

The car has fresh brake fluid which is around 2 weeks old, new Ford front and rear discs and pads and new front calipers, rear springs, lower arms, TCA bushes and four wheel geometry set up. It’s also had new cambelt, tensioner, water pump, auxiliary drive belt, full service including plugs, fuel filter and of course oil and filter. Hopefully it will stand up to the 150 round trip to get there and back and a day of having fun.

I’m old enough now to be well aware of my limitations and certainly won’t be going to set any lap records. I’ve also booked an instructor session to get the best out of the day.

Many thanks for everyone’s comments and advice, it’s been really interesting.

J4

[j4r4lly]

Yup, also booked a garage thanks to advice on here.

Is there anything in the garages at Snetterton - chairs, access to water, heating etc?

[j4r4lly]

I’ll be at Snetterton tomorrow (Sat 24th). If anyone else is there please come and say hello to the old boy cruising around in the Magnum Grey Focus ST170.

[j4r4lly]

Few pics of the day. Very cold and foggy at the start meaning several cars went off, though no damage or injuries other than to the grass.

[j4r4lly]

When we started the session is was still cold and damp and the far end of the track was shrouded in fog. Track action was stopped 5 times in the first hour or so, as so many cars slid off on to the grass. No injuries and no damage done other than to the turf. Once the sun came though, the rest of the day was excellent.

[j4r4lly]

braddo said:

j4r4lly said:

When we started the session is was still cold and damp and the far end of the track was shrouded in fog. Track action was stopped 5 times in the first hour or so, as so many cars slid off on to the grass. No injuries and no damage done other than to the turf. Once the sun came though, the rest of the day was excellent.

How did the Focus hold up and did you have fun?

It was excellent, particularly the brakes which everyone kept saying would need non standard pads and fluid. Even after a full day they were still really strong. Unfortunately late in the day the car disappeared in a cloud of steam when the newest part on the car, the thermostat housing, sprung a leak. Fortunately it didn’t have time to overheat and I had a 5 litre container of water as well as a couple of 1.5 litre bottles I found in a bin and washed out. Drove the car the 75 miles home keeping the revs down and stopping every 20 mins or so to top up the expansion tank. Despite road closures, diversions across country tracks in the middle of nowhere, 2 sections of flooded road and having to keep topping it up in the dark by the side of the road, it got me home. The garage that fitted the part admitted that an O ring seal probably hadn’t been fitted properly and it’s now sorted.

As to the on track driving, I had a 360 spin early on which really scared me. Track was cold and despite taking it easy it was like driving on marbles. Once it dried out and warmed up my confidence returned and I had a lot of fun.

[j4r4lly]

ribiero said:

j4r4lly said:

braddo said:

j4r4lly said:

When we started the session is was still cold and damp and the far end of the track was shrouded in fog. Track action was stopped 5 times in the first hour or so, as so many cars slid off on to the grass. No injuries and no damage done other than to the turf. Once the sun came though, the rest of the day was excellent.

How did the Focus hold up and did you have fun?

It was excellent, particularly the brakes which everyone kept saying would need non standard pads and fluid. Even after a full day they were still really strong. Unfortunately late in the day the car disappeared in a cloud of steam when the newest part on the car, the thermostat housing, sprung a leak. Fortunately it didn’t have time to overheat and I had a 5 litre container of water as well as a couple of 1.5 litre bottles I found in a bin and washed out. Drove the car the 75 miles home keeping the revs down and stopping every 20 mins or so to top up the expansion tank. Despite road closures, diversions across country tracks in the middle of nowhere, 2 sections of flooded road and having to keep topping it up in the dark by the side of the road, it got me home. The garage that fitted the part admitted that an O ring seal probably hadn’t been fitted properly and it’s now sorted.

As to the on track driving, I had a 360 spin early on which really scared me. Track was cold and despite taking it easy it was like driving on marbles. Once it dried out and warmed up my confidence returned and I had a lot of fun.

Love this, when's your next day?

I’m not sure I’m brave enough for another one just yet.

I may look for an evening session or maybe a half day as it’s less wear and tear on me and the car.