Trackdays~ general pointers

[mike-payne]

Another thing to take into account is to regularly check you mirrors and allow room for quicker cars to come through.
Skyline drivers should also take note that your car may be a rocket on the straights but still can't out-handle a MKII Golf in the twisty sections, so remember to look in your mirrors too

Here here.... Not necessarily Skyline drivers though but many top marques look down on some of our older, modded cars as lesser vehicles, but then come unstuck when they can't shake us on the bends! :twisted:

[gary@apt]

you can NEVER guess how a car will perform just by look alone,beware some will surprise :-D

[Pike]

Thanks Ian, I was going to post a comment about Subaru's and their tendancy to understeer themselves all over the place, but it would be suicide to even mention that!
(Applies to all but Mike! )

[mike-payne]

Thanks Ian, I was going to post a comment about Subaru's and their tendancy to understeer themselves all over the place, but it would be suicide to even mention that!
(Applies to all but Mike! )

:lol: :lol: :lol: :thumb:

[Spec'C'57]

Thanks Ian, I was going to post a comment about Subaru's and their tendancy to understeer themselves all over the place, but it would be suicide to even mention that!
(Applies to all but Mike! )

:twisted: i think its not ONLY mike... :P i have a variable diff so am normally sideways... :lol:

[jungle-jim]

any advice to deal with adrenalin?

i found my legs started to shake a bit and affect concetration round silverstone at TRAX?

it can make you feel light headed and short of breath too. ( not that it happened to me )

i was also told to wear a long sleeved top

also to put on any tow eye's on your car if you have to screw them on

[mike-payne]

Thanks Ian, I was going to post a comment about Subaru's and their tendancy to understeer themselves all over the place, but it would be suicide to even mention that!
(Applies to all but Mike! )

:twisted: i think its not ONLY mike... :P i have a variable diff so am normally sideways... :lol:

Steve..... the spec c with you behind the wheel is awesome!!!!!! :notworthy:

[mike-payne]

any advice to deal with adrenalin?

i found my legs started to shake a bit and affect concetration round silverstone at TRAX?

it can make you feel light headed and short of breath too. ( not that it happened to me )

i was also told to wear a long sleeved top

also to put on any tow eye's on your car if you have to screw them on

All of the above is needed......
As for the adrenaline...... It will be nothing like Traxs when you go to a proper track day. It's not a case of go out you've got 15 minutes, to take your car to the limit and beyond yours.....
You will have time to build up your speed, ability and understanding of the particular track your driving.....
Also if you've not done track days before, then i can't recomend enough that you get some tuition and try to have a few passenger laps...!

[duncan]

well said Mike. Passenger laps are very revealing, particularly from someone that knows the circuit well.

I learnt a lot from my laps with Stuart last weekend - some great lines, some "different" lines that worked well too ... particularly into the esses

Build your speed and dont worry about faster cars overtaking you - be aware of this and let them past - DONT try and race them

From reading this thread there are a lot of things but in reality most of it is common sense and given in the briefing but here is my mental checklist:

Clothing:
- if you have a racesuit - wear it.. a lot of people do now
- if you havent then stick with natural fibres and long sleeved top (not fleece .. as these burn very well... sorry to be morbid but....) and long trousers (not that you would ever wear shorts at snetterton)
- thin soles shoes or race boots
- driving gloves or race gloves ... your hands get sweaty from the nerves and these help you keep a grip on the steering wheel
- helmet .. get one that fits and is in good condition (preferably your own so that you know it hasnt been dropped etc)

Car:
pre-event checks:
- brake pads
- brake fluid
- tyre condition
- tyre pressures (best to add a bit extra PSI)
- fluid/oil leaks - dont be the one that drops oil onto the track
- wheel nuts tight
- tape glass headlights
- fit towing eye

on-event checks:
- wheel nuts
- tyre pressures
- tyre condition (some events wear tyres quickly)
- fluid levels
- petrol .. keep an eye on the fuel level - it goes quickly and it would be really embrassing to run out
- engine temps

good practice:
- warm up the tyres/brakes on the sighting lap/s
- overtake only where allowed and with the permission of the car you are passing
- always check your mirrors and blindspots - helmets are quite restrictive vision wise and there may be someone close to you if you make a sudden change of direction
- cool down lap/s are a great idea
- leave engine running for a while after you come in
- do NOT put on the handbrake (try and find some level ground to stop on and leave in gear after engine turned off)
- you are not aryton senna and you will not impress anyone by trying to outdrive yourself


actually, having written this, it is quite a long list .. hey ho